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<|text|> Cas nodded his head and got into the Impala. “Yes, the positions of the body and the eyes make me think it was an accident. I need to go to the warehouse and see the scene to make sure.” He told him and took Dean’s hand gently. “If you had done that earlier I might have had a different answer,” Cas remarked. Looking behind him Dean saw Cas checking him out. Dean aims the gun at Fenrir, glaring at the obvious non-human. “I don’t know who you are but you’re still just another bastard that I can kill. Try me bitch.” He says and cocks his gun, obviously ready to shoot. Of all kids, Sugar could argue with it had to be Fenrir. Gabriel rubbed his forehead unsure if angels could get headaches. Composing himself Gabriel stuck a smile on his face ready to face his children. Dean heard a noise and turned around to face wherever he heard it. “I don’t think we're alone anymore,” Dean whispered and tried to walk over to the angel in the trenchcoat. Jack walked in half-asleep the noise not seeming to bother him. He reached the nephilim and held his hands out, growing gold Jack unlocked the handcuffs around his cousin's wrists. Jack undisturbed that he just allowed Seraphina to use her powers he reached down and pulled Sugar off of Seraphina's legs and stuck her in Seraphina's still outstretched arms. Dean grabbed the cuffs and puts them on Seraphina leaving no room for error especially when it came to his angel. “Why don’t we get her back to the bunker and see if she is actually your kid,” Dean replied and tried to drag the girl to the car. He managed a few steps before folding in on himself the pain returning as the anger left him. Seraphina grabbed the hunter trying to hold him upright. Castiel goes closer noticing the injuries that the hunter waved off. Before either angel knew Dean had collapsed, Seraphina's grip failing Dean toppled to the floor. Fenrir growls, almost animalistic, as he pushes his little sister behind him. He didn’t trust any angels since most would try to kill them. It was taking all of his mental strength not to shift into his true form unknowingly his teeth shift into canines in an attempt to scare the angel off. “Father!” The children exclaim, with Sugar running over to him happily. She immediately launches into his arms, but his hug is stiff. “I can’t get the bleeding to stop,” Sam said, looking over the boy on the bed. The father and daughter split and Jovi rushed over to her brother’s side. “We might need to call Rowena,” Sam said walking up to Dean when they heard a scream. The brothers looked at the door, Dean ready to find the source when Sam held him back. Fenrir nods and paces, sighing softly. “We can do it at night, that way no one can see Sugar changing the statue back to normal.” He says softly. “After that, I’ll see when is the earliest time to leave to what destination.” Dean looks at

<|output|> <|example|> Cas nodded his head and got into the Impala. “Yes, the positions of the body and the eyes make me think it was an accident. I need to go to the warehouse and see the scene to make sure.” He told him and took Dean’s hand gently. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> “After that, I’ll see when is the earliest time to leave to what destination <|indexes|> 0 <|example|> He reached the nephilim and held his hands out, growing gold Jack unlocked the handcuffs around his cousin's wrists <|indexes|> 1 |

<|text|> Gabriel in distrust, crossing his arms over his chest. “You are part of the team now so if you know something then you have to say it. Or is this one of your big pranks?” He asked stubbornly, not letting this go. Still restraining Seraphina Dean yelled over to Castiel, “Cas, go grab the angel cuffs.” Castiel doesn't move, not entirely understanding the situation. “Now!” Dean demands looking over at the still angel. Castiel moves slowly as if still trying to process the news. Dean looks back glaring at the girl who claims to be his partner's daughter. Castiel returns shortly with the cuffs and reaches out to give them to his hunter. “What?” Dean asked suspicion in his voice. Standing up from his spot at the table where he was doing research. “Oh, Shit,” Gabriel said under his breath. Thinking about his youngest daughter’s affinity for sugar. “When did the Winchesters learn this information?” Gabriel asked. Fenrir clenched his fists, blood collecting at the tops of his finger nails. “Jovi,” Dean said quietly while nodding towards the door. She looked at Alvis, he nodded and Jovi smiled before getting up. Walking around Sam who got closer and took her spot. “Well then we have a big problem because there was a giant gummy bear in place of the Statue of Liberty,” Sam snarked. "Sugar will make sure she doesn't run, and we can discuss this at a more reasonable hour," Jack said yawning before walking back to his room. Sugar cuddled into the girl now holding her, Sugar gave a face of displeasure before snapping her fingers and changing Seraphina into pink pajamas with Anna from frozen on the front and flowers on the bottoms. Seraphina's eyebrows rose in surprise at being changed without changing. Gabe’s eyes widened, “I’m sorry,” he said before disappearing with the flap of wings. Sam deflated leaning against the wall. Sugar walked over to the hunched man, “Hi Sammy,” she said excitedly. Fenrir growls as he protectively pulled his little sister close to him, glaring at the angel on the couch. “Father, I don’t get why you aren’t telling us to run again.” He says as he tries to calm down Sugar. Sugar looks like she was about to pitch a fit with the events that were happening. She squirms down and runs to Gabriel, hugging his legs. The little girl was terrified because of Castiel’s angel blade and the potential fight that almost happened. Gabriel picked up Sugar setting her on his hip. “Those are the children of the Dean-o and Sampala,” Gabe replied smirking, looking at Dean. Dean frowned before glaring at the old Trickster. “Dean, I don’t think he had anything to do with the gummy bear. Bobby said this was most likely a trickster with a high level of power.” Sam said. “He says the trickster might still be in New York but there’s been nothing else.” Fenrir snarls and growls, stepping between them. “You touch them and I will not hesitate to attack.” His eyes turn gold, a sign to not piss him off more or he would transform. Sam rushes in breathing

<|output|> <|example|> Gabriel in distrust, crossing his arms over his chest. “You are part of the team now so if you know something then you have to say it. Or is this one of your big pranks?” He asked stubbornly, not letting this go. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> Sugar looks like she was about to pitch a fit with the events that were happening <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 <|example|> Sam rushes in breathing <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> “When did the Winchesters learn this information?” Gabriel asked <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> Gabriel picked up Sugar setting her on his hip <|indexes|> 3 |

<|text|> heavily, slamming against the door his hair in his face. As he straightens up he lifts his hand up to push the stray hairs out of his face. Sam shook his head and continued down the halls before finding Gabriel talking in hushed tones with Fenrir the conversation getting heated. “I hate to interrupt,” he didn’t, “but we need you to go get Rowena.” Castiel showed up through the door holding the couples’ bags after Gabriel’s outburst. “Guys I could hear you by the garage,” Castiel berated as he made his way down the stairs. “And she’s not Dean’s daughter she is mine,” Castiel admitted calmly knowing that the brothers would not react nicely. “We both know that if I had joined we would have missed our appointment with the coroner,” Cas teased. Dean smirked and kissed Cas on the cheek before returning to his bag grabbing the suit which was folded neatly for once. “It’s one of the ways they fund the service.  People have to buy the purple bags in order to have their garbage collected.” He plants a wordless kiss on Cas’s mouth, and he thinks he might not care if Sam were to walk in this time. “Well, no,” Patience explains, dropping the empty basket into the corner and grabbing a second knife from the counter.  She sits at the head of the table and begins shucking the skins from the sweet potatoes.  “My grandmother can read thoughts.  She senses things from certain objects, reads energies, tunes in to people’s souls.  I can’t; I see the future instead.” Dean holds up a hand before Castiel can continue.  He just needs to speak uninterrupted, without Cas’s assumptions or protections.  “All I mean,” he says slowly, carefully, “is that I’ve never done this before.”  He meets Cas’s eyes again, and strangely feels safer.  “It’s going to take me a minute to think it through.” “Ooh, fun,” she coos through a mouthful of cantaloupe.  She skims the headline and hands the tablet back to him.  “I’m game.” is still coursing slow but steady with the tide, an older dark-skinned man — Rufus, if Castiel remembers correctly — at the helm while Bobby’s asleep below.  Dean is nowhere to be seen. Finally, he approaches the nurses station on the third floor and speaks to a plump woman in violet scrubs.  “Hi, I’m looking for Sam Winchester and—” Jack leans on the Impala’s hood, and Cas does the same beside him.  It’s a clear night, and this far from any big city lights, the sky is awash with stars.  There’s no moon, but the heavens are anything but dark.  The breeze whistles softly through the cornfields, the stalks shaking in their regiments. Last Monday was cooking, but he’d burnt the shit out of what was supposed to be lasagna and Dean had sighed and said A smile crosses Cas’s features, outlined in a green glow for a moment before the sign changes back to red.  “That’s true.  You have.” He’s about to turn and leave with the stack when a piece of paper on the desk catches his eye.  He sets the dirty plates on the corner

<|output|> <|example|> heavily, slamming against the door his hair in his face. As he straightens up he lifts his hand up to push the stray hairs out of his face. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “It’s one of the ways they fund the service.  People have to buy the purple bags in order to have their garbage collected.” <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 |

<|output|> <|example|> Finally, he approaches the nurses station on the third floor and speaks to a plump woman in violet scrubs <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> heavily, slamming against the door his hair in his face <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> ” Dean holds up a hand before Castiel can continue <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> “And she’s not Dean’s daughter she is mine,” Castiel admitted calmly knowing that the brothers would not react nicely <|indexes|> 3 3 <|example|> As he straightens up he lifts his hand up to push the stray hairs out of his face <|indexes|> 4 <|example|> As he straightens up he lifts his hand up to push the stray hairs out of his face <|indexes|> 5 <|example|> “I’m game <|indexes|> 6 |

<|text|> of the desk and picks up the page. for the two of them, but Jack immediately throws up his hand and yells for Dean to stop.  Sam grabs Dean’s arm. Eileen leans into his side and cinches an arm around his waist.  “We do this together,” she says, and a breath punches out from Sam’s chest. “You did good,” Dean says as he approaches Castiel, wiping his hands on his breeches.  His sword hangs at his side.  It’s still bloody and dripping. with Dean.  Or he thinks Dean isn’t ready to talk about it (he’s right).  Every word is hesitant, stammered. Drawing a deep, steadying breath, Cas stands and approaches the bathroom door.  He knocks softly.  “Dean?  Are you okay?” Dean heaves himself to his feet again, swaying under the weight of Jean-Luc.  “Cas, you gotta take her,” he says, holding up Feliciana’s hand.  “I need both my arms.” Eileen nods, swallowing her last bite of fried haddock.  “Okay, so the next step is checking out the rehab—”  She stops short. Bobby and Charlie step out of their piece-of-junk pickups, while Donna climbs down out of her souped-up rottweiler of a truck.  Jody’s sedan pulls to a stop beside them, her girls piling out of the car after her. “I am not part of your crew, and we are not on your ship,” Castiel replies evenly, surprising himself as he draws on some previously undiscovered well of courage.  “I can speak to you how I please.” Paradis pauses the video, and leans back with a huff.  “I’m guessing he threw them in the ocean when they didn’t get collected.” The landscape undulates ahead in rills and slopes, rolling mountains and rocky ridges and rivers twisting and turning along the roadside.  This world is unspoiled and clean, sunlight winking through the canopy above them as the trees blur past, teetering in that perfect moment just before summer gives way to autumn. “I told her we’d take two specials,” Cas says, studying the crappy wall decor and the grizzled patrons lined up at the counter.  It’s warm and comfortable here; exactly the sort of place someone might want to start their morning before spending the rest of their day working out in the bitter cold.  A newspaper sits at the end of the counter, and Cas slides out of the booth for a moment to steal it. Dean’s head turns suddenly and he touches Eileen’s shoulder in warning, pressing a finger to his lips.  Sam, alarmed, jumps down from the truck and takes his blade back from Eileen.  Cas sweeps the beam of his flashlight across the lot, searching for anything amiss. Sam sets the blade he’d been working on back down on the tabletop.  “I figure if we’re hunting a vamp nest, there’s no harm in making sure everything’s ready.” There’s a hiss from behind them, and Castiel whirls on his heel to see a creature crawling over the edge of the starboard bow.  He flinches back with a gasp, knocking into Dean.  There’s nowhere to run. She points down to her feet, which are bare against the forest floor.  In the torchlight he can see they’re dirty and

<|output|> <|example|> of the desk and picks up the page. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> for the two of them, but Jack immediately throws up his hand and yells for Dean to stop <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “Cas, you gotta take her,” he says, holding up Feliciana’s hand <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> Cas sweeps the beam of his flashlight across the lot, searching for anything amiss <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> ” Paradis pauses the video, and leans back with a huff <|indexes|> 3 <|example|> “Cas, you gotta take her,” he says, holding up Feliciana’s hand <|indexes|> 4 4 <|example|> Bobby and Charlie step out of their piece-of-junk pickups, while Donna climbs down out of her souped-up rottweiler of a truck <|indexes|> 5 <|example|> “I told her we’d take two specials,” Cas says, studying the crappy wall decor and the grizzled patrons lined up at the counter <|indexes|> 6 |

<|text|> cut up.  Jean-Luc is barefoot as well, and Castiel wonders if the douen intentionally steals the shoes of its prey in order to keep them from running away.  He does the only logical thing and hoists Feliciana onto his back, letting her wrap her arms around his shoulders while he holds her legs. They find the Nachzehrer nest two days later in a condemned ten-story factory building in an industrial area of Denver – the closest thing to an isolated cave or abandoned farm to be found in the city.  They’ve stopped at a bank for some change and are now armed with pennies and machetes.  They have no way of knowing which Nachzehrer is the alpha, so they’re going to take a trial-and-error approach. When Cas opens his eyes again, he’s standing on the side of a road surrounded by towering coniferous forests.  It’s the middle of the night and he’s beneath a solitary lamp post, the only one in sight.  Overhead, the blackness glitters with the light of a million stars, the entire Milky Way splashed across the skies above.  To the east, the full moon is just rising from behind a distant mountain.  The air here is crisp and sweet, heavy with pine. .  And what I saw…”  He trails off, a shudder coursing through him.  “I want to know.  I need to know.  And if you won’t tell me, then you may as well have left me to drown.” In practiced unison, Sam and Dean draw their badges from the inner pockets of their jackets and hold them open so Lilah can read them. While Paradis speaks, Cas feels his stomach growing tighter and tighter with every word, bile rising in his throat.  Human bodily reactions are still somewhat unfamiliar to him but he doesn’t have to stop and ponder why he’s feeling this way.  He’s angry.  Angry and disgusted. The plaid flannel tent is gone.  Cas is standing in front of him, an arm’s length away, in his own clothes.  A soft dark blue henley, with the sleeves a shade lighter, and straight-leg jeans that actually fit.  He seems taller, somehow, and broader.  He’s standing straighter — or maybe the suit and trenchcoat and oversized clothes had just made him look hunched-over and without them the optical illusion is gone. Cas nods immediately, surprise still written all over his face.  As though he’s never dreamed he’d get this far.  “It’s more than okay.” A day later, Cas smacks his funny bone off the corner of the dresser in Dean’s room and spits a tangled string of swears onto the floor.  Dean, who’s just tugging on his boots for the day, stares at him slack-jawed. “There was no point in talking about it unless I got the job,” Dean says defensively, tossing the now-empty paper plate back into the sample box. is it helping?”  Sam isn’t sure if he should be asking Cas about therapy, or if Cas is comfortable discussing it with him, but showing up at 2:30am in a panic because of an unspooled mixtape isn’t exactly a picture of perfect mental health.  He hasn’t seen

<|output|> <|example|> cut up.  Jean-Luc is barefoot as well, and Castiel wonders if the douen intentionally steals the shoes of its prey in order to keep them from running away.  He does the only logical thing and hoists Feliciana onto his back, letting her wrap her arms around his shoulders while he holds her legs. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> Human bodily reactions are still somewhat unfamiliar to him but he doesn’t have to stop and ponder why he’s feeling this way <|indexes|> 0 <|example|> The plaid flannel tent is gone <|indexes|> 1 1 |

<|text|> Cas have a bad day like this in a long time. But the thing that stops him is Dean’s voice, because he knows that Dean would never forgive him for doing something so stupid.  Cas has to stay, not just for Sam but for all the fights that they’ve dedicated their lives to.  All the things that go bump in the night, all the people that wouldn’t get saved if Cas wasn’t there to save them. Sam’s phone rings then, interrupting their conversation, and he digs it out of his pocket.  “This is Agent Frantz.”  He listens to the person on the other end for a minute or so before he nods and replies, “Okay, we’ll be there soon.” To Castiel’s left, Dean is still as a statue, watching the flames.  To his right, Garth is a blubbering mess. His heart is pounding so loudly in his ears that he almost doesn’t hear Dean come in.  The door opens and Dean leans in and Cas flinches, embarrassment shooting up his spine. DVD set.  Jody and her girls all descend on the bunker one weekend for what essentially amounts to a field trip and a slumber party.  They all cram into the TV room with bowls of popcorn for a showing of Miraculously, both Rufus and Bobby have made it down from the quarterdeck and are fighting back-to-back, the pair of them decorated in splashes of mermaid bodily fluids. Clearing his throat, Castiel has completely forgotten that he’s holding food, and he takes a bite of the dried beef.  Only then does he realize how hungry he actually is, and he devours the rest in short order. In the kitchen, there are still dishes in the sink.  The trash is a few days old and halfway full of empty Chinese takeout boxes.  A few empty beer bottles sit on the counter.  It’s a small mess, left behind with a clear intention to clean it up soon. “Quit looking at me like that,” Dean says, spitting a glob of toothpaste into the sink, but there’s no bite in his tone.  He just sounds tired. Before Dean can regret the loss of Cas’s crushing, comforting weight, Cas wraps his arms solidly around him and pulls him close.  “I hope you know,” Cas continues, voice barely louder than a whisper, “how lucky I am, to have you like this.” .  On the beach, they build a pyre using wood harvested from the tree line, then set the corpses of their dead brethren aflame. The soul is small and quivering, fresh from the topsoil.  A woman who sold herself to cure her baby daughter’s cancer.  Dean doesn’t care.  He smiles, and begins peeling her skin off in strips. He nods, but even in the encroaching dark she can see that he looks nauseous.  Despite the cold a faint line of sweat has formed at his hairline. So that’s how it goes, those first few months after Chuck.  Sam sees all of these things and pretends he doesn’t.  After all, he’s got his own thing to focus on with Eileen, and they have a lot of exploring of their own to do. “Dean,

<|output|> <|example|> Cas have a bad day like this in a long time. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> Jody and her girls all descend on the bunker one weekend for what essentially amounts to a field trip and a slumber party <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> A few empty beer bottles sit on the counter <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 <|example|> So that’s how it goes, those first few months after Chuck <|indexes|> 2 2 <|example|> Cas has to stay, not just for Sam but for all the fights that they’ve dedicated their lives to <|indexes|> 3 3 <|example|> Only then does he realize how hungry he actually is, and he devours the rest in short order <|indexes|> 4 4 <|example|> The soul is small and quivering, fresh from the topsoil <|indexes|> 5 <|example|> “I hope you know,” Cas continues, voice barely louder than a whisper, “how lucky I am, to have you like this <|indexes|> 6 6 <|example|> “This is Agent Frantz <|indexes|> 7 7 <|example|> So that’s how it goes, those first few months after Chuck <|indexes|> 8 |

<|text|> I feel fine,” Cas says, more gently this time.  “Truly.  It’s been an adjustment, and I know the first few weeks weren’t particularly fun.  But I feel good.” but Sam still wonders if Cas continuing to live in the bunker was the best idea.  As frequent as their visits might be, and however often he might see Jody and Donna and a whole host of other hunters, Sam can’t imagine that Cas doesn’t get lonely. The odor only grows thicker inside, trapped by humidity and a lack of ventilation.  Castiel slides forward with his belly scraping the ground and the branches of the den walls scratching down his back, occasionally poking him in the sides. “Oh, yeah?”  Frank’s tone is unsympathetically light, as though he thinks Castiel isn’t telling the truth.  “What sank your ship?” A short rope used to tie down a stowed sail to its yard, tied with a quick-release knot to let the sails fly immediately when necessary. “Maybe you could help us out, then?” Sam prompts, drawing Fred Sargent’s mugshot from his pocket.  “We understand that this man has been a patient here.” “I had an appointment with Mia last week,” Cas finally says softly, his gaze staring somewhere over Sam’s shoulder.  “I drove up to meet with her in person.” “How many of these do we think are real cases and not just people wandering off?” Dean asks, scratching behind his ear.  “I mean, they might’ve moved on to somewhere else, or even just another neighborhood.” Sam nods, unsurprised.  “I know you miss him, I do,” he says.  His words are gentle and kind and make Cas feel like a child.  “But is that really something you’d want for Dean?  Just being stuck here, slowly going crazy?  You know as well as I do how ghosts end up after enough time.” Cas jerks back like he’s been electrocuted, on his feet and away in an instant.  Fear and guilt color his face, his neck still flushed.  “I-I’m sorry,” he says. He then pulls his flask from his inner jacket pocket and takes a swig, squinting up at the sky.  “It’s getting late.  We should check out the sanitation department and do some of our own snooping before the police get in the way.” Castiel frowns at the water as he takes this in.  “What else do you hunt?  Surely there’s not enough of those aspid— Cas chuckles, shutting the door behind him.  “You’re getting ahead of yourself,” he says.  “It’s not even Thanksgiving yet.” Later, as they stop for lunch at a diner near the Parkersburg town center, Dean’s name pops up on Cas’s phone.  Cas rubs his fist on his chest for a moment to apologize to Eileen for the interruption, then steps outside to answer the call.  He leans on the hood of Eileen’s car and grins when Dean tells him that they’re at a pie festival in Akron. The three of them sit like that for hours, exchanging stories they’ve missed from both Heaven and Earth Castiel isn’t given the space to ask anything further; Dean turns and leans down to give Missouri a farewell hug. “Well, vamps ain’t exactly

<|output|> <|example|> I feel fine,” Cas says, more gently this time.  “Truly.  It’s been an adjustment, and I know the first few weeks weren’t particularly fun.  But I feel good.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> The three of them sit like that for hours, exchanging stories they’ve missed from both Heaven and Earth Castiel isn’t given the space to ask anything further; Dean turns and leans down to give Missouri a farewell hug <|indexes|> 0 0 <|example|> He then pulls his flask from his inner jacket pocket and takes a swig, squinting up at the sky <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> “Truly <|indexes|> 2 2 |

<|text|> mindless killers,” Dean says, wiping mustard from the corner of his mouth.  “A lot of them know how to cover their tracks.  It’s a smart strategy.  My guess is Fred Sargent was an accidental slip-up, and we just got lucky.” “I figure we head to the sanitation department lot tomorrow morning when it opens,” Paradis suggests.  “We can track down which crew uses that truck every week.  I’m willing to bet there’s more people missing than just Fred.” Castiel shakes his head and holds up the douen’s arms, neither one deformed.  “This isn’t the same one that attacked us in the woods.  I thought you said they were solitary.” He had always told himself that his thing with Benny was a matter of desperation and convenience — brothers in arms unable to turn to anyone but each other.  That whatever happens in Purgatory stays in Purgatory.  And that the handful of encounters he’d had as a much, much younger man were just… exploratory.  He was a kid, figuring shit out, and that was all.  He’s only now starting to think that maybe they weren’t just exploratory or just convenient or just desperate — maybe they were just his.  Maybe they were the things that built him. of millenia – and however much time he has left now before he dies, even if it’s just of old age, seems so little. He closes his bedroom door and swings by the TV room, where Sam and Eileen are still on the couch.  Now, though, Eileen is snoring on Sam’s shoulder with his long arm draped around her like the safety bar on a roller coaster.  Sam is awake, feet on the coffee table, fully enthralled by the movie.  On the floor in front of the TV is Miracle, sleeping with his tongue out and his paws twitching in a dream. As the town vanishes completely behind them, Castiel keeps his eyes trained on Dean’s back.  It would have a certain poetic irony, he thinks, if he survived an enormous sea monster and a vicious pack of mermaids and then died from simply getting lost in the woods only a few days later. Castiel convulses on the floor, gasping for air with a hoarse yell.  The three of them jump as Cas is wracked by coughs, turning over onto his side and hacking onto the floor. “Please,” Cas begs, stepping forward to put himself between the Empty and Jack.  “I’ll tell them to leave me here.  I’ll hold up my end of the deal, I swear.” Cas is angry.  He’s furious.  After the first few weeks of numb, barely-functioning denial, Cas settled comfortably into the second stage of grief and got stuck.  He’s not tried to bargain.  He’s too angry to be depressed.  And he sure as hell isn’t accepting anything. “Nothing, you just—” Dean chuckles, lifting his gaze to meet Cas’s again.  “You only got to wear your new stuff for like ten minutes.” Cas wants to vomit.  Eileen is right; whatever object has impaled Dean is literally hooked into him, and they can’t just pull him forward.  At her direction, Cas nudges his shoulder

<|output|> <|example|> mindless killers,” Dean says, wiping mustard from the corner of his mouth.  “A lot of them know how to cover their tracks.  It’s a smart strategy.  My guess is Fred Sargent was an accidental slip-up, and we just got lucky.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> Sam is awake, feet on the coffee table, fully enthralled by the movie <|indexes|> 0 0 |

<|text|> underneath Dean’s left arm while Eileen does the same on the right, and together they push upward. It’s even later in the night, so late that the hospital cafeteria has started serving breakfast, when Cas and Sam find themselves sitting on a bench outside underneath the stars.  Eileen is getting some well-earned sleep with Dean in the bassinet beside her, and the sky over the horizon is just beginning to lighten. Cas stumbles over the dead and dismembered vampires, barely noticing them.  He’s focused entirely on Dean’s face.  His eyes are closed, his mouth slightly open.  Cas cups Dean’s cheek and there’s no response.  His skin isn’t cold yet, but it’s not as warm as it should be.  There’s no color, no sign of pain, no small but sure pulsing of the vein in Dean’s temple. “It’s an antelope, I think,” Dean replies, keeping his eyes on the task at hand as he does the same with the buntline to Castiel’s right.  “Like a deer.  Captain spent some of his time with His Majesty’s army in Africa, said they were all over the place, and faster than you could believe.  Nigh impossible to catch.” Jack is desperately trying to keep him upright, but Cas sags against him.  He can feel blood – plain, non-angelic blood – pouring down his front.  He feels As soon as the door to Cas’s bedroom closes behind them, Dean is pressed up against the door and Cas’s mouth finds his lips again.  Cas drags the kiss out of him with a moan, hands ghosting down to the small of Dean’s back and winding their way under his shirt.  Dean flinches at the caress, only because he’s not used to being touched there, caught off-balance and entirely focused on the way Cas is kissing him.  It seems now that Dean has put the key in the ignition, Cas is the one driving. In the kitchen, Dean still makes enough mac and cheese for four people, resigning to just save the leftovers for whoever wants them tomorrow (or for a midnight snack later).  It’s a simple enough recipe, but Dean still takes pride in doing it well — none of that Kraft crap.  He slides the tray into the oven and is just opening the fridge to get a drink when he hears Cas walk into the kitchen behind him. He’s always been a sky rat, comfortably at home up in the rigging and sails, and it takes him barely any time at all to learn his way around the The change in angle allows Cas to push even deeper, and Dean’s groan is muffled by Cas’s lips finding his own again.  The kiss is messy, dirty, Cas’s lower lip catching in Dean’s teeth. He opens his eyes on a bridge over a rocky river bracketed by steep, blindingly green mountains.  An impossibly blue sky and rippling clouds above, fresh air laden with pine.  The Rockies, maybe, he thinks, but he’s not sure.  He’s shocked so deeply by the beauty of it that it takes him a long time to realize that he’s not alone. His brain is still

<|output|> <|example|> underneath Dean’s left arm while Eileen does the same on the right, and together they push upward. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> His eyes are closed, his mouth slightly open <|indexes|> 0 0 <|example|> Cas drags the kiss out of him with a moan, hands ghosting down to the small of Dean’s back and winding their way under his shirt <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> underneath Dean’s left arm while Eileen does the same on the right, and together they push upward <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> Dean flinches at the caress, only because he’s not used to being touched there, caught off-balance and entirely focused on the way Cas is kissing him <|indexes|> 3 <|example|> Nigh impossible to catch <|indexes|> 4 4 <|example|> He’s shocked so deeply by the beauty of it that it takes him a long time to realize that he’s not alone <|indexes|> 5 5 |

<|text|> shouting at him that Sam and Eileen are in the other room, but Dean seems to be the only person hung up on anything, so he tries his best to shove the fear to the back of his head. ’s hull is bright and polished, well cared for, her bowsprit pointing joyfully out to the open ocean as if she’s exclaiming “You’ve only been living with us for a month!” Dean protests, but all he can do is huff and turn his attention to the police file.  “Whatever.” The front door of the house clunks solidly on its hinges and a girl shoulders inside, carrying a large basket braced on her hip that overflows with fresh vegetables, carrot tops feathering over the rim.  She’s dark-skinned and tall, slender, with a kerchief tied over her hair to keep it off her neck in the heat.  Castiel can only assume this is the granddaughter Dean had mentioned, and suddenly feels grateful that she’s not a small child like he’d been expecting.  Instead, she’s no younger than sixteen. At that, Cas does laugh — a heavy, belly-aching kind of laugh that has Dean wondering what’s so damn funny until he says, “Well, that about sums us up, doesn’t it?” It takes the rest of the day to track the wolf pack to a junkyard just outside the town perimeter, where scrapped cars sit in rusty stacks behind a chain link fence.  Just after sunset, Cas and Eileen break in armed to the teeth – silver bullets in their guns and silver knives strapped to their ankles and tucked into their sleeves.  Eileen uses a small pair of wire cutters to cut through the fence, letting Cas wriggle through ahead of her.  Methodically, they comb through the junkyard with their guns at the ready. Castiel frowns at him in surprise.  In his other hand, Dean’s holding a second pie.  “Where did you get that?”  Castiel glances over his shoulder, down the line of stalls and booths they’ve passed but not stopped at.  “ Then Saturday was pool, and Dean had taken him to Donny’s bar to show him a thing or two at the billiards table.  But that had proved a bit too distracting for Dean, who kept making lewd jokes about sticks and balls and pockets until Cas had missed every shot he took and shoved Dean outside with a growl for some backseat action in the car. Cas’s heart lurches in his chest, the smile vanishing as quickly as it appeared.  Something shatters within his core. “You better be glad I don’t tell your father,” she says, although the threat is lacking in bite.  “Castiel, you’re welcome to sit here for a little while.  Don’t let Frank scare you too much; he won’t do nothing.” “That’s the right age.  Old enough to walk off on their own, young enough to not know any better.”  Dean looks sick at the thought. Cas shakes his head again, tears dripping from his chin.  “That’s easy for you to say, you’re the only thing that To move a ship forward using a favorable tide or current, thereby traveling without sufficient

<|output|> <|example|> shouting at him that Sam and Eileen are in the other room, but Dean seems to be the only person hung up on anything, so he tries his best to shove the fear to the back of his head. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> Just after sunset, Cas and Eileen break in armed to the teeth – silver bullets in their guns and silver knives strapped to their ankles and tucked into their sleeves <|indexes|> 0 <|example|> In his other hand, Dean’s holding a second pie <|indexes|> 1 1 1 <|example|> Cas’s heart lurches in his chest, the smile vanishing as quickly as it appeared <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> Cas’s heart lurches in his chest, the smile vanishing as quickly as it appeared <|indexes|> 3 |

<|text|> wind. “We figured you’d earned it after surviving your first mermaid attack,” Dean says with a smirk.  “Come on, let’s go.” “Maybe something died nearby,” Castiel suggests, though he doubts there are any animals on the island. Canvassing is an agonizingly slow process.  Several are too high or drunk to respond coherently to the simplest questions, and several more flat-out refuse to speak with them at all.  Armed only with notepads and pens, they slog their way through round after round of questioning.  Eileen takes copious notes while chatting with a friendly pregnant woman who looks like she’s not had access to a shower in weeks.  Across the street Dean talks to a swaying drunkard, while Sam patiently listens to the disjointed ramblings of an elderly schizophrenic woman.  Cas kneels on the sidewalk to speak with a man who picks constantly at his skin, riddled with the visible symptoms of a meth habit. “Whatcha doing?” Dean asks, leaning over to peer at the page beneath Cas’s thumb.  He nestles into his right side and slings his long arm around Cas’s neck, hand coming down to rest on Cas’s left shoulder. The hunt for the vetalas is par for the course.  The victims are all from University of Texas fraternities, and so they hone in on a sorority house outside of the UTEP campus.  They suspect the vetalas are the queen bees of the Kappa-Delta-Psi chapter, the loudest and pinkest and richest girls in the house. Sam and Eileen stay for a while longer, sitting on the grass until the smoke fades.  They can’t see each other well enough to talk, so they don’t. Sam laughs lightly.  “Yeah, it would.”  He pauses, looking around the car like Dean might be lying in the back seat.  “No luck, then?” It’s not long before the forest gives way at last and the lights of the town reach them, and Castiel finds himself marching through the orchard between Dean and Bobby, Feliciana still clutched in his arms.  Jean-Luc, who had been dozing off on Dean’s shoulder for the majority of the trek, is now alert and squirming. “Well, that’s a bit out of our way,” the captain says, as if Castiel had insolently asked for help getting there.  “We can drop you off in Tortuga.  That’s our next stop.” Cas doesn’t move for a moment, just stares resignedly at the broken ends of the tape in Sam’s hands.  He lets out a slow breath, then rakes his fingers through his hair and sets his coffee cup on the table. , where Kaia, Claire, Alex, and Patience are forced to sprawl on cushions on the floor.  And when Cas sits on the couch with his arm around Dean’s shoulders, relaxed and comfortable and stealing handfuls of popcorn from the bowl in Dean’s lap, Claire gives him a knowing smile that nobody else sees. The days are rare when there is nothing to hunt.  The news is quiet, nothing amiss popping up on Sam’s numerous tracking algorithms, and an air of comfortable boredom has settled over the bunker. He’s used to this — to partners using him to get off however

<|output|> <|example|> wind. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> ” “Maybe something died nearby,” Castiel suggests, though he doubts there are any animals on the island <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “We can drop you off in Tortuga <|indexes|> 1 1 1 <|example|> The hunt for the vetalas is par for the course <|indexes|> 2 2 <|example|> He’s used to this — to partners using him to get off however <|indexes|> 3 3 <|example|> He lets out a slow breath, then rakes his fingers through his hair and sets his coffee cup on the table <|indexes|> 4 4 <|example|> wind <|indexes|> 5 5 <|example|> The days are rare when there is nothing to hunt <|indexes|> 6 |

<|text|> they want.  He’s okay with it, really; he even prefers it.  The burden of choice, of ordering around another person, is squarely in the other’s lap and it lets Dean just go along for the ride.  His highest highs have invariably been at another’s direction.  He’s always taken pleasure in making others happy, in doing whatever they want, and it’s always better when he knows they won’t leave in the morning.  Cas won’t leave in the morning. He sees Cas’s eyes drop noticeably to his mouth, his chest, and back up.  “Good,” Cas replies airily, shifting his weight to one hip.  “I was getting sick of Sam’s things.” Dean’s legs bracket Cas’s hips and he gasps when Cas grinds downward, sending a jolt of electricity tearing through Dean’s core.  His hand flutters up Cas’s flank for a moment and finds a place on Cas’s neck, fingers digging into his nape and trying to pull him, somehow, closer. The island groans and bucks, and Inias screams, losing his footing.  He tumbles down the slope of rock and splashes into the water. “Come here,” he says, placing his drink on the counter behind him and scrambling for the same courage he’d found in the Wal-Mart parking lot. .  Hoping a wrench will fly off the tool shelf by the stairs, or that Dorothy Baum’s motorcycle will tip over, or that the Impala’s engine will spontaneously start. Patience’s eyes blow wide, and she drops her knife.  “How?” she asks, then quickly closes her mouth and shakes her head.  “I’m sorry.  You don’t want to talk about it.  You don’t have to.”  She stomps Frank’s foot under the table, and he yelps. When he slips back into Cas’s room, he finds Cas lying on the bed, arms crossed over his bare chest and staring up at the ceiling with a distinctly irritated expression that’s immediately swept away by relief. Sam waits, and without looking at him Dean has no idea if Sam feels guilty for pressing.  After a few minutes, Sam asks again, “What happened?”  The question is gentler this time.  It hurts more. There’s a single, lonely gray hair poking from his temple.  There are creases in the corners of his eyes.  A slight sagging to his cheeks.  Were those always there?  Did he just not see them because he was too far above the humanity of his own vessel to notice them?  Or, now that he’s free of grace, is his age catching up with him in fast-forward? Jack lets out a sigh, his hands resting in his lap.  “Cas, I…  I don’t plan anyone’s fate.  Really, I don’t.  But once they reach it, there’s nothing I can do.” Cas’s mouth twitches to the side.  “Honestly, I think it might have hurt more because I knew it wasn’t real.”  He takes a deep breath and leans back in his chair, draping one leg over the other and staring into the contents of his cup like he can’t quite bear to meet Sam’s eye.  “In any case, I’ve been kind of off-kilter since then.  And then this happened—”  He gestures to the pile of tape.  “—and

<|output|> <|example|> they want.  He’s okay with it, really; he even prefers it.  The burden of choice, of ordering around another person, is squarely in the other’s lap and it lets Dean just go along for the ride.  His highest highs have invariably been at another’s direction.  He’s always taken pleasure in making others happy, in doing whatever they want, and it’s always better when he knows they won’t leave in the morning.  Cas won’t leave in the morning. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> The island groans and bucks, and Inias screams, losing his footing <|indexes|> 1 <|example|> Cas won’t leave in the morning <|indexes|> 2 2 <|example|> The burden of choice, of ordering around another person, is squarely in the other’s lap and it lets Dean just go along for the ride <|indexes|> 3 <|example|> Cas won’t leave in the morning <|indexes|> 4 <|example|> A slight sagging to his cheeks <|indexes|> 5 <|example|> “How?” she asks, then quickly closes her mouth and shakes her head <|indexes|> 6 |

<|text|> I suppose I lost my mind a little.” He’s almost finished when he notices the corner of a white cardboard box on the floor, poking out from underneath the front passenger seat.  He frowns and reaches down, having to strain slightly to pull it out.  Climbing back out of the car, he sets the box on top of the Impala’s trunk and breaks the little tape seal holding it shut.  When he opens it, Cas begins to sob again, feeling like a knife is running through the base of his throat. Cas places a hand on Dean’s shoulder.  Everything beneath Dean’s skin is tense, a tightly coiled spring.  He shows no signs of waking up, so Cas ventures a soft “Dean?” barely above a whisper. She shrugs noncommittally.  “Nobody ever said telling the future was straightforward,” she says, bracing her hands on her hips.  “Could mean anything.” “And you’re cool with that?” Sam presses, not quite ready to believe that Dean Go-Out-Swinging Winchester is looking seriously at the chance for a life that doesn’t require weaponry in the day-to-day. Outside the car, Eileen is trying to reassure Sam, but Cas doesn’t care enough about what she’s saying to listen. Sam only dismissively shakes his head and pulls out his phone to recheck the address of the resource center. In the mornings, Cas still makes breakfast for himself, Sam, and Eileen, and then walks the dog.  With Miracle in tow, he meanders through the wooded roads surrounding the bunker, witnessing the changing of the seasons as months tick by.  The first colorless winter is the hardest. The den is burning in full glory now, a massive bonfire several times Castiel’s height.  Foul heat washes over him, smoke filling his nose, but he refuses to move from his place near the entrance, just in case any other creatures try to make a run for it. By contrast, Cas is unwilling to push Dean away just in the interest of maintaining whatever secret they think they’re keeping.  His palm stays on Dean’s head and he rests his chin in his other hand, propped on the arm of the couch, and easily meets Sam’s eye.  There’s no defiance in his expression, no Dean snorts, stepping from the stone edge of the wharf onto the wooden dock.  They follow the dock back over the water to where the At last, Castiel manages to squeeze out of the den and into the fresh air.  Frank is on his knees desperately fiddling with the tinder box from his sheepskin bag, striking his firestarter against the sticks and branches at the den’s outer base. Strangely, Cas barely looks like himself any more.  The trenchcoat is gone, as is the tie.  Instead he’s wearing a white button-down and he looks even more human than the last time he’d lost his grace.  Dean supposes maybe it’s because they both know it’s permanent this time around. There are already a number of people out and about, heading to work or ducking into coffee shops that are just opening their doors.  Eileen watches a man push a shopping cart full of empty plastic bottles across Congress Street,

<|output|> <|example|> I suppose I lost my mind a little.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> Climbing back out of the car, he sets the box on top of the Impala’s trunk and breaks the little tape seal holding it shut <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> Cas places a hand on Dean’s shoulder <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> “Nobody ever said telling the future was straightforward,” she says, bracing her hands on her hips <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> Cas places a hand on Dean’s shoulder <|indexes|> 3 <|example|> She shrugs noncommittally <|indexes|> 4 |

<|text|> and spots another curled up inside a sleeping bag in the doorway to a consignment shop. Castiel swallows, his insides churning.  This was a point he could agree on with Frank.  A week ago he might have dismissed the idea as nonsense, but it had only been when the The kitchen is a mess.  Sam huffs in annoyance at the pile of dishes in the sink, but at least it means Dean and Cas have been cooking.  Dean’s been insisting on showing Cas how to cook these days, every day a new recipe, and Sam thinks it’s good for Dean to have a project that doesn’t involve monsters or marathoning Scooby Doo alone in his room.  Cas has been patient and studious, though as far as Sam can tell, he doesn’t have any innate interest or talent in cooking. Dodging fishermen loaded with empty nets, dock workers, and horse-drawn carts, as well as a few wandering goats and chickens, Dean and Castiel meander along the harborside.  They pass fish and fruit vendors, taverns overflowing with customers despite the early hour, and yellow-toothed prostitutes that twitch their skirts and flutter their fans as Dean and Castiel walk by.  The streets are muddied by cart wheels and scattered piles of horse shit, and Castiel decides this is exactly why he prefers living on the ocean. “If it makes you feel any better,” Patience continues, “seeing only the future means I don’t know anything else about you.” Dean shrugs, not all that inclined to wonder at a monster’s philosophy.  “Probably just trying to lay low,” he says.  He takes a sip of his beer, and swears colorfully. And Dean is right.  John was never the father either of them wanted or needed; he was just the one they had, and they’d had him enough in life.  They have nothing more to ask of him.  Nothing more to prove. Dean has the sneaking suspicion that Cas isn’t really astonished by any of this, that he’s simply been waiting for Dean to catch up.  So Dean does.  He follows Cas out of the kitchen and down the hall. And on his knees in the middle of it all, up to his elbows in tomato plants sagging under the weight of their fruit, is Castiel. Dean’s mouth opens and closes a few times.  Generally he’s always been of the philosophy that if something has alcohol, it’s worth drinking.  And while he certainly has his favorite beer brands, they’re typically found in gas station coolers and sticky dive bars.  None of them are listed on the board here. This particular morning is promising to be no different, the southeastern sun just beginning to spill pink and golden over the Portland skyline across the harbor from where Tallie stands.  Her cheeks are flushed and her breath crystallizes in front of her nose, her chest still heaving from her two-mile route.  She crooks her arm to check the weather app on her phone — twenty degrees with the windchill.  Clear skies and a high of thirty-one predicted for today.  Maybe she can take the kids to the park after she gets

<|output|> <|example|> and spots another curled up inside a sleeping bag in the doorway to a consignment shop. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> They pass fish and fruit vendors, taverns overflowing with customers despite the early hour, and yellow-toothed prostitutes that twitch their skirts and flutter their fans as Dean and Castiel walk by <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> Dean’s mouth opens and closes a few times <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> And Dean is right <|indexes|> 2 2 <|example|> John was never the father either of them wanted or needed; he was just the one they had, and they’d had him enough in life <|indexes|> 3 3 <|example|> A week ago he might have dismissed the idea as nonsense, but it had only been when the The kitchen is a mess <|indexes|> 4 <|example|> The streets are muddied by cart wheels and scattered piles of horse shit, and Castiel decides this is exactly why he prefers living on the ocean <|indexes|> 5 5 |

<|text|> home from work. It’s another long minute before Dean says a word, and just as Castiel thinks he’s not going to answer, he speaks. Something tugs at his gut, and he opens his mouth to ask Dean about them, but Dean speaks first, seemingly unaware of Castiel’s observation. see they’re no longer there.  There’s something different in the way Cas’s body stands now, like his center of gravity has changed. Castiel snorts, ripping a bit of peel and tossing it into the ocean.  The sun is on their faces as they lean on the starboard bulward, the A horizontal spar attached to the mast, from which a sail is hung.  The yard refers to the entire length of it, while the yardarm is only the outermost portion on either end. But for now, Sam takes the mug and the mixtape from Cas’s desk, and then goes with Eileen to retrieve the Impala. As soon as he sees them, Sam begins to cry in violent, wracking sobs.  Eileen drops to her knees beside him and wraps her arms around his shoulders, his entire weight sagging against her side. He’s gone crazy, he thinks.  He’s recklessly driving his dead boyfriend’s car, trying to jolt a ghost to appear among the living, and he’s wearing nothing but a t-shirt and boxers.  What the hell “Hi, Sam,” he answers, holding the phone between his ear and his non-injured shoulder as he finishes tying the bandage. The statement comes out of nowhere, but Cas still is not surprised.  He takes a sip of coffee from the to-go cup in his hand. ,” Dean complains when Sam’s taken over quite literally the entire library.  “Why d’you gotta make things harder for yourself?” Despite the cacophony of the harbor and its surrounding town, the crowds and the filth and the buildings crammed up against one another, the vast majority of Tortuga is heavily blanketed by forest.  Immediately beyond the edge of town are small crop fields bearing fruits and vegetables, and they quickly give way to trees and brush.  The woods are dense enough that even during midday it’s still tenebrous and murky, the canopy filtering the unrelenting sunlight into little droplets that scatter and vanish in the undergrowth.  Plenty of places for any number of creatures to hide with their prey. Castiel leans against the mainmast, arms crossed against the coolness of the night.  “What if I were to stay?” Cas breathes out a great sigh, a painful ache blooming in his chest.  He doesn’t know if Jack’s appearance made things better or worse.  He wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Jack, not again.  He’s still not ready to say goodbye to Dean. She doesn't look behind her to see if they're following, but her legs are shorter than the boys' and Dean quickly overtakes her, then Sam, dashing past and skidding on the gravel as they round a corner.  Dean runs down a row of trucks and vanishes from view momentarily, Sam pounding after him, and reappears as Eileen and Cas race to catch up. Patience pauses, fixing him with a level gaze.  “I find that most people don’t really want to know

<|output|> <|example|> home from work. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> What the hell “Hi, Sam,” he answers, holding the phone between his ear and his non-injured shoulder as he finishes tying the bandage <|indexes|> 0 0 <|example|> But for now, Sam takes the mug and the mixtape from Cas’s desk, and then goes with Eileen to retrieve the Impala <|indexes|> 1 <|example|> But for now, Sam takes the mug and the mixtape from Cas’s desk, and then goes with Eileen to retrieve the Impala <|indexes|> 2 2 2 <|example|> ,” Dean complains when Sam’s taken over quite literally the entire library <|indexes|> 3 <|example|> The woods are dense enough that even during midday it’s still tenebrous and murky, the canopy filtering the unrelenting sunlight into little droplets that scatter and vanish in the undergrowth <|indexes|> 4 4 <|example|> She doesn't look behind her to see if they're following, but her legs are shorter than the boys' and Dean quickly overtakes her, then Sam, dashing past and skidding on the gravel as they round a corner <|indexes|> 5 |

<|text|> their futures,” she says.  “And I can’t say that I blame them.  In any case, if I do tell them what the future holds, the mere fact that they know what’s coming is enough to knock them from that path and into a different future.  Best to keep one’s visions to oneself.” He spouted some bull about being within every person and raindrop and tree and beam of sunlight and then bailed.  Cas hadn’t been angry about Jack leaving until he’d found Dean in the barn with rebar through his chest and Jack just… didn’t come back.  Cas tries to see Jack in the rain and the rocks and the sun, and maybe if he was still an angel he might be able to, but it all just looks empty to him now. The edges of his vision blur as lightheadedness sweeps in.  He can feel his legs about to give out, but there’s no time to do anything about it. The thing lands in a flurry of limbs and animalistic shrieking, arms and legs much too long for its short potbellied torso.  Frank hollers and flails, unable to fling the douen off him.  Dean swears loudly and tries his best to get close, to get a clear chance to stab the creature with his knife, but both it and Frank are moving too quickly and Dean has an equal chance of accidentally stabbing Frank in the gut. , Castiel had passed long hours watching the open water, daydreaming of mermaids leaping between the waves, as if he could just think hard enough and one would appear. Dean nods in understanding, a shadow of guilt rippling over his face.  “That was hard for you to hear.” Cas is still standing at the sink, hands submerged in the dishwater, apparently completely ignorant of the fact that Dean is now flat-out staring at his back.  Dean had never been able to see Cas’s wings before, but mystifyingly, he Throughout Dean’s life, silence only ever brought something nasty lurking in the shadows, or came on the heels of a bloodbath.  He filled the spaces in between hunts with loud music and classic movies and chatter, jokes — forced or genuine, it didn’t matter — and anything else to occupy his mind when he couldn’t bear to be alone with himself.  Here and now, this quiet, this perfect silence is nothing but safety, calm and comfort, and Dean isn’t ready to give it up quite yet. “In the back,” Charlie answered, still glancing between Claire and Dean as if trying to figure out a complex puzzle or something. “Claire, are you okay? What’s going on?” she asked impatiently, the worry showing on her normally smiling face. Dean huffed a small laugh, taking the compliments where he could get them. "Maybe save the book reading for bedtime," Dean replied, taking the book from Cas' grip to set it on the opposite table, away from Cas' reach. "I'll take care of him," Cas said, finally someone agreeing with Dean. "But I would like to take a short break and check in with Jack. I haven't spoken to him

<|output|> <|example|> their futures,” she says.  “And I can’t say that I blame them.  In any case, if I do tell them what the future holds, the mere fact that they know what’s coming is enough to knock them from that path and into a different future.  Best to keep one’s visions to oneself.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “In the back,” Charlie answered, still glancing between Claire and Dean as if trying to figure out a complex puzzle or something. “Claire, are you okay? What’s going on?” she asked impatiently, the worry showing on her normally smiling face. <|indexes|> 1 1 1 |

<|output|> <|example|> their futures,” she says <|indexes|> 0 0 <|example|> ” He spouted some bull about being within every person and raindrop and tree and beam of sunlight and then bailed <|indexes|> 1 |

<|text|> much lately. Would you mind keeping your brother company?" The question was innocent, but Dean felt a pang of something unfamiliar in his gut. He didn't want Cas to leave him alone, not even for an hour. Sam was fine company, but he asked a lot of questions and invaded Dean's privacy far too much. Eventually, Sam found them and they walked home together. Sam also had the day off, which meant no fooling around in an empty house for Cas and Dean. Maybe Dean was a little disappointed, but it was fine because Cas needed to get some sleep anyways. While Cas disappeared into the bedroom to nap, Dean sat at the kitchen table with Sam playing mindless card games to pass time. Dean felt Cas' grip tighten on his arm, another hand reaching up to pull Dean's hand away from his face. Cas' thumb slid over the skin on Dean's cheek, catching a hot tear as it fell. "You'll never be alone again," Cas promised, his chin resting on Dean's shoulder, hot breath tickling Dean's ear. "Not as long as I'm here." Charlie shrugged, leaning forward on the bed as she talked to him. "You've got use of one arm right now, buddy. You'll need help. Trust me." Dean shook his head, but Charlie reached up and grabbed his chin, forcing him to look at her. "Dean, this is serious. If you move that arm too much, it'll start bleeding again. You took major damage to your muscle and it will take time to heal. When Cas comes to work, you come with him. You'll be spending your days here and your nights with Cas. Let him take care of you, okay? If I hear you're not listening to him, I'll personally come over and kick your ass." He only teased for a few seconds before Dean tightened his grip on Cas' hair, involuntarily thrusting his hips up, fucking into Cas' mouth. He muttered an apology, but Cas didn't mind. He found it kind of hot, actually. He moved his hands up Dean's thighs, bobbing his head on Dean's cock, setting a steady rhythm for a second before grabbing Dean's ass. Dean lifted his hips off the bed, letting Cas grope him as Dean cried out, pulling Cas' hair harder as Cas lifted Dean's hips again, making him fuck into Cas' mouth. Dean got the hint, taking it into his own hands as Cas opened his throat for Dean's cock. He grabbed the sheets on the bed, moaning around the dick in his mouth as Dean hissed a string of curse words. As they entered the store, Sam split off in one direction, and Dean went the opposite way. It was a relatively small building, so Dean could hear Sam's footsteps across the store. For a few minutes, they searched in silence. Dean ran his fingers over various food products, nothing really necessary since the trunk was basically stocked full. He saw a couple of stuffed animals which he considered grabbing for Jack, but then he thought that would be way too weird. He continued

<|output|> <|example|> much lately. Would you mind keeping your brother company?" The question was innocent, but Dean felt a pang of something unfamiliar in his gut. He didn't want Cas to leave him alone, not even for an hour. Sam was fine company, but he asked a lot of questions and invaded Dean's privacy far too much. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> Dean got the hint, taking it into his own hands as Cas opened his throat for Dean's cock <|indexes|> 0 0 <|example|> He saw a couple of stuffed animals which he considered grabbing for Jack, but then he thought that would be way too weird <|indexes|> 1 |

<|text|> eyeing the shelves, shaking his head as he found literally nothing, until he and Sam met up in the back of the store, empty handed. "I'll find a way," Dean cut in, rushing his words before he was unable to get them out, too entranced by Cas' hand stroking him painfully slow through the pants. "Cas, please, “In the kitchen, boys!” Ellen responded from the other room. Dean followed her voice, Sam right behind him. He found Ellen sitting at the table with a book in her hands. She looked up when they entered, a smile gracing her lips. “I thought you boys were on a hunt? Bobby mentioned a nest that needed to be taken care of.” "Those two can get you into a whole lot of trouble if you're not careful," Bobby said with a fond look on his face. "I'm guessin' you and Jo have some sort of deal to keep John from finding out about your boy Cas?" he asked bluntly, bringing up the topic Dean had successfully been dancing around. Dean didn't answer, instead staring at the table, scratching his dull nails lightly across the hard wood. "Dean, you know you can tell me, right? I could have killed your dad for what he did to you all those years ago. I would never-" he cut himself off, the anger seeping into his voice. He always shut it down before he could explode, especially around Sam or Dean. He didn't like to yell around them because John would do it all the time. It always made Dean flinch, getting yelled at like that. Not that Bobby was yelling at him right now, but any kind of angry tone made him shiver at the horrible memories. “Dad, it’s not like that,” Dean cut him off, the lie easily slipping off his tongue. He’d gotten good at that over the years, lying to John. “I told you, he’s just a little odd. He treats Sam the same way. We’re not- I’m not like that anymore.” The words stung coming out of his mouth, but it was a necessary evil. He felt like he was taking major steps backwards in his healing process. He finally worked up the nerve to tell Cas how he felt, to touch him the way he’d been dreaming of, and now he was taking it all back. At least, that’s how it felt. “Good,” John said, signaling the end of that conversation. “Glad we got to talk, son,” he added, making a move towards the door. “I’m sure she has something,” Jo answered, giving him a look of pity. “That girl can fix everything. She’s too perfect, honestly.” “Dean,” Cas breathed, breaking away from the kiss so suddenly, Dean still had his eyes closed when he said it. Dean let his eyes flutter open, those blue eyes captivating him. Despite the worried look on Cas’ face, he tentatively wrapped his fingers around Dean’s wrist, guiding his hand back to his own lap. "You're stalling, aren't you?" she accused, and Dean opened his mouth to defend himself, but realized she was completely right. He

<|output|> <|example|> eyeing the shelves, shaking his head as he found literally nothing, until he and Sam met up in the back of the store, empty handed. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> “That girl can fix everything <|indexes|> 0 0 <|example|> "You're stalling, aren't you?" she accused, and Dean opened his mouth to defend himself, but realized she was completely right <|indexes|> 1 1 1 <|example|> "I'll find a way," Dean cut in, rushing his words before he was unable to get them out, too entranced by Cas' hand stroking him painfully slow through the pants <|indexes|> 2 2 <|example|> We’re not- I’m not like that anymore <|indexes|> 3 3 <|example|> Dean followed her voice, Sam right behind him <|indexes|> 4 4 |

<|text|> laughed nervously, looking around as if something around him would give him the strength to man up and go talk to Cas. "Dean, you can't run away from this forever," Charlie prodded, giving him a slight shove towards the steps. “Great,” Dean answered, grabbing Sam’s shoulder to get him moving. “We’ll be quick.” He shoved Sam out the door and followed close on his heels. The whole way to Bobby’s, Dean’s head was racing with so many horrible scenarios. Cas could be dead. Cas could be suffering, or getting tortured by John. So many things could happen and Dean wasn’t there to protect him. He promised Cas nothing reckless, but that was before he knew Cas was going to be in trouble. Dean would do anything to make sure Cas was okay. Cas laughed, dragging himself out of bed. “Go clean up, I’ll take care of the sheets.” He kissed Dean briefly before waving him off. Dean got dressed, grabbed a towel, and went off to find some water. Even in the dark room, Dean could see the way Cas’ face twisted into a sad, pained look. The same one he had when he told Dean he loved him. “When are you going to start caring about your own safety? You have so much love in your heart, Dean, for everyone but yourself.” "Because you think you're better than everybody else," Dean defended himself, but his hand didn't leave Cas' shoulder. "I mean, you act like it anyways. That's the only reason we mess with you. You sit in the front of the classroom like a teacher's pet. You always get the homework answers right. You don't talk to anyone else, like you think we're all stupid compared to you or something-" "Let's finish this packet and we can work on the model tomorrow," Dean suggested, in response to Cas beating himself up for wasting the day. "It's not like I have any other plans, Cas. I want to be here." The last part made Cas raise his eyebrows, looking at Dean in confusion as the other boy just shrugged, like he actually meant it. Dean didn't say anything else, or take it back. Instead, he just put the packet back in Cas' hands, along with the pen he was using. "Come on, let's knock this out." “Yeah, of course,” she replied with a curious grin. “What’s up? Got questions about you and Cas doing the tango later? Obviously I won’t be much help in the gay sex department, but I’ve had plenty of sex with dudes, so-” ,” she said again, scrambling off the bed. Her entire demeanor changed as she shifted closer and closer to the door. “Hey, so, um- I have to go count inventory so I can turn it in tomorrow, so Cas, just give Dean those pain meds and make sure he doesn’t pass out, okay?” she rambled quickly, backing up towards the exit. “Be careful,” Jo said, wrapping her arms around Dean’s waist for a very quick hug, because she knew how much timing mattered in a situation like this. "See you later, dad,'" Sam

<|output|> <|example|> laughed nervously, looking around as if something around him would give him the strength to man up and go talk to Cas. "Dean, you can't run away from this forever," Charlie prodded, giving him a slight shove towards the steps. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> ” He kissed Dean briefly before waving him off <|indexes|> 0 <|example|> "I mean, you act like it anyways <|indexes|> 1 |

<|text|> called from across the table. Dean gave a small wave, trying to ignore the fact that John didn't tell them first thing that Bobby was alive and in the same place as them. Dean would have gone to him immediately, but now he had to wait until tomorrow with that information just swimming around in his head. "Here," Dean spat, slamming Cas' notebook against the boy's chest hard enough to knock him back into his locker. It was the end of the day and Cas had hoped to get his things and get out before Dean could find him, yet here they were. Standing inches apart in the hallway, Dean clearly pissed off that he had to be there. Cas watched the back of Dean's jacket as he walked, still holding that notebook to his chest, hoping it would help with his racing heartbeat. It didn't, but it provided some comfort, having something stable to hold onto. Even just a thin notebook. If Dean decided to turn around and punch him, it wouldn't do much to stop it, but Cas could pretend that it would. So he hugged it tighter to his chest as the approached what Cas assumed was Dean's car. A sleek looking black Impala. Cas let out a shaky breath as Dean turned to face him, his expression hard to read. He didn't look angry anymore. Maybe annoyed? Dean woke the next morning before everyone else, so he thought he would make breakfast outside on the fire for a change. With the undead gone, for now at least, he felt comfortable enough on his own outside the bunker. He grabbed everything he needed to cook and set the fire, including a gun for safety measures, and made his way up top. He let the fire burn for a moment as he cleaned out his pots and sorted through his ingredients. He boiled some water, one pot for the rice and one for the coffee. It was made with water from the river, but it wouldn’t kill them. It just may taste a little funny. As he let that cook, he sat off to the side, watching the sun rise as he thought to himself. Supplies were running low and he was tired of living in darkness. Now that the undead were basically gone, he was considering moving on to somewhere else. Maybe they could circle back to the bunker, but they had to go in search of more supplies. Once Sammy was healthy again, he’d bring up the idea. "Both my hands are busy holding you, so that means I can't block anything you do," Dean reminded him. "Your best bet is to use your head. If you throw your head back and it hits mine, I'm gonna be shocked and that gives you the perfect moment to escape my hold." He reached up, grabbing the back of Cas' head before he could try to actually head butt him and break his nose. "Not now, Cas," he sighed, still holding his grip tightly on the angel, not sure why he hadn't let go

<|output|> <|example|> called from across the table. Dean gave a small wave, trying to ignore the fact that John didn't tell them first thing that Bobby was alive and in the same place as them. Dean would have gone to him immediately, but now he had to wait until tomorrow with that information just swimming around in his head. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> If Dean decided to turn around and punch him, it wouldn't do much to stop it, but Cas could pretend that it would <|indexes|> 0 0 |

<|text|> yet. "Listen, if that doesn't work, just hit me wherever you can. Use your legs, your hands if they're free, whatever. Anything you can to get the upper hand. Does that make sense?" "Dean, how's the arm?" Charlie asked, changing the subject. "Cas is taking good care of you, right?" She gave Dean an incredibly dirty look, but when Cas looked up from taking his turn, her face was sweet and innocent again, like she never insinuated anything different. Dean’s plan of sleeping in went out the window as soon as Cas woke up. The angel untangled himself from Dean’s arms and slipped out of bed with a kiss to Dean’s temple, which was how most mornings started. Dean tried slipping back into a blissful sleep, and for maybe twenty minutes, he succeeded. He was woken up again by warm hands gently caressing his bare skin, light kisses along his jaw as Cas whispered Dean’s name against his skin. After Sam had successfully filled the gas can up without swallowing a mouthful of gasoline, they replenished the gas in the Impala and shut everything back in the trunk, along with their new stock of salt. With everything ready to go, Sam got behind the wheel, starting the car back up. Dean started to get into the passenger seat, but he only got the door open before Jack lurched forward, nearly jumping over the back seat. Dean watched the house as if John would come back outside with some kind of incriminating evidence. He knew he was being paranoid, but with John, anything was possible. Dean didn’t trust him at all. “I’m gonna check the windows and see if I can hear anything,” Dean replied, carefully jumping the bushes to get closer to the house. Sam called after him in a hushed voice, but Dean ignored him until Sam decided to go with him. As they approached the house, he felt a bit of dread set in, knowing he'd have to let go. Cas slowed down at the end of the block, their feet dragging the sidewalk. "Do you want to stay out here a while longer?" he asked, gesturing to their hands. Like it was some kind of medicine. The longer they held it, the better chances that it would work. If only it really worked that way. “I also think it’s a good idea,” Cas agreed, leaving everyone to stare at Sam as they waited to see what he would say. Cas gave a sad laugh, shaking his head. "It's okay, Dean. Being human isn't all bad," he expressed, giving Dean's hand another tight squeeze. Dean knew his face was red at that point, but he didn't care. "Besides. . . we ended up locking Lucifer back in the cage after all. Before our power ran out, we managed to get a hold of the rings needed to open the cage. Jack, poor defenseless baby Jack, shoved his father back into Hell with a smile on his face." Dean knew it was risky, sneaking around John’s back like this. In his teenage years and early twenties, he never would

<|output|> <|example|> yet. "Listen, if that doesn't work, just hit me wherever you can. Use your legs, your hands if they're free, whatever. Anything you can to get the upper hand. Does that make sense?" <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> "It's okay, Dean <|indexes|> 0 0 <|example|> Dean tried slipping back into a blissful sleep, and for maybe twenty minutes, he succeeded <|indexes|> 1 |

<|text|> have tried it. He was too afraid to cross John back then, but now he felt different. He felt like he had something worth fighting for. “Yeah, I think so,” Dean agreed, the nerves settling back in his stomach. “I have to talk to Cas.” At first, Cas didn't say anything. He was clearly being passive aggressive as he threw things in the trash with too much force and ignored looking in Dean's direction. When Dean sighed again, Cas whipped around to look at him, stepping into Dean's personal space so fast, Dean nearly fell backwards off the bed. "Don't stress about it, Dean. I'm not trying to be your therapist, I just want to know more about you. Anything to be closer. . ." he trailed off, his face turning a light shade of red as he looked away from Dean's eyes. "Tell me anything you want," he finally said, urging Dean to start talking. Eventually, Dean took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down, as Cas sighed contently beside him, already over his fit of laughter. They glanced at each other once they were both calm, matching smiles lighting up their faces. "Thanks," Dean finally spoke again, once he trusted himself enough to not start snorting again. Cas cocked his head to the side in confusion, still wearing that pretty smile. "For sharing all of that with me," Dean clarified, his mouth going dry. "It means a lot to me, Cas. It means a lot that you trust me enough to tell me all of that." “I know,” Cas said calmly, sliding his hand up to cup Dean’s cheek, running his thumb gently over the warm skin. His touch calmed Dean’s racing heart, but it wasn’t until Cas leaned in and pressed his lips to Dean’s that the anger gradually melted away, forgotten for the moment. “It’s going to be okay,” Cas whispered, kissing him again, and again and again until Dean grew restless from having to chase his lips each time. With a small growl, he tightened his hold on Cas’ waist with both hands, his arm only aching a little as he slotted their lips together for a hard kiss. When Cas pulled back slightly, Dean caught his bottom lip between his teeth, forcing a quiet moan from the angel’s lips. Dean frowned, shaking his head. “You’re not going anywhere,” he retorted, stepping away from his brother to gather his weapons for a run. “I’ll go, you sit tight. I’ll find some medicine while I’m out-” Cas hummed, his fingers tapping the hard, wooden floor. "I would tell you about how I came to Earth, about my family. . . but I don't think I know you well enough to share something so personal," he admitted. "I might scare you away." Maybe Dean should have cared that he was past the wall with only a handgun for protection. The bullets were silver, so a skinwalker or a werewolf would be an easy kill if he happened to get attacked, but any of the other monsters lurking outside the wall were at an advantage.

<|output|> <|example|> have tried it. He was too afraid to cross John back then, but now he felt different. He felt like he had something worth fighting for. “Yeah, I think so,” Dean agreed, the nerves settling back in his stomach. “I have to talk to Cas.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> He felt like he had something worth fighting for <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> " he trailed off, his face turning a light shade of red as he looked away from Dean's eyes <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> Anything to be closer <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> “It’s going to be okay,” Cas whispered, kissing him again, and again and again until Dean grew restless from having to chase his lips each time <|indexes|> 3 <|example|> " “I know,” Cas said calmly, sliding his hand up to cup Dean’s cheek, running his thumb gently over the warm skin <|indexes|> 4 |

<|text|> Though, Dean couldn’t find it in him to be that worried about it. He wanted to get his hands dirty. He wanted a fight, hand to hand combat. He couldn’t hit John, so he at least wanted to hit The first store was just a regular old grocery store, most of which wasn't usable, but they took what they could find. They grabbed canned goods, rice, peanut butter, coffee, whatever was still safe to eat. Once Cas' bag was full, they filled Dean's with more water, because they could never have enough water. They fit as much as they could, zipping up the bags after they were full. “F-Fuck,” Dean stammered, gripping the edge of the bed hard as Cas sucked on the head of his dick, swirling his tongue around to taste him. Cas made a small noise, as if he were savoring the taste of Dean’s cock, and from the way it looked, he was. Dean was unravelling under Cas’ touch, all because of that noise. He tightened his fingers in Cas’ hair, his breathing ragged as Cas slowly took more of him into his mouth. Dean had been so wrong about Cas not being skilled at this. He had no clue how the angel was doing it, but Dean had never felt anything as good. Cas knew just what he liked and he knew just how to reduce Dean to a wordless, panting mess. Dean huffed a small laugh, a sad sound that made Jo look at him with such pity. He shrugged his shoulders, meeting her eyes. “It doesn’t matter. I can’t ever be with him. I’m not good enough anyways,” Dean mumbled, letting it slip without thinking. He hadn’t meant to tell Jo anything about who it was, but he fucked up. "Sounds good," Sam answered, slowing down as they looked over the houses, pointing out ones that were too damaged, too small, too ugly, or any other objections. Soon, they were nearing the end of the neighborhood and a nice, big, seemingly undamaged house came into view. Sam pulled into the driveway of the two story house, cutting the engine as they all slowly piled out of the Impala. They stretched their limbs, Dean listening to the crack of his bones as he groaned, still feeling the repercussions of that fight from the night before. Cas gave him a worried glance, but Dean waved him off with a smile, moving around to the back of the Impala as he popped the trunk. Despite the invitation, Dean opened the door slowly, keeping his eyes on the floor. "Claire?" he said with uncertainty, waiting to see if she had a reaction before pushing further into the room. "It's me, Dean," he continued, and received no reaction. Hesitantly, he looked up, meeting the girl's wide, confused eyes. She was sitting on the edge of her bed, a notebook in her lap and a pencil between her fingers. Dean offered a small smile, leaving the door cracked as he inched farther into the room. That was when Dean heard it. It was faint, but after

<|output|> <|example|> Though, Dean couldn’t find it in him to be that worried about it. He wanted to get his hands dirty. He wanted a fight, hand to hand combat. He couldn’t hit John, so he at least wanted to hit <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> "It's me, Dean," he continued, and received no reaction <|indexes|> 0 <|example|> That was when Dean heard it <|indexes|> 1 |

<|text|> years of being on edge, the sound of the twig snapping caught his attention easily. He had looked up, eyes locking with another pair of dark, beady eyes across the street. The figure lingered in the shadows, watching them, as if Dean couldn't see him. When it stepped out into the pool of moonlight shining down on the empty street, it bared its teeth, revealing what it was. Dean immediately drew his machete, pushing Cas behind him to go after the damn thing, but as soon as it saw Dean was prepared to cut its head off, it took off into the safety of the forest again. Dean ran after it, chasing it for nearly an hour before he had to give up and return home. It was for that reason, he couldn't sleep for even a second. What if that thing came back and Dean wasn't awake? What if he wasn't prepared to hack it's head off and it somehow got to Cas first? Dean would never be able to live with himself. He knew that thing was out there and it was only a matter of time before it came after them. "We all just help out where we can," Dean replied with a small shrug. "All I ask is that you do your best. If you're familiar with hunting, offer to go on a supply run a few times a week. If you can cook, help out in the kitchen. We have a garden that's outside the wall, so we only send people who are comfortable being outside the wall to tend to it. Our main priority is making sure everyone feels safe." Dean happily obliged, gripping Cas' fingers hard as he sucked Cas' cock enthusiastically, ignoring the burn in his jaw and the ache of his knees from being on the floor for so long. He didn't want this to end, but at the same time, he wanted to feel Cas come down his throat, to taste Cas in such an intimate way. He wanted it so bad, it made the physical uncomfortableness in his knees and jaw seem so miniscule, he barely noticed them. "No clue," Dean answered, shoving his hands in his pockets. "But the last time I went on a date with Jo, we were attacked by a werewolf, so I'm sure it'll be a blast." This made Cas chuckle, which always made Dean's heart flutter. They talked a little longer, about different things. They debated the best way to tell Sam and Jack about them, betted on their reactions and everything too. Cas was under the impression that Sam had no idea about their relationship but Dean had a feeling Sam already knew and just didn't say anything. Jack on the other hand was probably oblivious. Dean took a deep breath, fingers finding that stupid tie again for no reason. "Here's the plan," he started, his leg brushing against Cas', reminding him how close they were. "My machete is in the pocket of my jacket at the front of the store. I have this metal bar here, but

<|output|> <|example|> years of being on edge, the sound of the twig snapping caught his attention easily. He had looked up, eyes locking with another pair of dark, beady eyes across the street. The figure lingered in the shadows, watching them, as if Dean couldn't see him. When it stepped out into the pool of moonlight shining down on the empty street, it bared its teeth, revealing what it was. Dean immediately drew his machete, pushing Cas behind him to go after the damn thing, but as soon as it saw Dean was prepared to cut its head off, it took off into the safety of the forest again. Dean ran after it, chasing it for nearly an hour before he had to give up and return home. It was for that reason, he couldn't sleep for even a second. What if that thing came back and Dean wasn't awake? What if he wasn't prepared to hack it's head off and it somehow got to Cas first? Dean would never be able to live with himself. He knew that thing was out there and it was only a matter of time before it came after them. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> If you can cook, help out in the kitchen <|indexes|> 0 0 <|example|> He didn't want this to end, but at the same time, he wanted to feel Cas come down his throat, to taste Cas in such an intimate way <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> years of being on edge, the sound of the twig snapping caught his attention easily <|indexes|> 2 2 |

<|text|> it won't take the things head off. I can fight it off, but I need you to get the machete. You have to be the one to kill it, Cas. Can you do that?" "How long ya been here?" Bobby asked, gesturing for them to sit down at the table. They all three sat, giving enough space for the others to walk into the kitchen too. Bobby glanced at Cas and Jack curiously, but was still waiting for an answer to his question. “Don’t be telling Claire lies about me,” Dean retorted, leaning into Cas’ side as Dean was pulled closer by a firm hand on his hip. “Sure,” Jo replied with a small shrug. “I never said we had to be together forever. But if we ‘date’ for a few weeks, or months, it’ll throw John off your scent. He’ll never know about you and Cas. I promise, me and Charlie will do everything in our power to make sure he never finds out.” She paused, dropping her hand from Dean’s shoulder. “That is, if you want Charlie to know,” she added. Dean smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. Just get home,” he replied, messing up the kids hair as he sent Jack off towards the house. As he left, Dean turned back around to finish his task he came here for, which was finding Sammy. He went into the kitchen, ignoring the weird stares he was getting from the workers. Eventually, he spotted Sam near the exit opposite of the one Dean came in, leaning against the wall talking to the same girl as last time, Eileen. Dean hated to break up their conversation, especially because Sam looked incredibly happy, but this was important. When they made it back to the house, Dean waved the other three inside, hanging back to talk to Charlie. She hugged them all, promising to talk to them more tomorrow. Once they were all inside, Dean turned to face Charlie, shoving his hands in the pockets of his jacket awkwardly. Charlie grinned, as if she knew exactly what he was up to. “Sounds like my brother is a real hero,” Sam chuckled after Jack finished rambling, glancing across the table at Dean. “I’m really glad he brought you guys back here. I was getting kind of tired of his company,” he teased. Company was one way to put it. For ten years, they only had each other. There was only so much they could do, or talk about. They played the same card games over and over, made up games and crosswords, talked about what they would do if the world ever went back to normal, told stories, read books, whatever they could do to pass the time. "Goodnight, Dean," Cas said, and they exchanged small, exhausted smiles, before Dean trudged back into the living room, checking in on Sam and Jack on the way. Both were already sound asleep, having been tired out from a long day. Dean got comfy on the couch, sticking his pillow under his head as he pulled his blanket up over his shoulders.

<|output|> <|example|> it won't take the things head off. I can fight it off, but I need you to get the machete. You have to be the one to kill it, Cas. Can you do that?" <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> Charlie grinned, as if she knew exactly what he was up to <|indexes|> 0 0 0 <|example|> I can fight it off, but I need you to get the machete <|indexes|> 1 <|example|> ” She paused, dropping her hand from Dean’s shoulder <|indexes|> 2 2 <|example|> <|indexes|> 3 <|example|> Dean hated to break up their conversation, especially because Sam looked incredibly happy, but this was important <|indexes|> 4 4 |

<|text|> It took a lot of tossing and turning to find a comfortable position to sleep, but eventually, he drifted off too. “The truth,” Jo retorted without missing a beat. Dean rolled his eyes, looking away from her judgemental gaze. “Come on, Dean. You know he deserves the truth. You love him and you ran away because you were scared, but that doesn’t mean you don’t want to be with him. Because you do, don’t you?” "To keep you safe, of course," Dean answered truthfully. Cas smiled again, bigger this time. It was so beautiful to see him smile, especially because he hadn't smiled much when Dean first met him. This was a new development and Dean didn't like to boast, but he was pretty sure he was one of the main reasons for Cas' happiness. Cas was his reason, anyways, so it was only right to assume the same for the angel. "Thanks," Kaia mumbled, closing her eyes as she tugged the blanket back up over her shoulders. "Take care of Dean now. He was pretty beat up after carrying me around for hours." She settled into the mattress as if she were going back to sleep. “Does it look like I know how to read lips?” Dean retorted, glancing down as Sam rolled his eyes. “Fine, I’ll try,” Dean grumbled. He hoisted himself up a little further, watching Ketch intently. The man was nodding as John talked, his voice too muffled for Dean to hear him. Finally, Ketch opened his mouth. Dean tried to make out the words, which looked something like, “meeting with Crowley.” Cas let out a shaky breath without Dean noticing, swallowing the lump in his throat before answering. "I have the materials," he answered, only glancing at Dean for a second to see the small smile on his face. "We should finish the packet first, and then we can get started on the model," he added, and Dean agreed with a small nod. “Jack, he’s not going to hurt you,” Cas said, his voice calming as he pulled the boy’s hands away from his face. “This nice man said he can feed us tonight. You’re hungry, aren’t you?” “It’s okay,” Cas breathed, clearly afraid Dean was going to hurt him. “Why would I have to hold your hand?” he asked, completely straight faced. Dean would have taken that question as a sarcastic remark had it come from anyone else, but from Cas, it was an actual question. Cas' shoulders visibly relaxed as he grabbed Dean's hand from his face, pulling it to his lips. "You better come home to me," he said, and Dean blushed like an idiot. When they arrived at Bobby's, they concealed themselves until they got a read on the situation. Bobby had managed to find John and apparently had invited him back to his place for a drink. He had somehow been able to convince John that he was still on his side, with Jody's help. They had sent Claire back to Jo and Charlie, which is how Dean had found out John was even at Bobby's. Claire told them everything she

<|output|> <|example|> It took a lot of tossing and turning to find a comfortable position to sleep, but eventually, he drifted off too. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> He hoisted himself up a little further, watching Ketch intently <|indexes|> 0 <|example|> “Jack, he’s not going to hurt you,” Cas said, his voice calming as he pulled the boy’s hands away from his face <|indexes|> 1 1 |

<|text|> knew and argued with Dean about letting her help, eventually giving in and heading back to the medical building. Cas started to stir, his eyes fluttering open for a moment to register Dean was there in front of him, before they fell closed again. “Dean, is that you?” Cas mumbled, smacking his dry lips. Today was Dean’s first day off since he got back in the game. He planned on sleeping in and spending it in bed all day, preferably with Cas next to him, since it was also his day off. Tomorrow after work, he had to go to dinner with John, Bobby, Ellen, and Jo, so he wanted a stress free day before diving into that hell. “The zombies are dead, Sam,” Dean interrupted, though he wasn’t sure why he was defending a guy who he didn’t believe in five minutes ago. “When I was out there earlier, I didn’t see a single undead.” Dean panicked for a moment, because of course that thought hadn't even crossed his mind. Of course he looked like a creepy idiot, knocking on people's doors asking to talk to teenage girls. He opened his mouth to reply, but everything he could think of to defend himself just made him seem even more suspicious. "That's not why I'm here," he said weakly, shaking his head. "I'm Jack's. . ." he trailed off, realizing he had no idea what to call himself. Despite the uneasiness between John and Cas, everything else seemed to be going smoothly. Cas had been getting more sleep and looked much better, whereas a week ago he was starting to look like the undead Dean spent the last ten years fighting. Not much changed at home other than Dean and Cas sharing a bed. Even though Sam knew they were together, Dean didn't want to scar his little brother for life by accident, so he tried to keep his hands to himself unless they were behind closed doors. Since they started sharing a bed, Cas hadn't been able to get up before Dean to get breakfast for them. Dean would wake up when Cas had to untangle himself from Dean's legs and then Dean wouldn't be able to fall back asleep in Cas' absence. Cas took deep breaths to calm himself down, willing himself not to cry, or start hyperventilating in front of his classmates. He was used to being pushed around by Dean Winchester, but that didn't mean he was able to stop the panic from setting in when the guy messed with him. He always hid it at school, waiting until he was walking home alone, or in his house before letting himself breakdown. Charlie squeezed Dean's arm in hers, looking pretty proud of Dean as he admitted that. It made Dean feel good, getting praise from someone, even a stranger. He wasn't used to it, but it was a welcome feeling. "It's my pleasure," Charlie replied. "Relationships are hard. Especially during an apocalypse," she added with a small laugh. "It's fine, Dean," he assured the other man, sitting on the bed next to him. Dean continued gaping

<|output|> <|example|> knew and argued with Dean about letting her help, eventually giving in and heading back to the medical building. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> "It's fine, Dean," he assured the other man, sitting on the bed next to him <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> " he trailed off, realizing he had no idea what to call himself <|indexes|> 1 <|example|> “Dean, is that you?” Cas mumbled, smacking his dry lips <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> ” Dean panicked for a moment, because of course that thought hadn't even crossed his mind <|indexes|> 3 <|example|> He opened his mouth to reply, but everything he could think of to defend himself just made him seem even more suspicious <|indexes|> 4 |

<|text|> at him, trying to figure out a solution. "Today's my day off anyways. I'll catch up on some sleep before the date tonight." Dean's heart sank at those words, and even further when he looked into those blue eyes, filled with a type of hurt Dean would never wish on anyone. The fear of losing someone, of being abandoned by those you care about most. He spent his entire life with that look in his eyes, and now to see it on the face of someone he cared about. . . he hated himself for causing that. "D-Dean!" Cas faltered, grabbing his hair again, still holding on tight to Dean's hand. "That feels amazing," he cried, moaning loudly as Dean swirled his tongue and bobbed his head in a gradually electrifying way, reducing Cas to a panting, moaning mess under Dean's touch. His sentences were incoherent, but Dean took that as a compliment. All that mattered was that Cas was moaning Dean's name and telling him, no- begging him, not to stop, to keep doing whatever he was doing. Jack grinned. “We like you guys too,” he replied, happily. Despite the fact they were going separate ways after this, he still looked so at peace and happy around Sam and Dean. "So, that's pretty much it," Dean said, gesturing down the block. "Everything is within walking distance, everyone's pretty close, and it's safe." "I guess. . . I've mentioned my mom before, but I never told you about my dad when she was still around," Dean began, starting with something easy. Memories that didn't send him spiraling into a panic attack. They were only painful because Dean missed the person John used to be, but they were still good memories. "He used to be- I don't know what you would call it- but he was different with my mom. He was kinder, more caring. My mom died when Sam was only a baby, so the only father he's ever known is the broken, angry, harsh man who raised us as hunters." Claire laughed sadly, catching more tears as they streaked her red cheeks. "I hope so, because I don't think I can live without her," she cried, shaking her head softly. "God, I feel so stupid. I don't usually cry like this," she mumbled, rubbing at her eyes furiously. Cas’ eyes were closed, but he smirked, so Dean knew he was awake. “No, I was just comfortable.” He sighed softly, opening his eyes as he reached for Dean, resting a hand on Dean’s cheek. “Thank you for tonight, Dean. And I don’t just mean the sex. That was great too, but I genuinely enjoyed spending time with you. You’re. . . just amazing.” Once they were in the living room, Dean gently pushed Cas down onto the couch, grabbing the pillow Cas kept there to put under his knees before kneeling down in front of him. He slotted himself between Cas' legs, running a hand up Cas' leg, getting a feel for the new position. "This is okay, right?" Dean asked, massaging his thumb into the deep muscle of Cas'

<|output|> <|example|> at him, trying to figure out a solution. "Today's my day off anyways. I'll catch up on some sleep before the date tonight." <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> I've mentioned my mom before, but I never told you about my dad when she was still around," Dean began, starting with something easy <|indexes|> 0 0 0 <|example|> “No, I was just comfortable <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> They were only painful because Dean missed the person John used to be, but they were still good memories <|indexes|> 2 2 |

<|text|> thigh. “Dean, where will you sleep?” Cas asked, his voice quiet as they passed by Sam’s room. “I can sleep on the floor in Jack’s room,” he offered, when Dean didn’t reply quick enough. Curiously, Dean watched John take his bag off his shoulder and start taking things out. From the distance he was at, Dean couldn’t tell exactly what it was. When John lit a match and threw it on something sitting on the ground, Dean realized he was summoning Crowley. Sam and Dean shared a look, like they both had just figured it out at the same time. The sound of a new voice tore their gaze away from each other, back to the men in front of them. Suddenly, Crowley was standing in front of John and the other two guys, dressed in his black suit as always. Dean could hear his distinct voice, but couldn’t hear what he was talking about. The conversation lasted only about ten minutes. Crowley mostly listened to what John was saying, as he didn’t talk much. Dean wanted to get closer to hear better, but as soon as he moved an inch, Sam glared at him and shook his head. Charlie glared at him for a moment, but Jo's laugh eased Charlie away from glaring at Cas, her eyes back on Jo, looking her over for possible injuries. Why else would she be there? "Actually, I was looking for Dean," she said, eyes glancing past Cas and up to Dean where he stood directly behind him. "I'm not hurt or anything," she added. Sam and Jack still had to work that day, so Dean was alone for the majority of the day. He looked around the rooms to see if maybe Cas had crashed in Jack's bed or something, but the angel was gone. With nothing to do, Dean grabbed a book and settled in on the couch to start reading. He tried not to think about Cas, or his upcoming date in just a few hours. He tried to focus all of his energy on finishing this stupid book that he'd already read about a hundred times. “Can I have some time to think about it?” Dean asked, his voice cracking. He needed to tell Sam. He couldn’t make this decision without him. “Yeah,” Dean mumbled, his chest starting to feel tight again as Cas stepped away from him, no longer touching Dean at all. Dean rested his elbows on his knees, dropping his head into his hands. Cas stood in front of him, a few feet away, watching Dean with an unreadable expression on his face. “I’m sorry.” That was all Dean could think of to say. He knew it wasn’t enough, but there was too much going on in his head to think of something better. "Fine," he answered quickly. "Could use a hand though," he added, holding up the t-shirt to silently explain his issue. Sam chuckled at Dean's helplessness, causing Dean to roll his eyes. "Look, Cas usually helps me, but I haven't seen him around this morning, so if you could just stop being

<|output|> <|example|> thigh. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> The sound of a new voice tore their gaze away from each other, back to the men in front of them <|indexes|> 0 0 <|example|> "I'm not hurt or anything," she added <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> Suddenly, Crowley was standing in front of John and the other two guys, dressed in his black suit as always <|indexes|> 2 |

<|text|> an ass for two seconds and help me, I'd really appreciate it." "I did agree to that, didn't I?" Dean tried to joke, in an attempt to make himself feel calmer about telling Cas things he didn't talk about with anyone. He didn't have to go deep into any painful details, but anything from his past was usually hard to talk about. He'd told Cas plenty about his mom, about how beautiful and amazing she was, but other than that, he hadn't told Cas much about his past. "What happens next?" Sam asked, standing next to Dean in the doorway as they watched Charlie and Jo clean and wrap the wounds on Cas' body. "If Cas is still breathing, I guess that means you made the deal." Dean had no choice but to fold at this point, because John wasn't budging. For today, and today only, he would hunt without Sam. He knew Sam could take care of himself, but that didn't mean he was happy about the separation. "Fine, who's the girl?" he grumbled, crossing his arms until he realized how much he resembled his father in that moment, and then he quickly shoved his hands into his pockets. "I want to have a decent partner, at least. Someone who knows how to wield a knife or shoot a gun would be nice." It wasn't so much the fact that John paired him up with a chick. That much he didn't care about. He knew plenty of great women hunters back before the apocalypse and even worked a few cases with them. This was about his childish tantrum he was throwing because instead of his brother, he had to deal with some stranger. "It's nice to meet you boys," Bobby replied, holding out his hand for Cas and Jack to shake. Much more welcoming than John had been. It made Dean happy that Cas wasn't as tense meeting Bobby as he had been when he met John. "Glad you four had each other these past few months. I'm sure Sam and Dean were close to rippin' each others heads off after being confined together for ten years." "Yes, Dean," Cas answered, his foot suddenly connecting with Dean's shin, forcing him away from Cas with a yelp. Cas looked satisfied as he pushed Dean against the wall, his arm across Dean's chest securely. "Like that?" he asked, his eyes staring into Dean's, surely noticing how red Dean's face was. His arm dug into Dean's chest, probably able to feel every thump of Dean's racing heart. “We’re fine, Dean,” Cas cut him off, his voice calm and steady. It reminded Dean that Cas didn't need him, that he was intruding on them when they were just trying to get back to living their life. Dean felt guilty, but he couldn't stop himself from caring, even if he didn't know why. “You’ve already done so much for us. You really didn’t have to come check on us. I’m sure it took you hours to get here, and now you have to drive back.” Cas gently wound one hand into Dean’s hair,

<|output|> <|example|> an ass for two seconds and help me, I'd really appreciate it." <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> He didn't have to go deep into any painful details, but anything from his past was usually hard to talk about <|indexes|> 0 0 <|example|> "What happens next?" Sam asked, standing next to Dean in the doorway as they watched Charlie and Jo clean and wrap the wounds on Cas' body <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> "Fine, who's the girl?" he grumbled, crossing his arms until he realized how much he resembled his father in that moment, and then he quickly shoved his hands into his pockets <|indexes|> 2 |

<|text|> using his grip to lean Dean’s head back further into the pillow. His other hand found its way down Dean’s chest, teasing the pad of his thumb over a sensitive nipple. Dean gasped softly at the sudden sensation, giving Cas the chance to drag open-mouthed kisses over Dean’s jaw, his stubble scratching against Dean’s to create even more heat in Dean’s face. Cas smoothed his hand through Dean’s hair as he slowly kissed down Dean’s body, giving extra attention to Dean’s neck and collarbone, sucking a dark bruise where Dean’s shirt would barely cover it. Dean couldn’t find it in him to mind, especially as Cas worked a hand into Dean’s boxers and wrapped a hand around his heavy cock. “We’ll just have to be careful,” Dean added. “I’ll talk to my dad, see if I can’t get some information out of him. And maybe it would be better if Claire stayed with Sam, or something. That way, if John catches us, she won’t get into any trouble. It’s safer that way.” He knew she wouldn’t like the idea, so he braced for her reaction. "Dean," Cas said again, firmer this time, as if it were a warning. Dean blinked slowly, eyes meeting Cas'. He didn't say anything. He couldn't admit what was going through his head. He knew Cas would argue against it, try to rationalize everything, but Dean wouldn't believe it. He just wanted to get home. He wanted to make sure Cas at least got home safe, in one piece. He wanted to make sure Sam and Jack were still okay. "That was what, Dean?" Cas asked, or more so demanded. Cas looked a little guilty as he shoved the plate of food into Dean's lap, making sure Dean was eating. Dean rolled his eyes, but obliged and took a giant spoonful of the eggs on his plate. "I don't," Cas finally said, earning him a confused look. He hesitated, looking towards the door as Jack's bedroom door slammed down the hall. "I just wait for you to fall asleep and then I move to the couch," Cas explained. Cas chuckled quietly, planting a kiss on Dean's forehead. "We'll risk Sam finding out if I don't wake up in time," he argued, though not much concern lacing his tone. "I was glad to see him alive," Dean admitted, taking a step back from the angel, in hopes of making his breaths even out again. Seriously, two months, and he still couldn't be close to Cas without acting like a horny teenager. Dean moved backwards until his legs hit the edge of the queen sized bed, forcing him to sit. Cas followed him, but instead of sitting, he towered over Dean directly in front of him. "There's a lot to unpack there," he continued, his chest tightening for a whole other reason now. "Not what you wanted?" Bobby finished for him, taking the words right from Dean's mouth. Dean looked up, frightened about what he might find on Bobby's face, but the older man was just smiling fondly at him. Dean let out a shaky breath.

<|output|> <|example|> using his grip to lean Dean’s head back further into the pillow. His other hand found its way down Dean’s chest, teasing the pad of his thumb over a sensitive nipple. Dean gasped softly at the sudden sensation, giving Cas the chance to drag open-mouthed kisses over Dean’s jaw, his stubble scratching against Dean’s to create even more heat in Dean’s face. Cas smoothed his hand through Dean’s hair as he slowly kissed down Dean’s body, giving extra attention to Dean’s neck and collarbone, sucking a dark bruise where Dean’s shirt would barely cover it. Dean couldn’t find it in him to mind, especially as Cas worked a hand into Dean’s boxers and wrapped a hand around his heavy cock. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> And maybe it would be better if Claire stayed with Sam, or something <|indexes|> 0 0 0 <|example|> "I just wait for you to fall asleep and then I move to the couch," Cas explained <|indexes|> 1 <|example|> <|indexes|> 2 |

<|text|> He was safe here. He was safe with Bobby. "She can be a handful," Bobby teased, making Dean smile despite his nerves. "John," she greeted, her smile warming up a little. "What's the occasion?" She opened the door even further, inviting them in without actually saying anything. John took that as his cue and walked through the door, the others following close behind until they were all inside and the woman had shut the door before rushing around them to stand in front of the five of them. "Bobby just sat down for his morning coffee, if you boys want anything?" Everyone laughed, even Cas, who hardly ever smiled. The conversation continued like that, jokes and teasing, light hearted talk about people around the neighborhood, and happy memories of Sam and Dean's childhood. Dean found himself smiling and laughing more than he had in ten years. It felt good to be around family again, new and old. John wasn't as into the conversation as the others, but he did contribute a few times. Eventually, Bobby and Ellen had to get to their jobs and John wanted to continue the tour, so they said their goodbyes before heading out. A few seconds later, Castiel appeared in the doorway from the other side of the house, raising an eyebrow. "What did you say?" he asked, and that was the moment his eyes landed on Dean, and Dean was already looking at him, so it was very apparent that the angel was freaking out. "D-Dean?! What the hell happened?" “Are you sure that’s safe?” Dean asked, all thoughts of Cas subsiding for a moment as he remembered the last time he’d been out past the wall. Not that he had any kind of PTSD from being shot or anything, but he knew what was out there. He didn’t want to put Jo in any kind of danger if he wasn’t fast enough to kill something that came after them. Charlie rolled her eyes before fixing them on Dean with an accusatory glare. “Don’t forget, the walls are thin,” she said, pointing two fingers at her eyes before jabbing them towards Cas and Dean’s general direction. “Keep it PG.” “Alright, I guess I’ll see if Sam is busy,” John sighed, waving them off with a small smile. “You two be careful.” Jo laughed loudly, playfully slapping Dean's uninjured shoulder. "You got it," she promised. "By the way, where do you plan to hold this monumental event? I assume you don't want to have Sam and Jack as audience members at the house," she wondered. Claire looked at Dean with uncertainty, nervously pulling on the sleeve of her long-sleeved shirt as Dean offered a small smile. “It’s okay, you can trust her,” Dean urged, nodding softly. “Let’s go in the back and you can tell her and Cas what’s going on, alright?” he offered, and Claire hesitantly agreed with a small nod. Dean looked back at Charlie, silently pleading with her to hold off on more questions until they were settled in the backroom. He didn’t want to make Claire go through talking about it

<|output|> <|example|> He was safe here. He was safe with Bobby. "She can be a handful," Bobby teased, making Dean smile despite his nerves. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> "She can be a handful," Bobby teased, making Dean smile despite his nerves <|indexes|> 0 0 0 <|example|> Eventually, Bobby and Ellen had to get to their jobs and John wanted to continue the tour, so they said their goodbyes before heading out <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> “Don’t forget, the walls are thin,” she said, pointing two fingers at her eyes before jabbing them towards Cas and Dean’s general direction <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> "D-Dean?! What the hell happened?" “Are you sure that’s safe?” Dean asked, all thoughts of Cas subsiding for a moment as he remembered the last time he’d been out past the wall <|indexes|> 3 3 <|example|> "John," she greeted, her smile warming up a little <|indexes|> 4 |

<|text|> twice, so he wanted Cas to be there too. Luckily, Charlie gave them a look of understanding and led them back into the other room with the beds. Cas was sitting at the desk in the corner of the room looking over some papers. “Please be careful,” Sam replied as he yawned, pulling the blanket back over his shoulders when he laid back down in the bed. “Let me know if you find them.” It was odd he didn't put up more of a fight, or ask to come along. Maybe Sam knew Dean needed to do this alone. Or he just didn't feel well enough to get out of bed, which was a more believable option. ,” he groaned, the warmth in his stomach spreading as Cas slipped his thumb out of Dean’s mouth, cradling the man’s face instead. Dean started to say Cas’ name again, unable to control the volume of the cry of pleasure, but Cas quickly swooped in and swallowed the word with a deep kiss. Cas’ name on Dean’s lips quickly melted into a quiet moan as he came in Cas’ hand, yanking hard on Cas’ hair as he quieted himself down, whimpering as Cas worked him through his climax. For a moment, Cas continued lazily stroking Dean’s dick, kissing him gently while Dean held onto him tightly. "C'mon Crowley, you son of a bitch," Dean yelled, grabbing his gun out of his waistband to shoot at the invisible dogs before they could get any closer. Just as Dean was about to pull the trigger and hope for the best, the growling stopped and silence filled the room. Dean slowly lowered his gun, turning around to find Crowley standing in the middle of the room with a smug grin. “This is not keeping your distance,” Sam hissed, stumbling over the ground as he tried to sneak his way up to the side of the house next to Dean. “What if he looks outside and sees us?” "Fuck, Cas, how are you so good at this- you've never even done this before, have you?" Dean groaned, his words breathy as he cried out a curse word between every few words. “Cas, get out,” Dean ordered, still gripping his father’s wrist tightly in an attempt to get free of his hold. Cas seemed to notice John’s hand on Dean’s chest at the same time, a scowl taking over his calm features. Dean saw the anger in his eyes quick enough to say something. “I’m serious, Cas. Get the fuck out of here!” "W-What?" Dean faltered, lifting their tangled fingers as if to examine them. Cas pushed them back down, only glancing at Dean for a second. "Cas, I'm fine," he assured the angel, but they both knew it wasn't true. "Really, Cas, you don't have to do this," Dean tried, hoping something would get through to him. Cas didn't look like he was budging, but Dean wasn't done punishing himself for being so stupid. He needed longer to mull over what he had caused. "Cas, come on, let go," he pleaded, but his voice was weak. Dean’s

<|output|> <|example|> twice, so he wanted Cas to be there too. Luckily, Charlie gave them a look of understanding and led them back into the other room with the beds. Cas was sitting at the desk in the corner of the room looking over some papers. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> twice, so he wanted Cas to be there too <|indexes|> 0 0 0 <|example|> Get the fuck out of here!” "W-What?" Dean faltered, lifting their tangled fingers as if to examine them <|indexes|> 1 <|example|> Cas was sitting at the desk in the corner of the room looking over some papers <|indexes|> 2 2 |

<|text|> chest tightened at the thought of Charlie being taken by John, treated the same way he tortured Kaia. All he could see was red. He didn’t even wait for Sam to start walking, or for Crowley to disappear again. He took off at a run, following the same trail John took to get home. He had to get there before John took her away. Charlie was with Cas and Jo, so they were in danger too. "Cas," Dean started, trying to think of a polite way to tell him it wasn't going to happen. There were a few reasons, one being that he hated the way he felt when he was alone with Cas, like he was some teenager who couldn't control his emotions and body. He also didn't want Cas getting hurt if something actually did come through the door to kill them all. "I'll be fine by myself." “Sure,” Dean nodded, wrapping his arm around Jo’s shoulders to pull her against his side. He pressed his lips to her ear, whispering so John couldn’t hear. “Don’t worry about me, I’m gonna find out what he knows.” He kissed her temple, just to reassure her he really was fine. She didn’t look like she believed him, but eventually let go of him. "Sorry," Cas mumbled, shuffling backwards as Dean began inching closer. "You're right. You never hit me. I-I just- I can't-" he tried, but being this close to Dean, someone who scared the shit out of him, it already triggered the anxiety attack. He was freaking out and this time, he couldn't just sit quietly and pretend it wasn't happening. “Your dad doesn’t approve of this person?” Jo wondered, any ounce of anger she had before leaving her body. “Why not?” "We should give them some privacy," Cas said, grabbing Dean's arm to pull him off to the side, out of view from Sam and his secret girlfriend. "Do you know what Charlie and Jo have planned for tonight?" Cas wondered, leaning against the brick wall of the kitchen. Dean groaned, staring up at the ceiling as he frustratedly pulled his hair. "Cas, that still doesn't explain why-" he cut himself off, knowing that tone would get him nowhere. He took a deep breath, looking at Cas again, giving him a pointed look. "Dude, you can't sleep on the floor when you have a bed, okay? First, it's not good for you. That has to kill your back. Second, there's a reason I let you have the room. It's so you could finally get a good night's sleep in a real bed. Don't take that for granted, man." He could tell none of this was getting through to Cas, but he said it anyways. “You know damn well that Charlie didn’t steal anything. You tell your buddies to let her go and get the hell out of here, then I’ll leave.” Dean wasn’t taking no for an answer. He was tired of letting John step on him. Dean dealt with it growing up, thinking that was how fathers were supposed to treat their kids. Now, he saw

<|output|> <|example|> chest tightened at the thought of Charlie being taken by John, treated the same way he tortured Kaia. All he could see was red. He didn’t even wait for Sam to start walking, or for Crowley to disappear again. He took off at a run, following the same trail John took to get home. He had to get there before John took her away. Charlie was with Cas and Jo, so they were in danger too. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> He didn’t even wait for Sam to start walking, or for Crowley to disappear again <|indexes|> 0 |

<|text|> John for who he really was. Sam chuckled, pulling up a chair next to where Cas stood. "That's the first thing," Sam replied reassuringly. "We may have lost Crowley's protection, but I've been reading through some of the books I took with us from the bunker and I found a spell in one of them that pretty much gives us the same protection. It's a smaller radius, but with Bobby's help, we convinced everyone to downsize into one block instead of five." Dean rolled his shoulder as if to prove he was fine, even though the motion sent sharp pains through his entire arm. "Sore, but I'm still fine to get back to work today." He had already convinced Cas, the most important person, so he was ready to stand his ground if either of the girls told him no. “You don’t understand, Sammy,” Dean choked out, his voice softer now as the anger faded to the background, Dean’s worry and hopelessness taking the front seat. “It’s more than that. I can’t lose him. I can’t go back to the way things were before I met him. I thought I was okay back then, but being with Cas has made me realize just how fucking miserable I was. You were the only reason I stayed alive, Sam. But Cas- he means everything to me. If he dies, I’ll never forgive myself. I should have been able to protect him.” Charlie sighed, pulling on a pair of gloves as she cut through Dean's jacket with a large pair of scissors. If he weren't bleeding out, Dean probably would've suggested an alternative to ruining his favorite jacket, but he couldn't really say much right now. "Cas!" Charlie screamed, and Dean desperately wished she had kept him out of this. "Cas, I need towels! There's a lot of blood!" "You're turning him over to Crowley, aren't you?" Cas wondered, not accusingly, but with a hint of concern in his voice. He didn't want Dean being reckless, and Dean had promised, but that was before Cas was hurt. "What was the deal?" “Are you sure, Dean? I mean, you and Sam need this stuff too,” Cas replied, worriedly. Dean tried not to stare at him, even when the candle light caught his eyes just right that the blue in them shined, or maybe they sparkled. Dean didn't think about it too hard before looking down at his food. Dean grimaced and scooted closer to Cas. “You two have history together?” he asked, shifting uncomfortably on his heels. There were so many questions, so much that didn’t add up. “Angels?” Sam doubted, shaking his head in disbelief. Dean was in the same boat. Cas had been talking about God earlier, but Dean thought it was just jokes. He didn’t think there was actually a God, or angels for that matter. Demons were real, so he supposed it could be true, but even so, why had he never met an angel before now? Claire crossed her arms, leaning back against the wall again as she let out a small groan. “Okay, fine, I’m sorry,” she sighed. "I don't

<|output|> <|example|> John for who he really was. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> “You two have history together?” he asked, shifting uncomfortably on his heels <|indexes|> 0 <|example|> " He had already convinced Cas, the most important person, so he was ready to stand his ground if either of the girls told him no <|indexes|> 1 1 |

<|text|> know," Cas admitted, slightly shrugging his shoulders. "I still don't understand how he managed it, but he did. It was a gradual loss, but we got weaker and weaker every day, until eventually, our power had run out." “You okay, Cas?” he asked, brushing the hair away from Cas’ forehead where he didn’t quite tame it this morning. He was overdue for a haircut, but Charlie had been busy this week with Jo and brainstorming plans to deal with John. "Sam's hair is almost longer than hers," Dean chuckled, making Cas roll his eyes. "Kidding! I've been offering to cut his hair for years, but he never lets me," Dean shrugged. Not that Dean blamed him, because the only haircut Dean could give was the one he had himself, and Sam would not be able to pull that off. He looked better with shaggy hair and always had, even as a kid. "That's okay, Cas," Dean said eventually, closing his eyes despite not feeling tired at all. The silence settled again, though this time it didn't feel as tense. It still took hours, but eventually, Dean felt himself drift off to sleep. “He’s not much of a conversationalist,” Cas deadpanned. Dean thought it was a joke at first, but Cas didn’t crack even the smallest of smiles. He decided to just let that one go because he didn’t want to get into religion anyways. They walked the last ten minutes in silence. When they reached the bunker, Dean could see his guests were impressed. “This place looks secure,” Cas observed. "Of course," Cas found himself saying, no resistance from him. He was about to offer his bed, but Dean was already crawling onto the floor, his eyes closed and his breathing heavy as he drifted off. Cas sighed, getting up to shove a pillow under Dean's head. He draped one of his extra blankets over Dean's body, pretty much tucking him in. Dean didn't move a muscle through the entire process, letting Cas touch him however he wanted. When he looked comfortable enough, Cas turned out the lights, changed into pajama bottoms and tossed his shirt off, and then crawled into bed to go to sleep. Crowley cocked his head to the side, just staring at John for a moment. "Oh, you mean this?" he asked, a piece of paper popping up in his hand out of thin air. John audibly swallowed in the silence and then Crowley laughed. "What deal?" he hissed, and the paper burst into flames and disintegrated just like that. Dean felt a wave of nausea wash over him as he realized the wall had just gone down, putting everyone he cared about in danger back home. He pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the moment he was currently in. “I think it would have been a distraction from what’s really wrong,” Cas said, still red in the face as he shifted awkwardly on the stool, his hands digging into his thighs. “Dean, the rules,” Sam argued, slowly pushing himself to stand up. Dean could see how weak his illness made him. There was no

<|output|> <|example|> know," Cas admitted, slightly shrugging his shoulders. "I still don't understand how he managed it, but he did. It was a gradual loss, but we got weaker and weaker every day, until eventually, our power had run out." <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> They walked the last ten minutes in silence <|indexes|> 0 <|example|> "Kidding! I've been offering to cut his hair for years, but he never lets me," Dean shrugged <|indexes|> 1 1 |

<|text|> way Sam would make it through a supply run with the undead on their tails, no matter how quiet it was out there. “You should know better, you made them. We don’t go out there alone,” Sam said, using Dean’s own words against him. He was good at that. “What was the deal?” Bobby asked, as if he’d consider letting it happen. Sam would never let Dean do this, but with Bobby’s support, if it were the only option, Dean would be open to making a deal. Only if it was the last resort. The girl stared at him a little longer, finally straightening up as if she were going to let him inside, though she didn't rush to move out of the way. "No offense, but you don't look the type," she said, finally smiling a little in amusement. "If you know what I mean." Eventually, Charlie finished up and cleaned everything again, offering Dean a shirt to replace the one he was currently wearing that was covered in blood. Cas helped him into it without moving his bad arm around too much. Once he was changed and bandaged up, he really wanted to go home, but Charlie insisted he get some rest before trying to walk anywhere. Dean was in no position to argue, so he laid there staring at the back of his eyelids, trying to sleep. Cas stayed by his side, sitting in a chair Charlie had pulled up for him. Charlie was in the other room counting inventory. At least, that was where she was when Dean finally fell asleep. "God, yes," he grunted, taking the couple of pills from her hand as he threw them back, accepting a bottle of water to wash them down with. He winced as they slid down his throat, then took a few more gulps of the water to wet his dry mouth. Charlie watched him carefully, as if examining him. Dean cleared his throat, setting the half empty bottle of water next to him on the bed as he awkwardly glanced at Charlie. "So. . ." he started, but he couldn't bring himself to ask out of fear of sounding like a desperate teenage girl. Dean's face turned a deep shade of red at the suggestion as he sat straight up, pulling the pillow into his lap. "Cas, we can't sleep in the same bed," he hissed, glaring at him for even bringing it up. If anyone heard him talking like that, it would look suspicious. Sam didn't need that kind of fuel to make fun of Dean, and if John happened to decide it was a good idea to come over right then, in the middle of that conversation, well they'd all be screwed. Jo laughed, linking her arm through Dean’s. “Oh, absolutely,” she agreed. They started off after Cas and Charlie, far enough that they couldn’t hear them, but close enough to see them if anything were to come after them. “I’m sorry about earlier, in the car,” Jo said after a few minutes of watching Charlie hold up different shirts to see if

<|output|> <|example|> way Sam would make it through a supply run with the undead on their tails, no matter how quiet it was out there. “You should know better, you made them. We don’t go out there alone,” Sam said, using Dean’s own words against him. He was good at that. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> He winced as they slid down his throat, then took a few more gulps of the water to wet his dry mouth <|indexes|> 0 0 0 <|example|> “Oh, absolutely,” she agreed <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> Only if it was the last resort <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> Dean cleared his throat, setting the half empty bottle of water next to him on the bed as he awkwardly glanced at Charlie <|indexes|> 3 |

<|text|> she liked them on Cas. “I was deflecting. I didn’t want anything about me and Charlie coming up.” Dean rolled his shoulder a little, his injury feeling a lot worse than it had yesterday when Charlie took the sling off. "Not great, but I've had worse," he said, trying to sound convincing. "I've got to get back out there today." , Cas," Dean hissed, his head dropping to Cas' shoulder. He hadn't necessarily expected anything in return, but he wasn't complaining at all. He knew it wouldn't take him long, his hips thrusting in time with his hand stroking Cas, both of them moaning and panting, falling apart together, unraveling each other. Dean was a mess already, after only a few strokes of Cas' strong, hot fingers on his dick. Cas may have been inexperienced at sex with other people, but this was something he was damn good at. Dean's hips stuttered into Cas' fist, that familiar sensation growing hot in his gut. All it took was him sitting up to look at Cas, their eyes meeting, Cas' lips parted and moaning Dean's name. Suddenly Dean was spilling into Cas' hand, and seconds later, Cas followed, coming with Dean's name still on his lips. They stroked each other lazily for a little longer, until they were both hissing at the sensitive sensation. "Just let it go, man," Dean grumbled, letting Sam drop his things into the bag as well before Sam took it from him. Dean glared, but didn't say anything. "We're not talking about dad. He's got nothing to do with it." Except he had everything to do with it, but Dean could never tell Sam that. He didn't want Sam to think less of their dead father. What was the point in that? "We'll try," Sam answered, waving Dean and Cas out the door. This was it. The end of the line. They had to get John, or everything they had endured lately was for nothing. Dean couldn't decide if he was nervous, or just glad it was almost over. Charlie rolled her eyes, pointing a thumb towards the other room where Cas had run off to. "That was because of you," she accused, giving Dean a stern look that made him slump in his seat guiltily. "If you can't see it-" she started, then cut herself off, giving a small sigh. "You two are going to be the death of me," she said instead, dropping her head to her arms as they folded on top of the table. This is it! The final chapter! I'm posting the epilogue right after this chapter, so there's no wait for the ending. I want to thank you guys for reading and commenting and just being awesome :) I hope you enjoyed my first ever Destiel fic! They should have been about done with work by the point in the day. Sam wasn’t at the house, so Dean could only think of one other place his baby brother might be. Dean nearly ran all the way to the kitchen, his body aching from all the stress he’d been putting it

<|output|> <|example|> she liked them on Cas. “I was deflecting. I didn’t want anything about me and Charlie coming up.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> she liked them on Cas <|indexes|> 0 0 |

<|text|> through. When he got there, Jack was the first person he saw, standing outside. His face lit up when he saw Dean, but the smile quickly faded as he saw Dean’s expression. Dean started to follow them, but hesitated for a moment and turned back towards Cas, gently grabbing the angel's face to pull him in for a short kiss. When he pulled away, Cas seemed a little surprised, which only made Dean smile wider. "I'll see you tonight," he promised, pressing his lips to Cas' forehead just because he couldn't get enough of touching him. "I'll be safe," he added. Dean sat up with a groan, glancing at the front door where Charlie stood, wearing a casual t-shirt with a Star Wars logo on it and a pair of faded jeans. Dean gave her a smile, which she returned with an excited little wave. "I'll go wake them up," Dean promised, stretching his arms across his chest. "Just wait here with Charlie. I'll only be a minute." Dean really didn't want to get into all of the details, but Jo already knew most of it anyways, so he didn't really see the harm in telling her. "I was hoping to sneak off in the Impala later tonight as long as John's not around," he admitted. The good thing about this place, despite his dad being a hardass, the gates around this place weren't really guarded. “We gotta talk,” Dean said, giving Eileen a small smile. “Sorry, I need to borrow your boyfriend for a minute,” he added, because why would he pass up on an opportunity to embarrass Sammy, just a little? "Oh," Sam replied, closing the book and setting it to the side. "I was sleeping earlier, but I've been doing some reading for the past hour or so," he explained, dragging himself out of bed to change out of his sweat pants and back into his jeans. Charlie set up a large overhead light that she clipped to a shelf on the wall and then got to work on Kaia. Dean would have offered his help, but he didn’t think he could stand. “Dean, are you alright? Do you need medical attention too?” Charlie asked without looking at him. She was cleaning up the wounds on Kaia’s face before giving her stitches and that took focus. They both shook their head no, Cas with that same stern look on his face, but Jack looked traumatized. “Just a few gashes from fighting, but no bites,” Cas said, wincing as he touched an open wound on his forehead. Dean felt his jaw clench and it took everything he had not to shoot her right then and there. "As long as I shoot one of you before you kill me, I'll consider that a win," Dean snapped, ignoring Cas' hand twisting into the fabric of his jacket near his back, holding him even closer, maybe keeping him from doing something harmful. Like get himself killed. "Let Sam go, or you're getting a bullet in your brain," Dean continued, using Cas' touch to calm himself enough to recognize he had to

<|output|> <|example|> through. When he got there, Jack was the first person he saw, standing outside. His face lit up when he saw Dean, but the smile quickly faded as he saw Dean’s expression. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> "Just wait here with Charlie <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 <|example|> " Dean really didn't want to get into all of the details, but Jo already knew most of it anyways, so he didn't really see the harm in telling her <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> " Dean really didn't want to get into all of the details, but Jo already knew most of it anyways, so he didn't really see the harm in telling her <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> His face lit up when he saw Dean, but the smile quickly faded as he saw Dean’s expression <|indexes|> 3 3 <|example|> Dean would have offered his help, but he didn’t think he could stand <|indexes|> 4 4 |

<|text|> negotiate here. He'd be no use to anyone dead. He couldn't save them all if he kept going like this. "The kid too. Let them go." “Weeks,” Cas sighed, sounding almost as upset as Dean. “There are ways around it. . .” he added, making Dean’s face burn. “But not tonight.” Cas started to pull away, but Dean snapped his head to look at him, a desperate look in his eyes as he reeled the angel back in, holding onto his hand even tighter. "Don't," he choked out, the word catching in his throat. He didn't care that Charlie could see them, or that Cas looked confused. He didn't care. He wanted that feeling of Cas' hand in his. It was the only thing distracting him from the pain. "There's only three rooms," Jack shared, folding an old quilt over his arm as he hugged a pillow to his chest. "Castiel and I can share a room. He said he'd sleep on the floor." A strange look of understanding passed over Charlie's features, as if she could see into Dean's head when he talked about the angel, but the look quickly passed and left Dean wondering if he imagined it. "I'd love to meet everyone," Charlie said, back to her lively self, an excited smile playing at her lips. Dean would have invited her in to meet everyone, but then he'd have to see Cas. "Why did you pick this one?" Cas wondered, picking up the end of the tie with a genuine smile on his face. Dean was frozen just from looking at that smile. He couldn't speak until Cas finally looked up, their eyes meeting again. "Dean?" “Okay,” Sam whispered, still holding Dean’s shoulders, making no move to let him go anytime soon. “I’ll help, but let’s do this the smart way.” Dean was too distracted to think there was any other way than to storm around the entire span of the forest until he found Cas. Sam had better ideas. “Let’s summon Crowley and make an official deal. Cas’ safety for John’s soul.” Dean realized that Bobby had meant it when he said they should stay out of John’s way for the next three weeks until they had a solid plan. He knew Bobby was right, too. These were all things Dean recognized and knew he should consider before doing something stupid, like summoning the King of Hell. However, Dean despised sitting around waiting for something to happen. If he could just talk to Crowley again, maybe they could come up with a way to keep everyone safe and get rid of John without making a deal. Or if Dean had to make a deal, maybe there was a way to keep Sam and Bobby and Cas from finding out about it. “M’ sorry,” Dean promised, smoothing his hand through Cas’ hair as an apology. Cas licked his lips, his hand still around Dean’s cock, stroking steadily as Dean gasped softly. “P-Please, Cas, keep going,” he begged, his eyes wild. Cas smirked, satisfied with Dean’s apology as he leaned back in and wrapped his lips around Dean

<|output|> <|example|> negotiate here. He'd be no use to anyone dead. He couldn't save them all if he kept going like this. "The kid too. Let them go." <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> It was the only thing distracting him from the pain <|indexes|> 0 |

<|text|> again. Dean held his breath to keep the loud moan he knew was inevitable from coming out. “Of course,” Dean replied with a small smile. “He’s not touching you again. Any of you.” He felt Cas’ hand slip into his own, reminding him of the conversation they had just had. He didn’t look at Cas, knowing what kind of look would be waiting for him if he did. Instead, he squeezed Cas’ hand and pulled away, walking towards Kaia. “Everything okay, Kaia?” "I thought Jody was pulling my leg," John chuckled, his eyes crinkling with happiness. Dean was still stuck in that spot, staring in shock. John glanced at him, but Sam took his attention back with a tight hug. "My boys," John whispered, closing his eyes as he squeezed Sam for a few long seconds. Their father pulled away, holding Sam at arms length, just looking at him, studying him. Suddenly, his eyes were on Dean, expecting something from him. What was he supposed to say? John stepped past Sam, approaching Dean with the same kind of fondness. "It's good to see you, son," he beamed, drawing Dean in by his elbows. "Yeah, he said it was pretty sudden," Dean replied quietly, hoping he didn't say the wrong thing. "He said you think something happened to her. Can you tell me why you think that?" He wanted to understand the whole situation, but even without Claire telling him, he knew he believed her. “What the hell do you-” she started, before dropping her hands from her face to take in the situation. “Shit, Dean,” she breathed, eyes landing on Kaia, unconscious in Dean’s arms. “You found her?” "I'll throw something together," Dean insisted, throwing the bag over his shoulder as he walked away from them, wanting a second to himself to get over whatever awkwardness was happening between them right now. He didn't feel like sitting in front of Cas and Sam while they laughed at him any more. Instead, he checked around the kitchen for anything usable left behind. Eventually, he settled on cans of beans they had in their bag, using their can opener to get the lid off so he could distribute it onto plates. He took his sweet time, not really in a rush to get back in there. "Get in," he instructed, opening the door to the passenger side. Cas didn't move, his eyes staring into the car, at the seat where Dean expected him to sit. Dean sighed impatiently, moving to grab Cas' sleeve, but Cas jumped away from him, terrified. "Hey, what's your deal?" Dean asked, suddenly a little worried. "I'm not going to hurt you. When have I ever put my hands on you?" he demanded, closing the door when it became very clear Cas wasn't getting in. Dean’s face was even redder if that was possible. “Shut it, you sap,” Dean laughed, rolling his eyes. “And get out of bed.” John showed them into the house, but didn't get much farther than the living room before excusing himself. He claimed he had other business to attend to, but Dean could

<|output|> <|example|> again. Dean held his breath to keep the loud moan he knew was inevitable from coming out. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> “And get out of bed <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 <|example|> He didn't feel like sitting in front of Cas and Sam while they laughed at him any more <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> "My boys," John whispered, closing his eyes as he squeezed Sam for a few long seconds <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> “What the hell do you-” she started, before dropping her hands from her face to take in the situation <|indexes|> 3 <|example|> "It's good to see you, son," he beamed, drawing Dean in by his elbows <|indexes|> 4 4 |

<|text|> tell he was still getting over the fact that his sons didn't want to live under his roof. Dean didn't mind that John left so quickly. It actually gave him a sense of relief once John was gone, leaving the four of them to figure out sleeping arrangements and what not. They piled out of the car, Jo and Charlie walking hand in hand towards the building as Cas and Dean followed a few feet behind them. Inside the building, Dean crunched broken glass under his boots as he took in the scenery. There wasn’t much to look at out in the open aside from empty food courts with chairs strewn about in random places and a fountain without water, part of the ledge broken off and crumbling where a table had been thrown into it. Crowley smiled that smug grin again as he zapped himself out of there, leaving Dean alone with an injured angel and his own injuries to deal with. He had one hour to get Cas home and find Sam and Bobby to help him take down Crowley. Dean couldn’t tear his eyes away from Cas’ mouth on him. He could tell Cas was enjoying it just from the look on his face as he licked a line up Dean’s cock before swallowing him down again, farther this time as he became more comfortable. It may have taken him a few tries to fit all of Dean in his mouth, but when he did, Dean involuntarily groaned, unable to choke it down this time. For a moment, Dean thought he had fucked up. Cas looked away, a frown set into his lips, a seemingly closed off look in his eyes. He almost took it back and said forget it, but then Cas met his eyes again, a serious look overtaking his soft features. "I'll tell you, Dean. I trust you," he agreed, hesitating like he had more to say. Dean waited, holding his breath while the silence took over. Finally, Cas added, "But I want to know more about you too. Can you share something with me? A story of your childhood, perhaps? Anything you're willing to tell me." Dean bit his bottom lip, hesitating with the needle between his fingers. Uncertain, he reached out and wrapped his fingers around Cas’ wrist, pulling his hand over to his knee. “You won’t hurt me,” Dean promised, sliding his hand away from Cas’, instead moving it to rest on Cas’ head to stabilize it from moving. He felt Cas’ fingers digging into his knee as the needle pierced his skin, but he kept his hand steady. It was hard to work with little light, but eventually the wound was closed. “There, all better,” Dean announced, sticking a new bandage over the stitches. He felt Cas’ fingers relax, not moving away from his leg. "Talk?" Dean offered, regretting the word the second it left his mouth. Of course he loved talking to Cas and learning things about him, but talking also meant Dean had to open up and everyone knew how that usually went. Cesar chuckled, his eyes

<|output|> <|example|> tell he was still getting over the fact that his sons didn't want to live under his roof. Dean didn't mind that John left so quickly. It actually gave him a sense of relief once John was gone, leaving the four of them to figure out sleeping arrangements and what not. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> "Talk?" Dean offered, regretting the word the second it left his mouth <|indexes|> 0 0 |

<|text|> looking Dean over before he met Cas' eyes. "This is the boyfriend you were talking about?" he asked, making Dean's face red all over again, after he had just managed to stop blushing from embarrassment. Cas was talking about him to strangers? Sure, they'd been together for five years now, but. . . strangers? Freaking sap. Dean laughed a little, despite the unamused expression Cas was currently wearing. “Oh come on, what do you know?” he teased, rolling his eyes playfully. “You’re a virgin angel.” “Oh,” Cas replied softly. Dean laid an extra blanket out on the floor for himself and took a pillow off the bed, all while Cas stood there in the middle of the room silently. Finally, Dean lit a candle on the desk to give him some light. When Dean turned, he saw the outline of Cas still standing there, closer than he thought. Dean wished he could look into those blue eyes, but then he was grateful he couldn’t because he didn’t need to be staring at this guy and creeping him out. “Dean, I think we left the bag you gave me in the car, so the clothes. . .” he trailed off, shifting away from the bed, towards the door, as if he were going to get the clothes from the garage. "Makes sense," Dean mumbled, wishing he could make that frown go away. He hated how frequent it was in Cas' expressions. "There's plenty of time for you to experience it," Dean went on, trying to cheer him up. Cas didn't smile, instead meeting Dean's hopeful look with a sad one. "One day, there'll be someone you want to share a bed with," Dean teased, and Cas looked away, his face red. Dean knew exactly what she meant, which also meant this girl did know about Claire, and seemed pretty okay with it too. Normally, telling someone about him would make him sick to his stomach, but he was more worried about the teenage girl whose girlfriend was missing right now to be freaking out about his own sexuality crisis. "Yeah, my boyfriend would disagree," Dean answered without really thinking, making the girl laugh loudly, her hand flying up to cover her mouth. Dean blushed furiously, but didn't take it back. There'd be no point now. Dean felt his face heating up as he stepped away from Jack, glancing between him and Cas as he realized he didn’t know what to say next. “Yeah, it’s dangerous and I didn’t feel like you guys had enough protection,” Dean admitted, licking his lips nervously. He realized that sounded harsh, like he thought he was the only one who could protect them. It wasn't like that. He couldn't exactly tell them that he felt oddly responsible for them after only knowing them for two days. That would have been worse. “I know you can probably take care of yourselves, but I couldn’t sleep-” he tried to explain. “We were attacked, ambushed really,” she said with a laugh, “by demons. I tried to fight them off while Alvis got us out of there, but

<|output|> <|example|> looking Dean over before he met Cas' eyes. "This is the boyfriend you were talking about?" he asked, making Dean's face red all over again, after he had just managed to stop blushing from embarrassment. Cas was talking about him to strangers? Sure, they'd been together for five years now, but. . . strangers? Freaking sap. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “We were attacked, ambushed really,” she said with a laugh, “by demons. I tried to fight them off while Alvis got us out of there, but <|indexes|> 1 |

<|output|> <|example|> Dean felt his face heating up as he stepped away from Jack, glancing between him and Cas as he realized he didn’t know what to say next <|indexes|> 0 |

<|text|> there were too many and we were overwhelmed. We got taken and they tortured Alvis, injecting him with different liquids,” Jovi’s voice broke at the end and Dean’s instincts took over and he pulled her into a hug while his brother worked on hers. “I'm sorry gummy bear, but I don't want you to get hurt and this is the only way to make sure,” Gabriel explained as he knelt down next to her. “Please promise me no more after this, ok?” Gabriel turns around as Sam brushes his hair back. A silent DAYYYMM going through his head. Why, oh why, did the glorious moose have to come up! “What happened?” Dean asked walking over to her, voice as calm as he could make it while this stressed. Jovi ran her hands through her hair messing up her ponytail. Gabriel rolls his eyes, “Get a room already, oh wait you can take mine. It's over two-doors to the right.” Winking at Castiel, Gabriel turned back to Fenrir. “Stop it, everyone!” Gabriel yells at the top of his lungs almost breaking the windows of the room. “Everyone back the fuck up and put your weapons down or I swear to father I will turn them into flowers. And don't fucking test me Dean Winchester,” Gabriel huffs. Castiel suddenly appeared, looking displeased with the Archangel. “Gabriel, who are these two and why did you not tell Dean you know who changed the Statue of Liberty? They trust you to help protect people.” he said with almost no emotions. “We can go after I get out of this stuffy suit, I don’t see how people like this.” He grumbled and pulled down on the tie as he drove. “You look hot in it though so I guess that is one good thing.”Just like the other times they've flirted, Dean made Cas turn bright red. “You are gonna sit and wait right here until your mother gets here then we're gonna have a nice heart-to-heart,” Dean ordered, the attitude and sarcasm returned to the girl. Dean walked to the back of the room pulling out his phone ready to call Cas again. Dean was just about to press the call button when the motel door opened revealing Castiel with the food. “Look who decided to come home,” the sarcasm evident in Dean’s voice as he put his phone away, turning to face the door. Castiel's gaze shifted to Seraphina on the bed to Dean as he walked over to the table in the room to deposit the food. “Yeah, yeah, now you understand the gravity of the situation!” Gabriel exclaimed as he started to pace across the room. “Okay here's what we're going to do. Sugar you ARE going to turn the statue back, no buts. After she does that Fenrir you need to get her across the country, heck across the ocean if you must,” Gabriel listed. The 10-hr. drive took a lot longer than expected and the fam didn’t return until late in the night. Sam and Gabriel stayed up waiting for their return worried about their respective brother. The impala drove into the

<|output|> <|example|> there were too many and we were overwhelmed. We got taken and they tortured Alvis, injecting him with different liquids,” Jovi’s voice broke at the end and Dean’s instincts took over and he pulled her into a hug while his brother worked on hers. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> Dean walked to the back of the room pulling out his phone ready to call Cas again <|indexes|> 0 0 <|example|> Castiel's gaze shifted to Seraphina on the bed to Dean as he walked over to the table in the room to deposit the food <|indexes|> 1 1 1 <|example|> “I'm sorry gummy bear, but I don't want you to get hurt and this is the only way to make sure,” Gabriel explained as he knelt down next to her <|indexes|> 2 2 <|example|> “Everyone back the fuck up and put your weapons down or I swear to father I will turn them into flowers <|indexes|> 3 3 <|example|> ”Just like the other times they've flirted, Dean made Cas turn bright red <|indexes|> 4 <|example|> Dean walked to the back of the room pulling out his phone ready to call Cas again <|indexes|> 5 |

<|text|> garage and parked in the first spot next to the door. Dean got out and stretched, his back popping as he got used to being out of a car. Walking to the back-door Dean opened it. While peering into the back seat he realized that Seraphina had passed out sprawled across the seats one leg bent against the door the other laying at a weird angle off the side of the cushioning, one arm behind her head propping it up as the other covered her eyes from the occasional lighting of streetlights along the road. Dean smiled the girl reminded him of when Sam was a teen reaching down Dean shook the leg of her jeans the smile fading as she sat up. Sugar whines and squirms out of her brother’s arms, hugging Gabriel’s leg tightly. “But Daddy! I don’t want you to leave again!” She was crying now as she talks. She was missing having her father with her. “Pwease! I promise to be good!” Castiel looked back at Dean, who was still passed out sprawled across the back seat, sighing he walked around and opened the back door. Dean's hand flopped out and Castiel had trouble not laughing before dragging Dean across the seats and into the motel room. Dragging the man across the room Castiel threw him onto the bed. Looking around Castiel realized that they had no food and Dean would most likely be hungry after an event like that. Walking back out making sure that Dean wouldn't choke on his tongue and to lock the room Castiel drove to the closest dinner where the two went to lunch earlier in the day. “Jovi!” Alvis yelled embarrassed that his sister gave out their second-biggest secret. Sam chuckled as he calmed down his son sharing quietly that he was bi. Dean laughed at Jovi’s blunt statement before smiling back at Cas. Jovi started searching for spoons when she responded, “At least with a sword there isn’t as large of a risk of being stabbed.” Jovi found and grabbed two spoons before the girls walked out of the kitchen still arguing. “Well let's check New York out. We need to do a couple witness accounts anyway. Maybe find out what we're dealing with,” Dean said pushing authority into his tone letting everyone else know this was not to be negotiated. Castiel pulls out his angel blade in case Fenrir tried to attack him. He was used to the threats, after traveling with the Winchesters for almost 10 years, but he'd never seen these two before. “One is a halfling Gabriel, she is unstable in her abilities. That instability can be harmful to the world. We have to tell Dean and Sam.” The stoic angel told his elder brother, slightly disappointed. "Sugar, no honey we don't know her," Gabriel said quietly trying to pull Sugar back and away from the unknown nephilim. Sugar glared at her dad before pulling away and attached herself to the legs of Seraphina. “No, no, no. That ain't going to work this time. The Winchesters are on your tail,” Gabriel said as he ran

<|output|> <|example|> garage and parked in the first spot next to the door. Dean got out and stretched, his back popping as he got used to being out of a car. Walking to the back-door Dean opened it. While peering into the back seat he realized that Seraphina had passed out sprawled across the seats one leg bent against the door the other laying at a weird angle off the side of the cushioning, one arm behind her head propping it up as the other covered her eyes from the occasional lighting of streetlights along the road. Dean smiled the girl reminded him of when Sam was a teen reaching down Dean shook the leg of her jeans the smile fading as she sat up. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> Sugar whines and squirms out of her brother’s arms, hugging Gabriel’s leg tightly <|indexes|> 0 0 <|example|> Sam chuckled as he calmed down his son sharing quietly that he was bi <|indexes|> 1 <|example|> Dean laughed at Jovi’s blunt statement before smiling back at Cas <|indexes|> 2 2 <|example|> Dean smiled the girl reminded him of when Sam was a teen reaching down Dean shook the leg of her jeans the smile fading as she sat up <|indexes|> 3 3 <|example|> Dean smiled the girl reminded him of when Sam was a teen reaching down Dean shook the leg of her jeans the smile fading as she sat up <|indexes|> 4 |

<|text|> his fingers through his hair. The stress was starting to get to him. Castiel puts his blade away and looks at Gabriel with a confused look, sighing. “So...should I say that I told Dean and Sam I may have found the problem and gave a location?” Standing back up Dean kicked the second angel in the stomach pushing back whatever attack the angel had planned. He pulled out his blade to fight back and to regroup with Castiel, not knowing the angels were trying to keep them separate to make it easier even though it’s never easy. He tried to fight off the two angels that kept attacking him but he never faltered, by this point he was used to fighting multiple opponents at once. Smirking Gabriel teased his brother, “I didn’t know you had it in you Cassie! Who was the lucky lady?” the question of which he wasn’t expecting the answer they got. “Listen all I'm only going to explain this once!” Gabriel exclaimed. “This is Loki's child, Fenrir, I have adopted him as my own, no killing. Now this evil chunk of sunshine is my love child Sugar. She was born about 6 years ago and we've been working on getting her to control her powers, but she sometimes goes haywire,” Gabriel introduced. "Yeah, that's not happening and because of your claim of kinship with Cas here we're family and family sticks together no matter what," Dean said as he wipes his mouth with his hand. "Oh, you want any of this?" Dean asked holding up a second burger the first one obviously demolished. Dean quickly used his blade to block the attack from above and kicked the angel back again, gritting his teeth when the other angel got a hit it. He fought harder to make sure he got to Castiel, an angel getting a good swing on his back with a blade. He ended up stumbling at the pain, blindly attacking the angels. Dean finally was happy to end the two angels attacking him. Yet he had bruised ribs and a deep cut on his back that desperately needed stitches before something happened like him passing out...again. “Cas!” He yelled and continued to try to save Castiel. When Castiel woke up the other side of the bed was empty, he then heard the shower running. Getting up Castiel felt the cracks and pops of his back as he stretched. His vessel, well actually he, was getting old. Cas stood up moving towards his duffel knowing he'd need a fresh suit today. As he finished changing he heard the shower stop. Turning towards the door Castiel saw Dean emerge wearing nothing, but a towel around his waist. “I’m gonna go talk to Gabe about getting Rowena here,” Sam whispered before leaving. “Holy shit!” Sam yelled as a giant dog turned the corner. Dean looked out the door and watched as Sam pressed against the wall having a staring contest with a giant black dog that continued past him before facing Dean. Dean held his hands up while backing up and allowing the dog to enter the

<|output|> <|example|> his fingers through his hair. The stress was starting to get to him. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> his fingers through his hair <|indexes|> 0 0 |

<|text|> infirmary. "Wait, which we are you talking about because I only came to get these fucking cuffs off," Seraphina argued jangling the cuffs on her for emphasis. Sam couldn't believe what he was hearing, “Gabe you've known about the bunker why didn't you just talk to us they would have been welcome,” Sam said as he walked closer to Gabriel, his voice softening. Dean knew what it was like to have kids and what he would do to protect them and nodded along to what Sam said. Dean leads Seraphina through the series of doors that lead to the main area, but just as they had passed through the last one Seraphina tripped almost falling down the staircase. “Here kid,” Dean said softly as he put his arm around Seraphina’s waist lifting her arm over his shoulders and helped her down the stairs. “Wait squirrel here was giving me crap about having kids when he’s got kids of his own?!” Gabriel exclaimed confusion shown in the words the trickster emphasized. “Fuck,” Gabriel said under his breath, “Cassie, I love you, you know I do, but why did you do that?!” Gabriel rubbed a hand over his face, why couldn't anything ever work out alright for his children. “Hello Jovi,” Castiel said this voice softening slightly. “This is my son, Jack, and daughter, Seraphina.” Castiel looked at each child as he said their name before smiling at the pair in front of him. “Damnit,” Gabe says under his breath, “What do you want that was so important?” he snarked at the taller man. Sam was running around the infirmary trying to collect supplies as Jovi hovered next to Alvis whispering questly. Dean rolled his eyes while walking over to the driver’s side. Opening the door Dean wondered how he ended up in situations like this. Sliding into his vehicle Dean got comfortable before turning the car on and driving out of the parking lot. Sugar looking like the picture of innocence showed a slight hint of guilt. She was still faking that she did nothing wrong. “What did I do?” She says in the cutest voice she could muster. Dean grabs his gun from the truck and runs to the room, taking the stairs to get up there faster. He quickly breaks the door down and runs in. “Cas! What the hell is going on?” He says, pointing his gun at the group. “Also Gabriel really? After we trusted you, you do this? Did the man kidnap the kid? Hand her over to us.” Dean looked down rubbing his eyes, “Son of a bitch” quietly, when he looked up again everyone was still looking at him. He glared at those in the room before stalking off to the infirmary. “Yeah, Cas and I got this! You can stay back and watch the kids,” Dean jokes as he stands, winking at Sam while walking back to his room to pack. Gabriel had been a permanent staple at the bunker ever since rescuing him from Asmodeus and the sexual tension between the two was thick as sap. “Yeah, yeah Sasquatch,” Gabriel replied. “Evil creature, slice and dice, everyone’s happy,

<|output|> <|example|> infirmary. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> Sliding into his vehicle Dean got comfortable before turning the car on and driving out of the parking lot <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “Yeah, yeah Sasquatch,” Gabriel replied <|indexes|> 1 <|example|> Dean knew what it was like to have kids and what he would do to protect them and nodded along to what Sam said <|indexes|> 2 2 <|example|> Sam couldn't believe what he was hearing, “Gabe you've known about the bunker why didn't you just talk to us they would have been welcome,” Sam said as he walked closer to Gabriel, his voice softening <|indexes|> 3 <|example|> “Here kid,” Dean said softly as he put his arm around Seraphina’s waist lifting her arm over his shoulders and helped her down the stairs <|indexes|> 4 <|example|> Dean leads Seraphina through the series of doors that lead to the main area, but just as they had passed through the last one Seraphina tripped almost falling down the staircase <|indexes|> 5 5 |

<|text|> I get to leave.” The snark earned him bitch face #581. Castiel was confused by Gabriel’s actions. “Why would we take your room, Gabriel? I am fine Dean, no one has attacked me,” he said in a smaller voice. Cas was surprised a bit to see an angel helping them but thought nothing of it as the fight continued. Cas started down his opponents as the one in front of him attacked. An overhand stab, blocking easily Castiel shoved his knife through the stomach of his brother wishing it didn't have to be like this. As the life drained out of his attacker the lights flashed before coming to a stop. Castiel pulled his knife back ready for the next opponent when a flash behind him caused him to look back. The figure who saved his life had killed his would-be killer with a stab through his back. Quickly pulling the knife out the figure stalked towards Castiel just as another angel attacked. “Uh. I didn't have anything to do with this,” Seraphina remarked as the angel and nephilim looked down at the passed-out hunter. Dean wasn't paying attention to the other fights happening around him as both angels attacked at once. He ducked as the first angel made a swooping cut for his head. “Who are coming? Father...you never tell us what or who we had to avoid.” Fenrir asked him, gently picking his little sister up. What part of not New York did Dean not understand! He’d have to find some time to sneak away while everyone was in New York. Serahina gave Jovi a bitch face she picked up from Sam, “I’m not saying they’re better, but how are swords even useful nowadays,” she shouted back while opening the freezer and grabbing two pints of ice cream. The figure instead of attacking Castiel goes after the other angel not currently attacking Cas. Castiel distracted the angel in front of him with his knife feigning a stab right before he places his fingers to the angel's forehead killing her with his grace. Castiel backs up just as Dean kills the last angel attacking him. Hearing his nickname Castiel turned towards Dean who was limping towards him quickly. Giving each other a once over Castiel notices his partner's injuries. Dean waves him off while they both turn towards the figure. Castiel is about to help when Dean places his arm in front blocking Castiel's path. “Great, there are two of you,” Dean complained as he bent over. He put the burger away as if the fact that someone didn’t like burgers put him off them. “Okay, I’m done. Let’s get going,” Dean said standing up wiping the grease off his hands onto the sides of his pants. Dean grabbed his duffle off the bed and walked over to Seraphina sitting on the other side. Dean reached down grabbing the cold chains holding the girl’s powers in check. Leading Seraphina out of the room Dean looked around making sure no one saw and got the wrong idea. He dragged the teen over to the impala sticking her in the backseat, “Kid

<|output|> <|example|> I get to leave.” The snark earned him bitch face #581. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> An overhand stab, blocking easily Castiel shoved his knife through the stomach of his brother wishing it didn't have to be like this <|indexes|> 0 0 0 <|example|> Let’s get going,” Dean said standing up wiping the grease off his hands onto the sides of his pants <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> Castiel pulled his knife back ready for the next opponent when a flash behind him caused him to look back <|indexes|> 2 |

<|text|> don’t try me. You run and I will shoot you,” Dean threatened, staring down the nephilim. “Hey, so get this, two bodies were found in an abandoned warehouse in Cheyenne, Wyoming their eyes burned out. It sounds like an angel killing. You guys up to hitting this hunt by yourselves?” Sam asked looking up from his laptop screen. Across from him sat Dean and Castiel both sitting a little too close to each other. Dean barely ponders the question before responding. “Shit!” Jovi exclaimed as she started pacing around, “Stupid dumbass! I’m the one who's supposed to get hurt!” Crossing her arms she pulled her thumb to her mouth chewing on the nail. “Come on, I need girl talk,” Seraphina said as she grabbed Jovi’s hand and started pulling the witch towards her room. Jovi’s eyes widened and she looked back at the men to save her from girl talk. Dean laughed as Jack and Castiel did a matching head tilt confused why girl talk was so bad. Dean waved to the retreating girls and Jovi glared at him before she turned back around accepting her fate. “Sammy,” the two heard Dean yell from the infirmary. Sam perked up and took off for the infirmary. Gabe was standing towards the back of the room while Rowena was chanting waving her arms around a convulsing Alvis. Dean held Jovi back as she gripped her forearm where Sam remembered her tattoo was. Sam went over to his son, tears rushing to his eyes. Sugar followed Sam into the room, but Gabriel soon noticed and picked her up making her face away from the convulsing boy. Tears streamed down Jovi’s cheeks as there was a rise in pain, but she wouldn’t allow her brother to hear her in pain. Alvis stopped convulsing and Rowena collapsed, the room stilled as the tension in the room relaxed. Rowena gracefully rose with a deep sigh, “I was able to purge his body of the poison, but his body will still need to heal.” The room relaxed fully as the news was absorbed. Sugar shifted causing Gabriel to set her down and was ready to place a hand on her shoulder when Sugar rushed to the bed. The adults tried to stop her, but failed and she reached a hand out to Alvis’s forehead. When Sugar’s hand touched the forehead there was a bright white light. Everyone turned away and when it faded Gabriel ran up and pulled Sugar back ready to reprimand her. The adults stopped freaking out when they heard a groan. “Oh thank god,” Jovi breathed out, receiving a raised eyebrow from her new family. “Alvis and I won’t be the only gays,” Jovi said cheerfully. “Dean, that person saved my life I need to help,” Castiel protested looking between the figure and Dean. The figure grabs the attacker's arm and shoulder before turning and flipping him over its shoulder. Stabbing the angel through the chest when he lands. Getting up the hood falls revealing a teenage girl. Fenrir picks Sugar up and holds her close, watching their dad protect him. “Father who

<|output|> <|example|> don’t try me. You run and I will shoot you,” Dean threatened, staring down the nephilim. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> “Father who <|indexes|> 0 <|example|> Rowena gracefully rose with a deep sigh, “I was able to purge his body of the poison, but his body will still need to heal <|indexes|> 1 |

<|text|> is this and why does he want to harm Sugar?” He says, moving closer to the window, a potential escape route. He made sure he knew all the ways out of a house or apartment to protect his sister. Castiel’s eyes narrowed about to step forward.“Everyone stop!” Gabriel shouted. “Castiel put the damn knife away! Fenrir step away from the window, you're not running tonight,” Gabriel said as he gripped his hair. “Everyone take a seat,” Gabriel said in a small voice. “Now!” he said when nobody moved. Castiel slowly moved towards the far side of the couch as Fenrir sat down on the opposite side with Sugar in his lap. As the family talked everyone gradually left the room Rowena and Gabriel talking as Sugar chilled with her head on Gabriel’s shoulder. They heard a loud burst of laughs as Diaval jumped on to the bed to join his master. The group noticed Castiel, Seraphina holding onto Castiel’s arm while Jack gave silent support behind Castiel on his other side, and Gabriel gave Castiel a small smile of encouragement. They walked up and Seraphina knocked on the door. Dean looked over and smiled at Castiel, glad to see him. Fenrir knew what was about to happen. “Father, Sugar didn’t have anything sweet. She was tired from the long day and refused to take a nap, Scout’s honor.” He tells him. “I am her mother from when my vessel was female in the early 1900s,” Castiel said regretfully looking down in shame. When Dean woke up, he was back in the motel a place completely different from the warehouse that he passed out at. Sitting up he realized he was completely alone, where was Cas? Better yet where was the girl? Standing up Dean remembered the injuries he had sustained from the angels feeling around himself he realized they were all healed. Thank chuck for Cas! Pulling out his phone Dean scrolled through his contacts searching for Cas's number. A couple taps later and he was calling the angel, “Hey Cas where did you go?” Dean asked when Castiel picked up. “I ran to the diner in town to grab dinner,” at the word dinner Dean's stomach began to grumble. Laughing at himself Dean replied, “Sounds good Cas I'll see you soon.” Setting his phone down Dean flopped onto the bed grabbing the remote on the end table before turning the TV on. Flipping through channels Dean saw that Dr. Sexy MD was on, smiling Dean turned the volume up a couple of notches before relaxing. “5 minutes before I got here,” Castiel replied calmly not thinking about the consequences of his actions. "That's insane," Charlie agreed, followed by a small laugh. "So it's just you and your brother living here?" She tucked her hands into the pockets of her jeans, just casually standing there as they talked. Dean found it so odd that he was just sitting on his front porch, conversing with his neighbor, as if they weren't living in a post-apocalyptic world. Outside this bubble, there weren't nice little neighborhoods with people like Charlie, nosy

<|output|> <|example|> is this and why does he want to harm Sugar?” He says, moving closer to the window, a potential escape route. He made sure he knew all the ways out of a house or apartment to protect his sister. Castiel’s eyes narrowed about to step forward.“Everyone stop!” Gabriel shouted. “Castiel put the damn knife away! Fenrir step away from the window, you're not running tonight,” Gabriel said as he gripped his hair. “Everyone take a seat,” Gabriel said in a small voice. “Now!” he said when nobody moved. Castiel slowly moved towards the far side of the couch as Fenrir sat down on the opposite side with Sugar in his lap. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> "That's insane," Charlie agreed, followed by a small laugh. "So it's just you and your brother living here?" She tucked her hands into the pockets of her jeans, just casually standing there as they talked. Dean found it so odd that he was just sitting on his front porch, conversing with his neighbor, as if they weren't living in a post-apocalyptic world. Outside this bubble, there weren't nice little neighborhoods with people like Charlie, nosy <|indexes|> 1 |

<|output|> <|example|> Sitting up he realized he was completely alone, where was Cas? Better yet where was the girl? Standing up Dean remembered the injuries he had sustained from the angels feeling around himself he realized they were all healed <|indexes|> 0 0 <|example|> The group noticed Castiel, Seraphina holding onto Castiel’s arm while Jack gave silent support behind Castiel on his other side, and Gabriel gave Castiel a small smile of encouragement <|indexes|> 1 |

<|text|> neighbors with good intentions. “On that note, I’m going to go fix some plates for dinner,” Dean excused himself, leaving the three of them to talk amongst themselves. He wandered into the kitchen, digging out some disposable bowls he had managed to find on his last run. He didn’t have a way to heat anything unless he cooked outside, which wasn’t often. Instead, he opened some cans of soup he had found at the store today and emptied them into four separate bowls. They had spoons that had to be washed, which was done with river water. Not the most clean source of water, but it was all they had. After the bowls were filled, he piled his arms up with them and walked back into the dining room to give them out. They kept water in the dining room. Usually, he and Sam split one bottle per dinner, but they had guests, so he thought it would be okay to give everyone their own just this once. “You tell me,” Dean replied, clenching his fists at his sides. John could deny it all he wanted, but Dean could see it in his father’s eyes. He was being far too defensive. Dean had seen this before, years ago, but he remembered the look in John’s eyes. The day Dean got back from his year spent away from Sammy. John had looked past Dean, right into Sam’s eyes, with the same excuse. Cas gently touched his thumb to the corner of Dean's mouth, just resting his hand there for a moment as Dean eagerly leaned into the touch. "Then yes, we can talk about it later," Cas agreed, moving his hand away to wrap Dean's knuckles in a new bandage. "How's your arm?" he asked, changing the subject. “Cas is fine,” Dean said, catching his breath as he looked around for his brother. “Listen, you need to get home. Are you done working?” "Ellen, who's at the door?" came a voice from the other room, and Dean's heart clenched at the sound of Bobby's words. "Thank you," was all Dean could manage without breaking down into sobs. Bobby seemed to understand that because he didn't push, just gave Dean a small smile, leaning forward to pat Dean on the good arm. "Could. . . could I bring him over to meet you again? Without dad this time, so you can really get to know him." “Dean,” he greeted with a small head nod. His eyes traveled to Dean’s shoulder and he perked up a little bit. “Are you cleared to get back to work?” he wondered, gesturing to the arm that was in a sling just yesterday when John saw him at dinner. "Can you read me that book?" Cas asked, too adorable for Dean to say no to him. "The one we started a while ago when I couldn't sleep. It helped before." Dean vividly remembered that night, both of them lying on the floor in that house. Cas hadn't been feeling well that night and couldn't sleep at all, so Dean turned on his flashlight and read from one

<|output|> <|example|> neighbors with good intentions. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> Cas gently touched his thumb to the corner of Dean's mouth, just resting his hand there for a moment as Dean eagerly leaned into the touch <|indexes|> 0 <|example|> " “Dean,” he greeted with a small head nod <|indexes|> 1 1 |

<|text|> of his favorite books. After three chapters, Dean looked over to see the angel fast asleep, snoring with the blanket up around his shoulders. It was one of Dean's favorite nights in that house. “Yeah, talking about how much of a dick you are,” Dean growled, slumping back against the tree he had been using as a hiding spot. “What the hell do you want?” He probably should have been a little nicer if he wanted to find out what John was planning, but considering how badly Crowley wanted John’s soul, Dean figured he’d cooperate no matter what. "We have to siphon some gas," Dean explained, eyeing the store carefully. He doubted anyone was in there, but he needed to be safe. "Sam and I are going to check out this store and see if there's anything we need. We're running low on salt and ammo for the guns. Then, I'll fill up the car, and we'll get back on the road." They could have stayed here in this town. They had passed some nice looking houses about twenty minutes back, but they still had plenty of daylight to keep moving. Dean wanted to get even farther from the bunker than they were right now. Dean missed being out there hunting, and if Charlie and Cas didn't gang up on him, he'd still be out there with a broken arm. "Shut it, bigfoot," Dean grumbled. Sam only rolled his eyes. "Let's just go." “The fuck you mean I didn’t raise you?” John snarled, surging forward despite Dean’s best efforts to keep his distance. He grabbed a handful of Dean’s shirt, shoving him hard into the wall. Dean grunted at the impact, his lungs losing all of their air for a few long seconds. “I kept you and your brother safe. I killed the thing that burned your mom alive. I did it all for you and Sam, and this is how you repay me? By disrespecting me and lying to me about how you’re fucking that fag?” His face was a dark shade of red, the veins in his forehead popping as he screamed at Dean the way Dean vividly remembered from years before. It brought back horrible memories that Dean had repressed for a damn good reason. "You're so beautiful like this," Cas rumbled, making Dean's heart flutter. He loved when Cas talked to him while they were intimate like this. The few times they'd done anything, it was always Cas' voice that sent him over the edge. If Dean would have been jerking himself off then, that would have been it. "So beautiful, Dean," Cas repeated, his thumb caressing the skin above Dean's eyebrow. "Your mouth feels so good," he moaned, curling a hand around the back of Dean's neck. Dean felt his cock twitch, painfully hard as Cas praised him. He wasn't so much worried about getting off, but if Cas kept talking to him like that, he was afraid he'd come in his pants like a horny teenager. Cas glanced away from Dean’s hand for a moment, only to show Dean he was very

<|output|> <|example|> of his favorite books. After three chapters, Dean looked over to see the angel fast asleep, snoring with the blanket up around his shoulders. It was one of Dean's favorite nights in that house. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> "So beautiful, Dean," Cas repeated, his thumb caressing the skin above Dean's eyebrow <|indexes|> 0 0 0 <|example|> "Your mouth feels so good," he moaned, curling a hand around the back of Dean's neck <|indexes|> 1 <|example|> He loved when Cas talked to him while they were intimate like this <|indexes|> 2 2 |

<|text|> concerned about that statement. “Why would you hurt yourself like that?” he wondered, not judgmental or angry, but genuinely curious. Dean didn’t have a great answer, but he’d tell Cas the truth. “Dean, thank you for the help,” Cas said, falling into step beside him as they walked back towards the bunker. Jack walked close behind them. “We were in hiding for a week without food. When we didn’t hear the undead feeding on people outside anymore, we set out in search of a meal with no luck.” "Thanks, man," Dean said, clapping Sam on the shoulder before walking past him into the living room. He saw the blankets and pillow on the couch looked pretty slept in, so it eased his nerves a little. Hopefully Cas made it back to the couch without issues this morning. Kaia laughed softly, holding her sides as it turned into a soft groan from the pain. "I see why Claire trusts you," she teased, and Dean tried to hide his red cheeks. "It's nice to meet you, Cas."

<|output|> <|example|> concerned about that statement. “Why would you hurt yourself like that?” he wondered, not judgmental or angry, but genuinely curious. Dean didn’t have a great answer, but he’d tell Cas the truth. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> Jack walked close behind them <|indexes|> 0 0 |

<|text|> <|example|> Cas nodded his head and got into the Impala. “Yes, the positions of the body and the eyes make me think it was an accident. I need to go to the warehouse and see the scene to make sure.” He told him and took Dean’s hand gently. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> Gabriel in distrust, crossing his arms over his chest. “You are part of the team now so if you know something then you have to say it. Or is this one of your big pranks?” He asked stubbornly, not letting this go. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> heavily, slamming against the door his hair in his face. As he straightens up he lifts his hand up to push the stray hairs out of his face. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “It’s one of the ways they fund the service.  People have to buy the purple bags in order to have their garbage collected.” <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 | <|example|> of the desk and picks up the page. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> cut up.  Jean-Luc is barefoot as well, and Castiel wonders if the douen intentionally steals the shoes of its prey in order to keep them from running away.  He does the only logical thing and hoists Feliciana onto his back, letting her wrap her arms around his shoulders while he holds her legs. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> Cas nodded his head and got into the Impala. “Yes, the positions of the body and the eyes make me think it was an accident. I need to go to the warehouse and see the scene to make sure.” He told him and took Dean’s hand gently. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “It’s one of the ways they fund the service.  People have to buy the purple bags in order to have their garbage collected.” <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 |

<|output|> <|example|> Jean-Luc is barefoot as well, and Castiel wonders if the douen intentionally steals the shoes of its prey in order to keep them from running away <|indexes|> 0 |

<|text|> <|example|> of the desk and picks up the page. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> cut up.  Jean-Luc is barefoot as well, and Castiel wonders if the douen intentionally steals the shoes of its prey in order to keep them from running away.  He does the only logical thing and hoists Feliciana onto his back, letting her wrap her arms around his shoulders while he holds her legs. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> Cas have a bad day like this in a long time. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> I feel fine,” Cas says, more gently this time.  “Truly.  It’s been an adjustment, and I know the first few weeks weren’t particularly fun.  But I feel good.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> mindless killers,” Dean says, wiping mustard from the corner of his mouth.  “A lot of them know how to cover their tracks.  It’s a smart strategy.  My guess is Fred Sargent was an accidental slip-up, and we just got lucky.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> underneath Dean’s left arm while Eileen does the same on the right, and together they push upward. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> shouting at him that Sam and Eileen are in the other room, but Dean seems to be the only person hung up on anything, so he tries his best to shove the fear to the back of his head. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> wind. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> they want.  He’s okay with it, really; he even prefers it.  The burden of choice, of ordering around another person, is squarely in the other’s lap and it lets Dean just go along for the ride.  His highest highs have invariably been at another’s direction.  He’s always taken pleasure in making others happy, in doing whatever they want, and it’s always better when he knows they won’t leave in the morning.  Cas won’t leave in the morning. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> I suppose I lost my mind a little.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> of the desk and picks up the page. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> I suppose I lost my mind a little <|indexes|> 0 0 |

<|text|> <|example|> I feel fine,” Cas says, more gently this time.  “Truly.  It’s been an adjustment, and I know the first few weeks weren’t particularly fun.  But I feel good.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> mindless killers,” Dean says, wiping mustard from the corner of his mouth.  “A lot of them know how to cover their tracks.  It’s a smart strategy.  My guess is Fred Sargent was an accidental slip-up, and we just got lucky.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> underneath Dean’s left arm while Eileen does the same on the right, and together they push upward. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> shouting at him that Sam and Eileen are in the other room, but Dean seems to be the only person hung up on anything, so he tries his best to shove the fear to the back of his head. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> wind. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> they want.  He’s okay with it, really; he even prefers it.  The burden of choice, of ordering around another person, is squarely in the other’s lap and it lets Dean just go along for the ride.  His highest highs have invariably been at another’s direction.  He’s always taken pleasure in making others happy, in doing whatever they want, and it’s always better when he knows they won’t leave in the morning.  Cas won’t leave in the morning. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> I suppose I lost my mind a little.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> and spots another curled up inside a sleeping bag in the doorway to a consignment shop. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> home from work. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> I feel fine,” Cas says, more gently this time.  “Truly.  It’s been an adjustment, and I know the first few weeks weren’t particularly fun.  But I feel good.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> ” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> and spots another curled up inside a sleeping bag in the doorway to a consignment shop <|indexes|> 0 |

<|text|> <|example|> shouting at him that Sam and Eileen are in the other room, but Dean seems to be the only person hung up on anything, so he tries his best to shove the fear to the back of his head. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> wind. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> they want.  He’s okay with it, really; he even prefers it.  The burden of choice, of ordering around another person, is squarely in the other’s lap and it lets Dean just go along for the ride.  His highest highs have invariably been at another’s direction.  He’s always taken pleasure in making others happy, in doing whatever they want, and it’s always better when he knows they won’t leave in the morning.  Cas won’t leave in the morning. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> I suppose I lost my mind a little.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> and spots another curled up inside a sleeping bag in the doorway to a consignment shop. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> home from work. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> their futures,” she says.  “And I can’t say that I blame them.  In any case, if I do tell them what the future holds, the mere fact that they know what’s coming is enough to knock them from that path and into a different future.  Best to keep one’s visions to oneself.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “In the back,” Charlie answered, still glancing between Claire and Dean as if trying to figure out a complex puzzle or something. “Claire, are you okay? What’s going on?” she asked impatiently, the worry showing on her normally smiling face. <|indexes|> 1 1 1 | <|example|> much lately. Would you mind keeping your brother company?" The question was innocent, but Dean felt a pang of something unfamiliar in his gut. He didn't want Cas to leave him alone, not even for an hour. Sam was fine company, but he asked a lot of questions and invaded Dean's privacy far too much. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> eyeing the shelves, shaking his head as he found literally nothing, until he and Sam met up in the back of the store, empty handed. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> shouting at him that Sam and Eileen are in the other room, but Dean seems to be the only person hung up on anything, so he tries his best to shove the fear to the back of his head. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “In the back,” Charlie answered, still glancing between Claire and Dean as if trying to figure out a complex puzzle or something. “Claire, are you okay? What’s going on?” she asked impatiently, the worry showing on her normally smiling face. <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 |

<|output|> <|example|> <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> I suppose I lost my mind a little <|indexes|> 0 0 |

<|text|> <|example|> I suppose I lost my mind a little.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> and spots another curled up inside a sleeping bag in the doorway to a consignment shop. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> home from work. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> their futures,” she says.  “And I can’t say that I blame them.  In any case, if I do tell them what the future holds, the mere fact that they know what’s coming is enough to knock them from that path and into a different future.  Best to keep one’s visions to oneself.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “In the back,” Charlie answered, still glancing between Claire and Dean as if trying to figure out a complex puzzle or something. “Claire, are you okay? What’s going on?” she asked impatiently, the worry showing on her normally smiling face. <|indexes|> 1 1 1 | <|example|> much lately. Would you mind keeping your brother company?" The question was innocent, but Dean felt a pang of something unfamiliar in his gut. He didn't want Cas to leave him alone, not even for an hour. Sam was fine company, but he asked a lot of questions and invaded Dean's privacy far too much. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> eyeing the shelves, shaking his head as he found literally nothing, until he and Sam met up in the back of the store, empty handed. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> I suppose I lost my mind a little.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “In the back,” Charlie answered, still glancing between Claire and Dean as if trying to figure out a complex puzzle or something. “Claire, are you okay? What’s going on?” she asked impatiently, the worry showing on her normally smiling face. <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 |

<|output|> <|example|> <|indexes|> 1 1 1 | <|example|> much lately <|indexes|> 0 0 |

<|text|> <|example|> their futures,” she says.  “And I can’t say that I blame them.  In any case, if I do tell them what the future holds, the mere fact that they know what’s coming is enough to knock them from that path and into a different future.  Best to keep one’s visions to oneself.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “In the back,” Charlie answered, still glancing between Claire and Dean as if trying to figure out a complex puzzle or something. “Claire, are you okay? What’s going on?” she asked impatiently, the worry showing on her normally smiling face. <|indexes|> 1 1 1 | <|example|> much lately. Would you mind keeping your brother company?" The question was innocent, but Dean felt a pang of something unfamiliar in his gut. He didn't want Cas to leave him alone, not even for an hour. Sam was fine company, but he asked a lot of questions and invaded Dean's privacy far too much. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> eyeing the shelves, shaking his head as he found literally nothing, until he and Sam met up in the back of the store, empty handed. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> laughed nervously, looking around as if something around him would give him the strength to man up and go talk to Cas. "Dean, you can't run away from this forever," Charlie prodded, giving him a slight shove towards the steps. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> called from across the table. Dean gave a small wave, trying to ignore the fact that John didn't tell them first thing that Bobby was alive and in the same place as them. Dean would have gone to him immediately, but now he had to wait until tomorrow with that information just swimming around in his head. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> yet. "Listen, if that doesn't work, just hit me wherever you can. Use your legs, your hands if they're free, whatever. Anything you can to get the upper hand. Does that make sense?" <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> their futures,” she says.  “And I can’t say that I blame them.  In any case, if I do tell them what the future holds, the mere fact that they know what’s coming is enough to knock them from that path and into a different future.  Best to keep one’s visions to oneself.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “In the back,” Charlie answered, still glancing between Claire and Dean as if trying to figure out a complex puzzle or something. “Claire, are you okay? What’s going on?” she asked impatiently, the worry showing on her normally smiling face. <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 |

<|output|> <|example|> Anything you can to get the upper hand <|indexes|> 0 |

<|text|> <|example|> laughed nervously, looking around as if something around him would give him the strength to man up and go talk to Cas. "Dean, you can't run away from this forever," Charlie prodded, giving him a slight shove towards the steps. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> called from across the table. Dean gave a small wave, trying to ignore the fact that John didn't tell them first thing that Bobby was alive and in the same place as them. Dean would have gone to him immediately, but now he had to wait until tomorrow with that information just swimming around in his head. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> yet. "Listen, if that doesn't work, just hit me wherever you can. Use your legs, your hands if they're free, whatever. Anything you can to get the upper hand. Does that make sense?" <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> have tried it. He was too afraid to cross John back then, but now he felt different. He felt like he had something worth fighting for. “Yeah, I think so,” Dean agreed, the nerves settling back in his stomach. “I have to talk to Cas.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> Though, Dean couldn’t find it in him to be that worried about it. He wanted to get his hands dirty. He wanted a fight, hand to hand combat. He couldn’t hit John, so he at least wanted to hit <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> years of being on edge, the sound of the twig snapping caught his attention easily. He had looked up, eyes locking with another pair of dark, beady eyes across the street. The figure lingered in the shadows, watching them, as if Dean couldn't see him. When it stepped out into the pool of moonlight shining down on the empty street, it bared its teeth, revealing what it was. Dean immediately drew his machete, pushing Cas behind him to go after the damn thing, but as soon as it saw Dean was prepared to cut its head off, it took off into the safety of the forest again. Dean ran after it, chasing it for nearly an hour before he had to give up and return home. It was for that reason, he couldn't sleep for even a second. What if that thing came back and Dean wasn't awake? What if he wasn't prepared to hack it's head off and it somehow got to Cas first? Dean would never be able to live with himself. He knew that thing was out there and it was only a matter of time before it came after them. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> it won't take the things head off. I can fight it off, but I need you to get the machete. You have to be the one to kill it, Cas. Can you do that?" <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> It took a lot of tossing and turning to find a comfortable position to sleep, but eventually, he drifted off too. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> knew and argued with Dean about letting her help, eventually giving in and heading back to the medical building. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> at him, trying to figure out a solution. "Today's my day off anyways. I'll catch up on some sleep before the date tonight." <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> laughed nervously, looking around as if something around him would give him the strength to man up and go talk to Cas. "Dean, you can't run away from this forever," Charlie prodded, giving him a slight shove towards the steps. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> at him, trying to figure out a solution <|indexes|> 0 |

<|text|> <|example|> have tried it. He was too afraid to cross John back then, but now he felt different. He felt like he had something worth fighting for. “Yeah, I think so,” Dean agreed, the nerves settling back in his stomach. “I have to talk to Cas.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> Though, Dean couldn’t find it in him to be that worried about it. He wanted to get his hands dirty. He wanted a fight, hand to hand combat. He couldn’t hit John, so he at least wanted to hit <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> years of being on edge, the sound of the twig snapping caught his attention easily. He had looked up, eyes locking with another pair of dark, beady eyes across the street. The figure lingered in the shadows, watching them, as if Dean couldn't see him. When it stepped out into the pool of moonlight shining down on the empty street, it bared its teeth, revealing what it was. Dean immediately drew his machete, pushing Cas behind him to go after the damn thing, but as soon as it saw Dean was prepared to cut its head off, it took off into the safety of the forest again. Dean ran after it, chasing it for nearly an hour before he had to give up and return home. It was for that reason, he couldn't sleep for even a second. What if that thing came back and Dean wasn't awake? What if he wasn't prepared to hack it's head off and it somehow got to Cas first? Dean would never be able to live with himself. He knew that thing was out there and it was only a matter of time before it came after them. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> it won't take the things head off. I can fight it off, but I need you to get the machete. You have to be the one to kill it, Cas. Can you do that?" <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> It took a lot of tossing and turning to find a comfortable position to sleep, but eventually, he drifted off too. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> knew and argued with Dean about letting her help, eventually giving in and heading back to the medical building. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> have tried it. He was too afraid to cross John back then, but now he felt different. He felt like he had something worth fighting for. “Yeah, I think so,” Dean agreed, the nerves settling back in his stomach. “I have to talk to Cas.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> He knew that thing was out there and it was only a matter of time before it came after them <|indexes|> 0 0 |

<|text|> <|example|> it won't take the things head off. I can fight it off, but I need you to get the machete. You have to be the one to kill it, Cas. Can you do that?" <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> It took a lot of tossing and turning to find a comfortable position to sleep, but eventually, he drifted off too. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> knew and argued with Dean about letting her help, eventually giving in and heading back to the medical building. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> at him, trying to figure out a solution. "Today's my day off anyways. I'll catch up on some sleep before the date tonight." <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> thigh. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> an ass for two seconds and help me, I'd really appreciate it." <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> using his grip to lean Dean’s head back further into the pillow. His other hand found its way down Dean’s chest, teasing the pad of his thumb over a sensitive nipple. Dean gasped softly at the sudden sensation, giving Cas the chance to drag open-mouthed kisses over Dean’s jaw, his stubble scratching against Dean’s to create even more heat in Dean’s face. Cas smoothed his hand through Dean’s hair as he slowly kissed down Dean’s body, giving extra attention to Dean’s neck and collarbone, sucking a dark bruise where Dean’s shirt would barely cover it. Dean couldn’t find it in him to mind, especially as Cas worked a hand into Dean’s boxers and wrapped a hand around his heavy cock. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> He was safe here. He was safe with Bobby. "She can be a handful," Bobby teased, making Dean smile despite his nerves. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> twice, so he wanted Cas to be there too. Luckily, Charlie gave them a look of understanding and led them back into the other room with the beds. Cas was sitting at the desk in the corner of the room looking over some papers. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> chest tightened at the thought of Charlie being taken by John, treated the same way he tortured Kaia. All he could see was red. He didn’t even wait for Sam to start walking, or for Crowley to disappear again. He took off at a run, following the same trail John took to get home. He had to get there before John took her away. Charlie was with Cas and Jo, so they were in danger too. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> it won't take the things head off. I can fight it off, but I need you to get the machete. You have to be the one to kill it, Cas. Can you do that?" <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> chest tightened at the thought of Charlie being taken by John, treated the same way he tortured Kaia <|indexes|> 0 |

<|text|> <|example|> at him, trying to figure out a solution. "Today's my day off anyways. I'll catch up on some sleep before the date tonight." <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> thigh. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> an ass for two seconds and help me, I'd really appreciate it." <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> using his grip to lean Dean’s head back further into the pillow. His other hand found its way down Dean’s chest, teasing the pad of his thumb over a sensitive nipple. Dean gasped softly at the sudden sensation, giving Cas the chance to drag open-mouthed kisses over Dean’s jaw, his stubble scratching against Dean’s to create even more heat in Dean’s face. Cas smoothed his hand through Dean’s hair as he slowly kissed down Dean’s body, giving extra attention to Dean’s neck and collarbone, sucking a dark bruise where Dean’s shirt would barely cover it. Dean couldn’t find it in him to mind, especially as Cas worked a hand into Dean’s boxers and wrapped a hand around his heavy cock. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> He was safe here. He was safe with Bobby. "She can be a handful," Bobby teased, making Dean smile despite his nerves. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> twice, so he wanted Cas to be there too. Luckily, Charlie gave them a look of understanding and led them back into the other room with the beds. Cas was sitting at the desk in the corner of the room looking over some papers. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> chest tightened at the thought of Charlie being taken by John, treated the same way he tortured Kaia. All he could see was red. He didn’t even wait for Sam to start walking, or for Crowley to disappear again. He took off at a run, following the same trail John took to get home. He had to get there before John took her away. Charlie was with Cas and Jo, so they were in danger too. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> John for who he really was. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> know," Cas admitted, slightly shrugging his shoulders. "I still don't understand how he managed it, but he did. It was a gradual loss, but we got weaker and weaker every day, until eventually, our power had run out." <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> at him, trying to figure out a solution. "Today's my day off anyways. I'll catch up on some sleep before the date tonight." <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> He was safe here <|indexes|> 0 0 |

<|text|> <|example|> using his grip to lean Dean’s head back further into the pillow. His other hand found its way down Dean’s chest, teasing the pad of his thumb over a sensitive nipple. Dean gasped softly at the sudden sensation, giving Cas the chance to drag open-mouthed kisses over Dean’s jaw, his stubble scratching against Dean’s to create even more heat in Dean’s face. Cas smoothed his hand through Dean’s hair as he slowly kissed down Dean’s body, giving extra attention to Dean’s neck and collarbone, sucking a dark bruise where Dean’s shirt would barely cover it. Dean couldn’t find it in him to mind, especially as Cas worked a hand into Dean’s boxers and wrapped a hand around his heavy cock. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> He was safe here. He was safe with Bobby. "She can be a handful," Bobby teased, making Dean smile despite his nerves. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> twice, so he wanted Cas to be there too. Luckily, Charlie gave them a look of understanding and led them back into the other room with the beds. Cas was sitting at the desk in the corner of the room looking over some papers. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> chest tightened at the thought of Charlie being taken by John, treated the same way he tortured Kaia. All he could see was red. He didn’t even wait for Sam to start walking, or for Crowley to disappear again. He took off at a run, following the same trail John took to get home. He had to get there before John took her away. Charlie was with Cas and Jo, so they were in danger too. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> John for who he really was. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> using his grip to lean Dean’s head back further into the pillow. His other hand found its way down Dean’s chest, teasing the pad of his thumb over a sensitive nipple. Dean gasped softly at the sudden sensation, giving Cas the chance to drag open-mouthed kisses over Dean’s jaw, his stubble scratching against Dean’s to create even more heat in Dean’s face. Cas smoothed his hand through Dean’s hair as he slowly kissed down Dean’s body, giving extra attention to Dean’s neck and collarbone, sucking a dark bruise where Dean’s shirt would barely cover it. Dean couldn’t find it in him to mind, especially as Cas worked a hand into Dean’s boxers and wrapped a hand around his heavy cock. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> "She can be a handful," Bobby teased, making Dean smile despite his nerves <|indexes|> 0 0 |

<|text|> <|example|> chest tightened at the thought of Charlie being taken by John, treated the same way he tortured Kaia. All he could see was red. He didn’t even wait for Sam to start walking, or for Crowley to disappear again. He took off at a run, following the same trail John took to get home. He had to get there before John took her away. Charlie was with Cas and Jo, so they were in danger too. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> John for who he really was. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> know," Cas admitted, slightly shrugging his shoulders. "I still don't understand how he managed it, but he did. It was a gradual loss, but we got weaker and weaker every day, until eventually, our power had run out." <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> way Sam would make it through a supply run with the undead on their tails, no matter how quiet it was out there. “You should know better, you made them. We don’t go out there alone,” Sam said, using Dean’s own words against him. He was good at that. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> she liked them on Cas. “I was deflecting. I didn’t want anything about me and Charlie coming up.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> through. When he got there, Jack was the first person he saw, standing outside. His face lit up when he saw Dean, but the smile quickly faded as he saw Dean’s expression. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> negotiate here. He'd be no use to anyone dead. He couldn't save them all if he kept going like this. "The kid too. Let them go." <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> again. Dean held his breath to keep the loud moan he knew was inevitable from coming out. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> chest tightened at the thought of Charlie being taken by John, treated the same way he tortured Kaia. All he could see was red. He didn’t even wait for Sam to start walking, or for Crowley to disappear again. He took off at a run, following the same trail John took to get home. He had to get there before John took her away. Charlie was with Cas and Jo, so they were in danger too. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> ” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> through <|indexes|> 0 0 |

<|text|> <|example|> way Sam would make it through a supply run with the undead on their tails, no matter how quiet it was out there. “You should know better, you made them. We don’t go out there alone,” Sam said, using Dean’s own words against him. He was good at that. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> she liked them on Cas. “I was deflecting. I didn’t want anything about me and Charlie coming up.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> through. When he got there, Jack was the first person he saw, standing outside. His face lit up when he saw Dean, but the smile quickly faded as he saw Dean’s expression. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> negotiate here. He'd be no use to anyone dead. He couldn't save them all if he kept going like this. "The kid too. Let them go." <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> again. Dean held his breath to keep the loud moan he knew was inevitable from coming out. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> tell he was still getting over the fact that his sons didn't want to live under his roof. Dean didn't mind that John left so quickly. It actually gave him a sense of relief once John was gone, leaving the four of them to figure out sleeping arrangements and what not. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> looking Dean over before he met Cas' eyes. "This is the boyfriend you were talking about?" he asked, making Dean's face red all over again, after he had just managed to stop blushing from embarrassment. Cas was talking about him to strangers? Sure, they'd been together for five years now, but. . . strangers? Freaking sap. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “We were attacked, ambushed really,” she said with a laugh, “by demons. I tried to fight them off while Alvis got us out of there, but <|indexes|> 1 |

<|output|> <|example|> way Sam would make it through a supply run with the undead on their tails, no matter how quiet it was out there. “You should know better, you made them. We don’t go out there alone,” Sam said, using Dean’s own words against him. He was good at that. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “We were attacked, ambushed really,” she said with a laugh, “by demons. I tried to fight them off while Alvis got us out of there, but <|indexes|> 1 |

<|output|> <|example|> “You should know better, you made them <|indexes|> 0 |

<|text|> <|example|> negotiate here. He'd be no use to anyone dead. He couldn't save them all if he kept going like this. "The kid too. Let them go." <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> again. Dean held his breath to keep the loud moan he knew was inevitable from coming out. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> tell he was still getting over the fact that his sons didn't want to live under his roof. Dean didn't mind that John left so quickly. It actually gave him a sense of relief once John was gone, leaving the four of them to figure out sleeping arrangements and what not. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> looking Dean over before he met Cas' eyes. "This is the boyfriend you were talking about?" he asked, making Dean's face red all over again, after he had just managed to stop blushing from embarrassment. Cas was talking about him to strangers? Sure, they'd been together for five years now, but. . . strangers? Freaking sap. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “We were attacked, ambushed really,” she said with a laugh, “by demons. I tried to fight them off while Alvis got us out of there, but <|indexes|> 1 | <|example|> there were too many and we were overwhelmed. We got taken and they tortured Alvis, injecting him with different liquids,” Jovi’s voice broke at the end and Dean’s instincts took over and he pulled her into a hug while his brother worked on hers. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> garage and parked in the first spot next to the door. Dean got out and stretched, his back popping as he got used to being out of a car. Walking to the back-door Dean opened it. While peering into the back seat he realized that Seraphina had passed out sprawled across the seats one leg bent against the door the other laying at a weird angle off the side of the cushioning, one arm behind her head propping it up as the other covered her eyes from the occasional lighting of streetlights along the road. Dean smiled the girl reminded him of when Sam was a teen reaching down Dean shook the leg of her jeans the smile fading as she sat up. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> his fingers through his hair. The stress was starting to get to him. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> infirmary. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> I get to leave.” The snark earned him bitch face #581. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> don’t try me. You run and I will shoot you,” Dean threatened, staring down the nephilim. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> negotiate here. He'd be no use to anyone dead. He couldn't save them all if he kept going like this. "The kid too. Let them go." <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “We were attacked, ambushed really,” she said with a laugh, “by demons. I tried to fight them off while Alvis got us out of there, but <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 |

<|output|> <|example|> <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> looking Dean over before he met Cas' eyes <|indexes|> 0 |

<|text|> <|example|> looking Dean over before he met Cas' eyes. "This is the boyfriend you were talking about?" he asked, making Dean's face red all over again, after he had just managed to stop blushing from embarrassment. Cas was talking about him to strangers? Sure, they'd been together for five years now, but. . . strangers? Freaking sap. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “We were attacked, ambushed really,” she said with a laugh, “by demons. I tried to fight them off while Alvis got us out of there, but <|indexes|> 1 | <|example|> there were too many and we were overwhelmed. We got taken and they tortured Alvis, injecting him with different liquids,” Jovi’s voice broke at the end and Dean’s instincts took over and he pulled her into a hug while his brother worked on hers. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> garage and parked in the first spot next to the door. Dean got out and stretched, his back popping as he got used to being out of a car. Walking to the back-door Dean opened it. While peering into the back seat he realized that Seraphina had passed out sprawled across the seats one leg bent against the door the other laying at a weird angle off the side of the cushioning, one arm behind her head propping it up as the other covered her eyes from the occasional lighting of streetlights along the road. Dean smiled the girl reminded him of when Sam was a teen reaching down Dean shook the leg of her jeans the smile fading as she sat up. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> his fingers through his hair. The stress was starting to get to him. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> infirmary. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> I get to leave.” The snark earned him bitch face #581. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> looking Dean over before he met Cas' eyes. "This is the boyfriend you were talking about?" he asked, making Dean's face red all over again, after he had just managed to stop blushing from embarrassment. Cas was talking about him to strangers? Sure, they'd been together for five years now, but. . . strangers? Freaking sap. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “We were attacked, ambushed really,” she said with a laugh, “by demons. I tried to fight them off while Alvis got us out of there, but <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 |

<|output|> <|example|> <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | <|example|> garage and parked in the first spot next to the door <|indexes|> 0 0 |

<|text|> <|example|> Cas nodded his head and got into the Impala. “Yes, the positions of the body and the eyes make me think it was an accident. I need to go to the warehouse and see the scene to make sure.” He told him and took Dean’s hand gently. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “It’s one of the ways they fund the service.  People have to buy the purple bags in order to have their garbage collected.” <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 | | <|example|> of the desk and picks up the page. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | | <|example|> I feel fine,” Cas says, more gently this time.  “Truly.  It’s been an adjustment, and I know the first few weeks weren’t particularly fun.  But I feel good.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | | <|example|> shouting at him that Sam and Eileen are in the other room, but Dean seems to be the only person hung up on anything, so he tries his best to shove the fear to the back of his head. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “In the back,” Charlie answered, still glancing between Claire and Dean as if trying to figure out a complex puzzle or something. “Claire, are you okay? What’s going on?” she asked impatiently, the worry showing on her normally smiling face. <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 | | <|example|> I suppose I lost my mind a little.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “In the back,” Charlie answered, still glancing between Claire and Dean as if trying to figure out a complex puzzle or something. “Claire, are you okay? What’s going on?” she asked impatiently, the worry showing on her normally smiling face. <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 | | <|example|> their futures,” she says.  “And I can’t say that I blame them.  In any case, if I do tell them what the future holds, the mere fact that they know what’s coming is enough to knock them from that path and into a different future.  Best to keep one’s visions to oneself.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “In the back,” Charlie answered, still glancing between Claire and Dean as if trying to figure out a complex puzzle or something. “Claire, are you okay? What’s going on?” she asked impatiently, the worry showing on her normally smiling face. <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 | | <|example|> laughed nervously, looking around as if something around him would give him the strength to man up and go talk to Cas. "Dean, you can't run away from this forever," Charlie prodded, giving him a slight shove towards the steps. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | | <|example|> have tried it. He was too afraid to cross John back then, but now he felt different. He felt like he had something worth fighting for. “Yeah, I think so,” Dean agreed, the nerves settling back in his stomach. “I have to talk to Cas.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | | <|example|> it won't take the things head off. I can fight it off, but I need you to get the machete. You have to be the one to kill it, Cas. Can you do that?" <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | | <|example|> at him, trying to figure out a solution. "Today's my day off anyways. I'll catch up on some sleep before the date tonight." <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | |

<|output|> <|example|> Cas nodded his head and got into the Impala. “Yes, the positions of the body and the eyes make me think it was an accident. I need to go to the warehouse and see the scene to make sure.” He told him and took Dean’s hand gently. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “It’s one of the ways they fund the service.  People have to buy the purple bags in order to have their garbage collected.” <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 <|example|> “In the back,” Charlie answered, still glancing between Claire and Dean as if trying to figure out a complex puzzle or something. “Claire, are you okay? What’s going on?” she asked impatiently, the worry showing on her normally smiling face. <|indexes|> 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 <|indexes|> 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 <|indexes|> 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 |

<|output|> <|example|> But I feel good <|indexes|> 0 0 |

<|text|> <|example|> shouting at him that Sam and Eileen are in the other room, but Dean seems to be the only person hung up on anything, so he tries his best to shove the fear to the back of his head. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “In the back,” Charlie answered, still glancing between Claire and Dean as if trying to figure out a complex puzzle or something. “Claire, are you okay? What’s going on?” she asked impatiently, the worry showing on her normally smiling face. <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 | | <|example|> I suppose I lost my mind a little.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “In the back,” Charlie answered, still glancing between Claire and Dean as if trying to figure out a complex puzzle or something. “Claire, are you okay? What’s going on?” she asked impatiently, the worry showing on her normally smiling face. <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 | | <|example|> their futures,” she says.  “And I can’t say that I blame them.  In any case, if I do tell them what the future holds, the mere fact that they know what’s coming is enough to knock them from that path and into a different future.  Best to keep one’s visions to oneself.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “In the back,” Charlie answered, still glancing between Claire and Dean as if trying to figure out a complex puzzle or something. “Claire, are you okay? What’s going on?” she asked impatiently, the worry showing on her normally smiling face. <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 | | <|example|> laughed nervously, looking around as if something around him would give him the strength to man up and go talk to Cas. "Dean, you can't run away from this forever," Charlie prodded, giving him a slight shove towards the steps. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | | <|example|> have tried it. He was too afraid to cross John back then, but now he felt different. He felt like he had something worth fighting for. “Yeah, I think so,” Dean agreed, the nerves settling back in his stomach. “I have to talk to Cas.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | | <|example|> it won't take the things head off. I can fight it off, but I need you to get the machete. You have to be the one to kill it, Cas. Can you do that?" <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | | <|example|> at him, trying to figure out a solution. "Today's my day off anyways. I'll catch up on some sleep before the date tonight." <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 | |

<|output|> <|example|> shouting at him that Sam and Eileen are in the other room, but Dean seems to be the only person hung up on anything, so he tries his best to shove the fear to the back of his head. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “In the back,” Charlie answered, still glancing between Claire and Dean as if trying to figure out a complex puzzle or something. “Claire, are you okay? What’s going on?” she asked impatiently, the worry showing on her normally smiling face. <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 |

<|output|> <|example|> <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 | | <|example|> I suppose I lost my mind a little <|indexes|> 0 0 |

<|text|> Toni thinks, and gets the same kind of grin Rhodey would recognize, Rhodey would shudder at, Rhodey would feel a primal shock of fear at, down in the corner of his mind that echoes with the sounds of a maniacal whirring and a brutally-murdered kitchen appliance screaming its last. , and her fingers tighten on his shoulders, clutching herself against him. “Holy fuck,” she breathes. Her thighs flex on his waist, heels in the small of his back jerking him forward, forcing him deeper. “Oh Jesus fucking Christ, you feel so good.” Her whole body shudders, tightens, arms and legs and hands and sex, until it feels like slick fingers rhythmically squeezing his cock. “I am not at all sure about this, Barton,” Tony mutters, then readjusts his grip on the enormous stuffed rabbit to reach past it and ring the doorbell, and battles the urge to hide behind it as he senses Carol approaching. He chances a quick scan, catches a flash of her toweling her hair dry as she thinks about how she’s going to need to finally decide if she’s growing it out again or keeping it short, and rolls his eyes behind his sunglasses. “Never mind. The most pressing thing demanding her attention is her current hairstyle.” (She has absolute faith that Clint will be along, because that’s just the kind of guy he is. But if he finds her sitting down on the job and She blinks again, and it’s even harder to keep her eyes open. “Fine,” she says, and turns in the direction the blinking path on her HUD indicates. “I suppose it’s too much to ask if there’s any coffee in this hellhole.” She shuffles along, one hand scraping along the wall in an effort to keep herself steady. Behind her come the footsteps of the Winter Soldier, trailing her like an imprinted, murderous duckling. If it wouldn’t have been absolute agony on the ribs she definitely hopes are just bruised and not broken, she would laugh at the mental image. “Active-duty Avengers receive seventy-two hours minimum when new soulbonds are formed,” Coulson explains, and pulls a thin pamphlet from his folder. He unfolds it, pulls a pen out of his inner pocket and presents both to Bucky. “Sign at the bottom, please. You’re on leave starting now.” “I’ve isolated a clean sandbox in the Cubby cluster. Data transfer is in progress, and is estimated to complete in ten minutes.” The armor shifts, flattens, angles, streamlines as Toni makes a desperate dive for Steve’s falling form. The idiot is laughing his goddamn head off, arms and legs spread to provide drag against the wind. She isn’t sure, though, if that’s to give her extra seconds to catch up, or because he wants to make the dive last longer. She had followed in her parents' footsteps, designing luxury clothes and even starting her own separate fashion house right here in Manhattan. The town was quite small, but was full of farmers with fresh produce, gathered in the square. Before they got out of the truck, Tony slipped on some shades and a cap. Peter

<|output|> <|example|> Toni thinks, and gets the same kind of grin Rhodey would recognize, Rhodey would shudder at, Rhodey would feel a primal shock of fear at, down in the corner of his mind that echoes with the sounds of a maniacal whirring and a brutally-murdered kitchen appliance screaming its last. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> She had followed in her parents' footsteps, designing luxury clothes and even starting her own separate fashion house right here in Manhattan. <|indexes|> 1 <|example|> The town was quite small, but was full of farmers with fresh produce, gathered in the square. Before they got out of the truck, Tony slipped on some shades and a cap. Peter <|indexes|> 2 |

<|output|> <|example|> “Oh Jesus fucking Christ, you feel so good <|indexes|> 0 0 <|example|> “I suppose it’s too much to ask if there’s any coffee in this hellhole <|indexes|> 1 |

<|text|> would be okay, but Tony couldn’t afford to be recognized, even in this small place. T’Challa gave him a sympathetic smile and moved to pat his shoulder. “I understand, but keep in mind that his response may not be what you want. People only fight like you and he did when they care too much. You did some damage.” The kid called him religiously, every day. He pestered Happy to the point that his phone mysteriously fell and broke into minute pieces. Finally, Tony relented. If he could somehow do right by Peter, maybe hope wasn’t all lost. Tony and Peter had been on the farm for close to three weeks, now and had settled into a a routine of sorts. Tony would tease Peter to no end and Peter eagerly soaked up everything the engineer showed him, asking questions and voicing his own animated thoughts. By the time he reached the small aircraft, he’d made up his mind—he wasn’t going to leave. Steven Grant Rogers didn’t give up, damnit! He’d stick around, but leave Tony alone for a few days. Maybe if he gave him some time, they could talk more calmly. Hopefully, Rhodey would go back to New York. He knew T’Challa warned him about letting Tony be, but this couldn’t be it for them. He would try to approach Tony again and if he still told Steve to leave, then he would. “I would never! Just because I left you that one time… But he’s outside trying out some upgrades I made to his suit.” Peter’s eyes shone brighter every time he looked at a piece of equipment, but by the end of the tour, neither men could stifle a yawn. “Alright, Peter, time for bed, Tony declared. “We can continue Camp Stark tomorrow.” Peter nodded as another yawn betrayed him. “Where will I sleep?” Tony looked up and pointed to some stairs, leading to a second floor. “The room to the right of the stairs is yours. You’ll find a bed already set up, and there’s also a closet, bathroom, and balcony.” There was a kitchen and living room separating the two bedrooms. Tony was about to interject that Peter wasn’t his son, but decided to go with it. If they wanted to be inconspicuous, this seemed like a good cover. “We’re actually here for the summer. This squirt has always wanted to see the mountains and I figured what better way than to explore them for more than just a few days.” Steve smiled. The princess had been teasing him endlessly about his uniform, saying he had gone all “dark and edgy”. The thing is, his suit was the one Tony had made him. He only tore at everything he no longer represented, but he couldn’t bear to throw away the only thing that made him feel like Tony was with him, in a way. “Hey Parker, let’s go inside,” he said, motioning toward the rather large barn near the middle of the farm. “We can star-gaze and braid each other’s hair another night.” Peter gave him a sheepish little smile. “Sorry, it’s just you can

<|output|> <|example|> would be okay, but Tony couldn’t afford to be recognized, even in this small place. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> People only fight like you and he did when they care too much <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 <|example|> ” There was a kitchen and living room separating the two bedrooms <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> You’ll find a bed already set up, and there’s also a closet, bathroom, and balcony <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> “Hey Parker, let’s go inside,” he said, motioning toward the rather large barn near the middle of the farm <|indexes|> 3 <|example|> He only tore at everything he no longer represented, but he couldn’t bear to throw away the only thing that made him feel like Tony was with him, in a way <|indexes|> 4 |

<|text|> never really see the stars in New York. This is all so… magical”. Tony’s heart seized a little and his snarky smile molted into a reassuring grin. “I’m kidding, kid. You’re right, this is quite the view. Let’s go unpack. I need a shower.” They both stepped out of the car and when Peter took in their surroundings, his eyes went comically wide and his mouth fell into a little o. “Wow, Mister Stark! This is amazing! I’ve never seen mountains in real life before. Are we going to see bears? And the stars, look at all the stars!” Tony let him ramble and grinned at his excitement. He turned to look at the stars that now dotted the blue velvet blanket above. Not bad. Not bad, at all. The clean air filled his lungs and the slight breeze caressed his hair, giving him a bed-head look, no doubt. He’d forgone a haircut since they’d been in Canada, but he didn’t mind the rogue curls, he now sported. After twenty minutes of walking, he heard the gentle bubbling of a waterfall and began to walk towards it. It lead him to a small clearing, crystal water forming a nice swimming hole. “Oh my, what have we here?” Said the creature, eyes appraising Steve in a way that gave him chills. “You are a ways off from your village, aren’t you?” Steve gulped and remained frozen. “Answer me, human. You trespassed upon my home and I’m sure you’re aware there are consequences.” He was so dead. The billionaire wiped off some of the grease that covered his arms as he answered, “You wound me! And I’ll have you know, I haven’t blown anything up. Yet… Joking! Anyway, all good here. The kid and I went to a farmer’s market. I even had vegetable soup, can you believe it?” “I don’t want us to be like this, worse than strangers. I know I hurt you- I know I broke your trust, but can we just try to be ************************************************************************************************************** He was almost out of the room before Steve made a decision. He took a deep breath, then half-sprinted after Tony, pulling him into a dark hall when he closed in on him. “You don’t get to be a successful businessman by playing nice,” Tony shrugged in response. “By the way,” he continued, “you should be having more than coffee for breakfast.” Peter looked at him, unsure of how to say it…”Erm, there isn’t-“. “Hmm suits you, human. Well Steven, I suggest you find your way home now. I hope you have learned your lesson.” Steve nodded, a weight lifting off his body. And oh wow it didn’t hurt to breath anymore! There were various welding machines and accessories, a station full of expensive-looking lab equipment, dozens of screens and hologram projectors, and two robots who immediately came forward to greet them, one of them who almost jabbed Peter in the ribs. “Hey you, be careful,” Tony chastised lightly. “His aunt will kill me if he goes back with so much as a scratch.” “Yes, sorry… No I don’t need new armor. When I do, Shuri

<|output|> <|example|> never really see the stars in New York. This is all so… magical”. Tony’s heart seized a little and his snarky smile molted into a reassuring grin. “I’m kidding, kid. You’re right, this is quite the view. Let’s go unpack. I need a shower.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> It lead him to a small clearing, crystal water forming a nice swimming hole <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> I need a shower <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> Let’s go unpack <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> When I do, Shuri <|indexes|> 3 <|example|> “You don’t get to be a successful businessman by playing nice,” Tony shrugged in response <|indexes|> 4 <|example|> The kid and I went to a farmer’s market <|indexes|> 5 5 <|example|> I even had vegetable soup, can you believe it?” “I don’t want us to be like this, worse than strangers <|indexes|> 6 |

<|text|> will be the first to know,” he said. “I actually wanted to ask for a favor. I know you’ve already done so much, helping Bucky—” Steve stepper closer, against his better judgement. But the creature was allowing him to leave. He couldn’t very well be ungrateful. He could feel warmth radiating from him, wrapping him in delicious blanket of calm and joy. The fairy took his wrist, tracing swirls of magic to form what looked like a circle with an upside down triangle, the inside glowing a light blue. His touched lingered only a moment and then the spell was over. Why did the thought make him feel sad? “There sun— what might I call you? I think I deserve to know your name, seeing as you are now under my protection. Don’t worry about the mark, it will only be visible to fae.” He’s abruptly cut off by Tony’s very soft, very real lips on his. It takes him a nanosecond to register what’s happening, but when he does oh, he’s very on board. Suddenly, he’s kissing Tony back, with the intensity in which he carries out a plan on the battlefield, except sparring with Tony’s mouth is a fight he never wants to end. Peter blushed. “Uh, well, that little boy was me,” he explained. “I wanted to be like you… I still do. I never thought I’d ever actually end up here. But you’re here. You’re actually here and you’re so caring, generous, and— and you made me this sick suit. It all feels so surreal.” , helped me find my place in this future that was so loud and unfamiliar. You let me in. I went about things in a horrible, horrible way, but please believe that I never wanted any of this to happen. Bucky- he was innocent and I couldn’t let him die, not again.” again? We’ve been through a lot. I can’t just accept that I can only treat you as a teammate. And I’m not asking for you to jump back into a relationship, but can we start with rebuilding our friendship?” The next morning, Tony woke to the smell of coffee. His need for coffee overpowering any urge to stay in bed, he threw on his well-worn AC/DC shirt on top of his sweatpants and padded out of his room, to the kitchen. It wasn’t as big as the one in the compound, but no less fancy, decked with a top of the line coffee maker, of course, as well as an industrial stove and a fridge he equipped with F.R.I.D.A.Y. The genius grinned, pleased, but couldn’t pass up a snarky reply. “Well, I figured I can’t screw him up too badly. His aunt would murder me, anyway!” He heard someone knock on the other side of the phone. Pepper must be in her office. He heard a hushed exchange before she came back on. “Sorry, Tones, works calls. I have meetings all day.” He definitely did not miss that part of SI. “Ugh, say no more,” he replied sympathetically. “We’ll talk later, yeah? Check in to see if I’m

<|output|> <|example|> will be the first to know,” he said. “I actually wanted to ask for a favor. I know you’ve already done so much, helping Bucky—” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> It wasn’t as big as the one in the compound, but no less fancy, decked with a top of the line coffee maker, of course, as well as an industrial stove and a fridge he equipped with F <|indexes|> 0 <|example|> “Sorry, Tones, works calls <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> Peter blushed <|indexes|> 2 |

<|text|> still alive,” he joked. . You knew the whole time. So spare me the bullshit. If there was anyone you didn’t want to hurt it was yourself.” Suddenly, Steve felt like the biggest jerk, but before he could say as much, Tony pulled him down, hands cupping his jaw. “But maybe after he leaves, you and I can have our own lab meeting.” He waggled his eyebrows. Steve’s insides iced over and before he can stop himself, the words tumbled from his mouth. “Yeah. Gonna “meet” him at your lab, right?” He laughed bitterly. Oh shit. he did in Siberia, and during the Accords, and Tony especially loved that part where Steve told him the truth about his parents. Oh wait. That’s how Tony found himself driving to Canada with Peter. He had convinced the boy’s aunt to let him out of her sight for four months, telling her he was offering Peter an exclusive opportunity to intern for him abroad, all expenses paid. The teenager was over the moon, of course, unfailing to mumble an embarrassed expression of gratitude at least once an hour. Tony had found and subsequently purchased an isolated farm in Canada’s wilderness. Sure, he could have had his private jet fly them in, but he wanted to be as off the radar as possible. He couldn’t be completely off, of course. Ross would go nuts. Rhodey agreed to keep the fort down in that aspect and Tony made himself reachable to Ross for emergencies on a secure, untraceable line. He did plan it out, see? Oh, and he left that stupid, relic of a phone with Rhodey. He would never need Steve Rogers. Right? Silent tears were now flowing both of their faces, as if trying to dry out the pain invading their bodies. Steve didn’t miss the slight snarl. He hadn’t even thought about mentioning Bucky. And Tony knew their location all this time? He could have had them arrested at any time, but he didn’t… When had this all gone to hell? The king’s voice startled him back. “I will have Okoye take you to get one of our planes. Good luck, Captain.” Snapping out of his unpleasant thoughts, he awkwardly patted Peter on the back. Baby steps. “No problem, Spiderling. And I’m Tony Stark, of course I’m the best.” He cleared his throat, stepped back and resumed walking, to another part of the barn. He went on to show Peter the welding station, computer area, the bots’ charging stations, and the emergency exits, should they ever need to use them. They took turns experimenting with making meals and they were actually edible most of the time. Sometimes, they’d watch movies, often resulting in popcorn wars. It reminded Tony of the team movie nights. He pretended he didn’t feel a pang in his chest, and quickly pushed the memories away. These were new memories. The dark-haired man winked. “It looks like our paths have crossed again, Steve Rogers. Now, what do you say we go join the dance?” He held out his hand. “You’re incorrigible, Rogers!” He thew his head back and laughed. “If you must know,

<|output|> <|example|> still alive,” he joked. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> It reminded Tony of the team movie nights <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 <|example|> ” He waggled his eyebrows <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> Tony had found and subsequently purchased an isolated farm in Canada’s wilderness <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> Right? Silent tears were now flowing both of their faces, as if trying to dry out the pain invading their bodies <|indexes|> 3 |

<|text|> he has a beautiful ’67 Impala and we were going to see what gadgets we could deck her out with.” When Steve was satisfied that Winchester was no longer in the room, he looked at Tony who was not very happy, with him, apparently. “What the hell, Rogers? You just met the guy and you act like he’s a Hydra agent you want to take down.” He could stand out here all night, but the temperature had dropped and neither of them was wearing a jacket, and he couldn’t wait for Peter to see the inside of the “barn”. He was aware that his pig-headedness was what got him into all of this in the first place, but he had to believe that it’d also aid him in making things right with his love. He couldn’t lose the best thing that had happened to him. Tony was working on getting all of them back, but the thought of only having the beautiful man back as a teammate and nothing more was utterly devastating. Not when he knew what being loved by Tony Stark was like. He didn’t think his heart would be able to take it, serum be damned. He quickly engaged the suit in its entirety and slipped from whoever was holding him. He hovered over the water and turned— Tony’s face turned positively livid. For a second. Steve thought, hoped even, that Tony was going to hit him, but instead he clenched his fists to his sides and stepped back onto the balls of his feet. His eyes remained locked on Steve’s. “You lost the right to ask that,” he spat out in a chillingly soft tone, making the soldier flinch. Finally, someone who understands, Tony thought, amused. It’s a genius thing, he supposed. He almost voiced his agreement, but thought he should make sure Peter had proper nutrition. “It’s definitely mind fuel, kid, but you should drink a kale smoothie every once in a while. They’re actually not that bad.” See, he could be a good influence! After what felt like minutes later, his phone rang three times before he noticed. It was Rhodey. Unprompted, Friday cut the music. “Fri, put him through.” One of the two was Tony, of course. He was wearing a charcoal black suit with a heather green dress shirt that accentuated his olive skin. His hair, curly since he’d grown it out a bit, was artfully styled. Steve didn’t know why that other man was still talking to the billionaire. He certainly didn’t have any business touching Tony’s arm. Tony’s face was blank, carefully smoothed to not betray any emotion, but his eyes could never lie. “A broken team doesn’t really work, does it? This is bigger than me or you. It always has been. It had never been my intention to break it in the first place. See, it isn’t He hadn’t realized he had been staring at the floor, head bowed in shame, but he mustered all his strength to gain enough composure to look up at Tony. “Is that True, Tony?” He swallowed the knot in his throat. “You’e doing that

<|output|> <|example|> he has a beautiful ’67 Impala and we were going to see what gadgets we could deck her out with.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> See, it isn’t He hadn’t realized he had been staring at the floor, head bowed in shame, but he mustered all his strength to gain enough composure to look up at Tony <|indexes|> 0 0 <|example|> ” When Steve was satisfied that Winchester was no longer in the room, he looked at Tony who was not very happy, with him, apparently <|indexes|> 1 |

<|text|> for us?” The boy leapt onto the bed and hugged him. “You passed out, and— and I didn’t know what to do. The captain said you were having a panic attack, but I just kept shooting him and tried to get you up, a—“ As greetings go, it’s not the worst one Phil’s ever gotten from her. He makes his way across the office, setting her cup carefully on her desk. “Good morning, Dr. Stark. Coffee?” She stays still for a moment, because she’s never been the best at waking up and recognizing what’s going on. “You’re not Bucky,” she says. ", the Cossack Lullaby. The lines Natasha sings, according to the translation I used, mean "You'll look like a hero and be a Cossack in your heart/soul. Sleep, my angel, sweetly, calmly. Bayushki bayu." (a basically untranslatable phrase, used to lull children to sleep) Rhodey gives her a slow, one-arm squeeze. “Selwyn from Berkeley developed the nano mask so Toni Stark didn’t have the patent and design stolen by her father,” he says gently. “I still don’t know why you’d want to hide your marks.” She side-eyes him. He shakes his head and grins. “C’mon, Tones. I may not be a child prodigy with an intellect approaching Einstein’s…” “I have no fuckin’ clue what any of that last bits are supposed to mean,” he says, and the steady slide and click of the gun coming expertly apart in his hands is soothing. “But if I can have a rocket launcher, you got a deal.” “World’s greatest, he keeps saying,” Carol says to Rhodey, crunching more popcorn. “I wasn’t very impressed though.” To his credit, Clint doesn’t try to play coy or dumb, just eyes Tony steadily. “As best I can,” he says. “Gonna yell at me some more about it?” She closes her eyes and lets her head sink back against the rich Corinthian leather of Howard’s chair. She just wants this day to be done with. She wants to shake the dust of New York off her shoes and fly back to Malibu, lie in the sun for a bit to recharge her batteries, get together with Pepper and keep their plans for world domination rolling. Goddammit. Pepper couldn’t make her cry, but JARVIS just might. “Thanks, J. I love you too.” She runs her hands through her hair, making a face at the tangles her fingers catch on. Christ, she’s got to pull herself together and go mingle with a room of superspies and government agents and people with metaphysical connections to her soul, and somehow convince them all that she’s perfectly okay and happy to be amongst them, when all she wants to do is curl up in her bed and sleep for a month. “Probably not.” Natasha brushes Toni’s hair out of her eyes, tucking the loose strands behind her ear, and Toni’s head tilts in the direction of the gesture automatically. Natasha isn’t usually so open with her touches; it must have been bad. “You miraculously managed to avoid needing stitches this time, but you pulled a few muscles, managed to collect an impressive array of bruises.”

<|output|> <|example|> for us?” <|indexes|> 0 0 <|example|> As greetings go, it’s not the worst one Phil’s ever gotten from her. He makes his way across the office, setting her cup carefully on her desk. “Good morning, Dr. Stark. Coffee?” <|indexes|> 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 |

<|output|> <|example|> ” She side-eyes him <|indexes|> 0 0 0 <|example|> “Selwyn from Berkeley developed the nano mask so Toni Stark didn’t have the patent and design stolen by her father,” he says gently <|indexes|> 1 <|example|> I may not be a child prodigy with an intellect approaching Einstein’s…” “I have no fuckin’ clue what any of that last bits are supposed to mean,” he says, and the steady slide and click of the gun coming expertly apart in his hands is soothing <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> ” Natasha brushes Toni’s hair out of her eyes, tucking the loose strands behind her ear, and Toni’s head tilts in the direction of the gesture automatically <|indexes|> 3 <|example|> “C’mon, Tones <|indexes|> 4 4 <|example|> ” <|indexes|> 5 5 |

<|text|> She pulls her hand back. “Bruised your ribs on the left side. They’re going to hurt like hell for a few days.” He hesitates, tilts his head at her, gaze dark and far away for a moment. She’s pretty sure she knows what he’s going to ask, and she has a perfectly genuine smile ready for him when he does. “You mind if I bunk in with Stevie?” Suddenly bashful, she ducks her head, feels her cheeks reddening, is absolutely horrified that she’s reduced to being awkward and shy. “You know me,” she says lightly. “Never been able to not advertise.” She raises a hand, letting the glove portion flow into the wristplates, baring her hands, and smooths her palm over the chevrons. “You look good in it. Like I should feel bad about debasing a national icon with my widely-reported debauch lifestyle.” “Your physical symptoms do not match those I have on file from previous panic attacks, ma’am. I believe you are experiencing what is known in medical circles as Distantly, he’s horrified at himself, wants desperately to stop, but the words are pouring out, cruel and careless. “You’re supposed to be a fucking genius, but you’re the dumbest fuckin’ person I’ve ever met.” Unease creeps up the back of his spine, settles into a knot in the base of his skull. A name sifts out of the mire of his jumbled thoughts, accompanied by the sound of that voice crying as it calls his name, before the water and the cold and the--- “That’s a shame. If you didn’t hate me, I’d tell you that there’s a pint of Ben & Jerry’s in the freezer for you.” be your soulmate in public. It solves a whole bunch of problems. You look like I’m going to whip out a knife and go American Psycho on you.” The air whuffs out of him, and he crashes backwards, away from her, through a reinforced wall, and disappears into the gloomy room in a flurry of drywall dust and disturbed papers. and Bucky knows that. He could say he wants a trip to the fucking moon, and Toni would build him a rocket ship. But what he wants is much simpler. She's already doing it. “Finish my arm,” he says firmly, and palms her cheek. “Sick of carrying this Hydra shit. Much rather carry yours. Have you with me always.” His forehead furrows, changes mental tracks to think on that new piece of intel for a bit. “You feelin’ okay, Toni?” She drops out onto the next floor through an overhead vent. It’s awkward and painful with only one hand available, and the blood slicking her hand makes her grip slip, sending her crashing down. She lands badly, wrenching her ankle. Keeps hobbling along. She’s almost there; just another few dozen feet. Overhead and behind, she hears the crash of the security door giving way, knows he’ll find the trap door she left deliberately open. Captain America’s a smart man. He’ll figure it out. He stares for a long time after her, wondering exactly how fucked the world would be if she was ever inclined to

<|output|> <|example|> She pulls her hand back. “Bruised your ribs on the left side. They’re going to hurt like hell for a few days.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> Have you with me always <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> Like I should feel bad about debasing a national icon with my widely-reported debauch lifestyle <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> It’s awkward and painful with only one hand available, and the blood slicking her hand makes her grip slip, sending her crashing down <|indexes|> 2 2 <|example|> “Never been able to not advertise <|indexes|> 3 <|example|> Captain America’s a smart man <|indexes|> 4 4 <|example|> “You’re supposed to be a fucking genius, but you’re the dumbest fuckin’ person I’ve ever met <|indexes|> 5 5 <|example|> “You know me,” she says lightly <|indexes|> 6 |

<|text|> conquer it. Decides he doesn’t want to know, because some things are best left unexplored. He turns to the fridge and starts making himself that sandwich, hands moving mechanically in the assembly of meat and bread and cheese and veggies, thinking and thinking and thinking. He pulls her out of her chair and gives her a very tight, very warm hug. “I was just going to say that all of that you said? Is probably a smart call. We got this for you.” Or maybe that’s his own goddamn guilt talking. Bucky doesn’t know. He’s too goddamn tired to keep track. His enhanced body might be able to stay awake and on his feet for days at a time, but there are some kinds of exhaustion that are beyond its abilities to cure. “He… you and him …. are a lot alike,” he gasps. “Stubborn asses. Hit your limit and just blow up. Tempers like Satan himself.” He chuckles, rusty and croaking. “God, the grief he usta give me, keeping his ass from getting beaten up. Thousand pounds of attitude in a hundred pound body.” He blinks, tries to bring her into focus. “He’d like you too. He draws. C’n see you two, you know, down here. You, lost in your wires and fuses, him, lost in his sketching. God, that’d be somethin’ to see.” He blinks hard, swallows hard, tries to wet his lips. “Quite, ma’am. Agent Coulson has requested I add a meeting to your schedule for 1pm, topics to be discussed will include the SHIELD assault on the Manor property. Ms. Potts would like a conference call when you have a free moment.” No matter which way he pulls at it, he can conclude one thing for sure: Schmidt is afraid of the Phoenix. He doesn't know why, though he can make a few educated guesses, but the why doesn't really matter. What matters is that he needs to find and recruit Tony as soon as possible. He's spent years cultivating the man's loyalty and love. Maybe it's finally time to capitalize on that. Toni snorts, and casually flips him off when he pauses to throw her his most charming smile. “I can't keep up with super soldiers going balls out, true,” she says with a smirk. “Which is why you are both going to slow your magnificent asses to my speed. Or, at the very least, keep said asses where I can comfortably leer at them as we go.” “Bucky should go,” Toni continues, turning back to the room at large. “Rhodey and Carol. You’re the ones who can handle a supersoldier if he’s really flipped his nut. Clint and Tash are the best at infiltration and intelligence-gathering. Coulson, you’ll probably want to be on site in case things go tits-up which, let’s face it, they usually do. So that leaves me here to hold down the fort. Which is fine. I have JARVIS and FitzSimmons to keep me company. Also distracted. I haven’t had a good sciencing in awhile. It’ll keep me busy. And I’ll stay on comms in case you need another suit.” “With

<|output|> <|example|> conquer it. Decides he doesn’t want to know, because some things are best left unexplored. He turns to the fridge and starts making himself that sandwich, hands moving mechanically in the assembly of meat and bread and cheese and veggies, thinking and thinking and thinking. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> “Which is why you are both going to slow your magnificent asses to my speed <|indexes|> 0 |

<|text|> any luck, there are home videos around. After all, why should I have to suffer alone with that memory?” Toni slides back onto his lap, wrapping an arm around his back to secure her seat and resting her head against his shoulder. ” He turns in time to catch her, staggers back a couple of paces and slides his arms under her ass as she jumps. Her legs wrap around his waist, feet locking at the small of his back, and her hands fist in his loose hair, gripping tight. “I don’t fucking not happening. Hasn't since I found where they were keeping you. Jesus, James. I would never do that to you.” They slam through the far wall, exploding past layers of concrete and aluminum, and spill into a cavernous underground chamber, half in shadow. “There are words,” Carol says, slightly strangled, and Tony looks to where she’s flying off to his left, “that should never, ever be uttered again.” “Monitor the situation and keep me informed. Better opportunities will come to recruit Mr. Stark to the cause, Commander.” Schmidt gives a smirk that manages to be slimy and suggestive, an impressive feat with Schmidt's bone structure. “Wait for one. That is an order, not a suggestion. Hail Hydra.” hair out of her eyes. She grimaces, feeling the tack of blood cracking on her face. “Okay, more like six or seven times. You never seem to remember, though.” Clint snorts, and the legs of his chair bang down on the floor as he drops his feet from the rail. “No need to fight over who gets to go first,” he says. “I’m sure there’ll be more than enough goons for everyone to have their fun.” “They’ll be fine,” Clint says suddenly, drumming his fingers on his thigh. It sounds less like he’s reassuring Bucky and Natasha, and more like he’s trying to convince himself. One by one, the items on the digital checklist JARVIS helpfully displayed turn green, and Toni’s grin just gets ewider. Anticipation builds in her gut, nervous energy that makes her feet want to jitter, her stomach tie in knots. She all but bounces in place, watching impatiently as the final few items run through their tests. - Mostly violence and the effects of mental manipulation. Identity crisis. Science. Adulting like a champ. Did I mention the violence? Shitloads of it, folks. Deep in the back of her head, she knows what he’s doing. He’s deliberately riling her up so her anger will override everything else that might be holding her back. It’s effective, she has to admit; even though she knows it’s just a trick, it’s working a little too well. Toni stops in the middle of the hall, just past the turn-off to where she built the forge, and eyes him speculatively. He’s flushed and excited, all glittering eyes and hopeful smile. Which falters almost immediately at whatever he’s seeing on her face. “Sorry,” he mutters. “It is a bit much to ask.” - and the skirt of her black dress slides up her thigh. But there’s no one here, no one to impress, and she doesn’t care how much leg

<|output|> <|example|> any luck, there are home videos around. After all, why should I have to suffer alone with that memory?” Toni slides back onto his lap, wrapping an arm around his back to secure her seat and resting her head against his shoulder. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> But there’s no one here, no one to impress, and she doesn’t care how much leg <|indexes|> 0 0 <|example|> “I don’t fucking not happening <|indexes|> 1 1 1 <|example|> “I’m sure there’ll be more than enough goons for everyone to have their fun <|indexes|> 2 2 <|example|> Anticipation builds in her gut, nervous energy that makes her feet want to jitter, her stomach tie in knots <|indexes|> 3 3 <|example|> Did I mention the violence? Shitloads of it, folks <|indexes|> 4 4 |

<|text|> she’s showing to an empty room. “Shh, I know.” He pulls her close in a one-armed embrace, presses his lips to her temple. “But you can’t do it right now. It’s okay. I understand. Come to bed, huh? Let me look after you. Let us look after you.” It usually does, because he's so ridiculously lost on her. He’s smiling as he opens the chat messenger, wondering what silly thing she’s found for him this time. Her best bet is to not get killed, wait for backup. Can she stay alive long enough for someone to get to her? How long would that be? Wonders how long it’s been since her call to Coulson got dropped. Tries to do the math in her head. At least five minutes to retreat and extract, fifteen minutes tops to haul ass back here, another two or three to find her, maybe. It’s been half that, she thinks, maybe a little less, since she talked to Coulson. With vision-dimming effort, she flips the release catches of her armor and drags herself out. With one hand still gauntleted, she crawls over to where the Winter Soldier is stirring, uncoordinated and loose-limbed. Clint's eyes focus with frightening speed. “Jack Flag is dead,” he says. “Something went completely tits up on a mission he and Free Spirit were running with Cap in Bagalia. He ended up in a coma, and never came out.” Tony opens his eyes and meets Clint’s stricken expression with a steady look. “It was Bruce’s,” he says simply, and pretends not to notice when Clint’s face crumples into grief. “I’m sorry he put you in that position, and I’m sorry I blamed you. I was wrong. It’s not your fault. It’s his.” He dreams of fire and ice, snow and flame. He dreams of smoke and ash drifting in the still, forest air. Of cheering chorus girls and lifting a motorcycle above his head. A dancing monkey punching the face of evil in the name of patriotism. Toni has spent more than ten years in a stable, open relationship with Clint, and there is a bond there that even Natasha, with her soulmarked arrowhead mingled with the red hourglass above her left breast, cannot ever hope to approach. Natasha knows how to look at things, how to take someone’s true measure. She knows that, at times, Clint was all Toni had. She knows that, at times, Toni was all Clint had. If Natasha had ever had that sort of relationship with another person, she would fight to the death to keep it, to hoard it, even from that other person’s soulmate. Natasha doesn’t share. She is greedy, and the good things she has, she deserves to keep all for herself. The image of a face churns, surges, breaks the surface for just a moment. A gentle, elderly man with a kind smile. An echo, distant and tinny: of this is real. It was a long night’s sleep to him, one minute crashing into the ice and sinking into the ocean and the next waking up to a brand new world. But it wasn’t just a long

<|output|> <|example|> she’s showing to an empty room. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> Let us look after you <|indexes|> 0 0 |

<|text|> night’s sleep. It was Carol shakes her head slowly, but her eyes don’t leave Tony’s. “Honestly?” She shrugs. “I don’t know, Tony. But I’ll try.” His phone rings just after he swipes his access card through the reader on the secured elevator leading down to the long-term residency floors. He sighs faintly, because he really doesn’t have time to take a call, but it’s his personal phone, and of the handful of people to whom he’s given the number, he can’t think of one that wouldn’t constitute a priority call. He pulls it from his pocket as the ringtone sounds again, tilts it so he can see the caller ID. Quill is the first to stir and groan, sitting up in what looks to be some discomfort, but one by one, they all follow suit until they’re blinking in dazed shock and rubbing temple, necks, foreheads, throats. And Tony stands, tense as an overcoiled spring, too tense to relax enough for his armor with its fucking Phoenix emblem to go away and return his jeans and tee and sneakers, as they all turn their eyes to him. Coulson, bless him, never loses his calm because Coulson’s just like that. Toni’s fairly sure a nuclear warhead could fall out of the sky on top of his head and he wouldn’t even blink. Toni isn’t at all sure how he’s even tracking all of the words flying at him right now, but he’s bouncing back and forth between them all with hardly a pause for breath. “You don't need enabling,” Natasha replies. “You have those sorts of ideas all on your own, with no help needed from me.” “I do indeed, Captain,” JARVIS says, and a dark monitor across the room obligingly lights up to display a document, written with Toni’s neat, block-letter printing. “I’m afraid ma’am made it about as far as you have before she became overwhelmed and sought your assistance.” “I’m going to be hauling that woman out of the rabbit hole for the rest of my goddamn life,” he grumbles under his breath. “Thanks, J.” Desperately, she gets a hand up, fast and hard, deflecting the shield strike into the wall. The edge bites deep enough to hold him for a precious second. She capitalizes by slamming her other palm into his chest and firing her repulsors as hard as she dares against human flesh. He stays there for a moment, catching his breath, recentering his mind to the calmness he needs in battle. “Mark III,” he mutters, picking himself up out of the ruins of the suit and shaking his head to clear the dust from his hair. Iron Man has killer robots after all. She spoke it quietly, but firmly. “We must do nothing. Her visions will not come to pass for quite some time, until our sons are men grown. We will Tony hears the disappointment in the Avengers’ thoughts long before anyone comes up to the roof to find him. Despite Steve’s intel on where the Red Skull had based his operations all this time, he somehow managed to get away yet again, leaving only an empty

<|output|> <|example|> night’s sleep. It was <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> “You have those sorts of ideas all on your own, with no help needed from me <|indexes|> 0 0 0 <|example|> And Tony stands, tense as an overcoiled spring, too tense to relax enough for his armor with its fucking Phoenix emblem to go away and return his jeans and tee and sneakers, as they all turn their eyes to him <|indexes|> 1 1 1 <|example|> Toni isn’t at all sure how he’s even tracking all of the words flying at him right now, but he’s bouncing back and forth between them all with hardly a pause for breath <|indexes|> 2 2 <|example|> She spoke it quietly, but firmly <|indexes|> 3 3 <|example|> “I don’t know, Tony <|indexes|> 4 4 <|example|> Toni isn’t at all sure how he’s even tracking all of the words flying at him right now, but he’s bouncing back and forth between them all with hardly a pause for breath <|indexes|> 5 |

<|text|> apartment behind. He’s already in Steve’s mind, already knows this was a trap. He doesn’t care as much as he should, because this trap works both ways. Just as much to his advantage as it is to Steve’s, maybe even more so. He only gets split seconds to read intent in Steve’s thoughts before they become actions, but Tony’s brain doesn’t need longer than split seconds to make all his calculations. time, when it’s failed the fifty times before. “You’re pissing away a solid partnership that’s endured for over sixty years. The Stark name was founded on its relationship with the US military, and the men and women in uniform depend on SI technology to keep them alive.” “If you can still talk, he’s doing it wrong,” Clint says, and it’s the smirk that snaps Bucky’s temper, still frayed and threadbare with lingering irrational jealousy. He pins her to the mattress with a hand around her throat, teeth bared and other hand reaching for a knife that he can’t find. When was he disarmed? How did he get here? He doesn’t know his mission parameters, can’t remember his assignment. JARVIS’s silence is damning, but the hiss of the armor panels shifting, retracting, reforming is answer enough. Toni falls out of her armor, landing hard on her hands and knees -- and A maddeningly familiar voice, leashed fury and pain and rage and grief: "You done, or am I gonna have to knock some more fucking sense into you?" To the left of where her fist is a blue circle with the bright white outline of a triangle inside. Just like her arc reactor. Steve’s head hangs so low all Toni can see is the top of his hair, thick and fine and so pretty she has the overwhelming urge to bury her hands in the strands and soothe away his aches and fears. “You find her over there,” he whispers, fierce and hopeless, “don’t tell her what she’s got waiting for her back here. She won’t come if you do. She won’t want me, sickly and scrawny as I am. And I can’t wreck it for you, so you just make something up, Buck.” “Better not be,” Toni huffs, and Bucky grins like a besotted idiot as he watches her go over to pay Steve the same attention she’d just paid him. The feel of their affection for him and each other quietly washing through him is just as new as it ever was, and he hopes it never gets old. She takes it from him, turns it over in her hands, frowns a little. “It’s okay,” she says soothingly. “It’s just a phone. I mean, it’s a pretty fucked-up phone, but I can fix it, no sweat.” Jemma smiles, her whole face bright and happy, and he feels the last of his reticence crumble away. That smile always makes him go weak in the knees. “Don’t worry, Fitz. Everything will be fine.” Light flared in the corner of her eye, and she turned instinctively to see its source. A tall, blond man, strong and determined, face a mask of pain and resolve, stood

<|output|> <|example|> apartment behind. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> apartment behind <|indexes|> 0 0 0 <|example|> The feel of their affection for him and each other quietly washing through him is just as new as it ever was, and he hopes it never gets old <|indexes|> 1 <|example|> ” Light flared in the corner of her eye, and she turned instinctively to see its source <|indexes|> 2 2 <|example|> ” “Better not be,” Toni huffs, and Bucky grins like a besotted idiot as he watches her go over to pay Steve the same attention she’d just paid him <|indexes|> 3 3 <|example|> ” Light flared in the corner of her eye, and she turned instinctively to see its source <|indexes|> 4 4 |

<|text|> in the iris of the star itself. She blinked, and she was before him, close enough to touch him. He looked familiar, a little bit like her father, she thought, as she studied his face. There was pain in him, recent and heavy, grief weighing around his shoulders almost like a cloak, red with the blood of those he’d lost. “You think he’s going to be able to be happy and safe with you across the country?” she says. “You think I’m going to do anything but worry about you on your own? You think we’ll be safe and happy without you here?” (Only half as long as the previous chapter. The end of scene 2 was just too good a stopping point in my editing.) He doesn’t have to wait long, and he doesn’t have to move at all to intercept her, because when she shimmers into sight, she’s right in front of him and glaring at with her hands on her hips. Steve’s shadow falls over her, and she looks up to see him with his face twisted to something unrecognizable in its anger.  The shield is over his head, edge gleaming above her, a two-handed strike that will probably decapitate her if it hits. “Children,” she says with a tiny, derisive snort, watching Clint slide under an obstacle only to kick it directly into Bucky’s path. Bucky vaults it without missing a beat, but hip-checks the next hard enough to send it sliding at Clint who rolls over it the second it’s close enough. “JARVIS, are Rhodey and Carol ready?” The Winter Soldier’s gleaming metal arm, now dented and sparking and streaked with scorch marks, cocks back. She grits her teeth. “ Clint has proven immune to her dirtiest death-glare, but that never stops her from sending them his way. She grumbles and grumps wordlessly as she straightens her workout clothes around her, then stretches her arms with a grimace. “Remind me why I hired you again?” The Phoenixbuster fires, and Tony is blinded momentarily by the brilliance of the flare. Before the spots can fully clear from his eyes, alarms start whooping again, radiation warnings and impact alerts, and the backwash of Phoenix fire washes over him, through him, and just for a moment, he's burning alive. It's in his skin, his lungs, his blood, his brain, and he can't breathe, can't think, can't scream. Toni just eyes him steadily. “A great many things,” she says, “but this isn’t one of them. You’re my soulmate. That trumps everything else. In fact, here. JARVIS,” she says, raising her voice. “I am a fucking grown-up, Barnes! You don’t get to tell me what to do! Leave me alone, I’m fine!” She makes another attempt to get around him, is too sluggish for how quick she tries to move and trips over her own feet. she wants to say, but Bucky is warm and she’s too drained to argue with either of them. It’s easier to just close her eyes and do what they say for a little while. His ears roar with dull noise, and he shoves away from the table violently,

<|output|> <|example|> in the iris of the star itself. She blinked, and she was before him, close enough to touch him. He looked familiar, a little bit like her father, she thought, as she studied his face. There was pain in him, recent and heavy, grief weighing around his shoulders almost like a cloak, red with the blood of those he’d lost. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> “You think I’m going to do anything but worry about you on your own? You think we’ll be safe and happy without you here?” (Only half as long as the previous chapter <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 <|example|> Toni just eyes him steadily <|indexes|> 1 <|example|> Bucky vaults it without missing a beat, but hip-checks the next hard enough to send it sliding at Clint who rolls over it the second it’s close enough <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> You’re my soulmate <|indexes|> 3 3 <|example|> It's in his skin, his lungs, his blood, his brain, and he can't breathe, can't think, can't scream <|indexes|> 4 4 <|example|> “JARVIS, are Rhodey and Carol ready?” The Winter Soldier’s gleaming metal arm, now dented and sparking and streaked with scorch marks, cocks back <|indexes|> 5 5 |

<|text|> suddenly overcome with the need to pace. Heedless of the fact that he’s just silenced the discussion, uncaring that all eyes are on him, he stalks towards the window at the other end of the room. He's lost at sea here, has been since the moment he woke up. Here, on the Moon, in the den of the Tower after he crash-landed back down to earth. For a moment, he’d let himself think that everything could just go on the same as it had before, that despite his changes, Steve was unchanged and together, maybe they’d figure out a solution to this weird twist in Tony’s life. It’s awkward and fumbling, feet skidding on the wet shower floor. Toni screeches like a cat when her back hits the cold tile wall, twisting hard enough to jar her hip. Bucky overbalances trying to lift her with one arm, tries to correct and bangs his temple into the showerhead, swears mightily. Somehow, they manage to not kill themselves as they scramble and slip, end up sprawled on the shower floor, her legs around his hips, his hand splayed across her back, her fingers threaded through her hair, joined together and laughing their asses off with the water pounding down on them. He can’t afford to lose Tony. Not if he wants to accelerate his planned coup for the Red Skull. He’s already laid a lot of the fundamental groundwork over the years, but a single misstep now could cost him everything. “Well then. No time like the present. Send him to kill Stark and retrieve the Winter Soldier. That should prove to be an adequate test of his abilities.” The man smiles at him, and his eyes are cold and malevolent. “Ah. I believe the good Captain is attempting to break free of your conditioning, Johann. Should I be concerned?” She doesn’t see the blow coming, but she feels it. Her head snaps to the side, cheek stinging. She raises a hand to her cheek, and doesn’t have to fake either the wide, shocked eyes or the tremor in her fingers as she turns to look up at Obadiah. “What the hell, Uncle Obie?” The tinge of fear in her voice, now Toni smiles and cups his cheek. “You’re just that kind of asshole,” she says fondly. “It’s not me, it’s you.” The mansion is quiet when Steve walks back through the door, bag under his arm. He pauses for a moment, but can’t even feel the vibrations through the floor that the soundproofing in Toni’s workshop doesn’t quite contain. He nods to himself, smiling in satisfaction. Toni must still be out putting her new armor through its paces. For only having met her ten minutes ago, Colonel Carol Danvers strikes her as a woman who detests being treated as an invalid. until he wants to reach into his skin and claw them out. Only iron discipline keeps him from doing so much as twitching. “Sign the form, Barnes,” Rhodey says, coming around to clap him on the back. “I’m going to go pull strings and make sure there’s no issue with your flight path.” He

<|output|> <|example|> suddenly overcome with the need to pace. Heedless of the fact that he’s just silenced the discussion, uncaring that all eyes are on him, he stalks towards the window at the other end of the room. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> For a moment, he’d let himself think that everything could just go on the same as it had before, that despite his changes, Steve was unchanged and together, maybe they’d figure out a solution to this weird twist in Tony’s life <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 <|example|> That should prove to be an adequate test of his abilities <|indexes|> 1 1 1 <|example|> I believe the good Captain is attempting to break free of your conditioning, Johann <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> He pauses for a moment, but can’t even feel the vibrations through the floor that the soundproofing in Toni’s workshop doesn’t quite contain <|indexes|> 3 <|example|> ” The mansion is quiet when Steve walks back through the door, bag under his arm <|indexes|> 4 4 <|example|> He’s already laid a lot of the fundamental groundwork over the years, but a single misstep now could cost him everything <|indexes|> 5 <|example|> suddenly overcome with the need to pace <|indexes|> 6 6 |

<|text|> rolls his eyes and reaches around her to knock firmly on the door, hears the mutter of sleepy voices grumbling inside, the shuffle of bodies in motion. “Yep. I'm good.” ) Her legs have months of strength training. It’s child’s play to leap, slide her legs over his shoulders, lock his head in her knees. She has a second to relish the look of utter shock on his face, and then she throws her weight back and down. Tony chokes and splutters, coughs until his lungs hurt, and squints at Steve through watery eyes. Steve’s laughing at him, bright and happy, lit up like a goddamn Christmas tree and as delighted as a kid finding the presents under it. “You’re not supposed to say things like that,” Tony croaks, clears his throat. “I think I missed a few things in your head if you’re saying things like that.” “Well, Howard didn’t exactly have the permission of the Wakandan government to play around with their sacred metals,” Toni says, reaching out in an unspoken request for the shield. “M’sorry,” Toni slurs, and kisses his ear gently as she rocks her hips in a slow and lazy rhythm, riding him until he softens and slips out of her. “Shoulda locked th’ door. Y’with me?” She arches an eyebrow, and relaxes back in the chair, swinging it from side to side. “How much of that did you see and/or overhear?” Neither one of them are looking at Rhodey, they're looking at each other with the kind of conspiratorial commiseration that Toni's Toni rubs her jaw grumpily, but says nothing about the bruises she’s sure to develop, because Natasha is right. “What happened, anyway? I'm a little fuzzy on…” She trails off as memories surface, then blinks and scrabbles at her shirt until she pulls it clear of her chest. He keeps cover behind the shield, deflecting the ray blasts away from him, and is taken completely by surprise when the armor shoots forward, flying down the hall to snag him around the chest and drive him back. The moment the armor touches him, Steve absolutely loses his head in a haze of red and fury, and goes away for a moment or two. Her eyes open, dazed and lost and gorgeous, focus on him, jolts him from coiling need right to the edge. “I love you,” she rasps shakily. And After a shower and a fresh change of clothes, she towels her hair dry and wanders into the kitchen. Just like Steve’s note via JARVIS promised, there’s a plate of food sitting in the warmer, and coffee in the pot. She eats her breakfast sandwich over the sink and drinks her first cup of coffee while she’s at it. She pours another cup, then heads down to the workshop to sink some time into some things she needs to do. “And I thought you needed more PT before you used the suit. Are you okay? Your legs…If you’re in pain and flew all the way here…” Steve froze. It couldn’t be. He took a deep breath and turned to find the source of the voice and found

<|output|> <|example|> rolls his eyes and reaches around her to knock firmly on the door, hears the mutter of sleepy voices grumbling inside, the shuffle of bodies in motion. “Yep. I'm good.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “And I thought you needed more PT before you used the suit. Are you okay? Your legs…If you’re in pain and flew all the way here…” <|indexes|> 1 1 |

<|output|> <|example|> Are you okay? Your legs…If you’re in pain and flew all the way here…” Steve froze <|indexes|> 0 0 0 <|example|> Y’with me?” She arches an eyebrow, and relaxes back in the chair, swinging it from side to side <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> It’s child’s play to leap, slide her legs over his shoulders, lock his head in her knees <|indexes|> 2 2 |

<|text|> a pair of familiar eyes twinkling at him. But they belonged to a man. A man who looked only a bit older than himself. And several inches taller. But it was. It was his fairy. “Éamon?” Then that Spider kid came along. He was like, well, like a pest. Pun intended. Tony tried to keep him at arm’s length. He didn’t want to screw someone else up. The kid was persistent, though and Tony admired that. He had so much potential, immense brilliance and was still full of innocence. Tony saw himself in him sometimes, but Peter was so pure and, god, oh so young. She apparently, was not amused. “Don’t joke about that! But yes, we’ll be in touch,” she affirmed, “and Tony? You know I’m here for you, right?” Tony felt a small pang in his heart. Even if they weren’t together, she would forever be one of his best friends. “I’ll give you a quick tour, though.” Peter quickly followed as Tony began to walk toward the lab area. Tony turned to the boy. “There are all sorts of test tubes, containers, chemicals, and whatever else you might need,” the engineer explained. “If you ever need anything that’s not here, we can always order it. It won’t be delivered here, but we can pick it up. I’m not really the alchemist but I know you like all this stuff, so this will pretty much be your space.” “We will leave and give you privacy,” Nakia said. “I will see you later, my love” she added, looking at T’Challa. Steve’s eyes followed the women until the door closed behind them. He really would have continued in his self-wallowing, but every time he looked at Rhodey, his heart broke all over again. Yeah, he was progressing and doing well with the prosthetics Tony had designed, but Tony would never forgive himself for what happened. However, with each passing day, that guilt and heartache was soon followed by a deep fire that started as a small ember, a burning desire to do better, be better. “No worries,” Dean said, looking from Steve to Tony. “I should go look for Sam anyway. Otherwise, he’d stay here all night. See you later at the lab?” Tony smiled delightedly. “Of course!” Oh. OH. Rhodey was going to kill Rogers. Geeze, all he wanted was a summer in the mountains with his kid… no, the kid. Now, he was going to probably have to help Rhodey hide the body of America’s golden boy because, honestly, Tony doubted he could muster the energy to hold him back. Damn it, Rogers. Rhodey left the next morning. Tony watched him take off, until he disappeared into the sky. He’d decided to leave Peter to his devices for the day. He wouldn’t be the best teacher, with his mind all over the place. After several cups of coffee, he found himself walking outside, toward the forest. He shot up and thought about running, but before he could move, he heard the slightest rustle and his hair stood on end. His knees were about to give out from

<|output|> <|example|> a pair of familiar eyes twinkling at him. But they belonged to a man. A man who looked only a bit older than himself. And several inches taller. But it was. It was his fairy. “Éamon?” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> “I should go look for Sam anyway <|indexes|> 0 <|example|> However, with each passing day, that guilt and heartache was soon followed by a deep fire that started as a small ember, a burning desire to do better, be better <|indexes|> 1 <|example|> “I’ll give you a quick tour, though <|indexes|> 2 |

<|text|> under him, but he wasn’t about to faint now. Jaw set and fists clenched, nails digging into his palms, he slowly turned around. Rhodey sighed, but nodded defeatedly. He pulled Tony to him and enveloped him a rather terrifying bear hug. “If you need anything- anything, Tony, you call me.” While Peter ran in to retrieve it, Tony took out his glasses and surveyed the area. “Friday, show me heat signatures.” He scanned for a few seconds, seeing only nocturne animals roaming between the trees. Suddenly, he picked up a human, a large one at that. And it was getting closer, fast. “Nope. Not happening. I made Pete a promise and I’m not going to cut his summer short just because Captain Lumberjack made an appearance.” He clasped his best friend’s shoulder in assurance. “Besides, if you disappear for too long, Ross will freak out and send a search party. Please?” Yet, this boy who embodied all things pure, cared about him, looked up to him, and he didn’t quite know what to do with it. It made him happy all the same, a space in his chest adjusting to fit Peter. Tony hadn’t moved his arms. Howard never hugged him. Not many people ever did, really. And everyone who did had either died or hurt him. Obe tried to kill him, Pepper left him. And Steve, oh Steve beat him to a bloody pulp and left him to die, alone in the cold of Siberia. The only exception was Rhodey. So yeah, Tony Stark didn’t really know how to react when he was confronted with this kind of physical affection. “Morning, Mister Stark,” Peter greeted cheerfully. “The coffee is fresh. I took the liberty of making some. I mean, it should be considered a food group. I’m pretty sure my body is 80% coffee.” “Traitor,” Tony muttered, without any heat. Rhodey did seem slightly appeased, though. “Glad to know you’ve got someone taking care of you, Iron Dummy.” “I don’t even know what “us” means. What were we? A pair of broken men trying to piece each other together only to break each other again? I admit that I didn’t go about the Accords the right way, but you couldn’t trust me to know what I was doing, to work them in our favor, with time. Yet I placed all my trust in you, when I shouldn’t have. You lied. You lied and even as my partner, as the love of my life not only did you decide for me, but you chose someone else over me. Instead of working to find a way where you didn’t have to choose. You could have told me and asked for my help. Do you know what it felt like? To be left behind, alone, broken— to see you walking away?” Tony couldn’t see him, but he knew Rhodey was smiling. “Just making sure you haven’t blown up the mountains, Iron dummy.” He licked his lips and continued, “Don’t tell the others, yeah? I don’t want anything to mess this all up before it’s all put in place.” “So what, I can

<|output|> <|example|> under him, but he wasn’t about to faint now. Jaw set and fists clenched, nails digging into his palms, he slowly turned around. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> You lied and even as my partner, as the love of my life not only did you decide for me, but you chose someone else over me <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 <|example|> “If you need anything- anything, Tony, you call me <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> “If you need anything- anything, Tony, you call me <|indexes|> 2 2 <|example|> Jaw set and fists clenched, nails digging into his palms, he slowly turned around <|indexes|> 3 <|example|> “Glad to know you’ve got someone taking care of you, Iron Dummy <|indexes|> 4 <|example|> ” While Peter ran in to retrieve it, Tony took out his glasses and surveyed the area <|indexes|> 5 5 |

<|text|> only have one attractive blonde friend? Is that it?” Tony looked at him, eyes glinting as if daring him. Tony winced, hoping Peter hadn’t been hit if it was the ricochet web. “Uh, I think the kid hit the window with one of the web combinations. I better make sure he didn’t hurt himself.” . The surprise was evident on Steve’s face. “You go back to the others. We’ll all be back soon enough. And when that happens, we just take it one day at a time.” The old man smiled and nodded in agreement. “That’s the way to do it. If you ever need a guide, feel free to ask. I may be old, but I’m still running, and I know my way around these mountains.” He held his hand out. “I’m Bill, by the way.” Tony shook it and smiled. “Nice to meet you, Bill. I’m Edward and this is Peter,” Tony said turning to young man, who hadn’t stopped smiling sheepishly since Tony referred to him as his son. Bill extended his hand to toward him and shook his hand, as well. “Deserve what,” Steve inquired, curiosity winning over any sense of self-preservation. He wouldn’t blame Rhodey for punching his face in. . Not the manic, I’ve-been-up-for-over-72-hours tired, no. His eyes reflected the kind of somber wariness that came with pain, like the light was being systematically snuffed out. His face was hard, and Steve almost wanted him to yell. It would have been better than the alternative, because yelling meant he cared, right? Yelling meant he had something to work with, a sign that what they had was still salvageable. He hadn’t exactly expected to be welcomed with open arms, but he wasn’t prepared for Spider-Man to be there, let alone pelt him with- what were those, taser webs? He could take a wild guess as to who had designed those. Oh, Tony. Watching him fall to the ground when he saw Steve was heartbreaking. He used to be the person who “It’s fine, kid. She only followed my orders. I’m glad you were there, too… Well, let’s get on with it, as they say.” “Nice to meet you, Captain Rogers,” Dean drawled. Damn, even the guy’s voice was attractive. “Uh- you, too, Mr. Winchester,” Steve replied stiffly. Dean chuckled “Call me Dean.” Winchester raised an eyebrow and frowned at the soldier’s silence and rigid stance. “Who pissed on your shield this morning?” The boy scrunched up his nose and looked at him as if Tony had insulted Aunt May. “It is the nectar of the gods and it would be blasphemous of me to drink a grass smoothie!” Tony learned that Peter could, in fact, cook. Or at least make killer grilled cheese sandwiches. “They were my favorite food when I was a kid,” Peter told him over bites of the sandwich. They graciously dipped the sandwiches in hearty portions of the vegetable soup the mom at the market had given them. It was one of the best meals Tony had eaten in months. “Hey, you want to scowl any harder there, Cap?” Natasha laughed, amused which

<|output|> <|example|> only have one attractive blonde friend? Is that it?” Tony looked at him, eyes glinting as if daring him. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> “Hey, you want to scowl any harder there, Cap?” Natasha laughed, amused which <|indexes|> 0 0 0 <|example|> “Who pissed on your shield this morning?” The boy scrunched up his nose and looked at him as if Tony had insulted Aunt May <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> ” He held his hand out <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> ” Tony shook it and smiled <|indexes|> 3 3 <|example|> I’m Edward and this is Peter,” Tony said turning to young man, who hadn’t stopped smiling sheepishly since Tony referred to him as his son <|indexes|> 4 <|example|> ” <|indexes|> 5 5 |

<|text|> earned her the trademark Captain America glare. Steve ignored her and continued staring across the room, blue eyes fixated on the pair of men who were currently deep in conversation. Now, he was on the cusp of 20, and he still thought of the beautiful fairy from time to time. One of those times being the present. The village was celebrating the winter solstice. It seemed everyone was dancing ‘round the bonfire. He stared into the glowing flames, the embers reminding him of Éamon’s glowing eyes. He was about to call for Peter, when the boy appeared next to him, wearing his suit. “There’s definitely someone here,” he said, still scanning,”And he’s getting closer. Almost here. Get ready.” He felt the taller man’s smile against his cheek, as he pulled him closer “Good. That’s wonderful. Although, I suppose— I suppose you may call me Antaine.” him— his ma would absolutely have a heart attack, Steve thought as he made his way further into the forest. The sun was setting fast and only fools dared to travel through the forest at night- few walked those paths even in the daylight. The fae were rumored to inhabit the forest and Steve had grown up hearing stories about all sorts of strange and scary things that could happen. When they reached the farm, the sun was setting, casting an ethereal glow from the mountains that were mostly green, now that it was summer, but still capped in glittering snow. Peter had fallen asleep in the car, head tilted back, mouth slightly ajar. He looked so peaceful that Tony almost didn’t want to wake him up, but he figured the kid would appreciate sleeping in a bed more. “Hey, Petey-kins, wakey wakey; we’re here.” He gently nudged the boy’s shoulder until he began to stir awake. “Of course,” Peter replied. The older man began walking out of the kitchen as he said, “Let’s get dressed and I’ll meet you downstairs in 15.” The two men gathered wood they’d chopped earlier in the week and quickly got a fire going. They carried a couple of stumps over and perched on them, in front of the flames. Peter opened the bag of marshmallows and handed Tony a stick. The pair sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, roasting the sweet pillowy goods and assembling their first s’more. Steve smiled joyously. Èamon, a form of Edward. “It suits you,” he echoed the fairy’s earlier words to him. Èamon smirked and Steve just had to know— “Will I ever see you again?” Tony smiled just as brightly, thankful for the human ray of sunshine standing in the kitchen. “Everything is perfect.” Don't worry, Steve and Tony still have some talking to do. We'll see Tony's POV in the next chapter and pick up after Steve left. Tony’s brown eyes studied him for a moment. “What about my body language gave that impression? Did I look uncomfortable?” Peter exhaled, relieved. Just then, Steve stood before them, and before Tony could do anything, Peter turned to the soldier, furious and blasted him with what Tony knew was the laser web shooter. Leaving Peter to

<|output|> <|example|> earned her the trademark Captain America glare. Steve ignored her and continued staring across the room, blue eyes fixated on the pair of men who were currently deep in conversation. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> “Everything is perfect <|indexes|> 0 <|example|> Get ready <|indexes|> 1 1 1 <|example|> Tony’s brown eyes studied him for a moment <|indexes|> 2 2 2 <|example|> “Of course,” Peter replied <|indexes|> 3 <|example|> They carried a couple of stumps over and perched on them, in front of the flames <|indexes|> 4 4 <|example|> ” He felt the taller man’s smile against his cheek, as he pulled him closer “Good <|indexes|> 5 5 <|example|> The fae were rumored to inhabit the forest and Steve had grown up hearing stories about all sorts of strange and scary things that could happen <|indexes|> 6 6 <|example|> ” him— his ma would absolutely have a heart attack, Steve thought as he made his way further into the forest <|indexes|> 7 7 |

<|text|> his own devices for a while, Tony shrugged off the hoodie he’d been wearing and set to work on modifications for his own suit. “Friday, let’s hear some music.” “Coming up, Sir.” Seconds later, the notes to Zeppelin’s ‘Rock and Roll’ blared out. “You know me so well, sweetheart,” Tony praised before losing himself in his work. Tony glared, as if he could physically see F.R.I.D.A.Y. “Tone down the sass, sweetheart. Leave that to me.” She was right, though. May wouldn’t be too happy if he starved her nephew. Back at the tower, he would only have proper meals if Steve— nope not going there. Back to food for Peter. Before either them could say anything else, Peter jumped up and looked around, suspiciously. “Mr. Stark, someone’s out there. I can sense it.” “I’m sorry, Mister Stark. Friday alerted him after you blacked out. She said you instructed her to do so as part of a protocol in case of an emergency.” He decided he’d pay Underwoos a visit, but first he needed a plan. Plan. It was almost like a foreign word to the man famous for low impulse control. It’s all part of being a better man and whatnot, he supposes. He doesn’t want Ross to get his claws on the kid, he decides. He doesn’t want him involved in the Accords mess. The older man sipped from his mug, then looked up with a smirk and replied, “Okay, if you don’t at least try it once, I’’ll buy you those Flint Stone gummy vitamins and personally oversee that you take them. Every 15 year old wants to take those, right? Not a blow to your dignity at all.” After putting everything away, Peter offered to make their lunch. “I’m not an expert,” he said, “but I learned how to make some easy stuff when Aunt May had to work late.” Huh. F.R.I.D.A.Y was right, then. The kid would end up taking care of him, making sure he ate. “Thanks,” Tony said. “I’m going to check in with Pepper about SI stuff, but I’ll be back in a few. She’ll find a way to kill me through the phone if I don’t call her.” “I know, Pep. I miss you. Keep those heels sharp and take care.” She laughed. “You too, Tony. And remember to eat! Bye, you maniac.” “Goodbye, Miss Potts.” “Didn’t want to hurt me, Rogers? God, just listen to yourself. How would you have reacted if you found out that your parents were murdered and that their killer was in the same room as you? Not only that, but you It was summer, but the water in the mountains was perpetually cool. It pricked his skin, only momentarily, not enough to burn. Just enough to make him feel alive. He reveled in the feeling, body moving with the water. He pressed on the reactor, the nanites only covering his body from the chest up, allowing him to see and breathe underwater. He swam to the bottom and found a rock to wrap his legs around, anchoring him. It was…nice. Like he’d entered another world, where

<|output|> <|example|> his own devices for a while, Tony shrugged off the hoodie he’d been wearing and set to work on modifications for his own suit. “Friday, let’s hear some music.” “Coming up, Sir.” Seconds later, the notes to Zeppelin’s ‘Rock and Roll’ blared out. “You know me so well, sweetheart,” Tony praised before losing himself in his work. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> ” “I know, Pep <|indexes|> 0 0 <|example|> It pricked his skin, only momentarily, not enough to burn <|indexes|> 1 1 1 <|example|> “Friday, let’s hear some music <|indexes|> 2 2 <|example|> I can sense it <|indexes|> 3 3 <|example|> It was…nice <|indexes|> 4 |

<|text|> he didn’t have to worry about Steve Rogers, the Accords, or more alien attacks. “I have to see him,” Steve replied. “He needs to know how sorry I am, that I never meant to hurt him. Maybe it’s selfish on my part, but I don’t know what else to do.” Before he could say anything, Rhodey beat him to it. “Hi, is this Tony StaNk?” Rhodey howled as Tony rolled his eyes. “Ha. Ha. Very funny, platypus. You’re the sweetest.” Steve’s breath caught in his throat and he had the overwhelming urge to laugh and cry at the same time. He tried to smother both of them down; however, which resulted in a choked and whispered, “Tony.” “I- uh, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I hadn’t realized where I was. I didn’t mean to disturb your home. I swear!” He cried, any lore of how to address a fairy flying out of his brain. The being raised an unconvinced eyebrow and stepped into Steve’s space. “The boys from my village, they said I wouldn’t last five minutes in the forest and I know I shouldn’t have listened to them but I couldn’t help it. I had to prove them wrong. All my life, I’ve only been the little guy,” he found himself spilling his life story, frustrated tears streaming down his face. “It’s been “you can’t” time after time. I can’t even breathe properly and I’m just— I’m just He didn’t blame the kid for shooting him. Hell, he deserved it. It took several of them to subdue him and while they weren’t exactly pleasant, that wasn’t the worse part. Seeing Tony’s reaction, though? That hit him much worse. But he knew he would do anything so that the genius could look at him without fear or hatred again. Tony snorted and flew lower, landing on the ground to make himself eye level with the other man. “You’re not really in a position to make requests, Rogers. There’s nothing to talk about. Like Rhodey explained, we’re working on amending the Accords and getting Ross to grant you pardons.” Tony sighed in relief. Okay, but if you think of anything, you tell me and I’ll fix or add whatever you need.” Peter looked down for the moment, his hands fiddling with the stick he’d been using to roast his marshmallows. He smiled, almost shyly. “Do you remember several years ago, when the whole thing with Vanko happened and you were fighting his drones?” Tony gently nudged him back into the chair. “Hey, hey, it’s okay. You did good, Pete. I’m alright. Thank you for getting me up here. How long was I out?” T’Challa looked at him curiously, then gave him a knowing smile. “I won’t ask what you are doing because I believe I already know, he said. “But be careful. Know when to back away, Captain. He may not ever be ready to speak to you. Time heals, but his wounds run deep.” “I wasn’t going to kill him. I was pissed, insane with grief but I wouldn’t have killed him… And you know what the worst part is? If you

<|output|> <|example|> he didn’t have to worry about Steve Rogers, the Accords, or more alien attacks. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> “The boys from my village, they said I wouldn’t last five minutes in the forest and I know I shouldn’t have listened to them but I couldn’t help it <|indexes|> 0 0 <|example|> ” Before he could say anything, Rhodey beat him to it <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> I’m alright <|indexes|> 2 2 <|example|> I’m alright <|indexes|> 3 <|example|> Thank you for getting me up here <|indexes|> 4 4 <|example|> Like Rhodey explained, we’re working on amending the Accords and getting Ross to grant you pardons <|indexes|> 5 <|example|> Very funny, platypus <|indexes|> 6 |

<|text|> had told me before everything? About Bucky? Oh, I would have thrown things, yelled, probably locked myself in the lab. But if you had been honest, I would have tried to help him. If you had loved me enough to admit that, especially since it involved your best friend, I would have tried to understand. You knew I was working on the Binarily Augmented Retro-Framing. And I would have helped you find him, too.” Tony’s voice began to shatter around the edges and it was all Steve could do not to break out from the webbing to hold him. “But I guess that’s how little you thought of me, huh?” When Peter seemed to relax a bit, he finally thought about Steve. “Uh, where is Rogers, but the way? You didn’t kill him, did ya?” Peter witnessed the interaction in amusement. “Oh man, this is too much! I get my own A- WAIT. Did you say laser web?” Tony casually slung his arm around the boy’s shoulder as they made their way to the barn. Peter didn’t smile. Nope, not at all. “Okay,” he said defeatedly. Okay, I’ll go.” He wanted to look at Tony one more time, but the genius had turned away from him and started walking up the stairs. He didn’t turn back once and was soon out of view. Steve sighed, nodded to Rhodey warily and walked out the door, his feet threatening to betray him, but he pressed on, until he was hidden by the trees. specialty to break people.” Steve knew that was aimed at him— that it was meant to hurt him, but knowing didn’t soften the blow. Steve’s face fell before his jaw set in the all too familiar stubbornness. “Tony, can we talk, please? Just humor me for a little while.” The walk back to the jet would have been entirely serene, if it weren’t for the storm of thoughts in his head. Thousands of stars glittered brightly overhead, specks of happiness against the midnight sky, as if mocking his sadness. He could make out the tumbling of a nearby waterfall and it helped soothe him. He let some of pain flow along with the water. He needed a plan, he decided. He hadn’t thought things through before running at Tony and look where that got him. He was so deep in thought he hadn’t noticed the trees had begun clearing. His lungs were starting to protest and he thought it would be okay if he could just rest for a minute or two. He plopped down unceremoniously under a tree. A Rowan tree. A Rowan tree, in the middle of a clearing. A Luckily, F.R.I.D.A.Y intervened. “Boss, the fridge and pantry are empty. You forgot to stock up on food.” Tony groaned. He knew he forgot something important, you know, like food. In all fairness, he pretty much existed on coffee. As if reading his thoughts, the AI quipped, “I know you consider coffee food, Sir, but I believe a growing teenage boy requires more adequate nutrition. And you should consider eating actual food as well. Maybe this spider boy will

<|output|> <|example|> had told me before everything? About Bucky? Oh, I would have thrown things, yelled, probably locked myself in the lab. But if you had been honest, I would have tried to help him. If you had loved me enough to admit that, especially since it involved your best friend, I would have tried to understand. You knew I was working on the Binarily Augmented Retro-Framing. And I would have helped you find him, too.” Tony’s voice began to shatter around the edges and it was all Steve could do not to break out from the webbing to hold him. “But I guess that’s how little you thought of me, huh?” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> His lungs were starting to protest and he thought it would be okay if he could just rest for a minute or two <|indexes|> 0 0 0 <|example|> Steve’s face fell before his jaw set in the all too familiar stubbornness <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> He didn’t turn back once and was soon out of view <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> Maybe this spider boy will <|indexes|> 3 <|example|> Maybe this spider boy will <|indexes|> 4 4 <|example|> And I would have helped you find him, too <|indexes|> 5 |

<|text|> help you with that.” Yet here he was, all because he couldn’t back down from a challenge. Some of the village teens picked on him because he was smaller and asthmatic. They dared him to spend an hour in the forest, “He won’t make it Minutes later, Natasha found Clint in the corner of the bar. She walked up to him, holding out her hand. “Pay, up.” Clint shrugged his shoulders before pulling two $20s from his pocket. “About time those two pulled their heads out their asses, anyway.” She let out a small breath. “Tony, god knows you need a break, more than anyone,” she said gently. “You have every right to get away. I was just worried about you. If I ever see Steve Rogers again, I will kill him.” Tony chuckled. He believed it. “I don’t doubt it, Pep. You could take him,” he said. “But seriously, thank you for worrying. I’m okay, really! I’m breathing the fresh air of the mountains and even brought the Spider kid along. Can you believe it? Me, a mentor?” “You were foolish to come out here, sunshine.” Sunshine? He noticed Steve’s questioning look. “Your hair… it is like the color of the early morning sun, no?” Steve felt his cheeks warm. “But yes, quite foolish. Other fae might not have been so lenient.” “I know you do, hot stuff.” Tony smiled at him before closing the distance between them, and leaned his head on the soldier’s chest. They stayed that way, in their own happy world for a few moments. When they stepped through the front door, Peter audibly gasped in pleasant shock, looking everywhere at once. He fit the “like a kid in a candy shop” description to a T, at that moment, Tony thought. It was endearing. Tony snapped his eyes open and realized he was kneeling on the ground. Peter’s arms were clasped around him. “ ‘M okay. It’s okay.” Just as he was contemplating building an underwater lab, he felt a ripple in the water behind him, but before he could turn, strong arms gripped his waist and he was suddenly propelled to the surface. This is the end! This story didn't turn out exactly like I'd imagine, but I felt that I needed to finish it so here it is. As always, feel free to leave kudos, comments, or prompts! Once in his room, Tony stepped out into the balcony to enjoy the mountain view. He took out his phone and dialed Pepper. It rang twice before she picked up. “Hey— “ “Tony Stark! A letter? You leave out of nowhere and all I get is a letter?! What is going on with you?” Tony sighed. He wanted to tell her in person but didn’t want her to think he was having some crisis. Steve inhaled deeply before replying. “I need to use one of your small planes. There’s something I have to do.” “Sorry, kid. I completely forgot because I don’t want anything delivered here. I want to keep our location undisclosed.” Peter nodded in understanding. “It’s okay, Mister Stark. I’m not that hungry.” As if prompted, the

<|output|> <|example|> help you with that.” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> ” Tony smiled at him before closing the distance between them, and leaned his head on the soldier’s chest <|indexes|> 0 0 <|example|> Peter’s arms were clasped around him <|indexes|> 1 |

<|text|> boy’s stomach growled. Tony chuckled. “Come again?” Peter grinned, embarrassed. “There should be a town where we can get supplies about 40 minutes away,” Tony said. “Can you make it until then?” Sorry if you were expecting a Steve/Tony reunion. I love happy fix-it fics, but I just felt that a lot of those are unrealistic because they both need time to sort themselves out. This was therapeutic for me and thank you to everyone who stayed on this journey with me! :D “Rhodey yes. Sorry, Tones.” He turned back to glare at the super soldier. “You see, Rogers, this man is so damn selfless that he’s working to get all of you pardoned and allowed back. The others, they didn’t leave Tony to die so I’m not really worried about them, but you— you don’t deserve anything he has to give.” “Nothing. You usually don’t talk to people for that long at these things and I thought he might have been nagging you. Just wanted to give you a way to escape.” Tony immediately snapped into action, alert and ready to call his suit at any moment. “Kid, go get your suit!” The two brunettes proceeded to pick out a variety of bread as well as a large jar of golden honey. Bill had let them try it with a slice of fresh bread and butter. It was absolute heaven on their tongues. It went the same way at every booth they stopped at, which was a great thing, as they wound up spending a couple of hours there, filling up on samples and chatting with the locals. The broken expression on his former lover’s face reflected the torment in his heart, but he couldn’t give in. He needed to heal. They both needed to heal. And maybe they would never truly mend, but their family of misfits would help patch up the wounds. Now, he also had Peter, the stubborn, overly energetic, impossibly pure and kind-hearted kid from Queens. And that was enough. Tony laughed bitterly, throwing his head back mockingly. “How could I think that, really? How could—? Let me see, could it be that you knew about my parents and never thought to tell me? You knew all the the time- when we had date nights, when we stayed up talking long into the morning, when you looked me in the eyes and told me you loved me. But you know, a specific moment comes to mind, hard not to notice someone breaking your heart. I mean, the reactor Before Steve could protest again, loud clunks came toward them. Both men turned to look at the source. One night, after a long work-binge, Peter dragged Tony outside to make s’mores because he’d “never had proper ones”. The kid had the best puppy eyes, okay? And the billionaire had never had s’mores either. Howard and Maria weren’t exactly the s’more-making type of parents, and they never seemed to have time for Tony, anyway. He stopped asking the spiderling to explain after the boy showed him a video of two men in a hot tub “five feet apart ‘cause

<|output|> <|example|> boy’s stomach growled. Tony chuckled. “Come again?” Peter grinned, embarrassed. “There should be a town where we can get supplies about 40 minutes away,” Tony said. “Can you make it until then?” <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> “Come again?” Peter grinned, embarrassed <|indexes|> 0 <|example|> Tony chuckled <|indexes|> 1 |

<|text|> they’re not gay”, except someone had photoshopped Iron Man and War Machine’s faceplates onto them. He tried to give Peter his best unamused face, but immediately proceeded to send the video to Rhodey. They were trending on Twitter the next day. home— a place you should understand no circumstance ever disturb. And here was Steve, using its trunk as a seat. Yupp, he was dead. He’d never be seen again and Bucky would write “here lies an idiot punk” on his tombstone. Sorry I didn't update last week! It was hectic. My little brother graduated from army basic training and I got a tattoo! Fun stuff! Anyway, here is the second chapter. Hope you enjoy it! I'm fueled by your comments and kudos! :) Tony placed a gauntlet-clad hand on the shoulder of Rhodey’s suit, half steadying himself, half holding the colonel back. His face plate was now up. ”It’s okay, Rhodey. He’s leaving. You know what will happen if they bring him in. We’re so close.” Steve almost laughed, out of habit. The man reminded him of Tony, with his crass remark. That only angered him more. He was about to tell Dean just exactly what he could do with shield, but stopped at Tony’s icy glare. Steve grinned and leaned in the rest of the way, pressing a kiss to Tony’s lips, in response. “Oh hell yes.” The dark-haired man had his eyes closed, a pained expression carved onto his face. He was trying to steady his breathing. Steve couldn’t take it. He strained against the confining webs. They bit into his body, but he pushed as hard as he could until they snapped. Tony’s eyes flew open at that and he immediately jumped back. “Oh silly sunshine. I suspect you know I will not give you my name.” Steve turned to leave, shoulders sagging in disappointment. He heard an amused chuckle and stopped. “But I suppose you may call me Éamon.” “Don’t come any closer,” Tony ordered, his voice slightly robotic due to the suit. It startled Steve. He’d been so mesmerized, watching the armor hug the engineer, protecting him- protecting him from— oh. “Tony no, I wasn’t going to hurt you. I just wanted to..” He wanted to touch him, hold him, and never let him go again. “That is so cool,” Peter exclaimed, eyes shining. “I’ve always wanted to make one.” “I mean, I’ve done some small stuff at school, but nothing like this!” Tony studied his beaming face and thought back to when he was 15. Had he really been that young once? It seemed like a lifetime ago. “By all means, go nuts, kid. It’s what this is all here for.” Peter was about ready to dive in right then. “But not tonight. You need to sleep,” Tony amended.” Sorry I haven't updated lately... It's been a couple of crazy weeks, but thank you for sticking with me! I'm already working on the next chapter. Our boys will have to meet again at some point, right? As always, please leave comments, kudos! I appreciate you guys so much! When they stepped back inside the barn, they

<|output|> <|example|> they’re not gay”, except someone had photoshopped Iron Man and War Machine’s faceplates onto them. He tried to give Peter his best unamused face, but immediately proceeded to send the video to Rhodey. They were trending on Twitter the next day. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> They were trending on Twitter the next day <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 <|example|> ” Peter was about ready to dive in right then <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> ” The dark-haired man had his eyes closed, a pained expression carved onto his face <|indexes|> 2 2 <|example|> Sorry I didn't update last week! It was hectic <|indexes|> 3 <|example|> He’d never be seen again and Bucky would write “here lies an idiot punk” on his tombstone <|indexes|> 4 <|example|> They bit into his body, but he pushed as hard as he could until they snapped <|indexes|> 5 |

<|text|> were armed with an assortment of fruits and vegetables, fresh eggs, cheese, basic spices, bacon and dried meats, the bread and honey, and a large portion of vegetable soup and an entire wild-berry pie a bubbly mother of five had insisted they must accept. Bless Canadians. The robot in question whirred sadly, but proceeded to poke Peter gently this time. Peter chuckled and patted its head. “That’s U, by the way,” Tony said. “The other one is DUM-E. They’re like my kids. I built them myself.” Tony patted DUM-E fondly and the bot buzzed happily. Next thing he knew, the boy had launched himself at him, enveloping him in a tight hug. Tony allowed it, and even found himself hugging back. Huh. Maybe he didn’t mind this hugging thing. “Tony, Tony I thought the world of you- still do! You’re right. God, I realize that now. I was an absolute idiot. I kept telling myself it was never the right time to tell you. And you could have helped all along. Of course, you would have. I hate that I hurt you so much Tony. I can barely live with myself. There hasn’t been one day that I haven’t hated myself, that I haven’t seen the look on your face when I hit you. I love you. I’ve never stopped. I never will. You gotta believe me, Tony. Please. Please let me try to show you.” A sob racked through his body and he felt like his chest was on fire, flames threatening to devour him, but his eyes didn’t waver from Tony’s face. “Maybe I still love you. I can’t imagine a universe where Tony Stark doesn’t love Steve Rogers. But in this universe, I can’t. I can’t let you in again. Not like that. So no, Steve, I don’t know what “us” looks like anymore. Maybe, one day, we’ll be able to have some sort of friendship, and I promise that as your teammate, I’ll always be there. But right now, I can’t look at you without seeing you over me, hitting me over and over. I can’t bear the thought of you touching me. Because I’ll be back there- in the bunker and it feels like I can’t breathe.” That night as Steve packed up the small amount of items he had accumulated his short time in Stark Tower, the hairs on the back of his neck stood up like tiny pinpricks; He wasn’t alone. He remembers the nights when their rations ran low and his mother would scrape whatever was left from their pantry and seemingly make a meal out of thin air. He remembers the hotdog-and-potato plates, and the creamed chip beef, and the thick sliminess unique only to egg drop soup. Sometimes when they craved something sweet, his mother would make fresh soda bread with dried currants and caraway seeds. Steve Rogers is desperate for love. His entire body thrums with it, in the way he slips his tongue into Tony's mouth and grips one of Tony's hips in a harsh grip, hard enough to bruise. It's fine, though. Steve will kiss every

<|output|> <|example|> were armed with an assortment of fruits and vegetables, fresh eggs, cheese, basic spices, bacon and dried meats, the bread and honey, and a large portion of vegetable soup and an entire wild-berry pie a bubbly mother of five had insisted they must accept. Bless Canadians. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 <|example|> That night as Steve packed up the small amount of items he had accumulated his short time in Stark Tower, the hairs on the back of his neck stood up like tiny pinpricks; He wasn’t alone. <|indexes|> 1 1 1 |

<|output|> <|example|> ” A sob racked through his body and he felt like his chest was on fire, flames threatening to devour him, but his eyes didn’t waver from Tony’s face <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 <|example|> Tony allowed it, and even found himself hugging back <|indexes|> 1 <|example|> I was an absolute idiot <|indexes|> 2 2 <|example|> “Maybe I still love you <|indexes|> 3 3 |

<|text|> one of his bruises later as penance. “It’s almost time for you to go,” Natasha said. Her form was beginning to blur at the edges but he didn’t want her to go. He didn’t want to let go. Steve sinks to his knees, looking at Tony the entire while. His jaw drops like he’s in some cheesy over-acted high school play, but The castle's game park was ancient, built when Brooke's first king had laid the first stone but well kept. It stretched on for over 800 acres, one of the biggest game parks to be created. Palisade walls separated the park from the greater forest beyond. Fortunately, Tony’s good at thinking on his toes. “Alright, you caught me, Romanov. I just spent the last half hour rocking Rogers’ world.” “When it starts interfering with your well-being, then yes,” Rhodey replies. “You haven't answered any of my or Pepper's calls for the past two weeks. I had to talk her out of flying to New York to kick your ass. And, I can smell you through the screen.” “They’re good pups,” the man beside the box had said, puffing on a cigarette. “They cost a pretty penny though.” Hill blinks rapidly, but she recovers quickly with a smirk. “Did I just hear an expression of gratitude from the great Tony Stark?” Tony clears his throat, and Carmen looks up, her big brown eyes going wide before a grin breaks across her face and— “They would’ve limited our freedoms, Tony,” Steve tries again, and Tony is floored at the man’s tenacity. He shouldn’t be shocked. Tony’s sure that when the serum was applied, it amplified everything about Steve, including his stubbornness. "Nothing much," Tony says before Natasha can say anything incriminating. His eyes dart down to the last stuffed animal in Steve's arms. It's an Iron Man bear, of course, all done up in the telltale red and gold of Tony's suit. "What's the deal, no one wanted him?" he says, nodding to the bear. And regardless if this was some hallucination induced by the migraine, a spell, or the afterlife, or "I wonder," Tony started, his voice going low, sending a strange tingling feeling down Steve's spine. There was a shift in Tony. He was no longer the bored-looking courtesan forced to entertain yet another self-obsessed nobleman. Steve recognized the change from countless excursions into the woods with the court. By all means, Steve should been at ease. And yet he felt…lost. Like he had been working on a puzzle only to find a piece that didn’t match the rest of the set. Some days his grief for everything he had lost would creep over him like an immense black storm cloud and engulf him whole until he could barely drag himself from his bed. It was on those days he missed his timeline the most. He missed This fic is still mostly vibes but I'm excited to see where it goes. Thank you to everyone who very enthusiastically let me know how much you wanted to see more of this fic! Your comments really do help motivate me to keep going. “Stone has the rather annoying habit

<|output|> <|example|> one of his bruises later as penance. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> Steve recognized the change from countless excursions into the woods with the court <|indexes|> 0 0 0 <|example|> "Nothing much," Tony says before Natasha can say anything incriminating <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> Palisade walls separated the park from the greater forest beyond <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> His jaw drops like he’s in some cheesy over-acted high school play, but The castle's game park was ancient, built when Brooke's first king had laid the first stone but well kept <|indexes|> 3 |

<|text|> of running his mouth.” Steve’s eyes locked onto Tony’s, practically Tony's so caught up in drooling over a rack of ribs or some trashed wings he barely notices the others walking off to the next booth, Steve lingering behind to wait on him. Of course, he does. Carmen's like him...in more ways than one. She had been orphaned at nineteen when her parents' plane had gone down over the Atlantic. And at twenty-one, she had also found herself the sole heir to a family fortune and no family to share it with. She got the idea for Steve remembered in his timeline he had brushed Tony off the first time he had offered he had assumed that he had had some ulterior motive. He knew better now. And the thought of Tony shuffling around that big, lonely tower all by himself like a ghost…it didn’t sit right with him. Giving him a once over, Steve decided that he looked good. Dissolving into dust aside, the past few years Bucky had spent just living his life in Wakanda had done him some good. Gone was the emaciated look to his face that even Zola's version of the serum couldn't hide. Although diminished in appearance, Steve could still see the bags under his eyes, though. Perhaps they would always be there. Tony knows what it is. A marker. A claim. He’s Steve’s for as long as Steve will have him. Tony’s willing to indulge him. For now. She completed the movement with a one-two combination, one of her palms against his chest, the other against his forehead. "God," Steve gasps into Tony's throat as he pulls out of him. Tony's right there with him, his skin hot to the touch, his legs still shaking from the force of his orgasm. Steve squeezed his hand just so and the coil of arousal unwound itself. The fire in his belly engulfed his entire being as he came hot and wet all over Steve’s hand and his own stomach. Through the ringing in his ears, Tony heard Steve swearing in the background. “Not a good idea,” Steve said, panic slamming into him like a tidal wave. Tony wasn’t supposed to go back to Malibu, not when he nearly “Fine with me,” Rhodey said happily enough, but Tony knew he was probably going to pay for it later. Warmth bloomed in his chest, and Steve had to school his face from breaking out into a smile. Tony had been Steve's eyes have always been a weakness of Tony's, and right now, when they're so big and blue and so fucking A numbness settled deep inside himself like a stone pit had been dropped into the bottom of his stomach. Annihilated. The universe had It explained a lot about him. Hell, it was one of the things about Steve that made Tony lose his mind and want to kiss him senseless in the same breath. “You’re a genius, Shellhead,” Steve said softly. “I’m sure that big brain of yours will figure something out.” Tony had also been helping rebuild in his own way. His joint purchase of the Damage Control organization from SHIELD had finally

<|output|> <|example|> of running his mouth.” Steve’s eyes locked onto Tony’s, practically <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> of running his mouth <|indexes|> 0 0 |

<|text|> gone through, making it an official sect of the United States government. Now any and all casualties and destruction caused by both superheroes and super-villains would be cleaned up by government officials with funding from both Tony and the U.S government. It was such a grandiose gesture but what else could he expect from Tony? Had he been his 2012 self, he would have expected Tony to brag about the gesture, but he knew better now. Tony did brag, but only when he felt threatened. Steve's breath, cool and minty, washes over his face. Tony has to blink a few times, processing what just happened before he can even think about speaking. “Dogs are easier to take care of than humans,” Clint had replied, cuddling his pup close to him. Tony had just face palmed and waved Clint away. “Happy will know for sure,” Tony said and with a wave of his hand, the hologram of Mark 42 he had been working on vanished. “He’s been watching Pepper like a hawk.” He took a sip, relaxing even further as the sweetness of the jasmine melded with the sourness of the lemon and overwhelmed his taste-buds. Maybe she had been onto something when she had made the tea. . For Natasha, for Bucky, for Tony, for every single person he had let down over the years. But then, like a miracle from God themself, Thanos and his legions had started to crumble, blowing away like dust on the wind. Hope had soared in his chest only to be fucking obliterated as soon as he had realized Bruce shows up first, drawn to the idea of a bed to sleep in, a constant food source, and a (relative) lack of people shooting at him. Rhodey let’s out a yelp before swearing and him and Tony are grappling each other. In their struggle, Tony wriggles the wrong way and both of them are tumbling off of Rhodey’s bed and onto the wooden floors of their dorm. “Some meeting,” Tony starts and immediately wants to slap himself. He should just get to the point. Why even bother with small talk? “She gets a couple of sweet potatoes and peels them and cuts them into slices. She lets them soak in some water then she throws them in a skillet with butter, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Tones,” Rhodey groans and flops back them, his hands clutching at his stomach. “I’m gonna die if I don’t eat real food in the next twenty-four hours.” As if summoned, Steve comes bounding back to their table looking boyish and vibrant in the evening sun before Tony can process her words. “They’re absolute disasters,” Tony had said fondly one day to Steve, when Dodger and DUM-E had bumped into each other while trying to grab a wrench. He should have known Bucky would pull some kind of stunt. Despite their friendship, there was little love between Bucky and Steve’s father. Shame overtakes the arousal filling Tony’s body at the whine he lets out when Steve withdraws his fingers. His breath catches in his throat like someone’s wrapped their hands around his neck when the head

<|output|> <|example|> gone through, making it an official sect of the United States government. Now any and all casualties and destruction caused by both superheroes and super-villains would be cleaned up by government officials with funding from both Tony and the U.S government. It was such a grandiose gesture but what else could he expect from Tony? Had he been his 2012 self, he would have expected Tony to brag about the gesture, but he knew better now. Tony did brag, but only when he felt threatened. <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |

<|output|> <|example|> Despite their friendship, there was little love between Bucky and Steve’s father <|indexes|> 0 0 0 0 <|example|> He should have known Bucky would pull some kind of stunt <|indexes|> 1 1 <|example|> Shame overtakes the arousal filling Tony’s body at the whine he lets out when Steve withdraws his fingers <|indexes|> 2 <|example|> Maybe she had been onto something when she had made the tea <|indexes|> 3 <|example|> Despite their friendship, there was little love between Bucky and Steve’s father <|indexes|> 4 <|example|> ” As if summoned, Steve comes bounding back to their table looking boyish and vibrant in the evening sun before Tony can process her words <|indexes|> 5 |