A/N: Decided to post my first completed fanfic on what I consider the O.G. of fanfics, this site! Haven't been on here in a while, but I received some good feedback on AO3 and LJ on this story so I decided to come back and share with y'all :)

(Title and chapter summaries taken from lyrics by 30 Seconds to Mars, ~ Attack)

Disclaimer: I own nothing; not Sam, Dean, Benny, Amelia, or anything else involving Supernatural; this is purely written for pro bono entertainment.

A new day is coming, and I am finally free.

It had taken them only two weeks to track him down. With Dean alone, it may have taken a little longer, but the skilled hunter paired with a predatory (hungry) vampire, recently released from his prison of nearly fifty years and barely resisting the familiar urge to rip into every fragile throat that had come near and drink the sweet crimson copper, had clearly expedited the search.

Just maybe, it might have also had something to do with Dean's promise of a "buffet," as the younger man had put it. It had been added incentive, besides the bond that had formed and the unspoken loyalty between the two, for the vampire to stick with Dean for a while longer before he took off to take care of some old, unfinished business. Despite Dean's curiosity and offer of assistance, Benny had waved off the hunter, stating firmly it was for him and him alone to deal with.

Dean had understood, would have normally taken care of his own business as well, but he had been desperate to find his brother as quickly as possible. He had been trapped for a year, all the while not knowing what Sam had been going through without him, if he was even still alive.

Standing on the dark, silent street, Dean's fear had been more than put at ease as he stood across the street, cloaked by his dark clothes and the night for what felt like hours staring at the quiet house. When they had first arrived, parking the stolen car down the road and continuing on foot, Dean had wanted nothing more than to rush to the front door the moment he had seen his little brother moving in front of the window. Until the woman had appeared behind him, her hand grasping his arm and gently leading Sam away, the lights inside going out soon after.

Benny had cast a sidelong glance at his friend, Dean's face instantly slipping into an emotionless stone as he felt the eyes on him.

"I'm a little underwhelmed, brotha," Benny had said slowly, carefully, as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a silver cigarette case and similar-looking Zippo.

Dean's deep intake of breath, laced with a venom even without spoken words, was enough of an answer to the smirking vampire.

"I'm just sayin', after all the stories you told me, I wasn't expectin'...this." Benny waved a hand at the house, before bowing his head down, flicking the flint wheel and touching the flame to tip of the cigarette that was firmly placed between his lips.

Dean had sighed as he took in the now smoky air, a slight craving forming in his chest. "You and me both."

Before Benny could respond, a rustling noise far to their right had swiveled both heads, instantly still, listening until they heard the noise again. Taking in a deep breath, the scent of human unmistakable even amongst the bitter smoke, Benny's mouth formed into a sly grin as he turned to Dean, who had refocused on the house.

"Feel like goin' huntin'?"

A slight shake of his head and a muttered, "all yours," had been his only response.

"Your brother ain't going nowhere soon."

Dean finally turned his icy glare on Benny, locking eyes briefly before reaching a hand out.

"Go handle it. Find out why someone's lurking outside my brother's...house first, if you can manage that."

Benny knew not to push, especially where the infamous little brother was concerned, so taking a deep drag before handing over the cigarette into Dean's waiting hand, Benny had turned away, disappearing into the field in search of his prey.

And here Dean had stayed, not really sure how long Benny had been gone, thinking intently on his next move while the butt of the already snuffed out cigarette lay at his feet. It had been years since Dean had touched the things, but once they had gotten back, Benny had convinced him it helped with the cravings, that and drinking, and Dean had to admit he had been right. Even if it was more of a mental reprieve than anything.

Dean shifted slightly as he heard the approaching footsteps, but didn't bother to look as he knew who it was.

"Figured ya woulda gone inside by now," the sated accent murmured, wiping his mouth as he stepped beside the younger man.

Dean ignored the remark, tilting his head to the side. "Find out anything?"

"Never was one for askin' questions first and shooting later," Benny licked the blood from his hand that he had removed from his chin, "But yeah, guy named Don. Apparently this is his house." Benny spread both hands, gesturing at the domicile, another slight grin on his face, "and supposedly, the pretty lady inside is his wife."

That caught Dean's attention, leveling his gaze on the vampire. "Sure it wasn't some stalker ex?"

Benny gave a toothy grin at the obviously riled hunter. "So quick to defend your brother's honor, huh?"

Dean rolled his eyes, looking back at the house as the thoughts that had been forming in his mind came to a clear conclusion that should have been unsettling, but he wasn't that person anymore. A year could change a lifetime, and it had.

"He's dead at least, right?" he asked in a low voice.

Benny noticed the change in Dean's posture and tone, could practically feel the adrenaline building in the man standing next to him. Feeling the sensation of his gums itching to spread apart, to make room for the extra sharp teeth, Benny straightened and tensed, as the promise of violence practically filled the air, excitement turning in his stomach.

"Very."

Dean nodded once before finally putting his feet into motion, his decision made, the clarity and the clear rightfulness of his reasoning driving him across the street, up the few stairs, and busting open the door without hesitation, knowing Benny was close behind him.

Dean waited for movement from the bedroom. A second later, he heard it, knew his brother would always be a hunter no matter how many times throughout the years he tried to deny it, tried to have something he considered normal. But that's not who they were, and Dean had no qualms in proving this to his brother once and for all.

Holding up a hand to keep Benny still, Dean waited until the light sound of bare feet pattering across the wooden floor grew close before pressing himself against a wall, Benny following suit. Dean could feel a craving build inside of him, much more potent than what he had felt for the tobacco. Dean clenched his fists tightly, keeping it at bay as the heartbeats grew louder, closer.

As angry as he was at seeing Sam domesticated, his plan was not to hurt his brother, ever.

As the familiar scent grew close, Dean sprang from the shadows, easily catching the bat as it swung at his head. Ripping the weapon from the wide eyes that had filled with recognition, Dean swiftly grabbed the taller man, and using his right foot, swept Sam's leg out from under him, driving his brother onto the hard ground as air whooshed out from Sam's lungs when his back smacked the wood.

Dean nearly winced; maybe he wasn't controlling himself as much as he had hoped.

Knowing he didn't have enough time to waste, needing this whole thing to go as quickly and as smoothly as possible, Dean straightened and grabbed Benny's jacket, pulling him close.

"Bring me the girl, keep her quiet," noticing the glint in Benny's eyes, Dead added with a hiss, "Don't kill her."

Benny was obviously annoyed, but this was Dean's show, and he wasn't about to argue. As Benny rushed away, Dean whipped around as he heard Sam shifting to sit up. Dean's name died on Sam's lips as Dean easily laid him out again, kneeling on one knee beside his brother as he placed a hand on his brother's chest and held him firmly down.

Sam stared up at his brother, mixed emotions marring his face. Dean could see the startled confusion, the surprise, and the painful relief that flooded his eyes.

"Dean, holy shit...you're alive! What happened? Are you okay?"

Dean smiled at the concern in his little brother's voice. "I'm fine, Sam. I'll explain everything later, but we don't have time for that now."

Now it was only confusion on Sam's features as he made to get up once again, only to be held down by his brother. Trying to ignore the absolute strength Dean was exhibiting, the fact that he had not been able to budge his brother even a centimeter, and the implications of what that could mean, Sam swallowed and narrowed his eyes at Dean.

"I don't understand, Dean, what's going on? Is someone...something coming here?"

Normally, Dean would have felt guilty that Sam's hopes that Dean was just trying to play protective big brother would soon be dashed by the realization that the only true danger here, was Dean.

"Be quiet, Sam. Benny!" Dean called out, "Where the hell are you?"

"Wait, who's Benny?" Sam's face flooded with fear as the man Dean was referring to came waltzing into the front room, an unconscious woman hanging limply over his shoulder.

"Amelia!" Sam struggled harder against the hand on his chest. "Dean, what the hell? Get off me!"

Dean's hand shot up to Sam's throat, shocking his brother into silence has he felt the tight coldness on his throat. Dean, despite the frustration and the gnawing hunger, struggled to keep his hand loose enough so as not to choke his brother, but firm enough to make the warning clear.

"Sammy, I told you to be quiet."

"Are you going to kill me, Dean?" Sam's voice was low, laced with fear and sad understanding.

Dean had just now realized that when he had grabbed for Sam's throat in anger, his fangs had descended in an automatic response.

Well, shit.

Dean watched Sam's face closely as he slowly released his neck, slipping the fangs back into his gums as he stood.

"Of course I'm not going to kill you, little brother," Dean said softly, gazing down at him, "But if you don't come with me," he tilted his head towards Benny and the girl, Amelia, "I will kill her."