Yo, remember me? Remember this fic? So, turns out I'm even slower than I expected and there's no new apology I can offer you (it's all still the same shit dragging me down). But here I am, with a slightly longer chapter than usual. Hope you like it and that you had some great holidays 3

Act Twenty-Six: family ties

Their two co-workers agreed instantly to Dean's plan – they didn't even ask for the why, just trusted them that Grant deserved it. Paige even hugged Seth, stating she would do anything for her little pumpkin and that this was way better than how she wanted to spend her weekend.

Seth is still not entirely sure he is doing the right thing but he told them where to find his tormentor on a Saturday night, so they could execute the plan while he is forced to go home for the first time since he ran away to deal with his uptight family.

He is so nervous to go back but at the same time he's deeply satisfied that someone shows Grant what it's like to be fooled and treated like trash. Normally he wouldn't do this but Dean is somewhat right; Seth needs to show he's done eating shit and that he will end this emotional abuse with a bang. For four years he never even spared a thought about fighting back until his crush showed him that he's much stronger than he thinks and that he is also allowed to stand his ground.

It's not exactly his style – not just because he has never tried it – but maybe that's how it is supposed to be. Just once. This won't make him a bad person, will it? Well, that maybe won't, but what he is about to do to his family might.

Dean holds his hand while he unlocks the door of his parents' home with shaky fingers, giving him all the moral support he needs. He can't think about Grant and what will happen to him tonight anymore or else he won't be able to stay on his guard around his ignorant family, so he pushes that out of his mind while turning to Dean to hear him say that all will be fine and that his friends know where they have to draw the line. He does not want any of this to backfire too.

'Think everything works out?' he whispers, his level of nervousness rising immensely. Dean grins jovially and claps Seth gently on the cheek, murmuring, 'Dodo and Paige know what they're doin', so stop worrying. We can blow it off if you don't wanna do this. No shame in that, hot stuff.'

Seth breathes relieved because that was what his body yearned to hear as his heart is beating faster as if to say no, do it, we have suffered for so long. Time to return the favor. His brain though screams to stop this before it's going down. 'Yes. No.' He tears at his hair, hating his own indecisiveness. 'I don't know.'

It feels like he is giving up a part of himself should he go through with this. Even though Dolph and Paige swore to not take any actual pictures, they still intend to deceive Grant. Seth wants his bully to feel the same kind of pain and shame he had to endure on school yesterday but at the same time he doesn't wish that upon his worst enemy. Why are things so complicated if they should be easy?

Dean hesitates and lowers his gaze, lips pressed together tightly, the grip around his fingers loosening. Seth can feel that his crush retreats to a place he can't follow even before Dean says determined, 'You're right.' There is no way to get his friend back from where he just went, so he sighs and puts the key back in his pants, just to take them out again and separate the house key from all the others, in order to leave it behind tonight. He is done with his family and he wants them to see it.

'About what?' he still asks against his better knowledge, trying to give his crush an encouraging smile but it is useless. Dean lets go of him and walks a few steps back. A wave of anxiety surges through him but then Seth realizes it's not to bail on him but to signal him they shouldn't go inside just yet. Dean wants to clear this up before they have to put on their game faces. 'This ain't you, it's me. I don't want you to ever become like that. I'll call it off.'

It hurts to hear Dean talk about himself like that, voice full of hatred and disdain. It's the biggest step backwards Dean has done since Seth met him all these months ago at Lita's. You are perfect the way you are – with all your little flaws. 'But–'

He doesn't get a chance to say anything, only watches stupefied how Dean takes out his phone while urging Seth inside, shushing him successfully. 'No,' his friend grits out through clenched teeth, 'I never should've– it's all my fault.'

Something is going on with Dean, something really bad, and Seth has no idea how to stop it. Let alone what exactly it is that is bothering him. 'Dean?' he queries, voice barely louder than the humming of the fridge in the kitchen. His fingers are trembling, an irrational fear of losing Dean taking his breath away. He wants to say don't leave me here but the words fail him.

In a moment of utter despair he grabs Dean's hand again, wanting to make sure the other will stay. Not just now, but forever. How come this feels like an all or nothing situation? Dean though shakes his head and lets go of Seth, distancing himself not only physically but also emotionally. Their friendship just took a wrong turn and Seth doesn't know why it happened; it feels like something vital just cracked and there's no way to fix this.

'Dean, talk to me,' he begs, the lump in his throat getting bigger with each shaky exhale. Panic causes his whole system to overload and for the first time in his life, Seth doesn't know how to even move a muscle, how to go on, to exist. It feels like his very core, his soul so to speak, got ripped from him and there was no way to prevent it because Seth didn't even see it coming.

One moment they were fine, about to get some payback – show the school bullies and his family that he is worth much more than they could ever fathom – and the next second Dean is slipping through his fingers. Because he thinks he dragged Seth into the abyss with him? He just doesn't understand.

His crush holds up his index finger and makes a call, muttering urgently, 'Don't do it.' For some unknown reason Seth can feel a weight falling off his shoulders as he listens to Dean calling back the Hellhounds Dolph and Paige. His closest friend holds his gaze with Seth while he says the next words, making sure he gets to hear all of it, 'I want him to stay pure, he's so much better than this. Sorry for the trouble. Yeah, drinks are on me, but don't you dare order anything fancy.'

Pure. Better than Dean Ambrose code for I'm a worthless piece of shit who almost forced you to make the mistake of your life, who was about to ruin you forever. Why can't Dean see that there's as much darkness in Seth than in any other person too? Or that Dean always shines the brightest, even in the gloomiest hours?

Standing in his former home, with familiar smells threatening to overwhelm him and a pretend boyfriend who still looks at him dispassionately is enough to drive him to the edge of an anxiety attack. Dean and his weird behavior are scaring him to death. 'Don't abandon me,' he whispers breathlessly, not able to keep the trepidation out of his voice.

And then the colors come back, the sounds of the people in the house get louder, life pieces itself back together when Dean pulls Seth close, embracing him in a comforting hug, lips brushing over his temples when he promises, 'I won't. 'm here. I'll always be.'

Seth just stand there, taking in Dean's calming scent, the dread pooling in his gut slowly starting to dissipate, but a tiny bit refuses to leave, making him edgy. He knows he was so close to losing it all and he never wants to experience this again. Dean needs to know it, no matter what Roman is thinking or feeling, he can no longer wait with this.

'I love you.'

It's not surprising anymore that Dean tenses immediately but Seth sighs alleviated when he still won't let go of him. He would love to see Dean's face now – even though he can perfectly imagine the grim, slightly confused expression – but he gets no chance to. An outraged cough interrupts anything that could have been and together they turn around to look at his mother. She just had to kill the mood. The one time Dean was open and vulnerable enough to maybe not walk away. He is never going to hear those three words coming out of his crush's mouth.

'Not in my house,' the witch hisses furiously, as if Seth just stripped down to his underwear to give Dean a lap dance. It is downright shocking she doesn't have a foamy mouth when she further barks out, 'You won't ever repeat those words.'

Oh, so she's not worried about them standing body to body in her hallway but about him confessing his feelings to his one true love? Worst mother ever. He blinks once, twice, his brain suddenly as quiet as Dean. All the voices in his head have gone silent, too disappointed about a mother neglecting her own child in the most important moments of their life. His mouth though knows exactly what to do.

'I love him,' he repeats, steadier this time, his chest swelling with pride, happiness and determination. Also a bit of satisfaction because he finally could tell Dean what is really going on inside of him. No more beating around the bush. He can do everything Roman can do too.

'I love him,' he says once more while walking up to her, voice rising with each syllable. 'I love him.' His mother glares at him, the blatant disgust and hatred evident in both their matching brown eyes, and all of a sudden there's a tiny voice ringing out, cutting their staring contest short.

The weak whisper reaches his ears and Seth thinks he can almost feel Dean's heart tripping over itself when the words fall off the walls, 'I– I love you too.'

Seth's mouth drops open and he whips his head around – his neck cracking loudly. He didn't just– Is this real? Dean looks like he's about to dash out of the room and as far away as he can any second now but, miraculously, he stays right where he is, conquering his instincts. For the first time it is fight instead of flight.

His friend twists his mouth as if he's never before said those words to anybody and is not quite sure now if it feels good or was a grave mistake. Seth wants to ask if this admission was part of their fake boyfriend act, something to drive his parents further up the wall, but he can't, since his mother is still standing there, bristling with rage.

His crush's mask slips back on – or he just continues his act, Seth can't tell – the instant the doorbell rings, announcing the arrival of more guests. His mother pushes him into the pompously decorated dining room while he looks back at Dean who stays in the hallway for a few more heartbeats before he shakes off whatever was bugging him and keeps his promise to never leave Seth alone.

Since Dean is in perfect boyfriend mode, Seth soon files the love confession under pretense with a heavy heart and a loud sigh that gets drowned out by the mindless chattering of his relatives. He's thought about it as he was shaking hands and enduring kisses on the cheeks that are as fake as his mother's love, but no matter how genuine Dean sounded, he's still a brilliant actor and his alleged sexual partner, so Seth reasons that it was another way to tick his mother off. One that worked wonders, if the death glares she throws at them are anything to go by.

Still, a tiny part of him keeps on hoping for the impossible. Seth somehow believes that this was the first true love confession Dean has ever made, so he plans on broaching the subject again as soon as they will be alone in his bedroom later. Or possibly back in Los Angeles, since he would bet all of his money on his parents not wanting Dean in their house, ordering him to come back early in the morning, so it appears as if they spent the night here together. It's all about keeping the facade of a picture perfect family alive.

How was he able to deal with that for seventeen years without jumping off the roof?

His parents must have come up with a strategy beforehand, keeping Dean busy the whole evening, asking him for help in the kitchen – even though they'd rather drink acid than let him touch anything – so he won't spend too much time with their son or the elite family. Seth sometimes sees them snarl at his crush, probably threatening with jail again but Dean looks weirdly lost in thoughts. He just stands there, back leaned against the wall, beer untouched in his hands, gaze far in the distance. His friend only switches back into his role whenever he carries another plate into the room.

See? This just proves it. Dean is a perfect actor, regardless of whether he honed his skills in an adult movie company or not. And that's exactly what bothers Seth the most. He can never be sure Dean tells him the truth, though he hopes that his crush would never lie to him. Not about something so important.

He really would love to know what's going on in that pretty head, but before Seth gets a chance to drag Dean to the side and have a quick, enlightening talk, Samuel demeans himself to appear on his birthday party, barging through the door as if he owns this place and the whole atmosphere shifts in the blink of an eye. If there was bottomless hatred directed at Dean before, it now turned into bloodlust.

The feeling is quite mutual, as Seth can very well see when he turns his gaze towards the most complicated person he has ever met.

'Sammy, we meet at least.' Dean's wearing a cold smile and his steely blue eyes carry no warmth whatsoever, but his voice is so sickeningly sweet that a cold shower runs up and down Seth's spine. His crush doesn't fake any of this, he really detests Sam.

His brother grimaces, obviously appalled by Dean having the audacity to talk to him, but he keeps his tone friendly anyway. After all, there are guests watching them. Every Rollins knows how to beguile even their own blood. It's skeevy and pathetic at the same time. 'Can't say I'm as delighted as you.'

Dean takes the offered hand after watching it hanging in midair for a while and pulls Sam close to snarl as loud as he can without yelling, 'Don't take my smile for delight. I heard ya called me nothin' more than a male whore.' Holy cow, Dean just dropped the bomb without giving Seth a heads-up. Seems like Sammy just got under his skin so much that he lost himself in the heat of the moment. Seth can relate to that.

He can't say he doesn't relish in the following stunned silence and the realization that dawns on a few of his relatives as they finally understand that Dean hadn't been joking at that party in La Jolla. It's interesting, as well as bittersweet, that most of them look grossed out, even though they had been prattling pleasantly with his friend just a few minutes ago, welcoming him in their secret, posh circle with open arms.

If this wouldn't be so sad, Seth would laugh about it. So much for their credibility and we're happy as long as Sethie is. What a bunch of hypocrites and liars.

Dean couldn't care less about the animosity directed at him – he is probably used to worse –, further concentrating on Seth's brother. 'That's not very nice, Sammy. I'm not a hooker, I'm a porn wrestler. But you're right about one thing, I do fuck people for a living. Easy money, bro. Youshould know, you got an account at Cyberfights too.'

Dean winks at Sam whose face turns bright red – fury and embarrassment fighting for the upper hand. His older brother opens his mouth to most likely stutter something about Seth stealing his credit card but who would not doubt it deep down? Seth already had his coming out and Dean never hid anything either. He has been telling the truth all along, so why should he start lying now? Though his parents will probably twist things around again once they're gone, making the black sheep of the family the culprit of this conspiracy. Can't have any bad light shining on their beloved firstborn.

Before his brother's head can explode, someone interrupts the death match and Seth can't help but grin when he sees his aunt Molly step through the crowd and walk up to his friend to embrace a completely startled Dean in her arms. 'I don't care what you do for a living as long as you treat Seth with the utmost respect.'

Dean doesn't hug her back, but his tender smile returns when he looks down at her. He really doesn't like to be touched by people – the only exceptions are Roman and Seth, as it would seem. 'Always.' Aw, look at that. His favorite person on earth bonding with his surrogate mother.

'Aunt Molly,' he yells excited, hugging her overjoyed to make up for Dean being as stiff as a poker. The weekend just got a lot better after starting in the most horrible way ever. 'Dean, I've told you about my aunt from Davenport.'

His friend's whole face lights up – undoubtedly because he remembers all the stories Seth has told him about his time in Iowa – and he beams at Molly; for the first time since he called off the arrangement with Dolph and Paige being completely himself again. 'Thank you, ma'am. You did everything right raising this fine young man.'

Oho, what a low blow. Right in his parents' face. This is so awesome, especially because it is definitely not part of the game. It's Dean simply speaking his mind and on top of everything, it shames his parents because it heavily implies they didn't care about their own child at all. Which is exactly what happened.

Seth can't stop smiling at his friend anymore, feeling pretty invincible for once. If Grant would be here, he'd punch him in his million dollar face for treating him like the dirt under his shoes for the longest time. Anything is possible with Dean by his side.

Molly chuckles, gracing Seth with a kiss on the cheek. 'No, he always had a good heart, but thank you. I had the time of my life with him, he's a real sweetheart.' Would they stop praising him? He hates being in the center of everyone's attention, even though their words are balm for his wounded soul.

'I'm Dean, Miss Holly.' There are a few abashed coughs behind Seth but neither of them cares. He only watches fascinated how Dean offers his aunt a hand to properly introduce himself, as if he didn't just shock the whole Rollins clan with the admission that he is a porn star. Dean really knows how to push the right buttons of people and how to completely blindside them – be it friend or foe. Seth can sing a song about this, as he's still reeling from the love confession that may or may not have been sincere.

'Call me Molly,' his aunt replies happily, skipping the handshake to cup Dean's cheek, showing her gratitude for everything he has done for Seth with the simple gesture. 'I have to admit, once he told me about you, I had to see you in action. Very impressive. I understand why Seth fell for you. Oh, can I just add how much I love the screen time Gixley has? Their chemistry is fantabulous. And the slow build is just mmh.'

Seth suppresses the giggle that wants to escape his lips at the mention of Dean and Seth capturing even Molly's attention and his cheeks start to burn once he realizes that his aunt watched Dean having sex and that no one minds – except for Seth's whole family. But no word can be taken back anymore. It is all out in the open and the fact that Molly, an adult and almost stranger to the rest of the Rollinses, gives further details about Dean's work and their relationship makes everything ten times worse for them.

His mother squeaks indignantly and steps between Seth and Dean, as if she could still separate them. Their hearts and souls are linked together and no physical distance could change that anymore. They belong together, in each other's lives, and there is nothing she can do to stop it. Coincidence would have it that he stumbled into Dean on that rainy day and Fate helped him keep his friend.

'Very funny, Margaret,' his mother spits, her mouth a thin line after speaking out loud Satan's name. God, she looks like she just ate a whole bunch of lemons. 'This joke has gone far enough.' Oh please, how can she continue to deny everything? His mother has lost, can't she see?

Well, he guesses then it's time for him to burst her bubble. This is for all the times his parents pushed him aside to take care of Sophie and Samuel, for the years he spent in Iowa because they thought he was too much trouble, for forcing him to become someone he just isn't, for not giving Dean a chance even though he means so much to Seth.

'It's true,' he says, biting back a malicious laugh. He should be sad now, as this is the instant he cuts ties with his family, but instead he couldn't be happier. Seth was never a part of them, no matter how hard he tried to fit in. Molly on the other hand is just like him – the unwanted family member that is sometimes tolerated but never welcome. No wonder they get along so well.

'Seth,' his father speaks up warningly, but it's too late now. He is sick of hiding and he's through with them. They have done too little over the years to prevent this moment and them treating Dean like a piece of garbage was just the last straw. Ultimately, it is what gives Seth the strength to do this.

'Dean stars in porn movies and he's a wrestler. And he is phenomenal at what he does. I've supervised his shoots for a while now and he is a professional in the ring. Outside of work, he is just like you and me. Well, obviously more like me and aunt Molly, but you get the gist of it.'

Seth draws in a breath, holding up a finger to shut his fuming mother up. He isn't done yet. She can complain about this later when Seth won't be here to hear it anymore.

'We were honest with you from the get-go, told you everything the first time you met him but my parents were ashamed of Dean or me, telling you a stupid bartender lie. I'm no longer hiding the truth though. If you are appalled by either him or the fact that he is the man I lost my heart to, you can leave right away. I don't want you in my life then. Actually, wait,' he shakes his head, shoving his mother out of the way. 'I will go.'

The dragon that gave birth to him surely doesn't want to stop him, but all the guests she will later owe an explanation Seth would love to pay witness to force her to hold her son back. 'Seth.' No, enough with the Seth-hissing and trying to control him. He is eighteen now and they no longer have a say in anything concerning him.

And while he is admitting stuff, Seth can entwine his fingers with Dean's and turn to the extended family, rambling on, 'I haven't been living here for weeks because my family held me captive in my own room after I refused to break up with Dean.'

Some seem genuinely shocked, but he is not sure if it's due to him admitting he misbehaved and ran away, Dean generally existing or Seth revealing his parents locked him up. Whatever the reason, he realizes that it doesn't bother him anymore. They can all go to hell, he will see them there.

Playing Grant with the blow job was not who Seth was, this here on the other hand is exactly him and it feels amazing to leave all of this toxic people behind.

'Aunt Molly?' he walks up to her, his crush still holding his hand, 'Dean and I know this very nice diner at the Interstate. Hungry?' 'Always, sweetie.'

Seth breathes in his newfound freedom, feeling like the king of the world. There is still a lot more he wants to throw at them – after all, he swallowed everything down for eighteen years – but he does want to keep it short. This house is giving him the creeps.

'I'm done with you,' his mind provides him with more words to slap them in the face with. 'Meeting Dean was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. He opened my eyes without wanting to. I have a new family now. One that loves me and accepts Dean because he is one of the nicest, humble and most caring people I have ever met. And all you seem to zero in on is his job, even though there is so much more to him. I–'

Dean lets go of him to put his fingers on Seth's shoulders, saying his name quietly, kind of authoritative, immediately shutting him up.

'What?' he wants to know why Dean won't let him go all berserk on his family that tormented him just as badly as Grant and his friends. Maybe even worse because they have the same flesh and blood and are supposed to give him a home and shelter.

As he looks into the whiskery face, he expects his crush to say Ya only got one family or Are ya sure?but all Dean does is smile lovingly and hold out his hand. He won't try to stop him and instead decided to support him in any way he can. Seth takes it and Dean pulls him in for a kiss that is entirely thankful instead of passionate. His crush still has a hard time believing that someone would go to any lengths to defend and be with him. At least that part of his wet dream wasn't just something he imagined.

Seth ignores the gasps in the room as they kiss and break apart, only listening to the hushed whisper in his ear that turns his knees into jelly. 'Don't you abandon me.' As if he could ever leave the light and love of his life.

'Seth Rollins, if you walk out that door–' 'Don't worry,' he cuts his mother short, huffing at her ridiculousness. As if he hasn't made it pretty clear that he doesn't want to be around them anymore. 'I will only come back to get the rest of my stuff and then you won't ever see me again.'

After being silent for too long, Sam speaks up, coming closer with raised fists as if to either punch Seth or throttle him to shake some sense into his wayward brother. 'You ungrateful–'

His brother can't even finish whatever hurtful thing he was about to break him with. Dean switches back to Mox mode in a split second, shielding Seth with his body. 'You don't wanna finish that sentence. He said he's done, so we're outta here. Oh, and that's for calling me a slut, asshole.' Without a prior warning, Dean grabs Sam at the neatly ironed collar and yanks him close. Seth expects a brawl now, which his brother would definitely lose, but instead of redecorating Sam's face, Dean forces a sloppy kiss on him.

Seth can only watch the scene unfold but there is the weird urge to snicker once his big brother tries to instinctively fight against the non-consensual make out session and Dean retaliates by pushing his tongue into Samuel's mouth. The interesting thing about this is that nobody dares to save the prodigy son from the pervert. If that doesn't speak volumes about his family, then Seth doesn't know.

Once his friend lets go, Sam is red as a tomato and out of breath too while his crush smirks wickedly, turning towards Seth and Molly as if nothing just happened. 'Let's stop at our place first, I need to get rid of that fucking awful taste in my mouth.'

With these words, Dean wipes over his lips, making a disgusted face while Sam chokes behind them, yammering something about the places that mouth has been and this time, Seth can't stop the laughter from bubbling up. It's odd but thathas never been one of Seth's problems with Dean's job. He just loves kissing Dean, even right in the ring. Maybe because Jon Moxley refuses to do it with anyone else than Leakee – and Gixx. He would unhesitatingly kiss Dean after a blow job too. It's not like his crush never washes himself.

'Alright, was great meeting y'all but so long, suckers. Have a nice life,' Dean bids his very sophisticated farewell that makes Seth only love him more before stopping in his tracks and addressing Seth's parents one last time. 'Not you though. I've been waitin' for this for years but for the sake of the only good son you have, all I'm gonna say is what goes around, comes around. That's a lesson from the male whore to the quacks.'

Molly tee-hees, linking arms with her nephew. 'I get why you're so smitten with him.' Yeah, Dean is one of a kind and Seth is more than lucky to have found him.

On his way out he watches satisfied how Sam is about to throw up – what a baby – and childishly stomps on his brother's feet. Once for himself and once for insulting Dean like that. Never again will Seth allow people to talk trash about his crush. Not on his watch. 'I have made my decision a long time ago. I chose him and my freedom.'

The last person he ever expected to speak up in this situation is the only one that actually sees him off. 'See you around, big bro.' He looks at Sophie – his sister is still sitting at the table, grinning at him like the Cheshire Cat –, suddenly having this moment of clarity that she is indeed looking forward to one day meet him again. Maybe she's the one family member who found it in herself to really be happy for him.

Well, he appreciates the sentiment, but it's a little too late now. 'Hopefully not.'

They both laugh and there is a small, painful sensation in his chest, almost holding him back. Right now, he wishes they could have been siblings that live and die for each other. He is sure they could have been a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, they weren't meant to be. Maybe in another life.

'Happy birthday to me,' he sings on the way out, slamming the door shut behind him, closing the last chapter of this story.

They don't go to the diner and instead end up in their apartment but neither of them really cares. Dean orders some pizza and beers – coke for Seth – and together they squeeze themselves on the couch, his aunt and his crush spending the next few hours with getting to know each other better.

Molly asks Dean all kinds of nosy questions about his job, loving the insight he can give her, but soon they talk about Seth's time in Iowa before moving on to anecdotes and what has happened at Cyberfights since Seth started working there. The atmosphere is relaxed and exactly what he always imagined it to be when his family meets his boyfriend. He knew he could count on Molly to make things right.

Once it has gotten late, they offer Molly the bed and Dean calls Roman to ask for an inflatable mattress they can spend the night on since the couch is too small for the two of them. As soon as their friend dropped it off without a word, they finally go to sleep. This day has been way too long and Seth is dying to get some rest. His mind has to sort everything out before he has that serious talk with Dean.

As they are lying in the darkness – which isn't that profound at all since Los Angeles is one giant neon sign and the people living across never seem to turn off their lights – Dean whispers after a few minutes of silence, 'I'm sorry.'

'Don't be,' he yawns, meaning every word he says. 'It had to happen sooner or later. I didn't fit in.' The only thing he will keep is the name Rollins because he really likes the sound of it. Other than that, as far as he is concerned, there is nothing connecting him to his biological family anymore.

'Sorry for that thing with your brother.' Considering that Dean spent ten minutes in the bathroom after arriving home, gurgling and trying everything to get rid of Sam's taste – which was equally funny and disturbing – he can't really be mad about it. And the face of his older brother was simply priceless.

'I'm not,' he giggles, recalling his brother's retching. 'His reaction was worth it.' Dean only hesitates for the fraction of a second before he joins his laughter, chuckling, 'He's a really bad kisser. How does his wife put up with him?' Seth has no idea; he has never wasted much thought on his sister-in-law.

'Worse than me?' he asks cheekily, still riding on the wave of adrenaline from giving it to his family straight. Dean props his elbow up on the mattress and Seth has to readjust himself after dipping dangerously to the side. These inflatable things have never been his cup of tea.

'You, my friend,' Dean lectures him, 'have the best teacher in the world and I really dunno how many times I need to tell ya, you're a natural. In everything.' How flattering. And the perfect opening.

'Would you like to give me another lesson?' He tries to give his question a seductive tone, but fails miserably, as Dean doesn't even bat an eye. Seth can see the wheels spinning in Dean's head, fearing that he won't like the words that will come out of his crush's mouth next.

'What for?' Dean shrugs. 'Isn't it over now? School's practically over, you left your family behind. My job is done.' See? He freaking knew it. And he also totally forgot that there was a reason they started this whole boyfriend scam. But what was that thing they had tonight, that one moment of honesty? Was it just part of the show after all?

All those fanfiction writers were blatantly lying to him and only raised false hope. Just because someone pretends to be your boyfriend it doesn't mean you will actually end up with them in a real relationship before the act is over. Life isn't a fairytale. Everyone who believes in these romantic miracles certainly has not met Dean.

He stays silent for way too long, not sure how to continue this conversation without embarrassing himself even further, completely heartbroken because he just lost best thing of his life.

'You wanna take your aunt to Anaheim tomorrow? I bet she'd like it,' Dean suggests calmly, helping Seth stop the voices in his head from roaring out too loud in utter desperation.

'I've never went to Disney World,' he admits, just now realizing how sad his childhood has been, and Dean gasps shocked, clapping him gently on the chest. 'What? Dude, I'm gonna take you to all the places.'

He can't help but grin towards the ceiling at that. So Dean is done playing his boyfriend in public but whatever they have, it will continue somehow. Perhaps they can now move on from pretense to reality. 'Sounds promising.'

His friend lies back down, closing his eyes while pulling Seth in, letting him cling to his waist like a drowning man grabbing an in the water floating log, yawning, 'You did good today. Thanks for being my defense squad.' It takes him a while to understand, his body demanding sleep way too adamantly. Dean's words need a lifetime to reach his consciousness and once they do, he forces his lips to part, murmuring, 'Anythin' for you. Wanna keep you.'

Fuzzy warmth already engulfs him and the darkness before him turns into a place he has never seen before but is sure to know anyway – just like dream logic works – when a whisper breaks through the clouds like rays of sunshine, an amused snicker rustling through the tree tops, making him smile. He feels something ghost over his cheek but when he touches it, there is nothing there, safe for the knowledge that Dean just kissed him in the real world and is still talking to him.

'Sure thing, Casper. I'll be here forever.'