As promised, here's the next chapter. I really hope you'll like it. :) Enjoy!
"You realize the moment that cast is gone, he is gonna run after the Stynes, right?" I ask as I watch the doctor removing Ben's cast and checking his leg.
"I'm aware of that, thank you very much," Dean mutters under his nose, dark expression on his face.
Fifteen minutes later, in the car, he and Ben are yelling at each other, arguing whether or not to go after the Stynes. I sigh. It's been a month since Ben broke his leg, and the last couple of weeks were tense. Like feud in the bunker tense. Dean and Ben spent a lot of time together, Dean showing Ben how to handle weapons the kid never even heard about before and showing him how to fix cars. And that's good, for both of them. They are more cheerful and relaxed. Until Lisa's name's brought up or the Stynes. In those moments Kevin leaves the library closing himself in his room and playing video games. He and Ben aren't getting along pretty well, so he tries to stay off the radar, especially when Ben makes his regular teenage fusses about everything and nothing at all.
It hasn't been easy for Kevin either. Especially since he realized that closing the Gates of Hell isn't a solution. I suspect he still goes through the tablet, trying to figure something else. I, on the other hand, have my idea that is secretly set in motion, because if Sam and Dean find out, they'll probably try to stop this insanity. And if Meg finds out, she'll do her best to kill Crowley. And even though it'll solve some of the problems, I think my way's better. But I have to be patient.
Just as I am with Ben. I see some of the fruits of my efforts. Last week I saw him wearing the shirt I bought him, and now he talks to me. Not the deep effusive talk, but kind of can-you-make-stakes-for-dinner talk, which is quite a progress since a couple of weeks ago, when he wasn't even looking at me.
The half-hour trip to the bunker is a complete nightmare because of Dean and Ben arguing. As Dean parks, the kid continues with his tantrum.
"I'm not a child anymore!"
"No, you're not," I state, my voice calm, but he hears me, and his head snaps in my direction. "But you're behaving like one, so you'll be treated as such." and I get out of the Impala, complete silence behind me.
The lunch is relatively peaceful. Sam and Kev are discussing some weird chemical reactions about whatever components they're talking about. Dean, as usual, eats like it's his last meal on earth, expression of pure bliss all over his face. Ben is quiet, just nudging the food around his plate. I lean back in my chair, eyeing him carefully. The kid seems to be dwelling on something. Probably my comment for the child treatment.
"I've got an offer for you," I say, and he quickly meets my gaze, Dean raises his head "You want to go after the Stynes. That's understandable. They killed your mother, destroyed your life as you know it. I accept that. I really do. The problem is, apart from Dean's concern for your safety... Which, by the way, are justified... Well, I don't think you're ready for that."
"What?" Ben's voice raises an octave, catching Sam's and Kevin's attention "Since the moment I left home, I'm ready for this..."
"No," I shake my head "You're not." I cross my arms, "You've hunt monsters, ghosts... This time we're dealing with humans. People, personalities, lives, families..."
"Braeden," there's a sharp, warning edge in Dean's voice, but I raise my finger, silencing him.
"Have you ever taken a life before?" I ask Ben, "You've got no idea what's the feeling of taking a life, the weight of the consequences, of your conscience. You've got no idea what it's like to look them in the eyes and see the life fading away. It's too much, too overwhelming. You've got no idea what this can do to you. You think that revenge will make you feel better. But it won't. It won't bring her back. She's dead. And it will change you. For life. It will shake you to your very core. It will smash you, crush you, bring you to the very edge..." I look him straight in the eye, seeing his doubts and his determination, "And for me to let you out there," I point to the bunker's door, "I need to be sure you can handle this." I keep my eyes on him, my gaze firm and demanding, "I want you to think very carefully about what you want to do. Think about it. Hell, keep it overnight. But I need you to be one hundred percent on sure, that's what you want. I need you to realize that if you do it if you take away a life, it will change you."
"I don't care," Ben states more confidently than he looks.
"Oh, but you will care. After that. In the late night's hours when you can't sleep. When the faces of those you killed haunt you. Then you will care. But then it will be too late..."
"That's enough, Braeden!" Dean gets up, his plate in his hands, his face stern, hiding the anger boiling inside him, "Kitchen, now."
I obediently follow him. There's no point in arguing about it. The moment we are alone, Dean throws his plate in the sink and faces me.
"What the hell?!"
"What the hell, what?" I calmly ask.
"What the hell was that?" Dean rages, his eyes glowing dangerously, "Why did you tell him all of this?"
"Because he needed to hear it."
"What?"
"No matter what he decides to do from now on, he needs to realize that ending a life isn't something to be taken lightly."
"He's just a kid, Braeden. He's supposed to be more interested in how to skip classes and who he's gonna ask on the prom night. He's..."
"He's a hunter, Dean. Like his father. You may not like it but it's about damn time to face the facts. He's not giving up on his revenge. He will go after the Stynes. One way or another, he's going. And I want him to be as prepared as possible." I sigh and approach Dean, "Don't you think it's better to get him ready and have his back than lock him here and one morning to find his empty bed, he's gone for hours, and we have to race time to get to him before he gets himself killed?" I cup Dean's face, his expression softens, "I know you want to protect him, but you can't keep him in a safe bubble for the rest of his life. When we were his age, if you remember, we were doing far more dangerous things than going on a hunt with Bobby and John."
"I remember," Dean chuckles "Is it the chupacabra or the tulpa?"
"Oh, come on," I groan, "It was an accident."
"You know what they say," he smirks, "One's a chance, two's a coincidence, three's a..."
"There's no three here." I huff.
"Yet."
I roll my eyes, the sassy remark on my lips when Ben enters the kitchen, his gaze firm on me.
"You said you got an offer for me."
I cast Dean a questioning look, and when he nods with a deep sigh of defeat, I speak.
"You want the Stynes. Fine. But you're not going after them alone. And we're doing it our way."
"Fine."
"Oh, don't be so quick to agree," I warn him, "There's more."
"Like what?"
"Like you going back to school after all of this is over."
Ben hesitates for a second, pondering.
"Only if I get a car."
I bite back a laugh. The kid's a bargain.
"Deal." I reach forward.
"Deal." Ben nods and shakes my hand, and then quickly leaves the kitchen.
I turn to Dean. He's got this strange expression all over his face, some mixture of bewilderment and admiration.
"What?" I giggle as he snakes his arms around me, giving me a peck on my lips.
"Have I ever told you how awesome you really are?"
What do you think about Braeden and Ben's agreement? Drop me a review and tell me how do you like the development so far. :))) Have a nice weekend!
