Disclaimer: Crimson Peak is Guillermo Del Toro's property, Supernatural belongs to Eric Kripke, The Lodgers to Brian O'Malley. Emma, Constance and I are self-inserts. The old lady from Camden Market belongs to Chibimelodee.
Summary: Ghosts are real and everything happens for a reason. Is this why Marina and her friends find themselves trapped in Allerdale Hall a few days away from Christmas?
Author's note: This story was written for me by « Emma » and « Constance » from Chibimelodee as an Advent Calendar two years ago. Please note that all three of us are french and while we do know our way around English, we might still make some mistakes. Feel free to let us know! As the three girls are french and start to speak from this chapter, I'll put the translations of their sentences right next to them so you know what they say.
Second author's notes : These bonus scenes were written by me after discovering the full story my friends gifted me.
At the Candlelight
Bonus : An eventful evening
The moon was already high in the sky when Marina had finished working on her writing projects. Between an advent calendar she was making for Emma with Constance, another one with Emma for Constance, her own projects, her articles, her writing committee, her plate had been full and her day dedicated to her keyboard. She adored it, though she did take breaks between typing, for the sake of her mind and to prevent headaches. Her chocolate milk mug was empty as she was putting in the last dot, ready to send her english copy on Grammarly for correction. She looked at the time. Only six in the afternoon but winter was coming, so it felt way later. Her eyes then landed on a framed picture of herself and Sean, back when he took her to London again, to see Eugene in another play, where the couple met with the actor. Eugene had joked about having a twin, not knowing he secretly caused some pain to the man who actually was his great grand-uncle. The angel had been away for a few days. She was used to his disappearances by now, knowing full well that it was part of the drill. And knowing he couldn't be injured that easily, that he could not get sick, helped. Also, Sean loved his job. He was still so grateful to have been offered a second life as an angel! To be able to fight to save people in danger, in need, as Rachel had once been, was fulfilling. He rarely spoke of her though and Marina didn't feel like bringing her up. All she knew was that he had loved her and saved her from a terrible fate. That speaking of her actually hurt her boyfriend. So, she didn't bring it up. She wasn't jealous of Rachel either. How ridiculous it would have been to be jealous of a ghost, of someone she had never met, just because she had Sean first. He had a life before her, just like everyone else. She heard a familiar flapping of wings and her heart burst with joy. Jumping from her chair, she was ready to run to her angel but a noise made her freeze instantly. Several noises actually:
Objects dropped, someone falling, someone hushing, moans of pain.
Steadying her hand, she grabbed the angel blade Sean had left her. After much bargaining with whoever was upstairs and in charge of this, he had procured her the only weapon capable of hurting angels as well as demons, in case someone went after her.
If there's something strange
In your neighbourhood
Who you gonna call?
Ghostbusters!
If there's something weird
And it don't look good
Who you gonna call?
Ghostbusters!I ain't 'fraid of no ghost
I ain't 'fraid of no ghost
She walked carefully in the dark, her heartbeat resounding in her ears, her breath barely existing. Whoever was holding Sean hostage would pay for it! Soon, in the shadows, three forms slowly started to appear, one very tall and all three familiar. Of course, there was Sean. She recognized his wings. But the two others, she couldn't quite put her finger on them. She still advanced carefully, silently, as if she had been one with the house she lived in. She arrived behind the shorter man and pointed the end of her weapon on his back, not pushing enough to kill him but still enough for him to feel it.
"Release my man and leave with no fuss or I'll stick your comrade with the pointy end!" She growled
The man she was having leverage on chuckled.
"Marina?" The other figure asked
All of her worries and stress dropped, melting down to her feet, leaving her with an unpleasant feeling of stupidity.
"Sam? Dean?" She asked
She found the nearby lamp's switch and turned it on. The Winchester brothers stood there in all of their glory... And gory. Covered in blood and bruises, their clothes ripped in some parts, cuts on their skins, it was clear as day they were back from a hunt. And, standing up thanks to Sam holding him, his arm around the tall man's shoulder, Sean was livid, his face pale and pearls of sweat mixing with the discomfort he showed. The left side of his shirt was stained crimson and she could see, through the red stains, a deep injury, not deep enough to kill but deep enough to hurt like Hell. Her grip loosened and the angel blade fell on the floor with a loud sound.
My window's opened up
Tonight I'm crawling out
Will you be there are you waiting
Will you be there will you save me
You can save me
(Save me, save me) I know you can save me
So just, so just save me
Without you I'm blue
Hurry up and save me
Hurry up and save me
Hurry up and save me
Hurry up and save me
I just wanna feel alive
And I do when I'm with you
"Oh my God!" She exclaimed as she immediately rushed to her man, taking him by the other arm and helping her friend to sit him on the sofa.
The brothers helped her in setting him in a position in which he didn't suffer as much.
"I'm so sorry!" She apologized to them. "I had recognized Sean's wings but..."
"Can't blame you for being careful." Dean winked at her. "Glad to see Lucky Charms left you with protection."
"Actually, we should be the ones apologizing." Sam added. "Sean got hurt because of us. He asked us to help him get here because this place is apparently safe?"
"Yeah." Marina confirmed. "When we moved, Sean had the place protected by angel spells, charms, whatever you can think of. Castiel added some more, for good measures. I was also given the blade, in case a demon attacked me when Sean was away."
"Good thinking." The younger Winchester approved
Marina gently smiled at her angel, touching his hand, before she got her feet, as she had knelt to examine the injury. Her composure actually impressed the brothers. Marina was a civilian, had never been really involved in a hunt before. The Allerdale adventure was a particular thing where she hadn't seen much blood if she had seen any in the first place. And Death hadn't been permanent. The man she loved was laying there in front of her, in agonizing pain, bleeding and still, she managed to keep her head cool. She was clearly shaken but she was still standing strong, her mind thinking straight. And that, for someone who wasn't used to hunting, was admirable. Even hunters sometimes got panicked.
"Okay..." She said more for herself. "I know how to use a needle but never stitched flesh before... Guess there's a first for everything."
"I don't need stitches." Sean weakly stated
"I'm not leaving you to bleed to your death!" She argued
"I know you wouldn't but stitches wouldn't work." He explained. "Human medicine doesn't have any effect on angels. All you'd do would be wasting your disinfectant and your time."
"But..."
"Angels heal themselves, either by using their powers or by letting time do it. By tomorrow, I might be sore but the wound will have closed by itself."
"So, I'm supposed to just leave you to suffer? There's really nothing? Not even a pain killer?"
He shook his head, smiling at her softly despite his pain. She sighed, clearly not okay with the statement but not putting up a fight.
Pain! You made me a, you made me a believer, believer
Pain! You break me down and build me up, believer, believer
Pain! Oh, let the bullets fly, oh, let them rain
My life, my love, my drive, it came from...
Pain! You made me a, you made me a believer, believer
Last things last
By the grace of the fire and the flames
You're the face of the future, the blood in my veins, oh-ooh
The blood in my veins, oh-ooh
"Still gonna fetch the first aid kit."
"Why?"
"Because Sam and Dean might need it."
Dean smirked at Sean while Marina went to the bathroom.
"Wow, who would have thought? You are dating a she-wolf."
"Marina isn't a werewolf." The angel retorted, confused, only making Dean laugh harder
There's a she-wolf in the closet Open up and set it free, ah-ooh! There's a she-wolf in the closet Let it out so it can breathe
S.O.S she's in disguise S.O.S she's in disguise There's a she-wolf in disguise Coming out, coming out, coming out
The young woman returned quickly and sat as the brothers started to patch themselves up. And even if he had stated she couldn't do anything, she had still put a blanket on Sean, so he would not be cold. If he could feel cold, actually. Deep down, she knew it was more for herself, especially when it was clear Dean and Sam didn't need her help either.
"So, what happened?" She asked
"We were on a lead to stop a shapeshifter but the son of a bitch had teamed up with vampires." Dean started
"At some point, Dean and I were cornered and we called Cas for help. But Sean appeared instead." Sam added. "In the heat of the battle, he got disarmed and stabbed, protecting both of us."
"Not my finest moment..." Sean tried to joke
"Well, truth be told, Lucky Charms, I have to admit you do know how to kick some teeth!" The older Winchester complimented him.
"I was a veteran back when I was human."
"We're terribly sorry, Marina." Sam told his friend. "Sean got hurt because we were careless."
She shook her head, smiling kindly.
"It's not your fault. That's the perks of the job. I'm just glad no one died..."
She briefly looked at her clock before turning her attention back on the boys.
"Why don't you stay the night?" She offered. "I'm sure you could use some rest and I'd be happy to have you for dinner."
"Are you sure?" Sam asked
"Yep, I am! I can have something delivered or even drive to fetch something. Also, if you want to call Bobby, I finally have a phone and a contract that allow me to phone internationally."
"Not gonna lie, we deserve a break." Dean admitted. "Thanks Marina, that's super nice of you."
"You're welcome!"
Suddenly, an idea popped in her head.
"Even better!" She exclaimed. "I'm gonna phone Emma and ask her over, so you two can enjoy some time together."
The hunter beamed.
"You're the best!" He smiled
Sam had left Bobby a message resuming the whole situation. The old hunter was just glad everyone was safe. Emma had been over the moon to know Dean was in France.
"You're the best, Marina! It's been so long!" She had cheered
Hanging up, she turned to her guests.
"Constance and Thomas will be there too. They were visiting Emma's new place. Hope you don't mind."
"Not one bit! Actually, I have to say I missed Tommy." Dean said. "His radio intermissions were hilarious."
I heard you on the wireless back in fifty-two Lying awake intent at tuning in on you If I was young it didn't stop you coming through Oh, a, oh
They took the credit for your second symphony
Rewritten by machine on new technology
And now I understand the problems you can see
Oh, a, oh
I met your children
Oh a oh
What did you tell them?
Video killed the radio star
Video killed the radio star
Pictures came and broke your heart
Oh, a, a, a, oh
A sharp sound of wings flapping echoed in the living room. Marina knew who it was, not even needing to turn around. She got up from her chair to greet her new arrival. Castiel stood there, his face painted with guilt, even more when his eyes landed on Sean. The irishman claimed the injury didn't sting as much but Marina wondered if he wasn't lying to make her feel better.
"Cas!" Dean exclaimed. "Where were you?"
"It's still a mess up there, Dean. I couldn't leave. But I heard how desperate you were. I asked Sean to go instead." The angel explained
"The good it did!" The hunter argued. "Don't get me wrong, Lucky Charms' presence saved the day, and us. He's a good fighter and doesn't have to blush about his bravery. But you said it yourself, Sean's a baby angel, he's still a rookie!"
He briefly turned to his comrade, adding "no offence" for good measure.
"The situation was desperate, Dean." Castiel defended himself. "I wanted to come, I did, but I couldn't. Hence why I asked Sean to go, because I couldn't leave you to fend for yourselves either. As much as I'd want to, I cannot answer every call myself."
There's a reckoning coming And it burns beyond the grave With lead inside my belly, 'Cause my soul has lost its way
Oh, Lazarus, how did your debts get paid?
Oh, Lazarus, were you so afraid?
When the fires, when the fires have surrounded you,
With the hounds of hell comin' after you
I've got blood
I've got blood on my name
When the fires, when the fires are consuming you,
And your sacred stars won't be guiding you,
I've got blood
I've got blood, blood on my name
Not a spell gonna be broken
With a potion or a priest
When you're cursed you're always hopin'
That a prophet would be grieved
Oh, Lazarus, how did your debts get paid?
Oh, Lazarus, were you so afraid?
Can't you see I'm sorry?
I will make it worth your while
I'm made of dead man's money
You can see it in my smile
Oh, Lazarus, how did your debts get paid?
Oh, Lazarus, were you so afraid?
When the fires, when the fires have surrounded you,
And the whole wide world's comin' after you.
I've got blood
I've got blood on my name.
When the fires, when the fires are consuming you,
And your sacred stars won't be guiding you,
I've got blood
I've got blood, blood on my name.
He turned to Sean, his shame visible. He really felt bad about the whole ordeal.
"I'm so sorry about this, Brother." He told him
"Don't be. No one could have prevented this." Sean appeased him
"I'll look at your wound."
Marina watched as Castiel examined Sean.
"Is there anything I can help you with?" She offered the angel
"No. Human medicine or techniques aren't effective on angels. However, I thank you for your offer of assistance." He replied
She nodded and turned to go into the kitchen, pretending to tidy the place a bit. She could see Castiel's magic working and her lover's face softening, pain leaving him slowly.
Sometimes I feel like a failure
Or am I just fed up
Sometimes it just seems useless
Or am I that fucked up
I feel hopeless
I shut down
"Wow, you have The Big Bang Theory?" Dean commented from afar. "That shit's old!"
"I have other series." She answered. "Look in the cupboard. Sam and you can pick whatever you like and use the DVD player. Make yourselves at home!"
"Dr Quinn?" He added
"Constance's DVDs, she lent them to me."
"Okay, so Game of Thrones, classic. Borgia, Versailles, Downton Abbey, Once Upon A Time... And lots of Eugene Simon movies."
While Dean was happily checking the movies and series, Sam noticed a change in Marina's posture. He could only see her back but her shoulders had dropped. He got up, leaving his brother commenting on everything and the angels at their magic.
"Hey." He softly said as he joined her. "You okay?"
"Yeah." The french woman replied, her voice shaking more than she wanted to.
"What is it? You can tell me, I'm not one to judge." He gently pressed on
She quickly glanced at Sean and Sam could see that, despite the smile she tried to put on for his sake, she was fighting hard to not cry in front of everyone. Her lips were trembling and her eyes shiny.
"I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to have a more serious relationship with Sean." She started, her voice barely higher than a whisper as if she was ashamed of confessing this.
"But it's still scary." He added, "It's natural to feel this way, you love him."
"I thought I was tough enough. In my mind, being an angel's wife in all but name was like being a soldier's wife. And I also know that angels are hard to kill. To injure. They can't get sick either. When he left, he always came back in one piece, unarmed, maybe down or mentally tired, but..."
"Never injured."
She nodded.
"Of course, I know angels can be killed or injured. But, I thought... That this only happened to others. Silly old me. Silly old human." She tried to joke. "So, to see him coming home, bleeding, hurt, in pain..."
I was just an only child of the universe
And then I found you
And then I found you
You are the sun and I am just the planets
Spinning around you
Spinning around you
You were too good to be true
Gold plated
But what's inside you
But what's inside you
I know this whole damn city thinks it needs you
But not as much as I do
As much as I do, yeah
'Cause you're the last of a dying breed
Write our names in the wet concrete
I wonder if your therapist knows everything about me
I'm here in search of your glory
There's been a million before me
That ultra-kind of love
You never walk away from
You're just the last of the real ones
She was unable to finish her sentence, taking a small breath before continuing.
"The worst part is..." She kept going, her voice shaking at this point. "The worst part is that I am basically useless. The man I love is standing there, in pain, wounded, and I can't do anything. There's nothing I can do to even ease him somewhat. I'm just here, looking at him and waiting for his injury to go away. What kind of partner can't help his significant other when they have a brush with death?"
Time goes by so slowly for those who wait
No time to hesitate
Those who run seem to have all the fun
I'm caught up
I don't know what to do
Time goes by so slowly
Time goes by so slowly
Time goes by so slowly
I don't know what to do
She laughed bitterly.
"I'm not even a good friend. I didn't recognize you and can't do much either. Just staying there and wait until it passes."
"What on Earth are you talking about?" Sam asked her "You are an amazing friend and girlfriend!"
"I'm a girlfriend who can't do anything else but leave her friends and boyfriend to bleed and patch themselves up."
He put a warm hand on her shoulder.
"You do far more for Sean than you realize." He argued. "Thanks to you, he knows that, while he did love someone before, it wasn't the true love he thought it was. Thanks to you, he has a home to return to, someone who loves him entirely, to whom he can talk to or confide in. When he's with you, he can forget about all of the horrors he sees whenever he's on call, being himself, with no fear of rejection. And while you can't heal him because he's an angel and angels don't heal the way we do, he still has a place to return to, where he can rest while being protected and cared for. What you do for Sean is absolutely vital for him. You're his safe haven. And, as for Dean and I, you do underestimate what you do as well. Thanks to you, I slowly learn French, which came in handy sometimes during a case. And, just look at us tonight: we arrive here, uninvited and what do you do? You provide us with shelter, medicine, food and you even made sure Dean could see his sweetheart. If this is being a bad friend, I wish everyone had bad friends like you."
Marina's head dropped, her eyes fixing her feet and Sam saw her body starting to shake. He carefully hugged her and he could feel her tears, even if she tried her best to remain silent.
So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your job's a joke, you're broke
Your love life's DOA
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month
Or even your year, but
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
"Is there something wrong?' Dean worried as soon as he saw them.
"It's nothing." The young woman replied
"Marina is just shaken up by everything." Sam tried to say, but Dean was having none of it.
His brother sighed.
"Sammy?" His sibling insisted
"Marina just felt down. You know, with Sean being hurt, the fact that she can't help him with his wounds, and also ours?"
The hunter looked at the girl, clearly upset for her.
"Don't you think for one minute that you aren't helping Lucky Charms and us right now." He said in a somewhat bossy, serious but also kind tone. "You letting us stay here, in a house protected by angelic powers while we rest is a huge deal. And come on, thanks to you, I'm gonna see my girl!"
"See?" Sam smiled at her. "Just being here is enough."
We're living different lives
Heaven only knows
If we'll make it back With all our fingers and our toes
5 years, 20 years, come back
It will always be the same
If I was dying on my knees
You would be the one to rescue me
And if you were drowned at sea
I would give you my lungs so you could breathe
I've got you brother-er-er-er
I've got you brother-er-er-er
And if we hit on troubled water
I'll be the one to keep you warm and safe
And we'll be carrying each other
Until we say goodbye on our dying day
Because I've got you brother-er-er-er
I've got you brother-er-er-er
I've got you brother-er-er-er
I've got you brother-er-er-er
The doorbell rang and Marina immediately recognized Emma's style. Dean's eyes lit up and one nod from the mistress of the house and he ran to open the door. Emma threw herself in her boyfriend's arms and Dean was just too happy to catch her, lifting her up and twirling at the same time. Her best friend's happy laughter finally lift Marina's spirits up.
"Marina, could I have a word?" Castiel asked as he walked to her.
Sam excused himself and went to greet the sisters and Thomas. The angel looked at her soon-to-be sister-in-law, or so he assumed, clearly uneasy.
"Sean's wound is healed." He announced. "It's still a bit sore but by tomorrow night, it'll be as good as new."
"Thank you, Castiel."
"I'm sorry." He apologized to her and she could feel he meant every word. "I should have been the one fighting alongside Sam and Dean. Sean got hurt because of my lack of judgement."
He was surprised to see her smile, though it was crooked, and no signs of hatred or malice in her eyes.
"It isn't your fault, Castiel. You said it, you were needed in both places and tried to solve the problem the best you could. If you had been there instead of Sean, maybe you would have gotten hurt. If no one went to them, maybe we'd be mourning one of them right now. You did what you thought was right. And you came all the way here to check on them three."
Seal my heart and break my pride
I've nowhere to stand and now nowhere to hide
Align my heart, my body, my mind
To face what I've done and do my time
He seemed slightly relieved. The voices of the visitors came closer and Emma rushed to kiss her friend's cheeks.
"You've been crying!" She immediately noticed and got upset. "Who made you cry? I swear, whoever he is, he's in deep deep trouble!"
"Then, beat me, I made myself cry." Marina joked
"Are you really okay?" Thomas worried.
"You can tell us." Constance chipped in
"I was just a bit scared with the whole hunt thing. But Sean's better now, so it's fine."
Marina's eyes met Sam's and a small nod from him was enough for her to know he wouldn't sell her out.
"So, what are we eating?" Dean asked excitedly.
"Well, I know you love burgers and we have a McDonald's and a Burger King nearby." The young woman offered
"Food in cardboard." Thomas winced
"You like pizza." Constance gently berated her husband
"I like pizza when we make them ourselves."
"There are salads in the McCafé if you don't want burgers but they still come in cardboard." Sean tried, limping away from the sofa to the crowd.
He pressed Marina against him. His hand was cold but his skin soft to the touch.
"Or, I can cook something." She said
"Pasta guacamole?" Her lover asked her with the excitement of a child
"Pasta guacamole?" Dean repeated, amused
"Pasta with guacamole sauce and bacon." The mistress of the house explained. "I tend to add chorizo too. Doesn't look like much but it's still good. Emma taught me the recipe."
"Which I saw on Facebook." Her friend added
We will fry up all the bacon!
Just the real stuff, I ain't fakin!
There is nothing we can't sample!
Nuggets or some fries, we will eat them all!
I like food cos it is yummy
Even if its slightly soggy
When fried up on the grill,
All we need do's get first dibs!I like food cos it is yummy
I will put this in my tummy
We can have all the rice
All we have to do is Go! Go! Grab a bowl!
Everyone seemed keen on the idea but Sam wondered if there was enough to make the dish for such a large number of people. Marina laughed, stating her house could be a pantry. She turned to Castiel, who looked withdrawn from everyone.
"Will you stay with us for dinner tonight?" She kindly requested. "After dinner, we could all watch a series, a movie or even make a game night. I have some board games around."
"You... You want me to stay?" The angel inquired, puzzled
"I want my brother-in-law with us, yes." She confirmed
"Should we get Bobby?" Sean wondered. "I could fetch him."
He felt bad knowing the hunter was all alone in his house while they all celebrated and had fun. Castiel disappeared only to reappear a second later with the man.
"Next time, do tell me where we go before we go!" Bobby pretended to complain before hugging his boys
The night found them all sitting around in the living room, enjoying food, laughing at jokes, tightening friendships and romances.
They all looked like one big, mismatched but harmonious, family.
The End