A/N: Some pov shifts gonna happen soon :) Also, small cameo from last year's advent – because Sulky asked for it :P
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Advent - December 4th
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Dean's practising with his new powers.
They worked it out. Eventually. After Sam had run any and every test he could think of to differentiate between the two choices.
Apparently he has telekinesis. Like Sam.
He wonders if it's a Winchester trait: When infected by something supernatural, every Winchester will develop mind powers and the ability to move stuff.
As only he and Sam are left, he doesn't know if he'll ever get to test that theory.
So far, Dean has only ever experienced floating coffee spontaneously. He had to think long and hard to try and pull the information Ash gave him to work out how to use his power. Because, if it was just a matter of thinking about it, all sorts of weird and vaguely embarrassing things would likely turn up around him.
Dean's pretty glad that he can't just magic things into existence.
Yet.
Although that could be entirely possible in the future, because he's read through his colourised guide and most of the other dark hunters in the directory have two, or sometimes even three, powers to them.
Dean hopes that this isn't the case with him. He's still trying to wrap his head around spontaneous telekinesis. Though, to be fair, Sam probably took it better than he did when Sam developed his powers.
For example, Dean knew there was a possibility that he was going to get some sort of supernatural boost. In his world, you don't just sell your soul without expecting some sort of power boost. Even if you don't want it. Sam, however, had no warning about what was going to happen and yet he still convinced Dean and they rode off to save lives.
Sam did not scream and deny everything in disbelief.
Though, to be fair, Sam's head wasn't assaulted by a floating coffee mug.
Dean also flicked through the list of powers that dark hunters are bestowed with. Apparently the info-dump Ash shoved in his head reacts better with some sort of visual prompting as he managed to pull up all sorts of information. Ash downloaded the instructions for a whole bunch of different powers that Dean's pretty sure he doesn't have. For example, he's never set anything on fire.
Without a flamethrower.
Or a can of aerosol and a lighter.
Or, you know, a flare. But that Wendigo totally deserved it and Dean insists that it was a work of creative genius.
But then again, it's not out of the realm of possibility and Dean's guarded about what he might do by accident.
Case in point. While it was amusing – to Sam – that the telekinesis only helped him with his morning cup of Joe, he doesn't want to step into the shower and try to turn the water cooler and accidentally end up freezing the place in ice.
That can happen. He's got the memories of it.
Or he doesn't want to accidentally animate his bed. Imagine his bed talking to him!
Or even worse – the toilet.
Dean shivers just thinking about it.
Besides, the telekinesis is enough for him. He's been practising as well.
After Dean learnt that Sam had made hidden back-up copies of the back-up copies of the coffee mug incident, Dean took to moving Sam's stuff around when he wasn't paying attention. It's all practise anyway, right?
Besides, Dean argues, a hunter should always be prepared and aware of the environment around him. If that includes Dean switching the salt and sugar around then so be it.
Sam does not find this amusing.
Dean suspects that the video is now on the internet.
Sam had also begun to get pissy about not knowing how to control his telekinesis as well as Dean, so Dean is teaching Sam to control his powers. It's easy now that he knows the steps that are needed to refine the thing.
For example, he now knows that the way Sam had been going about it was like taking a sledgehammer to a piece of glass, or a Winchester in a mirror shop. He also knows how to block unwanted visions too, which caused Sam to spontaneously hug him in a chick-flick moment of epic proportions.
Dean had to hide in the Impala for two hours once that was over.
And by hide he means fix.
The upside is is that Sam is happier now, and there are a lot less nightmares to deal with, which Dean is grateful for, really.
The downside is whenever Dean decides to practise by moving Sam's books around, Sam can now retaliate.
This is making the prank war more interesting, but very frustrating. Dean thinks he should win by default because Sam's his squire. Sam called him a clotpole.
Dean doesn't know what that means, or where Sam got it from, but he knows it was worth the dye in Sam's toothpaste.
Dean has wondered why Ash hasn't come along to train him. He got the impression that this was the normal thing for new dark hunters.
But then he remembers Sam and Sam's man-crush and Ash's reluctance to appear in their rooms suddenly makes a lot more sense. Dean would laugh, but it's led to the whole floating coffee mug thing and that shit just isn't cool.
Also, there's also the worry that Sam's stalking is going to get him in trouble.
He doesn't really care though, Sam's been a lot happier now that he's learning the secrets of the ancient world or something nerdy like that. And Ash is still picking up his calls, so he mustn't be that annoyed.
Right?
Unless he's saving up his annoyance for one big payback.
Nah.
Eventually, though, everything comes to a head.
Dean's been pretty much trapped in the apartment for a month now. The first few weeks were to get used to the whole dark hunter thing and waiting for his powers and then getting control over his powers.
When he does leave the apartment, it's mostly to go and take care of the Impala that is sitting in the parking garage of the building where they're living.
He's only ever gone further out a few times, but only to the local shops to pick up pranking materials. Sam has, strangely, been very overprotective of him lately and has been acting like a squire. Or a slave.
It's really starting to annoy Dean.
Dean breaks the third time Sam tries to foist pie onto him.
Dean likes pie, don't get him wrong, but three slices in an hour and it's taking the fun out of it. Dean is starting to become sick of pie and he never wants to get sick of pie.
"That's it." Dean says, slamming his fork on the table. "No more pie."
Sam immediately starts to chant an exorcism under his breath and Dean has to slap him.
Sam rubs his arm looking wounded. "What?" he asks.
"No more pie." Dean repeats. "No more of…" he makes a gesture that encompasses Sam and the rest of the kitchen, "…this." He finishes lamely. "I can't take it anymore Sam. I need to get out."
Sam looks towards the windows that have thick metal shutters on them. Apparently they're state of the art hurricane shutters of some kind. Dean thinks that their neighbours secretly think they're freaks. Or extremely paranoid about the weather. Or gay.
He doesn't know what that last one has to do with it but he's pretty sure he knows it's true. There's a little old lady that lives on the floor below them that keeps winking at Dean whenever she sees him and Sam together.
He wants to point out that they're brothers but the first and only time he tried to correct her she giggled and told him that it was okay because all the apartments here are completely soundproof and that she can't even hear them walking around, so they can be as loud as they want.
Dean was so unbelievably creeped out that he had left to bury himself in the Impala without correcting her mistaken belief.
He's dreading the day he wakes up to find gay skin mags or condoms or lube in their post box.
He's also dreading trying to explain it all to Sam.
Sam turns back to Dean. "I don't-"
"Sam," Dean says, trying to keep irritation out of his voice. He succeeds but he still sounds exasperated, "It's only just turned dark. We've got a few hours left before I flambé."
The joke doesn't go down well and, okay, maybe the whole catching alight thing really spooked Sam more than Dean has thought. Dean hesitates as he pulls on his jacket.
"Sammy," he says, slower this time. "Nothing's going to happen. We're just going to go out, find a bar, get some beer and play a little pool if they have any. Okay?"
"Yeah, Dean." Sam says, but he's still looking a little worried.
Dean holds back a sigh. Then brightens as he remembers something he read in the companion guide – practically the only section he read all the way through and can actually remember anyway. "Hey, isn't there some bars mentioned in the book Ash gave you."
Because, really, there's no way Dean's ever going to claim the handbook now.
Sam brightens too, and Dean can practically see the wheels turning in his head. "Yeah," he says, "that'll be great. It's a sanctuary so there's no way you'll be attacked."
Sam turns to the bedroom and gets his own coat and wallet and, for some reason, his laptop.
Dean rolls his eyes. He shouldn't be surprised, he really shouldn't. And he should probably have words with Sam about this sudden fear that Dean is going to get attacked and die. The Lady – Artemis – had told him that he was now immortal and, yeah, okay, he doesn't have any proof of that apart from the rapid healing, but he's pretty sure his definition of immortal and a goddess' definition of immortal were the same thing.
Maybe Sam's read something in the handbook guide that given a loophole to the whole immortality deal? Like Achilles and his heel.
And yeah, Dean only knows that because of the movie Troy. But he figured he needed to brush up on his Greek knowledge what with apparently selling his soul to Artemis.
If there is he should probably read the book to know. Or get Sam to paraphrase it for him because God, whoever wrote it made the thing dull. He's falling asleep just thinking about it.
"Lead on." He says, motioning for Sam to take the lead because Dean has absolutely no clue where they're going.
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Dean can feel the music pounding from two streets away. He speeds up a little, ignoring Sam's grin. There's also a weird energy signature coming from the building, like a crackling static that's hard to ignore.
It's not until he gets to the front door that he realises that the static is coming from people.
The bouncer is blond and huge. Sam huge. Dean has to tilt his head until his neck cracks to look him in the eye.
He is not amused.
First Sam, then Ash and now this guy. Is he going to be forever surrounded by rejects from the land of giants?
The bouncer glances at them both, and then his eyes zero in on Dean's bow and arrow mark proudly standing out above his collar. Proudly only because Dean hasn't been able to find anything to cover it and he is not ever going to wear a turtleneck sweater unless he actually gets dragged down into hell.
The guy bares his teeth and Dean's hand twitches for his gun. This guy isn't human, and yeah, while that wouldn't be a deciding factor, he's also radiating anger and irritation. Dean would feel a lot better if he had some sort of weapon in his hand because no way is he going to test his new immortality against this guy.
Blondie puts his hand out to bar Dean's entry and that's when Dean notices the bow and arrow mark on blondies arm. Blondie lets out a small growl and Dean can't see, but he can feel Sam stiffen behind him.
"You new here, dark hunter?" he asks, and Dean is only slightly taken aback by the fact that the guy will just come out and say it.
"Yeah," Dean says. And, okay, maybe he could be less confrontational but come on. Dean hates these types of assholes. The ones that think they can push people around because they're bigger or stronger or know they're more powerful.
It pisses him off even more when it's something supernatural doing it to a human. Especially if said supernatural creature is doing it to his brother and if blondie doesn't stop looking at Sammy like that Dean's gonna teach him how he single handedly took out a nest of vamps in Washington without breaking a sweat.
Dean shifts in front of Sam. It doesn't hide him but it does draw the bouncer's attention to him again.
"You gonna let us in anytime, blondie?"
The bouncer grits his teeth.
"Some rules first." He says, "No magic. No weapons. No fighting. No blood spilt. You follow those rules and we'll have no problems."
Dean smiles winningly. It's the smile he gives all assholes when they've pissed him off and he's trying not to punch someone in the face.
Doesn't happen that often. Usually he just punches them in the face.
"All I want is some beer, some meat and maybe to play a little pool. If you've got one out of three then I think we'll be fine."
Who said Dean had no social skills.
Blondie looks really reluctant, but because Dean hasn't actually done anything and there's another group that's come up behind them and is waiting to enter too, he drops his arm and allows Dean and Sam through the door.
The place is loud, hot and filled with a crush of bodies.
Dean loves it.
He scans the place for a free table and sees one over in the far corner. Sam sees it too and heads over to it to set up his laptop while Dean goes and orders drinks.
When Dean gets back Sam is already set up and hacked in to some wireless or other and searching the internet for whatever he needs to search for.
As they don't have a hunt right now, Dean suspects that it's something to do with some ancient temple in a dead society that he wants to talk to Ash about.
Dean should probably see about rationing his phone time. Ash might actually come and visit then.
Or maybe not.
Dean plonks Sam's drink next to him and takes a sip of his own, studying the people.
There's a strange mix. This place seems to be predominantly a biker bar with loads of guys and chicks in leather listening to the music, playing pool, eating and drinking. Then there's the slightly tamer crowd – the ones that are dressed conservatively, compared to the bikers. Dean guesses they're from the local universities – here slumming it for an evening.
There's two people who stick out. They're surrounded by a bunch of people but are at the centre of their group's attention. One of them, a guy with green hair, is talking animatedly to someone across the table. There's another guy who's wearing a wetsuit with his arm thrown around greenies shoulders.
Dean jerks a little when wetsuit guy turns to stare at him and Dean knows he shouldn't be able to tell from this distance but the guys eyes are purple.
Some instinct in Dean has him freezing and he doesn't even blink until greenie distracts purple-eyes with a well-timed question. Dean breathes a sigh of relief when purple-eyes turns his attention back to his partner.
Dean doesn't even care that purple-eyes is now wearing a smirk. Probably at Dean's expense. He's just glad he's not the focus of that guy's attention anymore.
Mental note. Do not piss off purple-eyes.
Or greenie either, going by the way purple-eyes has a casually possessive grip on him.
Dean turns back to Sam to find him still absorbed completely in his researching.
"I'm going to play pool." He says, even though he knows Sam probably isn't listening.
Sam grunts at him and Dean rolls his eyes, grabbing his drink and heading over to the group of bikers to see if he can hustle up any money.
Hey, old habits die hard.
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Sam is totally and completely caught up in researching all he can on Aztecs – specifically the weird breed of Wendigo that's been mentioned in a few places here and there – to ask Ash about, that he doesn't notice that someone has slid into the seat opposite him until they clear their throat.
He thinks its Dean for a moment until his brain catches up with him and informs him that Dean has never had that high a pitched voice. Well, if you discount the mug incident.
His glance up confirms that it's not Dean but a very pretty brunette with a very tight t-shirt on.
"Uh." He says, completely unprepared.
The girl smiles at him and leans forward. Sam's eyes resolutely stay on her face because, unlike Dean, Sam is a gentleman.
The girl seems a little put out at first that her tactic didn't work but then smiles again, this time a little more openly and it makes her seem all the more pretty.
"Hey there." She says.
"Hi." Sam replies, tilting the screen down a little so there's even less of a chance that she'll see what he's been researching.
"I'm Sandy," she says.
"Sam."
Sandy flutters her eyes at him and trails her fingers across the back of Sam's laptop, "you a college student?" she asks, "Don't you want to listen to the music?"
Sam blinks and it's only then that he notices that there's a live band playing on a stage at the far side of the room. "Uh…"
Sandy lets out a delighted laugh "Wow," she sounds impressed, "that must be one hell of a paper."
"It is," Sam agrees and then flushes, "but I'm not a student."
Sandy looks more interested, "A professor?"
Sam grimaces, he doesn't want to lie because now that she's not trying to shove her breasts into his face she actually seems interested in his answer. But he has no answer.
"Not quite…" he trails off.
"A researcher then?" she tilts her head to the side and Sam smiles.
"Yeah."
"Cool. Hey, I was wondering, do you want to dance before they bring out the bear?"
Sam has no idea what she means but he can't just leave his laptop unattended and Dean is nowhere in sight.
"Uh, sorry, I'm kinda…caught up with this stuff…" It's weak and he knows it.
Sandy looks genuinely upset but she smiles a little ruefully and stands, "I understand," she says and Sam watches with a little regret as she heads off to the dance floor where a tall blond guy charms his way into dancing with her with ease.
He's such a dork.
He has no idea why his inner voice sounded like Dean just there.
Sam sighs and rolls his eyes at himself. He takes a drink of the beer that Dean left him. It's warm now but Sam doesn't care and gets back to his research.
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Dean's having a good night. He's managed to win forty dollars playing pool and is quite happy with how the night's turned out. He's glad that he managed to convince Sam to come out, he really would have gone stir crazy.
He's also pretty sure that half the people in here and most of the staff are supernatural. There's a weird buzzing energy around them that sets Dean's teeth on edge if he gets too close.
He glances over to see Sam still researching and only having drunk half his glass. Dean would roll his eyes but he's pretty immune to this sort of thing from Sam. So instead, he heads over to the bar to get himself another drink.
The bartender is pretty and blonde and taller than him.
Again.
This time Dean really does sigh.
She glances over at him and her eyes catch on his bow and arrow mark, much in the same way as the bouncer. She smirks. "What d'ya want?"
Dean smiles and leans on the counter, "How about your number?"
Before she can answer a big, meaty paw comes crashing down on his shoulder. The sense of electricity pulses through Dean. It's a lot worse than just his teeth being set on edge, now it feels like every drop of blood has been electrified.
It's not a comfortable feeling.
Dean glances up to see the bouncer behind him.
But wait, no, this one doesn't have the tattoo on his arm and is wearing something completely different. Twins?
Dean thinks some girl is probably going to be very happy.
Blondies twin smiles at him, and there are way too many sharp teeth for that to be comforting.
"This guy bothering you, sis?"
Ah.
Dean just hit on the sister of a couple of very tall, very predatory and very supernatural guys.
She's probably the baby sister or the only girl in the family too.
Crap.