So sorry for the delay! I got a cold a few weeks back and that just wiped out my inspiration totally and I've been writing a few sentences a day to catch up but it wasn't working. Then the other night I finally got it done. Please enjoy!
"We need beer." Erin's eyes slowly opened and focused on Dean. He was sitting on the couch, elbows resting on parted legs, and chin resting on folded hands. He flashed a quick smile, feeling much better than the day before.
She sat up, obviously immediately regretting moving when the muscles that had stiffened overnight tightened in her back. He could relate but he wouldn't mention the spasms in his lower back. They were nothing in comparison to yesterday's events and he was thankful for the relief he had. "Good morning to you, too," she said with a grunt as she stood.
His smile widened and he watched her as she walked to the table. "We need beer."
"Yeah, I heard. Need is kind of a strong word though."
"Hey, this soft and cuddly exterior you see has an expiration date without it."
Erin glanced back at him, scoffing quietly but he saw her hidden smile. "I wondered how long it would last."
He shrugged, noting that there was no shot of pain from his neck. "What can I say, a man has needs." Shaking her head at him, she drank the remaining liquid in the water bottle and set it back on the table, looking at her watch. He did the same. He'd guessed by the growing sunlight outside that it was nearing 7 a.m. and the digital numbers confirmed it.
Dean had woken up before 6 but chose not to wake Erin. Instead he sat up and stretched carefully, working the muscles that had grown tense from the way he'd held his left arm yesterday. His back still felt warmer than the rest of his body but the burn too was healing properly.
Erin walked to the window and leaned against the frame, arms crossing. "It's beautiful," she said quietly as she took in the scene that lay before the cabin. He wasn't one for appreciating the beauty of land but he wouldn't disagree with her. The sun slid up and over the horizon of trees and the water reflected its rays with what looked like thousands of shimmering diamonds. "What kind?"
His eyes drifted from the lake to her. "What?"
"What kind of beer do you want?" She looked exhausted but determined not to show it, he noted when she turned to face him.
His lips curved. "Brown. Usually in liquid form."
Her eyes slowly rolled up. "Yeah. I figured as much."
"Doesn't matter what kind," he said with a smile, enjoying the teasing but deciding he should at least make an attempt to ignore the sarcasm that was on his tongue in place of every good reply.
Erin breathed a chuckle and pinched the bridge of her nose. "You're lucky I came, Dean. But you're even luckier that I'm coming back." She strode to the table, picked up her purse, and stopped at the front door. "I'm gonna go home and take a shower then grab some breakfast and beer. I'll be back in a few hours. Are you okay alone?"
"I really do wish I had a teddy bear or something to keep me company, but I think I'll be okay."
She stared at him, tongue pressing against her cheek. Dean kept himself from grinning at her frustration, silently berating himself for not following the one simple order he'd set for himself. She let out a long sigh and glanced away. "I'll be sure to pick one up with your Happy Meal."
He managed a quick 'thank you' before she closed the door behind her. Dean smiled, hearing her laugh when she thought she was out of earshot. A moment later, the sounds of a card door slamming and the motor turning over filled the small cabin. Dean waited until all sounds faded before he stood, tensely. His legs had regained some strength and he supported himself without wavering. He stretched his arms out in front of him and smiled at the lack of pain. Sure, his body was tight and far from fully healed, but he felt much better.
His right hand dragged over his face before moving to his hair and raking through and he winced. He hadn't showered in three days, having planned to shower yesterday after killing the monster, but that didn't quite go as planned. He glanced around the floorplan and sighed. Naturally, no shower.
Dean slowly walked to the door and pulled it open, closing his eyes at the fresh air and warm sunlight that greeted him. His body complained quietly as he moved down the steps and towards the outhouse, glancing at the lake as he did. A long dock made its way from the grassy beach well into the lake, probably to where it was deep enough to jump in.
The whole scene reminded him of where the boy in the water had been. The smells were similar too; pine and trees of all kinds giving off a mixture of scents, the unnameable aroma that came from the water when the sun met its reflection. He thought to his options for bathing and realized that the biggest source of water he had was right in front of him.
After using the outdoor facilities, Dean walked to the lake, a smile forming as he thought to how Erin would react if she returned and found him in the water. He glanced toward the path that led through the trees and disappeared around a bend. She did say she wouldn't be back for a few hours, he thought, smile growing. Besides, he was already halfway undressed.
He'd been cold overnight with the absence of his shirt but the sun and warm wind kept him comfortable now. Dean carefully kicked off his left boot and stepped on the front of his sock with his other boot, pulling his left foot out while keeping the sock in place. He stepped closer to the lake and placed the exposed skin into the liquid. There was almost no difference between the outdoor and water's temperature.
Dean quickly considered the impact water would have on his bandages as he released his other boot and sock in the same manner. The cloth bandage was waterproof and he'd showered with bandages on many times before. Immersion in a lake wouldn't be any different.
He tested how swimming would feel as he spread both arms out to his side and the stitched wound on his neck made little complaint. He winced a little when he felt the stitches stretch, but there was almost no pain.
Dean rarely swam for pleasure. The only times he would swim was generally to save someone who was drowning, if the situation demanded it. But something about the water now and his desire for a thorough wash called at him. With narrowed eyes and a sly smirk, he flicked the button of his jeans out of the loophole and shifted his weight from one foot to the other until they were low enough to kick off.
With a smile, he stepped into the water and kept walking until it was waist deep and then slowly lowered himself until the water was around his neck. He felt no liquid seeping through both bandages so he stood again and continued walking, his steps going deeper and deeper into the soft ground beneath. When it felt easier to swim than walk, Dean carefully paddled in the water, one arm in front of the other, slowly pulling himself further from shore. It felt good to be active. His body had stiffened in just one day of bare use and he didn't like the feeling.
He dipped his head beneath the cool liquid and came up with a measured breath. Water fell from his unkept hair and dripped over his shoulders when they rose as he swam. The burn gave the most annoyance with a few sharp stabs but they were minor in comparison to last night. He thought again to how well Erin had worked on him, especially under the circumstances.
Sam often mumbled about how crappy of a patient Dean was but Erin ignored his remarks or returned them with her own witty snaps. He enjoyed the exchanges and found himself enjoying her company - far beyond what he'd expected.
Dean slipped under the water again, allowing himself to sink instead of swimming forward and just taking in the feel of the water enveloping him like a blanket, surrounding him at every turn. But his lungs began to burn the longer he held his breath and he pushed up, dragging both hands over his hair when he emerged. He scrubbed absently at the wet spikes, reveling in the freshness he felt all over his body.
This was definitely needed.
But when he heard a noise towards the cabin, he swung his arms to turn himself and couldn't hide the grin that came with seeing Erin on the shoreline, arms crossed in front of her and a steel gaze he could almost feel.
"Come on in, the water's great," he called, his voice traveling over the placid water to her. He didn't quite understand the string of words that she spoke but he didn't have to. He got the idea.
Erin started on the dock towards him and he dunked his head beneath the water before she could speak. He did hear "You son of a bitch" just before he went under though.