Christ, I am so so sorry for the wait and that this is so short. I'm really crappy with my updates, aren't I? I'm sorry I suck. But here you go. I have more of an idea of where I'm going with this now so let's hope the next update will be in a matter of days / weeks rather than months. Again, I am profusely sorry.


The rabbit is pliant under his sure hands. He kneads the split flesh, drawing more blood from the incision the blade created. A feral grin spreads across his chapped lips and he throws it on the snow next to the weak fire.

I love you, Dean

Dean's eyes grow wide and he staggers back, clutching his head. He desperately tries to shake his brother's scratchy words from his mind. The rabbit's skin squelches as he picks it up with a deadly tight grip.

You did this to him!

A strangled noise is unleashed from Dean's throat at the sound of his father.

'I didn't,' he growls.

Is he imagining his father's laughter?

'I didn't!' he repeats, throwing the rabbit into the fire and stabbing it with a sharp stick. The skin bubbles and Dean snatches it back, throwing it onto the snow to cool it down some. It's not properly cooked but he shoves it in his mouth anyway, feeling ravenous. He devourers his kill in record timing and is left completely unsatisfied.

He curses his father for still having that effect on him even after death and even in the middle of the forest.

'Hello, Dean.'

The hunter jumps, off-guard and emotion ridden. He turns quickly and faces the voice's source.

'What are you doing here?' he demands, feigning courage.

The other man shrugs and edges closer. 'You're intriguing. And I knew you wouldn't be anywhere else.'

'That s-sounds sorta creepy,' Dean croaks, looking down.

'You're a man living in the woods,' Castiel says in a deadpan tone. Dean smirks at the man and shuffles on his feet nervously, a complete contrast to his actions only moments prior.

'I would offer you f-food but-'

'-You just ate,' Castiel finishes for him, his eyes boring into Dean's. 'Yeah, I saw. That was pretty impressive, I gotta say.'

'Eating?'

'Killing. I've been watching you for a while, Dean.'

Dean frowns. 'Again, creepy.'

Castiel simply smiles and bows his head. Dean's eyes focus on Castiel's chapped lips, confused as to why he's smiling.

'Show me how.'

And this throws Dean off completely. 'Huh?' he responds dumbly.

'Show me how you do that so easily. Kill.'

Dean gulps loudly and frowns at the bones of the rabbit in front of him. 'Why?'

Castiel shrugs again and inches closer. 'You're fascinating.'

'What? I'm not- not some goddamn project,' Dean spits, suddenly angry with the other man.

'Aren't you?' Castiel asks, seeming genuinely confused.

And for the second time in as many days, Dean runs away from the hiker.