Ahh this is so late, I'm so sorry! Real life got in the way and I was sick all weekend. Forgive me and hopefully you enjoy this next chapter!
August 6th, 2005
The idea of some normal, apple pie life was something that Dean Winchester had put in his rearview mirror before he'd been old enough to really understand what it even was he was writing off.
Growing up the way they had… sure, he'd had glimpses of what it could be, half-formed notions of what their life might have been like if it weren't their responsibility to hunt down every evil thing they could find. But at the end of the day, hunting was what kept him with his family, and family was in too short supply for Dean to gamble with.
So, he'd embraced the life. Sam may have aspired to something different… but Dean hadn't even been out of high school when he'd accepted his future for what it was. And if he was able to help some other poor bastard from having the same fate, from sharing the curse his family did? Then all the better… but hunting, and the life he and his family led, wasn't compatible with any semblance of normal.
It was a fact he'd never questioned. There had been times he hadn't liked it, but he'd always accepted it as true. Staying in one place was dangerous. Connections were weaknesses. Knowing him was a guaranteed target on someone's back – an easy way to get them killed. And if he were arrogant enough to think he could beat the odds? Have his cake and eat it too? Well, Cassie had been quick to set him straight there. Even when he'd found someone he was willing to take the risk on, letting her in on the secret had only made him seem certifiable.
Lorelai Baudelaire, however… she'd started turning his world upside down from damn near the moment he laid eyes on her, making him question things he never had before. And months later, she wasn't done.
Lorelai had always been a little different – in all fairness, Dean doubted she would have held his attention, or been interested in him, if she weren't – but this latest glimpse deeper into her life was still beyond what he could have imagined. He'd known she came from a big family, but it had sort of been this abstract thing. Seeing the Baudelaire-Russo clan up close and personal? He was still having trouble consolidating this part of Lorelai's life with the hunter he'd been… what? Dating? Working with?
Whatever the answer, the fact remained that he hadn't thought it was possible to have both – this semblance of normalcy, even if it wasn't all the time, and the lives he and Lorelai led.
"I'm so tired."
It was a little more than 24 hours after Dean had stepped into bizarro world, and he found himself trudging back to Lorelai's car from the beach with the woman herself and the two kids she'd told him about as early as that first date.
Julia, true to her word, looked exhausted, while Katie still seemed to have some energy left. Lorelai just laughed and ruffled the kid's hair as the Mustang drew nearer, obviously quite used to looking after her goddaughter.
"Hang in there, you can take a nap when we get back. We just gotta stop off for food."
"Can we watch a movie when we get back, before you guys go out?" Katie asked, and Lorelai caught Dean's eye in a silent question.
"Yeah, sure," he shrugged. "Just no chick flicks."
Katie snorted and passed Lorelai the bag with all their towels to go in the trunk.
"Please, look at the woman who raised me and tell me if you think I'd pick a chick flick."
Dean couldn't help but laugh while Lorelai grinned. Julia was busy pulling a dress over her bathing suit, visibly fading by the minute.
"Fair enough," he agreed. Lorelai closed the trunk and headed for the driver's door.
"There's a rental place next to the sandwich shop. Why don't you two pick something out while Jules and I grab lunch?"
It was a short drive, but Dean found himself sneaking glances at the woman next to him the whole way, even as he joined in on the banter between her and Katie, with Julia chiming in on occasion. Lorelai had the windows rolled down, making the stray hairs that had escaped her braid flutter around her face. The smile on her face was one he'd seen before, but there was something lighter about her here that Dean wasn't sure how to describe. Her laughter filled the space, even as Zeppelin poured from the speakers.
When they parked, Dean climbed out of the car and stretched. Lorelai caught his eye over the roof of the Mustang and he felt his heart do a funny little flip. The look she gave him was soft and genuine while she herded Julia towards the sandwich shop. Dean found himself following after Katie in the other direction seconds later.
"Come on," she was calling. "Gotta make sure your taste passes the test."
Inside the air conditioning was a welcome contrast to the summer heat outside, the rows upon rows of DVDs and even the occasional VHS tape bringing on a wave of nostalgia Dean hadn't expected, and it was with surprising ease that he fell into step with Katie. The kid may have only been Lorelai's half-sister, but the connection was undeniable, and if Lorelai's influence hadn't been clear already, Katie's movie choices certainly would have revealed it.
"We could do Lost Boys. Or The Outsiders. Does Heathers count as a chick flick?"
Dean raised an eyebrow, barely holding back something between a scoff of disbelief and a snort of laughter.
"No."
"That's good," Katie nodded. "Heathers is one of Lai's favorites."
"You've seen The Lost Boys and Heathers?" he couldn't help but ask. Katie must have picked up on his tone because while she gave him a dismissive shrug, she also looked over her shoulder to catch his eye.
"Yeah. Lai's not really a stickler about age-appropriate ratings. Unless Julia's around. Hey, what about The Shining?"
They spent the next few minutes debating various options before finally landing on The Outsiders, and by the time they got outside Lorelai and Julia were already waiting for them, Lorelai holding a bag of food while Julia twirled around in bored circles a few feet away.
"All set?" Lorelai asked, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she took in Dean and Katie's triumphant expressions.
"Yep," Katie chirped. "We got The Outsiders. Dean's taste isn't totally hopeless."
"High praise," Lorelai chuckled, sharing a look with Dean as they all went back to the car.
The rest of the drive back to the house was much the same as the first part had been, filled with music and easy chatter and before long Lorelai was pulling back into the gravel driveway.
The girls led the way up to the main house and Dean was once again caught off guard by the liveliness waiting for them. The younger kids were running around, he could hear voices drifting from various rooms, all punctuated by occasional bursts of laughter.
Of course, no one else was phased by it, and as soon as they crossed the threshold Julia was mumbling something about a nap and shuffling off towards what Dean assumed was her room.
"C'mon, we need drinks and snacks if we're gonna watch a movie," Lorelai said, already moving towards the kitchen. Dean thought about pointing out they still had their sandwiches to get through but immediately thought better of it and fell in step. Far be it for him to complain about junk food.
As they entered, Dean spotted Nick leaning against the counter, absorbed in what looked like a newspaper. The other man looked up as they entered, a smile breaking across his face.
"Hey, you're back," he said, his eyes landing on Lorelai as she entered behind them. "How was the beach?"
"Sandy," Lorelai quipped, tossing Nick one of the sandwiches. He caught it easily, peering at the wrapping. "Brought you lunch. Or dinner. Whatever you want to call it at this point."
"Thanks. You didn't have to." Lorelai shrugged, already moving to rummage through the cabinets.
"Yeah, well, I'm awesome like that."
Nick snorted and started folding the newspaper up.
"Yeah, the best. Dare I ask what you did with my daughter?"
Dean found himself watching the interaction with interest while Lorelai explained that Julia had gone to lie down. He still wasn't quite sure what to make of the other guy. Lorelai's admission, all the way back in May, that she didn't really have a word to describe what Nick was to her made even more sense watching them in person. They were indisputably close, the easy way they interacted a clear testament to how deep their relationship ran, but there was something underlying it that Dean couldn't quite put his finger on… some sort of friction that seemed equally real. He didn't have too long to dwell on it, though, because Katie was pushing a bag of chips into his hands.
"We'll need those," she said. "And candy."
As they gathered snacks and drinks, the kitchen door swung open again, this time revealing Nolan.
Lorelai's older brother seemed… okay. He'd been fun during the poker game the night before, and Dean sensed hints of that same spark, that same fire, that drew him to Lorelai in the first place, but Nolan was missing his sister's strength. Or maybe it was just that Lorelai had accepted that part of herself while Nolan was still trying to smother it, Dean wasn't sure.
Either way, Dean thought the man looked tired, although his face brightened when he took in the scene he'd stumbled upon.
"Well look who's back," Nolan drawled, making his way to the fridge. "How was your day?"
"Good," Lorelai replied, her voice muffled as she dug through a lower cabinet. "Dean got to experience the joy of being pummeled by waves for the first time."
Dean chuckled. "Yeah, I think I swallowed half the Atlantic."
Nolan laughed, grabbing a beer from the fridge and quirking an eyebrow in Dean's direction as he did.
"Sounds about right. What about you, Katie? Have any better luck finding sea glass?"
"No," Katie complained. "There were too many people to really look."
"Ah, well, maybe tomorrow," Nolan consoled her, before turning to Lorelai, his expression shifting slightly. "Speaking of which, Lorelai –"
"Oh yeah," she interrupted, her eyes lighting up before her head swiveled to Dean. "I forgot to mention Nolan and I were planning on hitting up this little market tomorrow. It's pretty cool, lots of local artisans and stuff. Kind of funky. You up for it?"
The truth was she could have asked him to go watch paint dry and he probably would have said yes, so Dean nodded.
"Yeah, sounds great."
But as soon as the words left his mouth, he noticed Nolan's easygoing persona slip and watched as the elder Baudelaire shifted uncomfortably, avoiding Lorelai's gaze.
"Actually, about that..." Nolan began, his voice trailing off. Lorelai's eyes narrowed, a sudden tension filling the air.
"What about it?" she asked, her voice steely, and Dean suspected she already knew the answer. Nolan rubbed the back of his neck, looking sheepish.
"I, uh, I kind of assumed our plans were off since Dean came," he admitted after a moment. "And so I already promised Jane we'd do something else tomorrow instead. Sorry."
The change in Lorelai was immediate and stark. Her entire body seemed to stiffen, and though her expression remained neutral, Dean could see the hurt and anger flashing in her eyes. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Nick watching the siblings too, his expression betraying that this was unsurprising.
"Oh," Lorelai said, her voice deceptively light. "No worries. It's fine."
But Dean could tell it was anything but fine, and he was pretty sure the rest of the room could too.
"Lorelai, I'm sorry," Nolan started again, but Lorelai waved him off.
"Really, it's no big deal," she insisted, her tone brooking no argument. "We'll catch up another time. Come on. We should go start the movie if we want to finish it before Dean and I have to get ready."
Without another word, Lorelai grabbed the snacks and headed for the door. Katie followed, shooting a nervous look between the adults. Dean hesitated for a moment, catching Nick's eye. The other man gave him a rueful smile and a slight shrug, as if to say, 'What can you do?'
On their way back to the guest house Dean could feel the tension radiating off Lorelai. Her shoulders were set in a rigid line, but she smiled and laughed with him and Katie as if nothing were wrong.
There was a part of him that felt bad, like it was his fault, wondering if Nolan just hadn't wanted him around. But then Dean remembered Lorelai's description of her brother being a corporate sell out and the tone of her voice when she did. And he remembered the bickering he'd overheard when Katie had been visiting Nolan, and the way Lorelai had rolled her eyes and her expression had turned bitter when George had brought him up at her birthday, and Dean realized whatever strain there was between the siblings went a lot deeper than what he'd just witnessed.
Inside, Katie immediately set about getting the movie ready, while Lorelai busied herself with arranging the food on the coffee table. Dean watched her for a moment, noting the way her movements were just a bit too sharp, a bit too controlled.
"Hey," he said softly, pulling her aside when she drifted towards the kitchen. "You okay?"
Lorelai paused, her hand hovering over a bag of chips. For a moment, Dean thought she might brush him off, but then she let out a long sigh, her shoulders sagging slightly.
"Yeah," she muttered, not quite meeting his eyes. "It's just... Nolan being Nolan. Don't worry about it."
Dean wanted to press further, to tell her that of course he was going to worry about it because he cared about her, but he held back. Instead, he just nodded, ducking his head to press a kiss against her temple. He knew her well enough by then to know when she needed space and when she needed to talk.
A moment later, Katie was calling over that the movie was ready, and Lorelai was popping the top to one of the beers, making her way to the couch, and settling in next to Dean. As the opening credits of The Outsiders began to roll, Dean draped his arm around Lorelai's shoulders, pulling her close.
The familiarity of the situation wasn't lost on Dean. It reminded him of those lazy nights in Tullahoma, when he and Lorelai had first started... whatever this was between them. Back then, he'd been surprised by how comfortable it felt, how easily they'd fallen into a routine. Now, months later, with Katie on one end of the couch and Lorelai nestled into his side, it felt like the most natural thing in the world, and that fact hadn't become any less surprising.
And just like in Tullahoma, Dean found his attention split between the screen and the woman beside him. He watched as the tension slowly faded, her body relaxing into his. By the time Ponyboy and Johnny were hiding out in the abandoned church, Lorelai had her head resting on his chest, her fingers absently tracing patterns on his thigh.
When the credits finally rolled, Katie let out a contented sigh. "Man, I love that movie. The book's better, though."
Lorelai snorted, stretching her arms above her head. "Of course you'd say that. Nerd." And she punctuated the jab by lightly tossing the pillow in her younger sister's direction. Katie intercepted it easily and sent it flying back in Lorelai and Dean's direction.
"Hey, there's nothing wrong with appreciating literature," she protested, though there was no heat in her words. "Besides, you read as much as I do."
"Lorelai?" Dean couldn't help but laugh and Katie nodded while Lorelai groaned and let her head lull back against him. "You know, I don't think I've actually seen Lorelai read unless she's been researching a case."
"What?" Katie gasped in mock disbelief. "Oh man, you should see our place in New York. There are bookshelves everywhere, and they're all stuffed full. And she's read all of the books in them."
"Is that right?" Dean mused, a mischievous glint in his eye as he turned to Lorelai. "So, you're a closet nerd, huh?"
Lorelai rolled her eyes, but Dean could see the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Please," she scoffed, "At least half of it's lore and old text books."
"Uh-huh," Dean drawled, unconvinced, and her cheeks turned a deeper red.
"At least two full book shelves are fiction," Katie chimed in, and Lorelai sighed while Dean laughed.
"You can't be that surprised," she complained, elbowing him lightly. Dean gave her a nod conceding the point. Afterall, he had found himself teasing her through most of their first case together for being a walking encyclopedia.
"True," he agreed slowly. "Still fun to pick on you though. And the reading for fun thing is news."
Katie laughed and Lorelai shook her head before stretching languidly, her shirt riding up slightly when she did to reveal a sliver of skin. Dean's eyes were immediately drawn to it, and he found himself momentarily distracted from their banter.
"Alright," Lorelai announced, pushing herself up from the couch. "I'm gonna go grab a shower before we head out. Try not to get into too much trouble while I'm gone, you two."
And as she made her way upstairs, Dean couldn't help but watch her go, admiring the way her hips swayed with each step. It wasn't until he heard Katie clear her throat that he snapped back to reality, feeling a bit sheepish at being caught staring.
"So," Dean said, leaning forward slightly once he was sure Lorelai was out of earshot. "I've got a proposition for you." Katie's eyebrows shot up, a mix of curiosity and wariness in her expression.
"Oh yeah?" she asked, and Dean nodded.
"Yeah," he said, dropping his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "I was thinking tomorrow since Nolan bailed on your sister maybe the three of us could all do something together."
Katie's face lit up, her earlier wariness melting away. "That's a great idea! What did you have in mind?"
"Well," Dean rubbed the back of his neck, a rueful smile playing on his lips. "I'd normally suggest mini golf, but uh, I learned the hard way that might not be the best choice with Lorelai."
"Definitely not," Katie snorted. "Unless you want to risk seriously bodily harm."
"Yeah, your sister's got a hell of an arm on her," Dean agreed, wincing at the memory of the multiple close calls he'd had with Lorelai's golf swing. "Which had me thinking maybe batting cages, but…"
Katie's eyes lit up, her face breaking into a wide grin. "Oh, that's perfect! Lorelai loves the batting cages. She used to take me all the time when I was little. She's actually pretty good there, believe it or not. Not nearly as lethal, and way less likely to cause property damage."
"Yeah?" Dean asked, a warmth spreading through his chest at the thought of Lorelai teaching Katie to bat.
Katie nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, she says it's all about channeling your rage into the swing or something."
Dean laughed. "That sounds about right. So, you in? We can surprise her tomorrow morning."
"Definitely," Katie agreed. "She'll love it."
Dean felt a wave of relief wash over him and continued to hash out the details. He was surprised how easy it was to talk to Katie. There was something about her that reminded him of Sam when he was younger – that same sharp intelligence and quiet strength but without all the baggage. It made him wonder, again, how Lorelai had found a way to balance it all and if it was really as impossible as he'd grown up believing.
Their conspiratorial planning was interrupted by the sound of the shower turning off upstairs. Dean and Katie exchanged a quick glance, silently agreeing to keep their surprise under wraps and a few minutes later, Katie was heading back up to the main house to see if Julia was awake yet.
Dean drifted upstairs, intent on digging through the few things he owned to figure out what he was going to wear that night. Damien and Nat had agreed to watch all the kids for the night so the rest of them could go out. Mary had opted to stay home, and Lorelai had told Dean they didn't have to go, but he'd insisted he was game. The smile on her face when he'd said as much had been more than enough to erase any misgivings he may have had.
He was pulling a clean black t-shirt and his least worn pair of jeans out of his duffel bag when he heard the bathroom door open. Lorelai emerged in a cloud of steam as he turned, wrapped in nothing but a towel.
"Bathroom's all yours," she said, toweling at her damp hair. That was, until she caught the way he was staring at her, his eyes homing in on her long legs and flushed skin, and she quirked an eyebrow at him. "Unless you want to join me in here while I get ready."
Dean smiled, grabbing the last of what he needed from his bag and crossing the space in a few easy strides.
"Tempting offer," he murmured, his hands finding her hips as he dropped his crap on the dresser right by the bathroom door and pulled her close. "But something tells me if I do that, we might never make it out of this room."
Lorelai laughed, a low, throaty sound that sent shivers down Dean's spine.
"Is that supposed to be a deterrent?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with mischief just before she kissed him. Dean let himself taste her for a moment before he reluctantly broke away, a groan falling from his lips as he dipped his head to press a kiss to the junction of her neck and shoulder.
"Don't tease," he moaned against her skin. She hummed in response, her fingers threading through his hair. For a moment, they stood there, wrapped up in each other. He was struck again how easy everything felt with her. How right. But then Lorelai was pulling away, a playful smirk on her lips.
"Go on," she encouraged, giving him a gentle push towards the bathroom. "The sooner we get ready, the sooner we can leave... and the sooner we can come back."
Dean laughed, shaking his head as he grabbed his clothes. "You drive a hard bargain, sweetheart."
While he showered, Dean found his thoughts drifting. He'd already known he was in deep with Lorelai, but these past few days had shown him a whole new side of her that was only pulling him in further. Seeing her with her family, relaxed and happy... it stirred something in him he wasn't quite ready to name.
By the time he emerged from the bathroom, towel slung low on his hips, Lorelai was nearly ready. She stood in front of the full-length mirror, applying the finishing touches to her makeup. Dean felt his breath catch in his throat as he took her in.
She wore a tight black dress that hugged every curve, the hem falling just above mid-thigh. The neckline dipped low, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of cleavage. Her dark hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders, and she'd applied a touch more makeup than usual, making her blue eyes pop.
"Damn, Lor," Dean said, his voice low and appreciative. "You clean up nice."
Lorelai smirked, doing a little twirl. "You like? I figured I'd dress up a bit. It's not often we get a night out without having to worry about blood stains or monster guts."
"Like doesn't even begin to cover it," he said, pulling her back into his arms. "You're gonna be turning heads all night. You look hot as hell."
Lorelai laughed, her hands coming to rest on his bare chest. "As long as one of the heads I'm turning is yours," she teased.
Dean grinned, dipping his head to capture her lips in a heated kiss. "Trust me," he murmured against her mouth, "you've got my full attention."
They stayed like that for a moment, trading slow, languid kisses, until Lorelai reluctantly pulled away.
"We should finish getting ready," she said, though her voice lacked conviction. "They'll be waiting for us."
Dean sighed dramatically but released her. "Alright, alright. But just remember, this was your idea."
As he dressed, Dean couldn't help but steal glances at Lorelai as she put the finishing touches on her outfit. She slipped on a pair of heels that made her legs look even longer, if that was possible, and added a few pieces of simple silver jewelry.
"You know," Dean said as he rolled up the sleeves of the red shirt he'd pulled on over his t-shirt, "I'm starting to think you're trying to kill me."
Lorelai quirked an eyebrow at him, a smirk playing on her lips. "Oh yeah? And why's that?"
Dean gestured vaguely in her direction. "You, looking like that. It's not fair, Lor. How am I supposed to concentrate on anything else?"
"I'm sure you'll manage," she laughed, the sound warm and rich as she sauntered over to him. She reached up, straightening his collar with deft fingers. "Besides, turnabout's fair play. You clean up pretty nice yourself, Winchester."
"Yeah, yeah," he dismissed, catching her hand and pressing a kiss to her palm. The domesticity of the moment hit him again and he was talking before he even thought it through. "You know, I could get used to this."
Lorelai tilted her head, giving him a curious look. "What?" she asked. "Flirting with me? Pretty sure you're already used to that, Dean."
Dean rolled his eyes, but there was no heat in it. "No, smartass. I mean... this. Us getting ready to go out, no monsters to hunt, no vengeful spirits... it's nice."
For a moment, something flickered in Lorelai's eyes - a mix of emotions Dean couldn't quite decipher. But then it was gone, replaced by her usual teasing smirk.
"Careful there. Keep talking like that and I might start to think you're going soft on me."
Dean snorted, closing the distance between them and pressing against her. "Sweetheart, there's nothing soft about what you do to me."
Lorelai's laugh was cut off as Dean captured her lips in a searing kiss. She melted against him, her arms winding around his neck as she pressed herself closer. Dean's hands roamed her back, tracing the curves of her body through the thin fabric of her dress.
When they finally broke apart, both slightly breathless, Lorelai grinned up at him. "As much as I'd love to continue this, we've got places to be."
Dean groaned dramatically but released her with one final kiss. "Fine, but we're picking this up later."
"Damn right we are," Lorelai agreed, grabbing her purse and heading for the door.
Dean found himself still having a hard time accepting how different this all felt from his usual life while they made the short walk up to the main house. Normally, a night out meant hustling pool in some dive bar, or maybe chasing down a lead on a case. But here he was, about to go out with Lorelai and her family, like a normal couple. That this stunning woman had chosen him to boot was its own mind bender Dean didn't know how to process.
All of it should have terrified him… should have sent him running for the hills. But as he watched Lorelai walk ahead of him, her hips swaying slightly in that dress, he couldn't be upset. It all felt… good, and like maybe, just maybe, this was where he was meant to be.
The sound of laughter and chatter drifted through the air as they drew near, a reminder of the colorful group of people waiting for them inside, and the noise level only increased tenfold when they breached the door. The first floor was the same whirlwind of activity it had been earlier, with people darting back and forth, calling out to each other over the general din. Dean took a moment to take it all in, his instincts immediately kicking in to catalogue the exits and potential threats before the rational part of his brain caught up and reminded him this wasn't that kind of situation.
"Well don't you two clean up nice," Mary commented lightly, bouncing Avery on her hip as she appeared by their side. Lorelai smiled and cooed over the baby for a minute.
"Thank you," she told Mary distractedly. "You sure you don't want to come?"
"Positive," Mary confirmed, shifting Avery. "I'll be happy to go to bed in, like, an hour. You all have fun though."
Dean followed Lorelai deeper into the house and as they passed by the living room he noticed Nolan lounging on the couch, dressed more like he was going to go for a run than hit the bar with them, his hand on the remote while he flipped through channels on the TV. Lorelai clocked the sight at the same time, her steps faltering slightly.
"Dude, I'm all for casual, but this is a whole new level."
Nolan looked up and over his shoulder at the sound of his sister's voice, a flicker of guilt crossing his features before he schooled his expression into something more neutral.
"Ah, yeah, 'bout that," he began, rubbing the back of his neck. "Change of plans. Jane's not feeling well, so we're staying in."
He'd only been around a day and a half, but Dean was starting to sense a pattern, and he felt his own flash of irritation on Lorelai's behalf when she rolled her eyes.
"Well at least make yourself useful and help make sure Katie and Julia get to bed at a halfway decent time," she said, already readying to continue towards the group forming by the front door. Nolan nodded.
"Will do. You look beautiful, by the way," Nolan said, his tone sincere before his gaze swiveled to Dean, an impish smile forming on his face. "Try and keep her from getting into too much trouble."
Dean wasn't feeling particularly friendly but was saved the trouble of coming up with a response by Jane's voice cutting through the room, sharp and disapproving as she entered from down the hall.
"Oh Lorelai, are you really wearing that out? It's a little tacky, isn't it? I wouldn't be caught dead in a dress like that."
The occupants of the room collectively tensed, and Dean felt his jaw clench, words ready to tumble out that he knew were probably better left unsaid. Before he could burst, however, Lorelai smiled brightly, her gaze swiveling to Jane.
"How lucky for you," she quipped back, not missing a beat, "seeing as you'd have to be dead six weeks to fit in it."
For a moment, the room fell silent. Dean glanced around, noting the poorly concealed amusement on the faces of the others. Even Nolan was fighting back a smirk. Jane, on the other hand, looked as though she'd been slapped.
"Well," Jane huffed, her face flushing an angry red. "I see your manners haven't improved any."
Lorelai shrugged, the picture of nonchalance. "And yet somehow, I'm still better company than you. Funny how that works."
Before Jane could respond, Emily appeared at Lorelai's side, linking their arms together. "We should get going," she said smoothly, though Dean could see the amusement dancing in her eyes.
As they made their way out of the house, Dean leaned in close to Lorelai, his breath warm against her ear. "Have I told you lately how fucking amazing you are?" he murmured, unable to keep the admiration out of his voice.
Lorelai laughed, the sound light and carefree. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Winchester."
The bar they arrived at was a far cry from Dean's usual haunts. Instead of dingy lighting and the smell of stale beer, they were greeted by a warm, inviting atmosphere. An outdoor area stretched before them, adorned with twinkling string lights that cast a soft glow over the wooden tables and chairs. The gentle strumming of an acoustic guitar drifted through the air, mingling with the low hum of conversation and laughter.
By the time the group of them claimed a back corner of the large patio everyone had a drink in hand, and any tension from earlier had faded. Dean found himself settled at a table with Lorelai, Harry, and Ginny, Harry casually draping an arm over the back of Ginny's chair.
The gentle strumming of the acoustic guitar provided a soothing backdrop to the lively chatter around them. Dean found himself relaxing into the casual atmosphere, unconsciously mirroring Harry by draping his own arm behind Lorelai. The warm glow of the string lights cast a soft halo around her dark hair, and he couldn't help but steal glances at her as she laughed at something Ginny had said.
"So, Dean," Ginny began after a few minutes, leaning forward with a mischievous glint in her eye, "how are you holding up with this lot? I know they can be a bit... overwhelming."
Dean chuckled, taking a swig of his beer before answering. "It's definitely been an experience. But I think I'm managing alright."
Ginny nodded sympathetically. "I get it. You said it was just you and your brother growing up? Even coming from a big family, the Baudelaire-Russo clan was a lot to get used to at first for me."
"Oh, please," Harry scoffed good-naturedly, rolling his eyes. "As if the Weasleys are any less chaotic."
"Really," Lorelai chimed in, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "If anything, we're the normal ones here."
Dean raised an eyebrow at that, unable to suppress a grin. "Normal? You? I'm not sure that word means what you think it means, Lor." Lorelai nudged him, but he could see she was fighting back a laugh.
"Not helping," she complained. "And besides, my point still stands. Relative to your family, Gin, we're downright easy to manage."
"You said you come from a big family?" Dean asked, looking back to Ginny, who nodded.
"Mmhmm," Ginny confirmed. "I grew up with six older brothers. There's Bill and Charlie, then Percy, the twins after him… I hear you've met George, and then of course, Fred's…" Dean watched as Ginny trailed off for a moment, until she shook her head, forcing a smile back onto her face. "Well, he left us Lorelai, anyway. And then there's Ron, and then me. It was a madhouse growing up, but I wouldn't have traded any of them for the world."
"I could've done without the six separate conversations in which your brothers threatened to cause me bodily harm if I did anything to upset you when we started dating," Harry teased. "That aside, you know I love the whole crazy lot of you."
"It's still a madhouse," Lorelai added, her voice full of affection and soft in a way Dean didn't often hear. He felt her lean into him slightly and without thinking, he tightened his arm around her shoulders, reveling in the closeness. "But Harry's right, you're all pretty great."
The four of them continued to talk, the first round turning into a second round of drinks, until eventually their banter was interrupted by the arrival of a dark-haired man, who approached their tables with a wide grin. Dean watched as recognition dawned on the faces around him, followed quickly by surprise.
"Ben!" Nick exclaimed from the next table over. "What are you doing here?"
The newcomer – Ben – shrugged, his one hand stuffed casually in his pocket while the other was wrapped around the neck of a beer bottle.
"Was supposed to meet up with Nolan but I take it he didn't make it out."
"Jane wasn't feeling well," Lorelai called over, and Dean clocked the flash of understanding that passed between the two when she caught Ben's eye, a sarcastic smile on her face. Ben nodded, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Well at least the rest of you showed."
As Ben made his rounds, greeting the others with the same easy familiarity, Dean found himself studying the newcomer. There was clearly a history there, not just with Lorelai but with the whole group. Ben exchanged handshakes and hugs, and Dean noticed Lorelai seemed content to hang back, letting the others have their moment.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of catching up and small talk, Ben made his way over to where Dean and Lorelai were sitting. Lorelai stood, wrapping the other man in an easy hug, before ducking away and shoving at him when he tried to ruffle her hair.
"Try it again and I'll kick your ass, Benjy," she threatened, and Ben winced.
"Don't use that stupid nickname again and I won't," he retorted without any real malice. Instead of firing back, Lorelai stepped to the side and motioned to Dean.
"Ben, this is Dean," she said, a flicker of uncertainty flashing in her eyes while her cheeks heated, and Dean realized she was struggling with how to define what he was… something he'd gathered she hadn't had to worry about with her family. "We, uh… we've been seeing each other," she finally said carefully, and Dean had to hold back his laughter watching how hard it had been for her to get out. It didn't help that Ben's eyebrows shot up in surprise, an impressed look crossing his features while his eyes flitted between Lorelai and Dean. "Dean, this is Nolan's best friend, Ben."
"Nice to meet you, man," Dean said, offering a hand, which Ben took while Lorelai dropped back into his seat.
"You too," Ben returned. "Anyone able to get that kind of introduction from Lorelai –"
"Finish that sentence, I dare you," Lorelai cut in, glaring daggers. Ben looked down at her as he dropped Dean's hand and laughed.
"You're always so feisty," Ben teased, pulling over a chair. He quickly turned it around and straddled it, resting his arms along its back. "Which is why you're only my second favorite Baudelaire."
Lorelai scoffed, a smirk tugging at her lips as she sipped at her cocktail.
"Please. We both know I'm the superior Baudelaire. I might be rough around the edges but at least I've got a spine."
Dean was momentarily struck by the candidness of the comment, but Ben chuckled, raising his beer in a mock toast.
"That you do," he agreed, "as well as a hard head that's never failed to get you into trouble, and a stubborn streak a mile long."
Lorelai shrugged and took another drink.
"Yeah, yeah. So says you. Anyway, how's Erica? Figured she'd have been out here with you."
Ben's face scrunched and he scratched at the back of his neck uncomfortably, and Dean wasn't sure who Erica was, but he figured the reaction didn't bode well.
"Uh, she's fine, I think. We're not exactly on speaking terms at the moment. Decided to take some time and figure out what we want. She's staying with her parents." Dean noticed Lorelai wince, but before anyone could say anything, Ben was continuing on, clearly eager to find another topic and looking between Lorelai and Dean. "I'm sure we'll figure it out. You two, though… that's actually interesting. Tell me, Dean, how'd you get mixed up with this menace to society?"
"Not sure I'd say I got mixed up with her," Dean laughed. "More like she crashed into my life and turned everything upside down."
Lorelai, of course, rolled her eyes, even while the corners of her mouth twitched up.
"Please," she scoffed. "If anyone did the crashing, it was you. I was minding my own business at the bar when you decided to play hero."
"Oh?" Ben leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Now this I've got to hear."
Lorelai subtly nodded to Dean, signaling for him to go on. There was an unmistakable fondness in her expression despite, what Dean was sure to be, her best attempts to squash it.
And as he recounted their first meeting, he found himself transported back to that night. The smoky haze of the bar, the clinking of glasses, and the unmistakable presence of Lorelai Baudelaire. He described how he'd intervened when some drunk local wouldn't take no for an answer, and how Lorelai had looked ready to handle it herself.
"I'm telling you, man," Dean said, shaking his head with a grin, "I'd never met anyone quite like her. One minute she's about to deck this guy, the next she's buying me a drink and trying to hustle me at pool."
Lorelai smirked, reaching for her drink. "Did not," she protested, and Dean scoffed. "Told you, it was beginner's luck."
"Yeah right. I didn't believe you then, and I don't believe you now."
"You shouldn't," Ben laughed, looking between them with obvious amusement. "I can personally attest to the fact that she's plenty experienced at shooting pool. Used to play with me and Nolan all the time in school."
As the conversation flowed, Dean found himself relaxing into the easy banter. Ben, it turned out, was a wealth of stories about Lorelai's younger days. He regaled Dean with tales of their boarding school escapades, each anecdote painting a vivid picture of a younger, perhaps even more reckless Lorelai.
"You should have seen her," Ben chuckled, shaking his head. "Fourteen years old and already giving the teachers hell. I swear, half the rules at Lytton were written because of her."
"That's a gross exaggeration," Lorelai retorted, even as Dean glanced at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Seems about right, actually. That's where you went to school, though? Lytton?"
Something unreadable crossed Lorelai's features, but she was nodding before Dean could give it much thought, her features schooled back into a neutral expression.
"Mmhmm," she hummed. "It's a private boarding school down south."
"And you all went there together?" Dean asked, suddenly remembering Lorelai's remark the day before and realizing that despite knowing she'd been a Criminology major, he didn't know much more about her schooling. It was Ben who nodded, taking a sip of his beer.
"Yeah. That's where I met this bunch. Well, except Harry and Ginny."
"Katie goes there now," Lorelai added.
"Huh," Dean mused, thinking back on his own childhood. For how much they had traveled, school had been almost an afterthought, and they'd never stuck around anywhere long enough for him to get comfortable. Two months was probably the best run he'd had, and it hadn't happened until he was sixteen. "What was that like? Boarding school?"
"It was fine," Lorelai dismissed, and Dean wasn't sure if it was unease, or something else he was picking up in her voice. "Better than home, anyway."
"It was tough, but good," Ben said. "Lorelai always did well there. They do a great job teaching you how to navigate both… well, let's just say they prepare you for anything life might throw at you."
Dean nodded, filing away this new information. He'd known Lorelai was smart - hell, he'd seen her in action enough times by then. He still remembered that first case, the way her cheeks had flushed each time she'd accidentally started to reveal just how knowledgeable she actually was. It made sense, he supposed, that someone like her would have gone to some fancy boarding school.
"Best and worst years of my life all rolled into one," Lorelai tried to joke, but Dean sensed a weight underlying her words. Ben must have too, because he quickly cleared his throat and threw back more of his beer.
"Anyway, enough about the past. Dean, you gotta tell me – how do you put up with this one's terrible taste in music?"
And just like that, the tension dissipated. Lorelai let out an indignant squawk, launching into a passionate defense of her musical preferences, while Dean laughed and jumped in to back her up. The conversation flowed easily from there, bouncing between lighthearted teasing and more serious topics.
As the night wore on, Dean found himself thoroughly enjoying Ben's company. The guy had a quick wit that matched Lorelai's, and it was clear they shared a long history. There was an ease to their interactions that spoke of years of friendship, punctuated by the occasional inside joke or shared glance. Their stories made it easier to imagine the version of Nolan that Lorelai grew up with, and Dean couldn't help but wonder when things had started to shift.
The rest of the night passed in a blur of laughter, stories, and the warm buzz of alcohol. Dean found himself thoroughly enjoying the company, not just of Lorelai and Ben, but of the entire group. There was something infectious about the easy camaraderie, the years of shared history evident in every inside joke and playful jab.
Despite the good time, Dean found himself growing increasingly aware of Lorelai's presence beside him as the hours wore on. The warmth of her body, the scent of her perfume, the way her hand occasionally brushed his thigh, or the way her breath danced across his skin when he leaned in to talk to him. Eventually he caught her eye, raising an eyebrow in silent question and he was relieved when she nodded, a playful smile flitting across her face.
"You ready to head out?" he murmured in her ear, his voice low and husky.
Lorelai turned to look at him, her blue eyes dark with an intensity that made his breath catch. "Yeah," she nodded. "Let's go."
They said their goodbyes, Dean shaking hands with Ben and reiterating how good it was to meet him. As they made their way out of the bar, Dean's hand found the small of Lorelai's back, guiding her through the crowd.
The night air was cool against their skin, a welcome relief after how much they'd crowded around the tables with everyone. Dean took a deep breath, enjoying the salty tang of the sea breeze and as they made their way back to the house, he slung his arm comfortably around Lorelai's shoulders, while he mulled over the events of the night. It had been... nice. Normal, even. The kind of night he'd always imagined other people having but had never really thought he'd get to experience himself.
"So," Lorelai's voice broke through his thoughts. "What'd you think?"
Dean glanced down at her, taking in the way she was looking up at him with a mix of curiosity and something that looked almost like nervousness. He realized, with a start, that his opinion mattered to her. That she cared what he thought of her family, her friends.
"I think," he said slowly, choosing his words carefully, "that I could get used to this."
Lorelai's face broke into a wide smile, and Dean felt his heart skip a beat. God, he loved seeing her like this - relaxed, happy, unguarded.
"Yeah?" she asked, her voice almost small. Dean nodded, pulling her closer to his side.
"Yeah. Your family's pretty great, Lor. Even if they are a bunch of weirdos."
Lorelai laughed, the sound carrying through the quiet night air. "Hey, at least you fit right in, then."
The guest house came into view and drew nearer, and Dean found himself reluctant for the night to end. He wanted to hold onto this feeling - this sense of belonging, of normalcy - for as long as he could.
"You know," he said, slowing his pace slightly. "I was thinking... maybe tomorrow we could do something, just the three of us. You, me, and Katie."
Lorelai looked up at him, surprise and curiosity warring in her expression. "Oh yeah? What did you have in mind?"
Dean shrugged, trying to play it cool even as his heart raced with anticipation. What if she thought it was stupid? "I don't know. Maybe hit up the batting cages? Katie mentioned you used to take her a lot when she was younger."
A soft smile spread across Lorelai's face, her eyes lighting up with something that looked suspiciously like affection. "You've been conspiring with my little sister, huh?"
"Maybe," Dean admitted with a grin. "She's a pretty cool kid. You've done a good job with her. So, what do you say, though? You up for showing me your skills?"
Lorelai pretended to consider for a moment before nodding. "Alright, Winchester. Fair warning though, I've got a mean swing."
Dean snorted, even as he pulled her against him while she fumbled for her keys.
"I don't doubt it for a second," he teased. Thoughts of how easy this was, how natural it felt to be here with her, making plans for tomorrow as if they had all the time in the world clouded his mind again.
Of course, they didn't have all the time in the world, and that was a sobering thought Dean didn't want to linger on. He'd already blown off his dad about as long as he could, and Lorelai, he knew, had to get back to work the day after tomorrow.
Lorelai, unsurprisingly, seemed to sense the shift in his thoughts and turned to look up at him, curiosity and a hint of concern in her blue eyes, even as she pushed up on her toes to pull him in for a soft kiss, her hand coming to rest along his jaw.
"You okay?" she asked gently as they broke apart. Dean nodded, struggling to find the right words.
He didn't know what was next for them, or what he'd expected out of willingly walking into what may as well have been another dimension by crashing Lorelai's family vacation. Standing there, though, with Lorelai in his arms, the stars overhead and the sound of the waves gently breaking against the dock, Dean knew he didn't want to let any of it go.
He still didn't want normal… Lorelai's confession the night before that it was too late for her, that she wouldn't know what to do with normal, had rung painfully true for him too. He was a little too twisted for normal. But this balance Lorelai seemed to have struck… maybe he could find a way to have that too. And maybe if he was lucky, she could help him figure out how to do it.
"Yeah," he told her, his voice rougher than he wanted with emotion. "Everything's perfect."
And as he leaned down to capture her lips in another tender kiss, Dean realized that for the first time in a very long time, he truly meant it.
As always, thank you so much for reading! Hope you all enjoyed.
I will be traveling this upcoming weekend, so next chapter will likely be a little delayed, but hopefully not by too much.
See you all next week 😊