because the lives of the wicked should be made brief

[somanyadjectives]

Comments

[cholesterol]

( Like, did he die? )

We live in a bunker that's been in our family. We still hunt together. He's in California for Thanksgiving with his girlfriend.

( There's a lot more about Sam, and Dean, and Elena and what they're all mixed up in. But he only asked about Sam. So, he learns about Sam.

Dean misses his next stripe, no question for him. He goes over to his beer, taking a healthy sip, finally. He eyes the burger. )

How's the burger here?

( Like it ever needs to be good for him. He'll get a burger anywhere. Also, it's not about Ben, so it counts as not a question. )

[acdc_rules]

So you both have girlfriends now. That sounds healthier.

[It could be a jab, but it's not. The therapy happened while this part of his life was erased, but he can see the complicated dynamics for what they are not, looking out them as an adult. They needed more people than just the two of them, day in and day out.

He then realizes that if it's not a jab, it's also a very Rudy comment to make, and resists the urge to make a face.]

It's good. This place has some of the better food in town.

[cholesterol]

It's new. For the both of us.

( Elena's his first girlfriend - real girlfriend since Lisa. Things piled up, one after the other. Maybe Chuck was disinterested in Dean having a relationship, or thought Sam was due some happiness with Eileen, he doesn't know. But, ever since Chuck was chucked, Dean feels like it's his life again. Like he's not always angry. Like he could really, actually grow.

Healthier. Sam's always been the picture of health. Talks to his girlfriends. Had girlfriends.

It doesn't feel like a jab, though, so that's something. )

Make your shot, I'm going to nudge your friend over there for a burger and fries. ( And maybe to stop staring.

Moving around the tables, he returns to the bar and Helene. ) You keep looking like that, I'll think you got it bad for Ben.

[acdc_rules]

[She snorts. "No, thanks. Already been there, done that. We're better as friends."

If they were in a romantic relationship, they would have killed each other. But they did discover they were both disaster bi's together.

"No, I'm just watching in case Ben decides to turn into a petty little shit. Or if someone throws a punch."]

[cholesterol]

( He notes that. She's got - something about her. Rough around the edges but she has heart. Needs a haircut. Matches the bar to a T, though. )

I'd deserve it, ( but ) I doubt we'll come to blows. But, I promise, I'll let him get one good one in. After my burger and fries.

( Another beat. )

Thanks for having his back.

( Also, that was him ordering his fries and a burger. He also asks for a quick shot of whiskey he downs, before returning. )

You get one in?

[acdc_rules]

Two more.

[Missed on the third, but he's coming down to a limited number of balls left in his favor, so it's probably for the best.]

And you still have a question.

[He's not looking to try and skimp the rules, because that just seems like an excuse to start a fight.]

[cholesterol]

You and me both.

( He takes a sip from his beer, the foam pooling at his upper lip. He rubs his hand against his mouth. Another question. )

You uh - ever work on cars again?

[acdc_rules]

[He snorts because does he ever.]

Yeah. I work at a garage downtown.

[He tried to reach for something higher, but in the end it didn't really fit. But that's not a story he feels he has to share right now.]

How'd you and Elena meet? Is she a hunter too?

[cholesterol]

No shit.

( Apple doesn't fall, even if the tree's a deadbeat. )

She's not a hunter, but her dad - he was friends with ours - your grandfather, John. You remember, now, Sam and I, we were raised in the life. We passed through Mystic Falls when we were kids. Stayed with her parents, her and her little brother. Years later, she walked into the same gas station. We were - ( They were there for Jack's graduation, effectively their kid, each 1/3 of Team Free Will 2.0 claims him. Loves him. Forgives him. He's family. But, how does he even explain that. He's back in the inner circle, sure, and he understands the life. But, the Devil's kid? ) We were in town for something else, but her ex, this vampire named Stefan, he'd been attacked. Got roped into it. ( Roped him and Sam, really, but, facts are all there. ) We reconnected.

[acdc_rules]

[Ben pauses, then his head tips at the last bit of what he said.]

You're dating someone who has a vampire as an ex? And you left him alive?

[That doesn't seem like that jives with the hunter playbook as he remembers it.]

[cholesterol]

It's not as black and white. ( It never was, even though for him and Sam it's how they were raised. ) This vampire's not like the kind of vampire I taught you about. Comes from a different source of magic, not evolution.

( Everyone's capable of monstrous actions. Sometimes, it's the humans who are worse. )

Turns out, werewolves, vamps, even banshees. They're are types now. Different origins, different rules. One kind of vampire, you stake it, you dust it. Makes clean-up easy. That kind of vampire has no soul.

[acdc_rules]

[Ben already feels his head starting to hurt.]

And now angels too. Which, speaking of, where the fuck have they been? Like do they just hang out and watch people like creepers or do they actually do good like we're told they do?

[cholesterol]

( Well, there's no great way to put this. )

They're more like soldiers than fat babies with wings. Lot of them are just like people. Some are narrow-minded dicks. They're a billion years old and they know everything. But, also nothing. Like, they don't get basic stuff like tact or personal space. More time an angel spends on Earth, more human they become, more individual. Most angels stay up in heaven - yeah, there's a heaven, no there aren't harps - but some come down and they possess people - like demons - but the possessed are called vessels. And the host accepts the angel into them. Usually, they're religious.

[acdc_rules]

And you were one of the vessels?

[He remembers that somewhere in the rambling about Sam having been one. It would make sense if Dean was one too.]

How do they decide who's a vessel and who's not?

[cholesterol]

Bloodlines. Your grandmother, Mary's - and John's - your grandfather. Dad's bloodline was meant for Michael and Mom's -- ( He doesn't want to go into the Lucifer of it all. ) But, yeah. Heaven rode hard for Sam and me to say yes and go to war. But, a vessel can't be used without them saying yes, and we fought tooth and nail for the choice.

( he knocks a ball in (13). and then misses (2) )

[acdc_rules]

[Ben sits quietly, considering as he watches Dean make those moves, and he tips his head to the side curiously. Because if it's Dean's bloodline, that also means it's his bloodline and:]

And you're just finding out that I'm your kid now?

[cholesterol]

Your mom told me...

( This is not an excuse. He stops himself. )

Heaven found your uncle Adam. Resurrected him, used him to get to us. Michael ended up in him when all was said and done. He's still in him. ( It's a long story. ) Guess - they - ( But, now Ben brings up a good point and momentarily his blood boils. Heaven knew about Adam. Heaven knew about Adam. ) Sonnuvabitch.

[acdc_rules]

[Ben raises his eyebrow because yeah. Seems unlikely that Heaven at least didn't know. But it says at least one small thing in their favor that they didn't try to manipulate a kid into doing what they wanted.]

Guess you have to go have a conversation with your angel friend?

[cholesterol]

Later. I'm here with you.

( He's chewed Cas out before. Might even mean he ices him out for a while. Depends on what his response is when asked. )

And I get a question. You uh - you like Rudy?

[acdc_rules]

Yeah, I like Rudy.

[Ben takes a swig to finish his soda before shrugging.]

I thought he was a little corny at first, but I was like fifteen and all adults trying to be nice to me were corny. And don't get me wrong, he is, but ... it grows on you. And he's been really good for Mom.

[So yes, to answer the question Dean asked poorly, Rudy has been very good to Lisa.]

[cholesterol]

( Well, ain't that what he was asking. Glad he got around to what matters. )

Good, good he's good for her. Believes in her. He's a shrink.

( The way he spoke, how he put certain things, kept everything in perspective. Somehow, still rooted for Dean. But, gave him the stern warning he deserved. )

That ever get old?

[acdc_rules]

Technically he's not allowed to shrink us. Unethical.

[At the same time.]

But he's not afraid to call you on your shit, which honestly I needed as a teenager. And he's a really good listener. It's not all bad.

[There's a lot of verbal affirmations and giving him space to feel his feelings without judgement, but he's not going to get into that. He remembers, vaguely, how Dean felt about chick flick moments way back when.]

[cholesterol]

( He never said it was.

Someone from in the kitchen brings Damon his burger and fries as he finishes his beer. He lifts it up for Ben's little friend to see he needs another, if she can, he's not sweating it if she misses him or not. )

You uh - yeah, you were Lisa's kid. I can imagine. ( He also remembers him as a smaller kid, the first time, before he practically raised him for a year. ) You still like ACDC? Extra question - so - feel free.

[acdc_rules]

I liked ACDC before you. I'll keep liking them long after you're gone.

[That's a stupid question. ACDC rules.

Also Helene is great at her job, so she'll swing around after things cool down to drop off another beer and take the empty glasses.

But it's Ben's turn, so he'll get up and sink one more (16), and he asks the first genuinely curious question he has that isn't just finding where the guard rails are.]

The first time I called, a woman answered the phone. It wasn't Elena. You guys have a whole crew at the bunker?

[That's not the actual question. The woman knew who Lisa and Ben were. He figures he doesn't talk about them to just anyone. But he doesn't know how to ask who she is or if he'll actually answer.]

[cholesterol]

Ouch.

( He deserves that? And, he knows when his time is up, it's up. Except for every time it wasn't.

Dean can also feel the bumpers go free as Ben attempts a real shot at a strike so-to-speak, without the worry of a gutter ball. A real question, and one with a lot of answers. )

More like a network. We have hunters that come in and out, that were uh - rescued from somewhere else. And, lately, Elena and some of her friends, her family, have also been staying with us when they needed us. ( As for ) The woman who answered the phone - is Mary. She's - a long story. She's - ( A beat. ) Your grandmother.