but oh what a year

[patrols]

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arrival | ben, lisa, rudy, dickerson, sam, cordelia

[imnot_likeyou]

♫

[Sam has been trying to stay out of things with Dean and the Braedans. It’s nothing personal, he of course wants to get to know his nephew and try to smooth out the rifts he caused, but he also knows that those rifts are considerable, and it didn’t feel right to force himself into an already delicate situation again. So he’s been giving them their space, and while he knows that the Braedans agreed to come for the Christmas party, and he wasn’t planning to hide or anything, but he was going to just try and make himself as unobtrusive as possible.

Which is funny, considering he is a moose.

That said, he had just come to the B&B to makes sure that Mary and Bobby got settled okay, and then ran into Cordelia on his way out, and naturally she wanted to ask him a number of pointed questions about both Allison and Elena, and that he is doing his best to artfully dodge when the Braedans’ car pulls up in the parking lot and there’s no way for Sam to quickly escape in a way that doesn’t look like he’s fleeing.]

Crap.

[“Crap?” Cordy frowns. “What’s crap? Who’s that?”]

Uh, that’s Ben. Well, one of them is Ben. Dean’s son.

[“Dean’s WHAT?!”]

[enate]

( While Sam is mild-mannered and the brother with manners, no, he is not unobtrusive.

Even Dickerson in the backseat can see the tall guy talking to the hot chick looking at the car he's in like a deer in headlights.

But, Lisa knows Sam Winchester. She remembers when he helped save her and her friends' sons in the neighborhood. And she knows the pain he caused in his gambit against Lucifer. And she remembers the wound he ripped open upon his return. All at once, she remembers the Winchester's codependence and how they wear it like a badge of honor. As Rudy comes to a stop, Lisa unbuckles her belt and steps out of the car - before he's even pushed the start-stop button. The car wasn't in motion, therefore she emerged.

She closes the door behind her and rounds the car to the other side.

She knows that with Christmas with Dean, his brother would be a packaged deal. But, she was also promised a pretty big turnout because of whatever Dean is currently dealing with. As always, he stays cagey when she finally brings herself to reach out to him. He assures her he's okay and it's Elena's job now to pry.

In the backseat, Dickerson follows Ben's mom with his eyes.

"That's your uncle," he says, remembering his research.

Outside the car, Lisa approaches her one-time great love's brother. )

Hey, Sam. You must be Allison?

[letsbe_clear]

["Yeah, that's Sam," Ben nods as he slowly starts to gather his things. "He's not actually a bad guy, it's just ... complicated."

Rudy turns off the car and gets out to go gather their things, giving Lisa a minute to talk with Sam before she has to introduce him. Especially because what follows her question is Cordelia's bright smile and:]

Cordy, actually. But it's okay, I haven't met Allison yet either.

[There's an implied threat in her words, and Sam very much hears it - and chooses to ignore it, focusing on the woman in front of him. "Hi, Lisa. Good to see you again. This is our friend, Cordelia Chase."

Cordy nods, and now that she has a name to go off of:]

Nice to meet you, Lisa.

[enate]

( The record wants it reflected that he wasn't implying Sam is a bad guy, but he doesn't call it out. Dickerson just puts a hand on his favorite person's shoulder.

Outside, Lisa awaits - the foot she needs to put in her mouth. Of course every girl standing next to Sam wouldn't be his girlfriend. )

You too, I'm --

( God, this is awkward. Dean's ex. The mother of Dean's child. She makes a small, briefly pained face at having to put words to it.

At the car, Dickerson slides out his side and heads to the trunk to help with bags if Ben wants a reunion with the guy who's not bad, just complicated. )

[letsbe_clear]

The baby mama?

[Sam sets his jaw, before looking over at her, because of course Cordy is going to say the most direct thing. It's Cordy's way. "Cordy, maybe you should go see how Fred's doing." He gives her his best you're not helping look, and she smirks.]

Yeah, probably. I guess I'll see you all at the party?

[enate]

( She doesn't have to leave, Sam, she has spunk! )

Sam, it's okay...

( She half laughs through that. It really cuts through the tension. )

But, yes, we're here for the party, so we'll see you there. It was nice to meet you, Cordy. I'm sure being friends with Sam and Dean has its' challenges.

[imnot_likeyou]

["No, he's right. I should go check on Fred. But we can definitely have a drink or two about that later." She gives Sam's arm a soft squeeze, before disappearing back into the B&B.

Sam watches her go, and the tension is still clear in the line of his shoulders as he turns back to Lisa, but he's trying to not be awkward.]

She's direct. It's one of her selling features.

[And sometimes the boys need it.]

You seem good. Was the drive okay?

[enate]

I hope Fred's okay!

( She lets her go, too as Dickerson closes the trunk and flanks Rudy and Ben. This isn't his, he's here for Ben. )

Easy. You'd expect more traffic, but maybe not heading this way - toward Mystic Falls, Virginia. Have you and your brother been here long? This is where Elena lives, right?

( Lived? )

[imnot_likeyou]

This is where she grew up, yeah. But she's been living out in Kansas with us for a few months.

[And it's been good having her. Elena is a good bunkermate. Most of the time. But the other times are just part of the downsides of his brother having a live-in girlfriend.

Ben and Rudy finally make their way over and and Sam nods to Ben who is shockingly nearly eye level with him.]

Hey, Ben. You got tall.

[That is lame but that's also what happens when you haven't seen someone since they were twelve. Ben nods in agreement before smirking. "Guess we know which side of the family I got it from." It's a joke and it makes Sam's shoulders release slightly. Maybe he won't completely step in it all the time.

Rudy steps up next, holding out a hand. "Rudy Sorenson. I'm Lisa's husband."

Sam nods as he shakes his hand.]

Nice to meet you. I've heard good things.

[enate]

( She nods at that, a little surprised. Things have changed. "With us." Because it wasn't "With us," when Sam was in the picture and they'd been in danger. Maybe he didn't know any better. )

Really.

( She's not scoffing, exactly, but she knows Rudy is not Dean's cup of tea. But, she preens a bit to herself, leaning into her husband.

"Dickerson," he introduces himself with a nod. He's curious, he won't lie. He hasn't mentioned it to Ben, but this opened up his life in a way that maybe it's needed. He's done some extensive research and wants to grab Sam, for, maybe a q & a from someone new to all this.

But he knows Ben's issues with it, too. )

[imnot_likeyou]

From Elena. And Mom.

[Sam will clarify because yeah, therapists are never going to be Dean's cup of tea. But he nods to Dickerson, and glances to Ben for context because that did not get filtered through until ... oh wait.

Yeah, Elena mentioned him too. The one who might be a little too curious. Mary hadn't mentioned anything, but maybe they hadn't spent much time together.]

The best friend, right?

[He pays attention.]

[camber]

( "Ah," she concedes with a conspiratorial nod. Exactly. Even if Dean had liked Rudy, he probably wouldn't have mentioned the fact. He liked to keep everything close to his chest. )

Ride or die. ( Yes. Best friend. ) My old man's not big on Christmas and I kinda helped them stumble back into all this.

( Call me curious, he doesn't say.

Rudy's second son, he also doesn't say. )

[imnot_likeyou]

Well, we're glad to have you all. Dean sent you the address for the Lockwoods, right?

[Ben nods, holding up his phone. "Yeah, I got it."]

Okay. Then I'll let you guys get settled. You've had a long drive, I shouldn't hold you up.

["I'll go get us checked in," Rudy begins, before glancing over to his wife. If she wants to stay and catch up with Sam, she's more than welcome to. Or Dickerson can grab him and pick his brain. He doesn't have to immediately flee the scene.]

[camber]

( A little too obvious Dickerson wants to, so he definitely gives Sam a head nod before following Rudy.

Lisa turns back to Sam, not moving from behind her son.

"Dean... told us a lot of what was happening back when -" when he came back. Why things were the way they were. Everything Castiel-related. She doesn't know what to say past that, yet, but she wants it clear that everything's pretty much out of the open. Behind them, Dickerson drops two hands on Rudy's shoulders, one of his rucksack's over his shoulder and Rudy shouldering the other load. )

Wait up old man.

[imnot_likeyou]

[Sam lets everyone move past them into the hotel and slides his hands into the pockets of his hoodie, an attempt to make himself smaller, less threatening. A habit he's had since he shot up to his full 6'4" height because the last thing that Sam usually wants is for anyone to be scared of him.

Excluding demons and monsters of course.

He nods, when Lisa speaks though.]

I really am sorry about my part in it. I know I didn't make things easier. It was a rough year.

[enate]

I know. And Dean had a lot of hard choices in front of him. And as much as we don't agree with them, he's trying. The first step was honesty. And we expect that from you, too, Sam. This has to go both ways if this is going to work.

( She doesn't Mama Bear often now that her son is his age (damn it, math) but it still flares up when it needs to. )

[imnot_likeyou]

Of course. And I'm not looking to get in the way, of any of it.

[He wants his brother to be happy, to have what he wants, and he knows how much Dean wanted kids of his own, even if Dean never really admitted it to his face.]

And our lives are really not as crazy as they used to be ... Elena's recent kidnapping not withstanding.

[enate]

Right, besides that. ( But, she manages a laugh, pulling her son close by his side. ) If you want, I can give you two some time while we get settled, or we'll see you at the party?

[imnot_likeyou]

[Sam looks to Ben, and gives a small shrug.]

I've got time, if you want to - we can get a cup of coffee or something?

[Ben considers for a moment, before nodding. "Yeah, sure." He glances to his mom. "I'll be back in a bit."

And they will quietly disappear off screen since that's just me, and Lisa can go talk to her husband if she wants.]

[enate]

( Yep, while Dickerson heads up to unpack in their room, she meets Rudy in the lobby area. )

Everything sorted?

[nextproject]

Yep. We are all set.

[He holds up the key to their room and holds out his arm for her to take.]

How'd things go with Sam?

[enate]

( She takes his arm and arm-in-arm, they head up the stairs. )

I think okay. He definitely holds want happened against himself, I think, partially, outside of everything Dean did. But, he wants us in Dean's life. Ben. Who is now at coffee with Sam.

( And she hopes that goes well.

Inside his room, Dickerson sends Ben their room number so he knows when he gets back from whatever he's doing. Probably uncle time. )

[acdc_rules]

["Like brother like brother," Rudy nods, because he has a feeling that guilt is a Winchester family trait, but he gives her shoulders a squeeze as they head to their room. "They'll figure it out."

Ben thumbs-ups the text, but doesn't return until about an hour later, having navigated through that first initial conversation with Sam. And in some ways, he's able to test the waters with some of the things he wants to talk to Dean about later.

No one knows Dean better than Sam. So he carefully considers the advice he gets as he makes his way back to the room and then slips inside.]

Hey. How's the room?

[Are the beds comfortable? Are there any quirks they need to know about?]

[camber]

You mean besides the one bed?

( Is that a problem? But, he asked if they could split it. 'Hon, this is a B and B.' )

Damn comfortable, though. Nice-sized shower. View of the main square, There's also this hint of peppermint, like, everywhere.

[acdc_rules]

We'll manage.

[They're grown adults. Worst comes to worst, one of them sleeps on the floor.]

I think that's a B&B thing. They have to separate themselves from the sterile feel of hotels.