Bubblegum and Blood Roses ● Supernatural FanFic {𝔾𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕝}

Chapter 6: 𝕋𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕋𝕠𝕥𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕖 𝕎𝕚𝕟𝕖

The oldest Winchester wrapped Cansas up in his huge arms and gave her the mother of all bear hugs, to which she hugged back just as tight. The Winchester boys were always popping in and out of Bobby's place, whether dropped off by their dad or in need of help on a hunt. It wasn't any surprise they were good friends. 

"We're workin' a case. How've you been?" Dean said pulling away and giving her a once-over.

"Fine. Still trying to work my shit out."

"I hear that." Cansas paused, not sure whether to bring up the elephant in the room: John Winchester had passed not that long ago. She only knew thanks to the few hunters that had helped her the last month, meaning the Winchesters didn't want her to know--or didn't want her sympathy. But they were her friends and she understood what they were going through. Dean seemed to read her mind, his lips thinning.

"We're fine--really--"

"I just wished you'd called--"

"And what? Listen to you go on and on about how sorry--"

"That's not fair. You know I wouldn't have done that." Dean ran a hand through his hair.

"Yeah--Yeah, I know." They stood there for a beat, a group of college kids letting out a random cheer. 

Though Cansas had no great love for John Winchester, she knew how hard it was to lose family--to have to sit there and listen to people's pity. She threw on a happy-go-lucky smirk, patting Dean hard on the arm.

"Where's the Giant?" Dean vaguely gestured over his shoulder. Something like excitement fluttered in her stomach.

Cansas hadn't seen Sam Winchester since he ran off to college about five years ago. And, of course, they hadn't really left things off on the right foot...though it wasn't as nearly as bad as things had been left off with Bobby.

Cansas didn't know how much Dean knew about that day, but she didn't dream of asking.

"Trying to figure out who we're up against." So they are on a case. Did they know about Loki? Maybe whatever had happened here had nothing to do with the trickster. He had just gotten to this little college town. There was no way he could have caused too much trouble already...something in Cansas' gut told her otherwise. "What are you doin' here?" Dean asked, gaining her attention once more.

"I just finished up a case--real mess that was. I thought I'd stop for the night, grab a drink." For dramatics, Cansas took a sip from her drink.

"Well, if you want to stay and help us out of this case, we'd love to have ya. Maybe your feminine charm could loosen a few lips for us."

Three cases back to back? Normally that would be a no-go for her, a total hell-no moment, no matter who it was asking. But another case would get this damn collar off her mind--that ass of a trickster. Get her mind off the fact she had lost her only lead, which was just so typical.

Cansas needed a distraction and another case would do just that.

"Your feminine wile didn't have them drooling on the floor?" Dean's lips cracked into a smirk.

"I guess I'm just not their type," Cansas smirked right back, shaking her head.

"Damn, I missed you, Winchester."

"Right back at ya, tater tot." He clasped his hand on her shoulder. "Come on. Let's go find Sam. He's not gonna know what to do with himself when he sees you." Dean said with a slight chuckle.

Nerves fluttered in her stomach again. Cansas was one who didn't know what to do--how to even begin to talk to his brother again.

Chugging the rest of her drink--the sweet liquid stinging at her cheeks--Cansas followed after the oldest Winchester. They weaved around college kids taking shots and having a good time. She had just caught sight of a few people setting up to sing on stage when a familiar voice rang through her ears.

"Dean. Where the hell have you--" Sam looked like a deer in headlights when he set eyes on Cansas.

Sam was...well, he wasn't the scrawny, fresh outta high school Sam Cansas had seen last. He'd buffed out, grown-up. And he'd grown up fine--like a wine.

But just as quick as the excitement had fluttered around in her stomach, hurt flashed in her chest just as quickly. 

Sam had been the boy she'd had the longest relationship with, and even after all these years he still held that title. Still broke her heart when she thought of their break-up.

"I told ya," Dean said hushedly, a chuckle on his lips. Cansas refrained from rolling her eyes and instead gave Sam a small smile.

"Hey, Sam." This seemed to snap Sam out of the shocked state he'd been in.

"Cansas." A smile formed on his lips as he came closer, arms outstretched. Cansas rushed into his arms without a second thought, Sam holding her tight. "How have you been?"

"Good. Work keeps me busy." They pulled away, but only the slightest bit. Sam didn't move his hands from where they'd landed on either of her sides.

"Good's good." He gave an awkward half chuckle.

"And you?"

"Oh you know, same old same old." Cansas nodded slowly. She could see in his eyes he had more to say. Cansas squeezed his forearms.

"Well, this is just painful to watch," Dean spoke, startling them away from each other. The man wore a playful smirk. A smirk siblings gave each other when they were messing with each other. Sam shook his head, clearly annoyed. "Cansas is gonna join us." Dean wrapped his arm around Cansas' shoulder, giving her a shake. Sam raised a brow in silent question.

"Yep. Got nothing else better to do."

"Eh, that's the spirit!" Dean shook her once more before letting go. "Pizza? Beers? Sammy monologuing about what he found out? Sound like a plan?" Dean asked, rubbing his hands together in some sort of excitement.

"Sounds like a pretty good plan to me," Cansas said, stirring Dean into motion towards the exit.

"We should stop by the store first, get something other than beer for Cansas," Sam spoke as they followed after his brother. 

 Cansas' face heated the slightest bit at the fact that he remembered her distaste for beer. She'd cut a glance up at the youngest Winchester, finding him alright staring down at her. He gave a panicked sort of smile before looking away.

Dean looked back at them, amusement written all over his face.

"Oh, yeah. I forgot you've got classy taste buds." Cansas scoffed a laughed.

"Classy? No, I just prefer something that doesn't taste like piss." Dean chuckled, shaking his head.

"You're just full of jokes today, aren't ya, Munchkin."

"I'll beat your ass, Winchester," Cansas said, only continuing the teasing mood.

"I'd bet on it," Sam said, earning him an eye roll from his brother.