Supernatural: The Infernal Book

Do As Daddy Says

"Alright, kids," Dean said as he parked the impala on the edge of a large stretch of private property and killed the engine. "Sam and I are going to go in there and kick some vampire ass, and save some innocent people. And the two of you are...?"

Ryder and Miles scowled from the backseat. "Staying on the car," they said in begrudging unison.

"That's what I like to hear," Dean teased. "Be good boys and do as daddy says and maybe I'll get you tykes an ice cream cone after we're finished."

Ryder rolled his eyes and looked out the window and studied the darkness around them, trying to ignore the conflicting emotions he was harboring for Dean. The man was...confusing. If Ryder could simply focus on the surface-level aspects of Dean, he'd be able to make peace with the fact that he was a cocky, bossy asshole. But Ryder knew that wasn't true. There was something more, something deeper. And while he was entirely convinced that Dean truly was the bossy and arrogant man he seemed to be, he knew that there was something at the core of it all. A desire to protect others. A need to take all of the problems and place them solely upon his broad, muscular shoulders.

Why am I being so analytical about this man? Ryder asked himself as he attempted to rouse himself from his thoughts. I just met him. I'm probably just projecting what I want to see.

"We'll be back soon," Sam said in a steady voice as he looked back at them. "Just stay here, stay quiet, keep your weapons close."

Dean looked back and gave Ryder a wink, then exited the car, closing the door softly behind him.

"So," Miles said as he turned to face Ryder. "When are you guys fucking?"

"What?!" Ryder snapped.

"You heard me. The sexual tension between the two of you has been so thick I can hardly breathe," Miles playfully teased.

"It's nothing," Ryder sighed, feigning disinterest.

Miles cleared his throat and scooted closer. "Excuse me. I know we only just made up and became friends again and all, but I happen to know you better than anyone. And I know when you're smitten. Which you are."

"I'm not smitten."

"You're definitely smitten. Otherwise you wouldn't be so grumpy about." Miles wrapped an arm around Ryder's shoulders and pulled him close. "I solemnly swear that I will not try to take Dean from you. Besides, I've got my eye on Sam."

Ryder looked over at Miles and cocked an eyebrow. "Do you really think now is the best time for us to be trying to hook up with hot guys?"

Miles wiggled his eyebrows. "So you admit it."

"That was spoken purely hypothetically."

"Oh, please."

Ryder shut his eyes and let out a harsh sigh. "Okay, fine. Dean came onto me at a gay club and we made out and danced. Happy?"

Miles squeezed him tighter. "Not until you give me all the details."

Ryder knew that their priorities should be getting the key and finding the book, but there was something about this camaraderie with his cousin that took him back to simpler times.

"Well...he's a major tool," Ryder began. "He's attention-seeking. Hedonistic. Obviously sleeps around. And he's arrogant as fuck about it."

"But?"

"But...I don't think that's the whole picture of who he is. There's something beneath all of that."

Miles smiled in the dark. "People are complicated. We should know."