𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐀𝐍

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘

Feather-light kisses are trailed up Katherine's spine, her neck. As Dean kisses at her jaw, she smiles and pushes at his shoulder. "Stop it," she groans, moving her waist away from his tickling fingers.

"Happy birthday." His voice is right in her ear, quiet and low, and it shoots right to her core. Her eyes fly open, a slight smile on her face as she appraises him in the early morning light. Dean reaches over and runs the pad of his thumb along her cheekbone. He watches her eyes squint as she smiles.

"What do you want to do today?" He asks. "We can...swim, run, walk, jog...stay in..." His brow quirks suggestively and she smiles. "Watch some movies...hike?"

"Maybe—"

"Well good, because we're going to the aquarium."

"Whoa, what?" She pushes herself up, staring at Dean with a furrowed brow.

He looks at her with the same expression. "Yeah. I thought you liked penguins? That's what Sam said, anyway."

"I...penguins are fine," Katherine chuckles, resting her chin on her elbow. "I'm just...surprised is all."

Dean shrugs. "We've never been."

She stares for a moment. "Not even when you were kids?" He shakes his head. "Well...had you been to the zoo before Sam's birthday?"

"Once," Dean tells her. "I think he was nine. Dad was gone, so...I took Sam to the zoo."

Katherine smiles a bit and leans down to him, pressing her lips to his cheek. Then she collapses onto her front, her arm wrapped around Dean's waist. "I think I'd like to stay here with you for a little while."

"Hey, I'm flexible," he hums, reaching over her shoulder to rest his hand on the small of her back. He glances down at her. "Why are you laughing?"

"Oh, just something I recall you saying."

"What's that?"

"'Dean Winchester doesn't date.'"

He smiles a little, closing his eyes as he feels his cheeks warm. "I'm willing to make an exception."

"Even if I'm a hunter?"

"Especially," he hums. "No secrets. It's the life."

"But you're not gonna sideline me, are you?" She quietly asks, tilting her head back a bit to look at him. "Because you'll worry about me? You worry about you on hunts. I'll worry about me."

"Of course," Dean says.

"I mean it. The second you try to put me out—"

Dean raises a half-playful, challenging eyebrow. "You'll what?"

Her brow furrows. "Well I won't listen to you, that's for sure."

"You already don't listen to me," he mutters. "But thanks for the head's up."

"Is Sam awake?" She asks. Dean shakes his head. "Well is he asking where you're sneaking off to before the sun rises?"

"Let him," Dean murmurs. Katherine smiles a bit, turning to press her head into his side. "What's your first memory?"

"Like...in general?" He nods, and Katherine lets out a heavy sigh. "Uh...crying because I didn't want to go to preschool."

Dean smiles. "Really?"

"Oh yeah. Hated it."

"I loved preschool." Katherine snorts. "Lots of girls."

"Oh, God," Katherine mutters. "My favorite parts of the day were snack time, lunch time, nap time, and 'go home' time." Dean laughs and she smiles, closing her eyes. He doesn't laugh often enough.