We Ain't Ever Getting Older

Dean was glad that he had crossed his arms because by the time that Raelynn had finished speaking, his hands had been balled into fists and his anger was beyond evident. She just couldn't see the balled fist that hid under his arm. He refused to look over at her, grinding his teeth together. He was never going to come to Bobby's again after today. After they left on the hunt, he was never going to be welcomed here again. Dean was just going to have to accept that because as long as Raelynn lived here, it was her home and not just Bobby's.

Once Raelynn had disappeared, Dean slammed his fist into the wall. He knew that everyone in the house would probably be able to figure out that he had just punched the wall but he didn't really care. Not right now, anyway.

Cursing under his breath, Dean kicked his shoes off and didn't bother to even take off his coat as he laid down. All he wanted to do was sleep for the rest of the night until the morning when his multiple day hell would begin. Sam knew he still cared for Raelynn but not even his brother knew just how far he was willing to go.

Raelynn stomped down the stairs, ignoring the tears that were stinging the back of her lids. When she made it down stairs, she spotted Sam sitting on the couch, his eyes glued to whatever it was that he had on the TV. Raelynn flopped next to the youngest Winchester, a small huff escaping her lips.

Raelynn crossed her arms as she sat next to Sam. She tried to focus on the TV, but her anger was more than apparent. She leaned her head against Sam’s shoulder and let her eyes flutter closed. “I hope you know that your idiot brother is an idiot.”

Sam glanced over to Raelynn when she dropped down beside him, letting out a sigh when he reached over to wrap an arm around Rae's waist. "Sweetheart, you can worry about Dean all the time. I mean, it's Dean. He's stupid and he's reckless and for a while, that's exactly why you loved him. But he got even stupider and more reckless and that's why focusing on him might not be the best idea for you."

Letting out a sigh, he gave Rae a squeeze, tilting back his beer as he took a sip. "I'm just happy I get to spend some time with you. Missed you on the road with us, Rae. Gets a bit cramped without you."

Raelynn looked up at Sam, a small smile gracing her lips. Sam was always her rock and God did she miss the taller boy. “Missed you too, Sam. Like, so much. Bobby has driven me crazy most of the time I have been here. You notice everything is cleaner? All thanks to your girl over here.”

---

The next afternoon, Raelynn was once again shoved back into her familiar spot in the Impala. She felt at home there, more than she ever had in a while. Even though her and Dean were fighting, she knew at some point something had to give. Yet, something about this situation had Raelynn feeling a little un easy.

Dean didn't open his mouth to even say a thing when he pulled away from the familiar home belonging to Bobby Singer. He wanted to stamp his feet and demand that Raelynn leave, reason that he and Sam could handle the case on their own, but he knew that Bobby was likely trying to pull something with his old sappy self.

Gritting his teeth as he turned onto the freeway, Dean chanced a look over to Sam, in the passenger seat. Maybe if he just pretended Raelynn wasn't here, she would just shut up. "So, what're the details on the case?"

Raelynn spaced out momentarily as the boys discussed the case. She sat quietly, staring down at her hands. She twisted her fingers, a nervous habit she had since she could remember. It was apparent that Dean was ignoring her. In the back of her mind she thought it was better this way. Since their argument the day prior, it was apparent that Dean Winchester wanted nothing to do with her. He wanted nothing to do with her despite her dedication and love that she had wasted on him.

Raelynn sunk down further in the back seat; a feeble attempt and making herself feel invisible.

No one knew what Dean Winchester had done all those months ago and if it was up to him, it was going to remain that way until he took his last breath. He would take it to his grave, just like he wanted. When you make sacrifices, sometimes it's better that way. Dean knew that. He also knew how much shit would happen should someone find out and he sure as hell was not ready to face that sort of issue.

"We're not going to be there for another couple of hours so be ready to jam," Dean said a bit louder, his eyes flicking to watch Raelynn in the rearview mirror for a brief moment before turning away. He let out a small huff, leaning forward to turn up the volume on the radio.

Raelynn stayed in her own thoughts for a while, before finally deciding to stop the self loathing. She scooted over to the middle of the seat and leaned forward. She launched herself into a conversation with Sam, allowing him to fill her in on the case. After she was caught up, she changed the subject to the last episode of Dr. Sexy. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Dean’s grip tighten on the steering wheel and she swore she heard him scoff.

Turning her attention to Dean, she threw him the brightest, most innocent smile that she could muster. “You need some food, Dee? You always do that when you’re hungry.” Raelynn decided that being civil with the man was going to be her best bet at rekindling any sort of relationship, even if it was a friendship.

Of all the damned tv shows that Raelynn needed to bring up, she just had to go and talk and Dr.Sexy knowing full well that it was going to put him on edge. His eyes narrowed a bit, his knuckles turning white around the steering wheel. Tension started to grow in his muscles and his foot lowered a bit on the gas, speeding up as he merged into the left lane on the highway. He shifted around slightly, his eyes flicking to the rear view mirror before shaking his head.

"That's generally the purpose of food, yes. Thanks for the tip, Sherlock," Dean replied, rolling his eyes. He glared at Sam for a moment when his brother slapped his arm before returning his attention to the road. "What? It's true. Generally, if someone is hungry, they want food. I'm just saying that it was really fucking obvious if you ask me."

“You’re welcome.” Raelynn grinned at Dean, deciding to take everything he said with stride. She wasn’t going to allow him to dictate her mood anymore. She had already spent the past few weeks wallowing in self-loathing and she was done with the pity party. “I know I can be pretty smart sometimes, huh?”

Raelynn turned back to Sam, who was currently smirking at her. She flashed Sam a smile and continued on with their conversation. “Anyways, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, I am kinda hungry too. What about you Sam? Lunch?”

Raelynn could feel the shift in the air and she knew she was getting to Dean.

Sam's gaze flitted between Raelynn and Dean. Watching as the tension grew between the pair would have been comical if maybe he hadn't been witness to it first hand and if maybe, it didn't involve two people that he cared so much about. With a huff, he nodded toward Rae. "Food sounds good, yeah."

Dean grumbled under his breath as he shifted lanes, aiming for the next exit. Hopefully if they managed to get some decent food in them, he would be in a slightly better mood. And maybe if he fed Raelynn, she would quit being so goddamned annoying.

"Do you want a fast food joint or a sit down place, princess?" Dean posed the question, his lips quirking upward in a smirk as he looked at Rae in the rearview mirror.

“Whatever you feel like, babe.” Raelynn’s eyes widened and her face flushed as she noticed the pet-name fell off her tongue like it was nothing. Maybe Dean didn’t catch it. “You said we were on a time frame, yeah? Let’s just stop at a drive thru.”

Raelynn resumed to sinking down into the back seat. How could she be so stupid like that? She shook her head to herself. She was sure he didn’t notice. He hadn’t even glanced back in her direction. Plus, didn’t she say that she wasn’t going to allow Dean Winchester to dictate her emotions anymore? Sack up, Raelynn. she reminded herself silently.

Dean's heart skipped a beat at the nickname. He would never admit it but the woman in the backseat still had an incredible affect on him that no other girl he had run across managed to do. He grit his teeth but that was the only indication he gave off that he heard Raelyn.. He heard her loud and clear.

Deciding that he wanted chicken because there was only one other food that could even come remotely close to his love for pie, and it was fried chicken. He pulled into a KFC drive thru and spouted off their order like he had never forgotten it - Sam always went for the same thing, they all did really. Sort of ironic if you thought about it because change was all they ever fought with.

"How's Bobby's been?" The question sounded just as Dean pulled back onto the highway, his hand shoved into the bag of chicken. He figured that he should at least try and play nice while they were on the road. It was only for a few days, right?

Raelynn leaned forward and delved into the bag, picking out the food that Dean had ordered perfectly for her. With her food her lap, and her feet outstretched she began to eat. She was so intent on staying quiet and eating her food, when Dean spoke she wasn’t quite sure it was to her. Her eyes flicked up and met his in the rearview mirror for a brief moment. She looked back down at her food.

“Good,” she said through a mouthful of food, causing Sam to groan in disgust. “Oh can it, Sam.” She shook her head and went back to the question at hand. “Anyway. Yeah, he’s been good. Grumpy as shit. Trying to pull little stunts here and there. Cleaned his whole house for him and he didn’t even appreciate it!”

Dean couldn't stop the laugh that sounded from him as he shook his head, tightening his grip on the steering wheel as he drove. With his free hand, he munched away at the chicken leg.

"Are you trying to say any of that was surprising?" He asked, unable to hide his smirk. Dean shook his head, smirking over at his brother. "Seems Rae still hasn't learned yet if she thought Bobby was going to be anything other than a stubborn, old man!" He exclaimed, leaning forward to lift his drink and take a long sip of it.

Sam rolled his eyes, tossing a piece of popcorn chicken into his mouth. "Yeah but he could at least show a little appreciation for what she's trying to do for him, couldn't he?"

Raelynn joined in on the laughter, throwing her hands up in defense. “Hey, all I am saying is, neither one of you would be complaining if you had a woman at your home cooking and cleaning up after all of your messes.”

Raelynn brought a hand up and placed a finger on her lip, pretending to be deep in thought. “Oh wait!” She exclaimed. “I’ve done the same for the both of you for over six years!” Raelynn laughed as she teased the boys. She was glad that her and Dean were at least talking. Things felt good as the air settled around the trio. Raelynn scooted over and wrapped her warms around Sam’s neck from behind the seat. “I kinda missed you two shit heads, anyhow.”

Dean had been relatively calm right up until Raelynn mentioned doing the same for the two of them. His grip tightened around his steering wheel as he shook his had, grumbling under his breath. He shoved a handful of biscuit into his mouth to help keep himself occupied as Sam glared at him.

Sam laughed reaching to set a hand on the arm around his neck. He gave Raelynn's arm a gentle pat, shaking his head as he turned around so that he could face her a bit better. "Trust me. This bastard has been a little more than grumpy over the past few months. He was beginning to drive me crazy. So," he said, pausing to take a sip of his drink. "So we might just have to kidnap you."

Raelynn grinned. She was elated that Sam wanted her back. Besides Dean, Sam was one of the best people that Raelynn had ever known. Sam was always there for her; dealing with her relationship problems with Dean, saving her ass on hunts, taking care of her when she was sick… Just being there to be here friend. And, God… She missed him—almost more than she missed Dean.

Raelynn casted a glance at Dean. “I wouldn’t mind being kidnapped… But I don’t want to intrude, ya know, on yours and Dean’s stuff.” Raelynn paused for a moment, and then spoke up quietly, almost terrified of what Dean would think. “Would you mind if I came back, Dean? I understand if you don’t…”

Gritting his teeth together at the suggestion of Raelynn joining them up on hunts again, it was hard for him to keep his composure. The further away that she was from him, the better. The less likely that his dirty little secret would be found out. So long as Sammy found out later, then he was fine. He wouldn't have anything to worry about because if Sammy didn't know then the likelihood that Raelynn knew was rather slim.

"If it means that Sammy isn't on my damn back all the time, I don't think I would mind." Dean forced himself to sound somewhat okay, to keep from being too annoyed because all he wanted to do was demand she get out of the car. Stay at Bobby's because it was safer for her there. Glancing over at Sam, he raised an eyebrow. "Well?"

Raelynn saw through Dean’s façade, but didn’t want to push the issue. Weeks ago, she would have poked and prodded and badgered him until he would confess his true feelings. Hell, Raelynn knew he didn’t want her around. He had made that abundantly clear. But Sam did, and that was all that mattered to Raelynn. She had already lost Dean, a while ago, and she wasn’t about to let her Sam go.

Raelynn smirked at Dean, but when she turned towards Sam she was grinning. This time, both of her arms went around the seat, enveloping Sam in a big hug. As she squeezed him, she sang. “Reunited and it feeeeels soooo goooood.” Laughing, she backed off. “Thanks boys, I appreciate it.”