[b]MIKA[/b]

Duke's words about how he didn't answer Dean's calls that fateful night that changed the direction of their lives forever was a surprise to Mika. She didn't even know Dean had tried to call him in, she thought it was always the plan to be the three of them- herself, Dean and Sam going to that asylum and thinking it was a standard demon hunt. Not once did she ever think Dean had his worries so much so, that he swallowed his pride and attempted to get Duke in on the hunt. One thing though that she knew for certain, was that things probably wouldn't have changed in the slightest even if he was there. Knowing Dean, he'd have had Duke staying outside to guard the perimeter with her. It’s just who Dean was and thinking back on that night, she could have done with the backup but none of this meant Duke needed to feel guilty, neither of them did but she also knew that guilt was part of them both. 

As Esme turned to her and spoke to her, telling her not to feel bad or sorry for leaving Esme behind, she sighed but knew Esme was right. It was a horrible night, she felt helpless to the boys as she stood outside, fighting any demons that appeared to be heading inside whilst also staying by the impala. She wasn't helpless in the slightest, but that night she felt it because she wasn't inside helping them. “yeah it was quite the fight…but that was then” she replied, not wanting to go down memory lane of that night. Nat’s state still haunted her to this day and it was the only reason she didn't complain about Natalia's eating habits. She did find what else Esme told her about some mysterious shadowed person half helping her before her godmother found her, very intriguing though but didn't pry into it as like she said just now, it was the past. 

Stepping away from the fridge door that she was still leaning against, she walked up to both Duke and Esme and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “She's right ya know? We gotta focus on the here and now” she spoke up, not believing that she was actually agreeing with Esme if all people. Yet now she had spent this short time with her without Dean lingering in the background, she was starting to see that maybe, just maybe, Esme wasn't all that bad. She then turned back to Esme again and gave her a nod of agreement, “I agree. I'm willing to put everything aside and start again…like you say, we all gotta stick together for whatever is coming. I'm sorry it's taken me this long to get a reality check” she told her honestly, knowing that Duke would no doubt have something to say to her privately about her actually offering an olive branch to Esme. It was a big step forward for Mika, bigger than Esme would ever know, but one that Duke would know all too well. 


[b]NATALIA[/b]

Feeling Dean holding her tightly, Natalia felt like the first time in her time with him, she was truly wanted by him. His actions were matching his words and she didn’t know how to process that as it felt simply like a dream. She couldn’t believe that for once, he was being her brother and nothing else. She took on board his words about Esme and it was good to have her as an ally. It confirmed to her that she did the right thing by actually asking for help from someone. Being buried in his chest, she didn’t know that he had gleaned up and saw where Cason was standing. All she knew was that Cason wouldn’t be far away, ready to jump in if he thought it was required. She knew Dean wasn’t going to be able to reply to her begging straight away, she knew it was a lot to ask of him but she had to ask it. With Cason around, she felt like she could battle the PTSD she was going through. She could begin to try and move forward and remember those lost memories with him. He centered her, gave her hope and calm. 

As his grip tightened around her, Natalia tightened her grip on him. The next words coming out of his mouth both surprising her and giving her a sense of relief. “Thank you” she replied, feeling him pat her hair before she got the courage to look up and move her head from his chest. Sniffing from all the sobbing, she followed his gaze outward to see he was spotting Cason just ahead smoking. Looking back up at Dean, she loosened her grip on him, letting one hand go off his shirt and wiped her face. “I do love you Dean, I’m sorry I said I hate you because I don’t…” She finally said to him. She never told him she loved him and she knew if she expected or wanted him to be better with her, then she had to do the same toward him. Glancing back at Cason again, she gave him a small smile, not even knowing if he’d have been able to see it from where he was. 

“He’s really not as bad as you think you know, I think talking to him might be a good idea. I hate seeing you two fight…” she told Dean before finally fully letting go of him, even if it was slightly reluctantly. It was late, it was cold and she was tired of being angry. “I mean…what demon do you know would go out of his way to win me a giant dog plush that is still in the back of my car at a fair?” she added, the words even making her break a little smile in the corner of her mouth. It was a ridiculous thing but she genuinely did love it but knew she’d have to leave it here at Bobby’s before they moved forward again. She hoped it would be enough of a starting hint for Dean to try and see the signs that Cason was different. 

[b]SAM[/b]

Sam had to laugh at Anna’s comment about Dean being outnumbered when it came to the amount of women in their group. He wasn’t just outnumbered by women, he was outnumbered by very feisty women with very strong opinions. He was convinced that if all four of them teamed up Dean wouldn’t stand a chance. Demons, vampires? No problem. Esme, Mika, Anna and Natalia team up? Sam’s bets were going on the girls. 

Then his smile and laugh stopped when she brought up his phone vibrating and he just shook his head. “Just spam calls, it’s no big deal” he replied to her. He knew it was a lie but he knew right this minute was not the time to be talking with Ruby or telling Anna that Ruby was calling him. He also wasn’t in the mood for Ruby to be nagging him about dosing up on demon blood himself and getting stronger for killing Lilith. He wasn’t going to even entertain that whole conversation right now. He listened to Anna speak about how she hated this whole situation and the tension between him and his brother because of her. In his eyes, she had nothing to feel selfish over. 

“It is petty, but you have absolutely no reason to feel like you’re being selfish or whatever. He was completely in the wrong and it was only a matter of time before I finally called him out on it. I’ve needed to be selfish against him for a while and he has Natalia to make amends with first. That should be more important to him right now” he replied. He lifted his thumb up to under her chin and turned her face to look at him, his other hand keeping her close to him. “We’ve needed this night to be properly alone for a long time now and I’m glad we’ve finally have it. So if that does make you selfish then so am I” he spoke, leaning down and kissing her softly, lovingly and slowly. “You’re my world Annabeth Donovan” he whispered against her lips. 

With his words whispered, he solely focused on showing her just how much those words were true. He kissed her like it was already the end of the world and only she mattered to him. Passion, love, sensitivity, all poured into his kiss and onto her lips.