Chapter Text
You wonder how five weeks ago you thought you couldn’t be happier. This place and these people are driving you crazy. All Dean and Sam ever do is argue, Crowley is now locked up in the dungeon – because of course this place has a dungeon -, Kevin looks like he hasn’t slept in days, Bobby went back to South Dakota because “these idjits are gettin’ on my last good nerve”, and Cas looks as confused as you about how to handle this circus.
And, as if things aren’t tense enough, angels keep popping in randomly. You didn’t really follow most of the commotion when Gabriel popped in for the first time, but from what you could tell, they all thought he was dead but apparently he was just in hiding until the coast was clear. Then was the return of a certain feisty angel named Balthazar – also presumed to be deceased – who had a fun story about how he knew Cas would take a stand against him so he took a play out of Gabe’s book and went into hiding until things were safe.
Other friends dropped in occasionally – Charlie most often, but there was also Jody, Donna, Anna, and some weird kid named Garth. And every time someone new stopped by you were forced to relive the telling of the day your life was torn apart – quite literally – and how you came to be part of the Winchester family.
Today though, two months into living at the bunker, you've reached your limit…
*~*~*~*~*
Sam and Dean aren’t talking to each other because of a disagreement over how to handle a case. Cas is arguing with Gabe and Balthazar about some sort of drama in heaven. Kevin has locked himself in his room and says he isn’t coming out until Crowley is far away from the bunker. Crowley is taunting everyone and attempting to escalate the tension in the bunker. And you, you are at the end of your rope.
You have a car now… Dean had nearly giggled when you asked if he would help you rebuild one of the old cars in the bunker’s garage, and for the past few weeks the two of you have spent many hours alone in the garage covered in grease listening to classic rock (and a little Taylor Swift) fixing up one of the classic cars… so you grab the keys and announce to the room filled with arguing angels and pouting hunters that you’re going out.
Before you can make it to the garage, a strong hand grabs your wrist.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Dean huffs as he holds tight to your wrist.
“Out? Away from all this bickering and hostility. It’s driving me nuts.”
“I don’t think so. There’s been activity not far off, and I’m not letting you run around alone.” His tone is controlling, but his eyes are full of concern.
You sigh. “Fine. Whatever.” You mumble as you drop your keys into Dean’s hand and walk down the hall.
“Where are you-“
“My room Dean. I’m going to my room. Is that alright? Or do I need a chaperone there too?” You say loud enough for your voice to echo through the hall.
*~*~*~*~*
You’ve been laying in bed for hours trying to ignore the noise coming from the library. You check the clock – 2:30 am. Those idiots were up until two in the fucking morning arguing over bullshit. It’s been half an hour since you heard the last door click shut.
This is it. Your chance to get out of the bunker just for a little while and breathe a little fresh air.
You sneak through the hallways of the bunker and decide against taking one of the cars since the engine would likely wake someone. You slowly ascend the stairs to the exterior door and open it as quietly as possible.
The wave of fresh air against your face as you open the door is invigorating. It’s been far too long since you’ve been outside the bunker and you almost forgot how beautiful the chill of evening air blowing across the wheat fields of Kansas can be.
You step out into the night and pull the door closed behind you gently. You zip your coat – well, Dean’s coat, but same thing – against the chill and take off walking down the path out toward the nearby fields.
*~*~*~*~*
The first light of the morning is teasing the horizon as you lay in the middle of an abandoned field staring up at the sky. You didn’t make it far from the bunker after you realized how amazing the sky looked this far out of the city and decided to lay in the grass and just enjoy the view.
You didn’t mean to stay out all night. People at the bunker would probably be waking soon and while they would probably just think you were asleep in your room, sneaking back into the bunker unnoticed would be fairly difficult.
You stand, brush yourself off, and start the trek back to the bunker. As you get closer, you notice baby parked out front. You can see lights on inside the bunker and you can hear voices carrying from open windows.
You wonder what could have happened while you were out that could have everyone up and milling about at this hour. Whatever it is, it can’t be good.
You open the front door to the bunker and all eyes turn toward you.
You stop mid-step.
The silence is deafening.
“Y/N?” Dean whispers as if he doesn’t believe it’s actually you.
“Yeah?” You reply meekly, suddenly unsure how to answer what should be a simple question.
“You’re alive…” Bobby says, disbelief heavy in his voice.
“Of course I’m alive.” Realization begins to set in. “Bobby? Why are you here?”
“We…” Dean starts, but pauses. Are those tears in his eyes?
“We thought you were dead.” Sam finishes Dean’s thought.
“Why did you go out alone, Y/N?” Cas asks with concern dimming his normally bright eyes.
“I… I just needed a break from the… from everything. I didn’t go far… I just… needed some time.” You answer guiltily as you look out onto the worried faces of your family.
“You gave us all a proper fright luv,” Balthazar says from his place at the back of the room.
“I… I didn’t mean to. I didn’t think you would even notice I was gone.”
“You didn’t think we’d notice?” Kevin interjects indignantly.
“Of course we noticed…” Dean added walking toward you.
“Actually,” Crowley’s gruff, accented voice interrupts, “I noticed, but I suppose we can call it a 'team effort'.”
“How did you know?” You ask ignoring the glares directed toward Crowley from the remainder of the room.
“This place was built well, a true fortress, but from the dungeon, I can hear everything that goes on up here. I heard you and Dean argue over you leaving and I heard you storm off to your room. But you always take a shower before bed and I never heard the water.” Crowley finishes his explanation clearly pleased with himself.
“That’s very observant… and kinda creepy…” You reply after a moment.
Suddenly, a rush of moving air and the rustle of feathers filled the small space and Gabriel appears.
“There’s no sign of he—“ Gabe stops mid-sentence as he notices you standing in the doorway.
“Oh, never mind then. Welcome home, kiddo!” He smiles at you. “You had us worried.”
“Yeah, sorry about that.” You apologize again rubbing your hand heavily on the back of your neck, inevitably a habit you've picked up from Dean.
“Well, you’re here now. Home safe.” Dean smiles as he closed the gap between you and swept you into a huge hug.
“What do you guys say we head back to bed for a few more hours?” Sam suggests as he takes hold of the collar around Crowley’s neck and walks toward the entrance to the dungeon.
“Works for me.” Kevin replies already walking back toward his room.
“Leave a note next time will ya luv?” Balthazar smiles and with a flutter of wings he's gone.
“Yeah, kiddo. What he said.” Gabe adds before flying off as well.
You vaguely hear Bobby mutter “bunch of idjits” as he makes his way toward one of the extra bedrooms.
Now it’s just you, Dean, and Cas standing in the war room. Both are staring at you as if looking away would cause you to disappear.
You try to ease the tension. “Guys, I’m fine. Really.”
“Y/N, I don’t think you understand how frightened we were.” Cas explains slowly, looking between you and Dean.
“Yeah, we… uh… we thought something had happened to you…” Dean adds, his voice wavering as he speaks.
“You’re part of this family now, Y/N.” Cas says as he reaches out and takes your hand.
“We don’t know what we’d do if something happened to you… I don’t know what I’d do…” Dean whispers pulling you close into another embrace.
“Me either.” Cas adds as he moves behind you to join the embrace.
Standing here between these two amazing men with their arms wrapped protectively around you it finally dawns on you… You’re home.