Archive of Our Own ^beta

Cas was kept late doing research with Dr. Bernard again because of course he was and so Rowan was stuck by herself at Holland's holiday party and, in short, it sucked. Holland was more Cas's friend than she was Rowan's, they liked each other well enough but, if it was just up to her they probably wouldn't have become friends and everyone else here she knew even more passingly. They were playing some dumb get to know you card game that made her want to claw off her own skin. And she had to drive herself home so she couldn't even cope with it by getting drunk. What a shit show.

"Hey umm, I have to go to the bathroom, if it gets to my turn just uh, make something up," she dropped her cards on the table and Holland gave a slightly confused nod, before the game went on as if nothing had happened. Rowan knew where the bathroom here was at least, and was able to sequester herself inside it quickly. Not that she really needed to pee. She just desperately wanted the peace and quiet for a moment.

She fished her phone out of her purse, pulled up her text conversation with Cas.

She didn't really expect a response but he must have been on break because the little typing indicator popped up immediately.

Rowan felt tears welling up. Stupid.

Probably not.

That startled a laugh out of Rowan. This was a stupid way to cheer her up so why was it working.

Rowan loved to leave marks but Cas had his fancy professional job and coming in covered in bites and bruises was a no go. The lipstick was a good compromise. She loved how he looked with her kisses all over him.

He was typing for a long time. Flustered at work? She grinned.

Damn it.

Sigh. Well. She could give it another shot at least.