Chapter Text
⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀𝓘t’s been a long drive all the way from Kansas down to Florida only because Dean hated flying and that 'nothing could be more thrilling than sharing the road with his little brother'. Getting out of the car after they just parked the 67 chevy impala , Dean takes a moment to observe the building. It stood confidently beneath the sunlight ,crunchy was the pastel pink adorning the walls , bright navy blue coloring the rooftops which undeniably reminded him of the ocean whose waves were heard washing on the beach nearby the motel. Sam approached him with a bag slung over his shoulder while he held out Dean’s over to him.
“ What do you think ? “ Dean took his bag , eyes flicked slightly to his brother as if to look for his approval.
“ Looks dreamy. “ Sam’s gaze looked up to the pylon sign. It read ‘Siren Song’ , written in fancy letters on a white background, where there was also a faceless mermaid with long blonde hairs and aquamarine tail. He nodded.
The outside couldn’t compare with the inside. Dean thought he had opened a door or another world instead of this one. Greek-style columns standing at the four ends of the room supported the ceiling. The walls, painted ocean blue, featured mermaids emerging from the waves. The woman standing behind the counter wore a pink blouse , ‘Mei’ was gracefully embroidered over left chest.
“ Hi.” Dean greeted her with a smirk. Her eyes shot up at him , lashes battling in mere surprise. Pink cotton candy on her cheeks and those lips contoured with hazelnut lip liner.
“Hi.” Her eyes alternate between them before she could finally settle her pearls over Dean , whose smile grew wider. “ Are you here to book a room or confirm a reservation ? ”
“ Huh ,book. Do you have rooms with two queens , by any chance ? ”
“ I’m not sure. We’re kind of fully booked , but I can still take a look. ” The woman glanced at her computer screen , limbs tapped on the keyboards and within seconds the results showed up on the screen. “ Ah , it’s your lucky day. We've got rooms 268 and 264 with a view of the sea or rooms 233 and 230 overlooking the road. ”
“ We’re gonna take the sea seaside. Do you accept credit cards ? ”
“ We do. I’ll just need your full name. You can pay over here.” Tapping on her keyboard with one hand , the other designated the payment terminal on the counter.
“ Of course. Hugh Berloff.” He slid the card in the terminal. “ You want me to spell it f’you ?”
“ I’ll be good , thanks. I happen to know some Berloff in my life. ”
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The room was large enough to accommodate more than four people. It had two queen sized beds , heavenly blue bedding adorned each bed, with headboards replaced by mirror halves. The furniture was of an ivory white, immaculate, matching the walls. A flat-screen television was mounted on the wall, centered in the middle of the room, right above the TV cabinet. Dean threw his bag over the bed nearing the bay , eliciting a scoff from his brother who had no other choice but take the second bed. It was adjacent to the kitchenette and facing the bathroom door. A vibrant fruity fragrance perfumed his sheets and Dean swore it was litchi. He spent his whole life on the road , sleeping in cheap motels with uncomfortable mattresses , poor services..All of this ? This is luxe. He deserved it , damn it. When he wasn’t hunting he had no other occupations such as binge watch series as he finished yet another bottle from his favourite beer brand. Paradise or heaven , he’d call this life. Exempted from real life jobs , taxes , bills…but not from peace and rest. There were days where he would feel it , the sleep deprivation caused by the river of thoughts wandering through the walls of his mind , then his head would hurt and he’d pop open another beer, hoping it would pass. But it never did. A few hours later, he'd be sitting on his bed, his elbows resting on his knees, and his emerald eyes gazing into space. He was able to ignore the bitterness and guilt weighing on his shoulders, but he wasn't Atlas ; he couldn't carry the weight of the world on his shoulders without bending a knee.
“ What do you wanna do now ? ” Sam asked while he reached for the stack of pamphlets on the nightstand. They suggested several activities to do in the city and its surroundings, such as the best local restaurants, must-see museums (which caught Sam's interest) , events and so much more he couldn’t even remember them all.
“ I don’t know. What do you wanna do ? ” Back laid flat on his bed and arms crossed behind his head as a support he had his eyes. He could already feel his fatigue losing itself in the comfort of the mattress.
“ Huh , there’s museums , restaurants…” He listed as he skimmed through each flyer until he stopped at one and glanced at his brother’s figure. “ Wait , apparently it’s surfing season. Every year they have many surfers training at Cocoa beach. It’s a sort of popular event.”
Of course , Dean reacted at the mention of surfing. For him it meant women in skimpy bikinis , ice creams and getting tanned under the Florida sun. He was already standing up when Sam shot him a puzzled glance.“ What are you doing ? ”
“ Getting my ass in those swim trunks.” And to illustrate his saying he opened his bag and began looking for the said swim trunks which he eventually found after throwing almost everything out of his bag.” We’re totally going there. ”
As the sun hits his skin while he steps outside of his car , a soft breeze caresses the curves of his face and he realizes how much he missed out on this his whole life. His eyes flit to Sam casually checking if he was good. Catching his brother’s gaze his lips curled into a genuine smile , fingers adjusted the strap of his bag over his shoulder.
Both walk down the path leading straight to the beach. Beach umbrellas blossomed all over the beach , kids running between people , women tanning, teenagers playing volleyball and the waves licking the sand. Dean always saw this scenery in movies he grew up watching on the motel rooms TV cable. They’d play late at night and of course he’d watch them whenever John was absent and Sammy slept peacefully in his bed.
Now he got to see this in real life. Yeah , he missed out. A lot.
“ How come dad never took us to the beach ? ” He said , lids squinted while his eyes scanned the beach all over again. The sound of the waves lapping at the shore filled the silence that had settled between them.
“ I don’t know. ” Sam put down the cooler and stood with his hands on his hips , squinted his eyes as well. The sun was intense. Nothing the brothers weren’t used to.
“ Honestly , I wish he did. ” His words tasted like regret and he mentally brushed the bitterness away when his emerald eyes caught a feminine silhouette in his peripheral vision.
Sam splayed his towel over the hot sand right besides Dean’s. The daystar shone with intensity , ruling its cloudless kingdom and he wished he had brought an umbrella. Dean was already applying sunscreen all over his chest , visibly thrilled by the thought of being there. He’d been rarely content or euphoric, especially lately. All of that crap with the leviathan , Abbadon…He needed a break , something to fill his half empty jar.
This was perfect.
“ There’s a hub not too far , Cocoa Beach Pier , you wanna go over there later ? ”
“ Yeah , why not. ”
Buttered up with sunscreen they walked down to the sea. Near the shore , waves were more tender than the ones curling further. They were large and imposing. A crowd had gathered by the sea, shouting what sounded like cheers. Dean exchanged a glance with Sam, and they agreed to go see what was going on.
They navigated between the people , muttering sorry’s there and here until they found themselves in the frontline.
Dean had completely forgotten about the surf stuff Sam talked about back in their room. People were riding the waves on their surf boards ; younger or older , women or men. They were all enjoying the tides. It was striking the way they seemed to perform a dance , choreography. Dean had a vivid memory about the day he watched North Shore on TV , the tape had been lying around in the TV stand drawer. Since then he always thought of surfing as something cool. Actually it was in his top two , right cowboys.
Then , you caught his eyes. You emerged from the tube and slid across its shoulder , a hand extended to the curl you felt your finger tips leave the wave behind them and moved upwards to hit the peak of the waves. The smile on your face never left your lips , even when you reached the shore after riding your last wave , surfboard hooked under your arm.
Your friend praised your performance while she wrapped your towel around your shoulders. Dean eyed you , taking in the way your wet curls kissed your back , how your breasts bounce at each step you take , the piercing hanging from your navel glittered.
Walking past him and his brother , your smile deepened when you realized the man had been ogling you shamelessly. Being a hurry you barely had time to notice the green of his eyes.
And his eyes immediately fell to your ass , barely covered in that thong. You were a sight. Especially from behind. Sam shook his head. Dean will never change.
It’s the middle of the noon when they arrive at the hub. Sun lower in the sky and burning heat coexisting with the ocean breeze. After enjoying the sea , Sam and Dean headed to the hub. It was a large pontoon stretching over the aquamarine waters. Welcoming tourists and locals , the shops were lively and colorful.
Dean easily headed to the restaurant edging the seaside. At this time of the day , there wasn’t much clientele. Couples or friends groups were scattered throughout the place , chatters winning over the sound of waves breaking.
A waiter brings them to their table and the brothers take their seats. Dean doesn't waste time and starts reading the menu. There was a variety of choices yet seafood remained the principal theme.
“ What d’you think of that, ” He slid his index under the text. “ Jumbo fried shrimp ? ”
“ You should try a salad instead. They have—”
“ No no no, ” he interrupts his brother , ever the healthy one. “ Don’t pull that crap again. Told you I don’t eat rabbit food. ”
“ Dude , I’m just saying , you should eat something with less…” He trails , a hand gesturing in the air.
“ Less grease ? ” Dean finished up his phrase , brow lifted. Sam always had a weird obsession with vegetables and any other healthy stuff. He was a stay-in shape person.
You walk in the restaurant , your friend tailing after you. She was convinced your biggest rival had their chance of winning this year’s championship but you weren’t sure. Taylor Kenneth, was their name. They were each other’s competition for over five years now. You always thought they had natural talent, compared to the hard work you put yourself through. Exhaling, you sit down across from your friend and lean over the table.
“ Alisha, I told you,” you said while your hands flattened on the table. “ I don’t even think if Taylor’s gonna show up this year. Besides, I don't have any news from them.” The last part was muttered, eyes darting away from Alisha’s furrowed brows.
“ How’d you know that ?”
“ Because, I…possibly contacted Taylor’s brother.” The confusion is inevitable. Why would you check up on your rival ? Let alone communicate with their family members ? Alisha shifted in her chair.
“Did I miss something ?”
“ Um, yeah and no.” Her brows rose up. “ It’s complicated. Look, can we talk about this later ? ”
“ Sure.” Alisha squinted her eyes at you before she could finally take a look at the menu.
Dean notices you first. He’d seen you before, you were the surfer girl from the beach. Your hair was long and thick, falling into a waterfall of curls over your shoulder.
“ Wasn’t she at the beach earlier ?” Sam speaks first but Dean’s eyes never leave you.
“ She was.”
“ So what ? ” He placed the lettuce on top of the cherry tomato and bell pepper and brought the fork to his mouth.
Dean remains silent, contemplating whether or not he should stand up and walk to your table with that strut of his and ask for your number. You were rakish. He came across many beautiful women before and you were one, there was just something about that screamed ‘come to me’. Maybe you weren’t human. Maybe you were a siren, wearing one of his many fantaisies. He liked surfers, they were cool. You weren’t just cool, you were sexy. And his biggest problem was his hesitation was stopping him from going to talk to you.
Feeling a pair of eyes, you naturally turned your head over and found Dean’s. You smiled and went back to sipping on the ‘bahama mama’ you ordered earlier. A battle for dominance between coconut rum and pineapple juice, despite the presence of banana and orange in the mix. And it was smooth on your tongue. So smooth it made your eyes close as the drink slid down your throat to settle in the pit of your stomach. The warmth from the dark rum spread through your body.
Humming, your eyes snapped back open on Alisha. Her fingers held the straw she was using to stir her drink and glanced at you with amusement.
“ He’s handsome.”
“ Who ? ”
“ The guy who was staring at you not even five minutes ago ! ”
“ Oh.” You brought the straw to your glossed lips, innocently brushing off her observation. You haven’t been interested in someone in months. Not that you didn’t crave intimacy, or being touched and held and loved. You just…don't know.
Outside of surfing, you’d be a marketing manager and work flooded everyday with abundance. Hence you barely had time to dedicate yourself to friends or family. Let alone a lover.
“ I don’t think it’s a good idea.” You said. “ I don’t have time.”
“ Live a little ; you’re on vacation. Nobody said getting laid by a random handsome guy isn’t a bad idea.”
“ He’s too old.”
“ As if that stopped you before.” She rolled her eyes and you offered her a deadpanned look. The smile grew bigger. “ Girl, seriously. Go talk to him.”
“ Why would I go talk to someone I’m not even interested in talking to? ”
Too busy bickering with Alisha, you didn’t notice the guy made his way towards you and actually stopped at your table. It was your friend’s eyes fleeing away from yours that made you realize about your company.
“Hi.” He greeted.
He was tall. Maybe it’s because he was standing and you were sitting down. His hair is dark blonde and short. And his eyes. God, his eyes. An emerald green where flirtation lived. You remember him now, he was the guy who ogled you at the beach. After taking a good look at him, a real good look, you realized how handsome he is up close.
“Hi ? You’re the guy from the beach, right ?”
“ You remember me, sweetheart ? I’m flattered.” The way he called you sweetheart with his deep voice, honeyed with a charm you’ve seen before. Is it hot or just the estranged heat rushing to your face ?
“ Sweetheart ?” You echoed the word with genuine amusement.
Your thick eyelashes fluttered at him, glossy lips curled in a smile.That caused him to smirk. By your body language he could tell you were definitely into him. If he had no decency , he would’ve deliberately been hard as a rock in his trunks. But he wanted to look decent, be decent. You didn’t deserve to see him behave like a perv.
“ You’ve never been called like that, sweetheart ?”
“ Oh I sure did.” You answered, nonchalant with a shrug. “ You’re not the first one to come, try and walk away with nothing.”
He leered at you. Dean undressed you in his twisted mind. He was already conceiving his hands all over you, round tits cupped delicately by his limbs. He lifted his chin, thumb hooking at the edge of his shorts.
“ You sure ? I can be convincing.” You believed him. The desire in his gaze made you crumble. He seemed to be the kind of guy that could obtain anything from his looks and charm alone. Crossing a leg over the other one you leaned against your chair, back straightened up.
You scoffed.“ Huh. How can I put faith in a guy whose name remains unknown to me ?”
“ Right. Forgot my manners.” His hands gestured up and he extended one of them towards you. “ Name’s Dean Winchester.”
You shook his hand and told him your name and promptly withdrew it. “ Alright, s’nice to meet you Dean Winchester.”
Alisha’s eyes flicked between the two of us. You were giving him the eyes, just he was echoing you with the same heated gaze.
He said your name again, sweet and low, he loved how it fell from his lips and you looked like you enjoyed it given the way you shifted in your seat after he said it. “ You’re free tonight ?”
“ No we—. ” You interrupted yourself by looking at Alisha who gratified you with an encouraging wink. “ Huh nevermind. Yeah, I guess I’m free. ”
“ What do you say ‘bout eating seafood ? ” He demanded. “ Picked a nice restaurant on my way here.”
“ I guess I’m fine with seafood.”
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Hair slicked back and curls styled in bun held by a clip. You wore something simple and comfortable. The cotton candy gown stopped halfway down your thighs, the neckline formed a heart shape consecutively leaving your shoulder bare except for the thin strap that threatened from ascending the edge of both shoulders. To elevate your looks you just adorned yourself with golden jewelry here and there. And that's what you thought he wouldn’t show that you saw finally. He traversed the room in hurried steps.
“ Sorry for being this late. ” He took a seat across from you. Dean looked neat, hair groomed and soaked shirt replaced by what you assume was a plain black underneath the dark coffee jacket. Irked by his belated arrival he offered you an apologic look. “ You know what, dinner’s on me─”
“ It’s okay.” You lifted your hand to illustrate your declaration. “ Whatever happened, I’m sure it’s not your fault. You don’t have to do this.”
Lips pressed together he nodded while straightening against the back of his chair. “ Okay. I bet you had plenty time to take a peek at the menu.” He declared while he grasped the folded carte.
“ To be honest,” You mirrored him, opening up the menu . “ Yeah. But I don’t know what I’m feeling like tonight. There’s too many choices.”
He frowned and despite him he let out a mocking snort. “ It’s freaking sea food. All I see is fish, shrimp or crab.”
“ You’re the one who proposed me to go eat seafood.”
“ You still said yes.”
“ Because I love seafood.” Assessing the menu once again you fell back on one of the several dishes making you hesitate. “ They have chatrou fricassee.
His emerald eyes flit to you. “ What’s that ?”
“ Okay so,” You leaned forward and her breasts followed the gesture. He gave it a lecherous gaze, more invested in the way her tits looked in her dress. “ Basically, it's an octopus and usually cooked with sauce and you eat it with rice.”
“ Yeah, so just octopus with rice.” He concludes.
“ It’s not just octopus. It’s cooked with chives, onions, chili pepper…” You listed dreamily. You could taste the stewed squid on your tongue and your taste buds craved for more at each mouthful. “ It’s a Caribbean dish. Don’t think you’ll ever find any other people cooking it this way. Unless you were taught.”
Dean’s eyes shot up in surprise. For him it was just food. He hadn’t much history with food. For him it was a way to carburate and just one of the few good things he had left in his life besides Sam and beer. In your eyes he saw that sparkle shine bright while you talked about the infamous dish.
“ You look like an expert. ”
You had a sheepish smile climbing its way over your glossy lips. “ It’s a Caribbean dish and I happen to be Caribbean. ”
Dean nodded slowly. He's always wanted to go to the Archipelago. But he never really voiced it. To anyone. Not even Sam. The only issue was flying. He hated heights and he hated having no contact at all with the ground. So he basically hated planes. Sam said this was…What was the word again ? Oh. Acrophobia. Meant the person had an irrational fear of heights. He brushed it off, called it stupid ; yeah he didn’t like height for a reason he can’t explain but that wasn’t phobia.
“ You, huh, been here for long ? ”
“ Yes and no. I’ve been living in Toronto for years now. I come to Florida occasionally.” Resting your chin over upon your hand you leaned slightly.
So you only came here occasionally ? Oh maybe he should start doing the same from now on. “Canada ? Wow.” Dean nodded, impressed. “ Work related stuff ?”
“ Yep. What about you ? ”
“ Born and raised in Kansas. Been working too much lately so I’m taking some days off from job with my little brother.”
“ The guy you were with at the restaurant ?”
“ Yeah. His name’s Sam.”
“ I thought it was otherwise. Like, there’s no way he’s not the older brother here.” Your brows shot up by surprise. Sam carried something Dean didn’t have. Maybe it was the beard. Dean’s was well groomed if not almost inexistant on his face. You still thought he’d look pretty with a beard.
“ I’ve heard that before. A lot actually.” He frowned then smirked. A boyish grin at the corner of his lips. “ But we can both agree I’m the cuter one.”
“ Sure.”
“ Heh, you’re still sitting in front of me.So you actually think I’m cute, don’t you ? ”
You shrugged.
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You haven’t felt that in years.
That content feeling. You would feel happiness, satisfaction…All were familiar things you’d be used to. But as time went on and nothing changed, it all became sour. Tasteless even. The world became flat. Tonight, you felt a quietude behind the laughs and the jokes shared during the date. At last, he got behind you to help get your jacket over your shoulders. Shivers ran down your spine when his limbs brushed over your flesh.
“ Ladies first.” Waiting for you to pass, he followed while his free hand hovered above your lower back. The evening’s cool air brought you back to reality and bitterness suddenly washed over. You were only here for two weeks, twelve days left now, and this was just a date. “How’d you like our date ?”
“ It was…great.” You looked up at him and he stood there, admiring with two hands down his jacket’s pockets. The moonlight embraced his features and it made him look so dreamy. Unreal. It could be a dream.Nonetheless, the warmth of his fingers against your skin made you think otherwise. “ It was an awesome evening, Dean. Thank you.”
“ Anytime sweetheart.” His hand reached for his keys inside his jeans front pocket. “ Want me to drive you home ?”
“ I’m good. Just texted my friend. She’s gonna be there in a few.”
Eventually, Alisha showed up in the car you rented for the stay. You could imagine the questions she was about to ask you with that big ass smile on her face. You pivoted towards the dirty blonde haired man and stood on your tip toes to kiss cheek. “ Well, you got my number. So, call me ?”
You gave him a smile and proceeded to walk towards your car, heart fluttering in your chest like a teenager. The car took off and Dean watched it drive away. This felt like the end. He knew this was a simple hook up, another woman to warm his sheets. But his body ached for more. This couldn’t be just a blissful one night stand with the prettiest surfer he's ever seen.
“ God damn it.” And if he wasn’t already cursed, he would have thought his curse had only just begun.