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Benny's not sure what to think when Sam and Dean show up at his door with a tall lanky quivering mess of a man.
"The point of my cabin was isolation," Benny says. "Who's this you're tryin' to dump off on me?"
"I need a safe place for him to stay," Dean says softly, pulling Benny into the kitchen as Sam helps the man over to the couch. "Sorry I didn't warn you."
"Who is he?"
Dean glances back worriedly before responding. "Name's Garth. He's a friend. He… got bitten by a werewolf."
"What?" Benny asks incredulously.
"I know, usually I'd-" Dean cuts himself off, looks down at the floor. "He's a good friend. A great guy. The best, really."
Benny looks over at the guy, he smiles and waves. Seems real genuine, Benny can't help but smile back. "So you brought him to another monster," Benny says, crossing his arms over his chest. "You want me to be his… good monster mentor?"
Dean smiles, pats his shoulder. "You're gettin' it now."
"And who says I want to?" Benny asks.
"Your too kind undead heart," Dean says, patting his shoulder. "Thanks, Benny. I owe you one."
"You owe me lots," Benny says, shaking his head.
Sam thanks Benny before he and Dean take off, leaving him alone with the newly-turned werewolf. Benny doesn't know a lot about weres, just that vampires tend to avoid them and vice versa.
Benny sits down next to him on the couch, holds out his hand. "I'm Benny."
The man smiles shyly, shakes Benny's hand. "I'm Garth. Sorry, I'm usually much more talkative, I'm just going through a lot. I'm not really myself."
Benny smiles. "Took me decades to back to myself after I was turned. Still ain't quite right, probably never will be."
"Well, from where I'm sitting, I'd say you're pretty fantastic," Garth says. "Taking in a stray like me."
Benny laughs, shakes his head. "Well, I'd offer you somethin' for dinner but all I got is blood bags. I know weres need to eat somethin' meaty. Hearts, right?"
Garth shifts uncomfortably. "Yeah, I haven't really gotten the hang of this whole changing thing. I caused a lot of trouble."
"You hurt anybody?" Benny asks.
"Oh goodness no!" Garth says. "Slaughtered a bunch of livestock, though. I feel really bad about it. I am worried about next time, though… I black out when I change. I- I really don't want to hurt anyone."
"You won't," Benny says. "It's just us up here And your were side won't have any interest in lil' ole undead me."
"I don't like changing," Garth says, looking down at his lap. "It scares me."
"That's what I'm here for," Benny says, giving his most reassuring smile. "I'll keep an eye out for you. Teach you how to hunt, too. How to sustain yourself without hurtin' anybody."
Garth smiles brightly and Benny pushes down the feeling that swells in his chest.
It takes a few weeks, but Garth finally starts to get comfortable with hunting the animals in the woods surrounding the cabin. Benny drains some blood to make himself blood bags and then helps Garth harvest the hearts.
He's started keeping a calendar to track the lunar cycle. Tonight is the first full moon since Garth came to stay with him.
"I'm really scared, Benny," Garth says from the other end of the couch, looking over at him with wet blue eyes.
"I know," Benny says, reaching over to touch his shoulder. "But it's gonna be okay, I promise. You know how to hunt these woods now. Ain't no humans around for miles."
"I don't wanna hurt you," Garth says, putting his trembling hand on top of Benny's.
Benny moves in closer. "You won't, cher. I promise you. Don't you trust me?"
"Of course I do," Garth says, turning more towards him. "It's me that I don't."
"How 'bout I lock myself in my room at sunset?" Benny offers. "Would that make you feel better?"
Garth nods. "Yes, very much so."
Benny brings his hand from Garth's shoulder to his knee, squeezing. "Then that's what I'll do."
Garth's eyes search his face before falling to his lips. Before Benny's mind can catch up, Garth surges forward and kisses him chastely.
"Sorry!" Garth says quickly, leaping off the couch and backing up. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have done that."
"No! No, Garth, that was-" Benny stands up in front of him. "I've been wantin' to do that for a while. I didn't think you felt that way about me."
"What?!" Garth blinks at him. "Really?"
"Guess I hid it pretty well," Benny says. "But I think you might be the best person I've ever met."
Garth looks like he wants to say something else, but he looks out the window, notices the sun is low in the sky. "Go in your room."
"Garth, wait-"
"Go in your room and don't come out until morning, please," Garth says desperately.
Benny does.
Benny worries all night long, can't get a wink of sleep. He's just about to venture out when the sun finally rises when there's a frantic knock at his door.
He opens it and is attacked with a hug from Garth who's laughing hysterically. "I did it! I did it!" Garth smells freshly showered, skin warm and soft.
"I knew you would," Benny says when they part.
They watch each other for a moment, faces so close they can feel each other's breath. Benny kisses him again, unable to resist his pull.
Garth kisses back eagerly, hands holding Benny's beard-covered cheeks. Benny laughs lightly when they part. "You're a mighty fine kisser, Garth."
"Ditto," Garth says, stepping back. "I really can't believe you've been feeling the same way I have."
"Why's it so hard to wrap your head around?" Benny asks, leading him over to sit down on the bed.
Garth tilts his head. "Weren't you born like 100 years ago?"
Benny does some quick math in his head. "Plus 25 or so, but yes."
Garth holds his hands out like the answer is obvious. "I'm a man. And you- you're really old."
Benny barks out a laugh. "Okay, now I get it. You think I'm too old for you."
"Shut up," Garth teases, a blush blooming on his cheeks. "You know what I mean."
"I do," Benny says, leaning over to cup his cheek. "But I'd love to be your old man if you'll have me."
Garth grins. "Of course I will." He leans in to kiss him again and Benny thanks every higher being that may or may not exist for something so wonderful.