one attempt at one-eyed brunch [21/??? artefacts collected]

[sadfreezingbrit]

[ It's been almost a week since ex-mafia!Philip had a very unfortunate event run-in with still-mafia!Dean. The result? His previous Wonderland lives are still intact, but he's down one eye and his arm isn't doing so well either. And that's the understatement of the day

Comments

[dashboardlite]

[Dean Winchester is of the firm opinion that a little lovin' wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more never hurt anybody - especially not here - but if he did stop to think about the implications of Philip getting close to people, he'd shy away from suggesting things so readily. After all, he's been on the receiving end of Clarence's tender demonstrations of affection.

But an alien headvoice can't hate everybody, right? It just seems a bit counterproductive.

Still. Relationships are important. Dean used to be the guy that shut himself away. Brilliant how he's transferred his freakish codependency problems to other people here.]

Couple weirdos. Another singing teenager. A talking horse.

[You know, the usual. He really ought to get on the communicator more, but Dean hates first impressions to be of him with one eye. Man, he misses being symmetrical.

Dean wishes he could encounter young women in distress, too, but they're in short supply around here.]

I swear, dude, I'm just waiting for this place to turn into a friggin' High

[dashboardlite]

[It wasn't him. It was Clarence.

He wants to bite back with a "But I still hurt you" sort-of retort, but that wouldn't help anybody. He's learning to curb that much more wicked tendency to snarl at everything.

Somehow, Philip's reassurance isn't as reassuring to Dean as it ought to be.]

Yeah, sure.

[Yeah, right. There isn't a fine line between convincing and unconvincing when it comes to Philip. It's all about as obvious as being hit in the face with a brick. They've gotten a little too good at gauging each other's feelings, now. Damned manly bonding time.

Dean nods, because he knows it'll make Philip feel better, and it sort of makes himself feel better as well. Delusion is the way to go, right? Right.]

That event was all screwed to Hell, anyways.

[Dean winces. Nice allusion, buddy.]

1/2

[sadfreezingbrit]

[ That was about as convincing as an ode to Octopussy as the best James Bond movie.

And Philip really wants to keep digging, because it doesn't make him feel bad, it makes him feel angry, because after everything Dean told him the hunter just doesn't have the right to--

He shouldn't be allowed to feel bad. And he definitely shouldn't be allowed to drop the distinction between Philip and Clarence to do so. ]

2/2

[sadfreezingbrit]

[ But Philip is in no condition to slam Dean against a door in the vicinity (and let's be honest, two good arms probably wouldn't improve those odds either), so all he can do is force himself to remember the view from the other side and hope that Dean knows how to deal.

Delusions it is. At least that way is easy enough... ]

Well, what did you expect from an event with a permanent voiceover?

[dashboardlite]

Woulda been cool if I hadn't been a douchey hitman.

[The problem is that Dean forgave Philip. A while ago. Back before the vampire event. He got over it - he told himself he did, because it had been Clarence. The repercussions on Philip had been only mental at the time, and now there they were, clear as day, gashes on his face and arm.

Dean had let that grudge go.

Obviously it hadn't been gone long enough. Stayed dormant, maybe, but if there was some part of Dean that even he wasn't aware of, something vengeful and dark- Hell, he already knew it existed. There was always the potential. It just decided to rear its ugly head now. And Dean can't exactly forgive himself for that.]

Look, dude, I-

[I'm tryin' this new thing out. It's called talking to people about my damn problems. Like a What Would Jesus Do? Only it's a What Would Sam Do? It's really friggin' hard and I ain't good at it, but I'm trying, okay?...I'm sorry, man. I know what you're gonna tell me, 'cause I told you the same damn thing the last time, but just

[sadfreezingbrit]

...Sure.

[ Philip's look says that Dean has his full attention, but the teeth biting down on his lower lip say that it was a close call, that he almost denied the request, because that should be all there is to it. ]

[dashboardlite]

[He gets the hesitation, because guys like them don't share feelings. It's just how the world works. Wonderland, on the other hand, works differently, and it's obvious that Dean isn't enjoying saying what he needs to say just as much as Philip isn't enjoying listening in.]

I get how you felt, okay? And it sucks, and I'm- I'm tryin' not to let it get to me, and take my own advice, and I've never been good at takin' advice from anyone.

[Unless it was Dad.]

So...I'm just tryin' to say that I'm really sorry that we both look like friggin' pirates, and getting back to things like me making fun of your lady-friends would be easier, but if I've learned anything it's that not many people here...have close...friends.

[Jesus, that was a painful sentence to say. Avoiding eye contact makes this considerably easier.]

And...you're my friend, so.....thanks.

[sadfreezingbrit]

[ Philip tenses and waits for the inevitably but, an objection to any and all attempts at alleviating Dean's guilt.

But the accusation never comes and the actual conclusion prompts as much surprise as it does relief. ]

Dean, if--

[ Philip wonders just how to word what seems so obvious beyond discussion to him. ]

If it wasn't for you I'd... I would have frozen to death, probably had my head split open by a pickaxe and-- [ Hesitation. ] And God knows what else, so...

[ A smile of the genuine kind appears on his face. ]

So don't mention it.

{ Seriously, don't. 'Cause I'm gettin' internal bleeding from all the sap. Didn't think that was a thing? Go figure! }

[ Translation of the above minus Clarence commentary: I strictly platonically guy-love you too. ]

[dashboardlite]

[Don't mention it? Don't mention it. Glad we came to that little agreement there. Dean doesn't usually consider "saving people" as a kind of social nicety - it's his job, so he doesn't expect thanks most of the time. He doesn't really expect thanks ever, actually, but hearing it is nice all the same.

It never crosses his mind, then, that maybe there are people out there who are grateful for his assistance. Strictly platonic guy-loves or not.]

Cool. Well, uh.

[So wrap up the afternoon soap moment, Laverne and Shirley.]

...that was...real graceful of me, so I'm gonna make a motion for a shot of liquor and some sleep.

[sadfreezingbrit]

[ A smile. Tolerance aside, there is only so much booze and painkillers the physicist mixes willingly. ]

I think I'll need to pass on the liquor today, but-

[ Philip stands up. ]

-knock yourself out.

[ He certainly will. Just as he'll actually be taking his leave now. ]

I'll call you later.

[dashboardlite]

Later.

[Dean gives a short wave and turns back to his coffee. Knocking himself out sounds like the best plan yet.]