[h3] Cason and Anna [/h3]

Cason dropped in the middle of an empty hallway, in the old apartment building that he had lived in…when he met Anna.  He knew where she was.  She always ran to one person when they would fight, or when she had a bad test day and needed someone who could relate.  In fact, it’s where she was living when they met in this very hallway.

He smiled fondly of the memories that flooded his mind of the parties, and the late nights helping guys back to their apartments after a bender.  Glancing around at the numbers on the doors, he oriented himself and walked down the hallway.  Only a few doors down, he came to the apartment he was looking for, and straightened his jacket, before knocking.

He could hear voices behind the door, both of which were familiar, and surprisingly happy.  He could even hear Anna giggle as Max stalked over to the door and swung it open.

“Cason!”, he beamed, a bright smile gracing his face as soon as he saw Cason’s face.  Anna’s head popped up in the background as she stood to her feet, looking almost faint.

“Hey Max.  Hello, Anna.”, Cason answered back, as Max stepped aside, letting Cason into the apartment.  Cason glanced at the ceiling, and scanned his eyes down to his feet, just in case Anna had already planned for him to come after her, but from what he gathered, she had no idea he was coming.

“What are you doing here?”, Anna asked with a shaky voice, causing Max to frown in confusion.  She might have forgotten to mention that they were long broken up, and not…exactly on the best terms.  She sighed, and Cason shrugged his shoulders.

“You kinda ran off without saying anything.  I was worried.”

“Max…could you excuse us for a moment?”, she asked, hesitantly taking her eyes off Cason long enough to turn to Max.

“Of-Of course.  I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me, alright?”, he responded, glancing between her and Cason with suspicion.  She simply nodded, crossing her arms as he left her alone with him.

“What the hell are you doing here?!  I hope you’re not here to bring me back.  I’m not going.  I will scream.”, she started immediately, but Cason raised his hands to stop her.

“First.  I know you will.  Second.  I’m not here to bring you back.  Your boyfriend was losing his mind, and I’m just here to make sure you’re alive and well.  You are.  I have what I need and I don’t plan to make any more drama for you than necessary.”, Cason explained, shrugging his shoulders.  Anna narrowed her eyes in suspicion, scanning his face for any sign that he was lying, but she could find nothing.  

“How is he?”, she asked finally.

“A mess.  He’s confused.  He’s a bit zoned out and upset, if I’m honest.  He doesn’t understand why you left.  Why did you leave?”

“It’s what I do, I guess.”, she answered, shrugging her shoulders.  She turned her eyes awkwardly to the ground and kicked her boots against the floor, causing Cason to narrow his eyes.

“Right…”, he said, but his voice held suspicion.  He knew that there was more to her story, and that something had caused her to leave.  But instead of pushing it, he reached out, cradling her face in his hands.  He pulled her forward and pressed a tight kiss to her forehead, “You know you can call me if you need me…even now.”

“I know.”, she whispered, her eyes closed, “But can you leave?”

“Of course.  I need to let them know you’re alive.  Keep him safe, alright?  Don’t open the door, and put a trap under that door mat, just in case whoever made you leave shows up.”, Cason explained casually, stepping back from her.  He disappeared before she could even correct him, and she dropped her arms in exasperation, tears threatening the corners of her eyes.

[h3] Dean [/h3] 

As soon as Cason disappeared, Dean stayed silent for a moment, until Nat turned to him, and accused him of having something to say.  At first, he feigned innocence, shaking his head, “I don’t know what you want me to say…”

He crossed his arms but then held a hand up, shifting to one leg, “He suddenly decides to protect you, after all this time.  What is it?  He has been taking care of you from afar and suddenly he feels the need to be close enough to sleep in your bed?  I’m just confused, Nat.  This is Cason.  You know…Cason?  The guy who slept with my girlfriend.  The guy who essentially lied to Anna for God knows how long about what he was.  And suddenly he’s a saint.  Saint demon…”

He took a deep breath, and shook his head, “I didn’t mean it like that.  I just need to know…how do you…feel about him?  Is it an ‘I owe him’ kind of attachment or is it a ‘he’s dangerous, let me jump in bed with him’ kind of thing?”

Before he could even get an answer from her, Cason appeared behind her, much faster than he had anticipated.  He rolled his eyes, and gave Nat a look that said ‘I expect that answer when you’re finished with him’.  Luckily for Dean, Cason stood still and quiet, holding a piece of paper in his hands as he waited for the stress to leave the area around Nat.


[h3] Duke [/h3]

Duke listened carefully for Esme’s voice in the room, breathing deep through his nose.  Finally, he heard her voice and a wide relieved smile spread across his face.  He gently pressed on the door, pushing it open, before removing the trashcan from the gap, and closing the door behind him.  He didn’t immediately go to touch her, deciding instead to get some clothes on, just in case she decided to continue screaming at him.  At least he wouldn’t end up back outside, naked.

He kicked off his boots and threw his hat on the dresser, before grabbing a pair of boxers and a tshirt, throwing them both over his body.  He stood still at the foot of the bed, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, and then crawled onto the mattress. He carefully crawled all the way up until he was leaning on his hands and knees beside Esme, and reached a gentle hand over to wrap his fingers around one of her wrists.

“Hey.  Darlin, look at me.”, he whispered, bringing her hand up to his lips, where he pressed soft kisses to her knuckles, “I mean, I can’t flash my baby blues and apologize right if you don’t look at me.”

As he lightly teased her, he smiled against her knuckles so she could feel it, and then balanced on just his knees, reaching for her other hand, “C’mon, sweet pea…”