clem

Your chin laid over Dean's chest, propped up slightly by your hand under your cheek.

Your other stretched out, palm flattening across his skin, fingertips drifting to a small mark between two ribs. His voice was a different kind of quiet, not bad, just small.

"Hunt went sideways just outta Wisconsin, shifter"

"And this one?" You asked, fingers drifting to another near his waist.

He let out a small puff of air, like a chuckle he was too comfortable to let happen.

"That was Sammy. He got a hold of one'a dad's pocket knives when he was five, and I wouldn't let him go out to the vending machine for a Three Musketeers Bar"

"Savage little thing"

"Yeah" Dean said, almost a little proud.

"What about this?" You point to a larger, darker one at his sternum.

He stopped for a minute, soon moving to sit up, pushing you out of his hold.

"Doesn't matter" He mumbled, throwing his shirt back on, heading for the door "I should get goin' I-"

Before he could open it, you grabbed his wrist, pulling him back to the bed, letting the sheet around you drop and drape over him.

"Don't move"

He thought about leaving while you had your back turned, rumaging through your bag, but you meant more to him than any old one night stand, not that he'd let you know that of course.

When you came back, you had a few different coloured markers in hand, popping the cap on one with a grin after shedding his shirt again, a welcome sight no matter how many times you'd seen it.

"What the hell 're they for?" He narrowed his eyes, confused.

"Your scars are a part of you, and you're gonna learn to love them"

"I don't-"

Before he could finish, you were in his lap.

You leaned down and pressed a lingering, tender kiss to his lips, guiding his hands over your body as you did, stopping them over a few marks against your skin.

"They're normal, baby. I won't do anything you don't want me to, but I-"

"Go ahead" He pressed his forehead to yours, a soft, genuine smile breaking through "I'm your canvas, Sweetheart, go nuts"

You left a chaste peck to his nose, setting to work.

You drew little designs and patterns over and around a few bigger scars, the ones he didn't tell stories about.

Your thoughts drifted in the process, to the times he denied having freckles all over. You never understood why he hated his little deer spots, you loved them so.

You found little clusters, connecting each of them to make constellations, the stars mapped out on his skin.

When you finally decided you were finished, you took a moment to look back at your work, smiling as each picture moved with his breathing.

"Y'did good, Sugar" He tugged you closer, wrapping you in his arms "All it needs now is a signature and I could be worth some cash, huh?"

"No one sells my work" You left a kiss to his jaw, he'd be worth more than anyone could pay anyways, your markings on him or not.

"-But" You grinned, wolfish "I do like that idea"

You ducked down, lips attaching to the hollow of his right hip bone, sucking and biting a mark there. After you decided you were finished, making sure it was dark enough and he was starting to get needy, you signed your initials in ink.

Dean Winchester was your work of art. And you were easily his favourite artist.

Taglist for all of my writing - 35

@pinkthick @craftytacopiecash @meryuniverse @aliljaybird @macbaetwo

@scarletluvsdanno @twentyonetornmyheart @neospacedoctor @valkyra-black @yigashimei

@something0193 @ursamajor17 @colorfulavenuecollection @fairytailnerd1024-blog @daithideolishmer19

@am-i-the-villain-co @mameeta @bblessed @maximum-uwu @bbywonu

@eatlembasbread @lightningdth @waywardbeardetective @t-bird510 @luchios666

@kmystery @fandomwriter013 @dafidiblogwriter @whitemelanin @ta1itha

@mortluvr @dean-winchester06 @wendichester @samanddeanswife @casanddeanswife

Moodboard (1942)

Flashback, warm nights...

"It's not like that—"

"Sure seems like it. I get a message from my manager, don't come in, the part's going to Soldier Boy. Fucking typical." He clicks his tongue.

"I didn't peg you for an attention whore." You quip, and something you can't name flickers behind his eyes.

"It's not that..." He starts, stepping towards you. There's a pang in your gut, and you're hoping this isn't going where you think it is. This feels familiar, like a conversation you had the day before...with Ben.

He comes closer, hands hovering in front of him in nervous hesitation. "He doesn't deserve you."

"Robbie—"

"No seriously. For months I’ve seen you sad over him, his lack of regard for you, his avoidance. He's been hurting your feelings, hurting you, and now because he gets jealous everything’s fine?"

He gets closer, and you sigh.

"We have history—"

“So do we.” Another step, and your back hits the dresser.

“I love him.”

“You love me too.”

“As a friend, Robbie. I, I do care about you okay, you're one of my closest friends. I’m not trying to hurt you—"

“Yet you are.” He comes to a stop right in front of you, close enough to make you nervous. Not because you think he'd get aggressive with you, he wouldn’t. But it's friendlier than usual.

You press yourself further against the dresser, bringing your hands in front of you to placate him. "Robbie.."

“You have two seconds to get the fuck away from my woman.” Ben appears in the doorway, beelining to you, but gets stopped in the middle by Robbie stepping up to him.

"You don't own her, Ben."

"She chose to be with me fuckduck, get over it. Leave her alone."

You feel the tension thicken, and your heart starts to beat faster. "Guys please—"

"You don't know how to cherish her, how to appreciate her, make her feel valued. You're too fucking selfish, always thinking about yourself. You'll only end up hurting her more than you already have." Robbie spits, and Ben bristles in anger.

You try again. "Hey—"

"Oh and you think you can? Your ass was sniffing powder off the bathroom sink of a pizza joint not too long ago. The fuck do you know about being responsible enough for a relationship? She deserves better than a half ass dimwit."

You finally snap. "Oh for fucks sake, I'm right here! Stop acting like I'm the last premium cut at the butcher shop."

They look at you apologetically, but still mad. You continue.

"Robbie, you've been a good friend to me, you have, but I don't see you as more than that, I'm sorry. I love Ben."

The latter wants to gloat but winds it down at your imploring look.

He doesn't have more to say, scoffing and shaking his head at you in disbelief and anger. "Whatever."

He stomps out of the room and you call after him, which seems to upset Ben. "Oh what, you having second thoughts now?"

"What? No, he's my friend. I care about his feelings, I'm not trying to hurt him."

His stare hardens, a thousand thoughts running through his mind, none of them pleasant.

He was mad that you seemed to care so much, inklings of doubt taking over his brain, not letting him see reasonably. "Well maybe you don't have to. Go ahead, run after him if you want. Since you seem so desperate to coddle him."

"Ben—" You try, but he's already huffing out the door too.

You stand there stunned, and sad. Spacing out long enough for the director's assistant to come grab you for the shoot.

They couldn't find Soldier Boy anywhere.

You could see how frustrated everyone was getting, how the photographer was fuming. They focused on some solo shots for now, but there were only so many pictures they could take before they needed to move on.

All the tension was making you feel sick. Not to mention the added stress of your best friend and boyfriend being upset with you. Could you even call them that anymore?

Did they both break it off?

After another minute you let everyone know you were taking a break, and headed up to the roof.

There you finally let yourself cry, makeup be damned. You weren't sure he would even show up anyway anymore.

You're so caught up in your tears you don't hear the roof door open and close, jolting a little when a pair of strong arms wrap around you.

They enclose your waist, and you turn in them to face him hesitantly. You can't look him in the eyes for too long though, looking down at his chest instead, your hands fiddling with his costume. You really can't handle if he starts getting mad again, it's been a long ass day.

He sighs, looking at you with tendrils of regret flaring. He heard you, before he walked in. How you stood your ground, didn't hide him, instead proudly showcasing your love. It was genuine, straight from the heart. His emotions (and ego) got the best of him when he saw how upset you got over Robbie, and he kicks himself for it at the sight of your pretty face shining with steady tears.

"M'sorry, sweetheart. I know the two of you are...close. And I can't help feel like, this thing with you is too good to be true. Like, it'll get taken away at any moment if I let my guard down. But it's not fair to take that out on you. I—care about you too. A lot." He stutters out in a low murmur, softening the ache in your chest.

He has a hard time saying 'the words', but you know he means it.

You bring your hands up to his cheeks, luring him into a sweet kiss. He melts into it without meaning to, his warm hands tightening on your waist, thumbs caressing you softly.

You peck him twice softly before pulling away, shining eyes looking into his. "Ben I meant it when I said I love you. I do. I have for so long, since the market days when we were just two normal people on a busy street. I love you, so much it makes me feel sick in the best way."

"That doesn't sound like a good thing."

"It's a great thing if it means I get to be with you, to love you." You respond gently, pressing another kiss to his cheek. His eyes soften further, leaning in close, lips pressing gently against yours but not kissing you, yet.

"I love you too, trouble."

He kisses away any rebuttal you have, feeling you smile against him.

The public loves your relationship.

On the cover of every newspaper and magazine, it's the talk of the town. The weeks go by in a blur, Vought using the publicity to their advantage and pushing the team out. You guys went on legitimate missions sometimes, but mostly you were all doing something to boost their image. Interviews, commercials, events, shows—always something, always busy.

A strange phase in the life.

The positive side was getting to be with Ben all the time. You had him nearby when you needed him, when the cameras got too bright and the reporters too suffocating. He was there to usher you away, shut them up when you needed a minute.

Sadly it wasn't enough knowing you could use your powers against them if you really wanted to, it took a man's word for them to leave you alone.

Assholes.

Robbie didn't talk to you much anymore, only exchanging some words in front of the cameras to avoid negative gossip. Hanging out with Angel and Torpedo most of the time, away from you and your boyfriend.

He avoided you as much as he could, similar to how Ben did all those months ago. Weird how their roles ended up flipping, but it makes you feel a twinge in your heart. You didn't like this scenario either way, you cared for them both.

In different ways, but it was still genuine love.

You're checking some inventory in the armory when he finally approaches you, couple weeks since you last fought. "Hey.."

You straighten up in surprise. "Hi."

You're both standing awkwardly for a few moments, before you decide to break the ice. "How have uh, how've you been?"

He sighs, looking down for a second before he looks up at you again. "Look I'm, I'm sorry for how I've been treating you..avoiding you."

You nod, pausing before you respond. "I mean I get it...you're mad.."

He shakes his head. "Not anymore. I was, at first. He always gets everything. And it's not your fault I caught feelings, hard not to honestly. I just...I wish you'd chosen me."

You feel a sting in your eyes. "Robbie—"

"No I, It's okay, really. I get it now, after all this time. The way you two are with each other...that's not fake. No matter how talented of an actress you are."

You smile slightly at that, sighing sadly. "I'm sorry, you know. If I, led you on in some way—"

"You didn't."

"Well, still. I didn't mean to hurt you, but I did. I'm sorry. M'not sorry for loving him though." You whisper, and he nods solemnly.

"Yeah, I get that."

He comes closer, hesitating for a moment, waiting for your reaction, but you let him pull you into a warm hug.

You try to blink tears away, relishing in the feel of hugging your best friend again after so long, sad about the circumstances.

Before you part, he whispers one last thing into your ear. "Call me when he ends up breaking your heart, I'll be here."

He then kisses your cheek tenderly, before walking away.

part one ᝰ. ben masterlist ᝰ. main masterlist

"Sure come on in." You mutter sarcastically as you close and re lock your apartment. When you turn around you find him staring at you, jaw clenched like he's holding something back.

You walk closer and cross your arms. "Well, what's up?"

"What's up?"

"Why are you here, Ben?"

"You're gonna prance around with Bombsight. Really?"

You should've known this was coming.

It's been a few months since Vought grouped the only couple of people to survive the V1 trials together into a supe team, boosting the company's image tenfold.

But the numbers have been dwindling the past few weeks, so they decided to pair you and Bombsight together as a couple for the publicity. Figured you two would be the easiest to work with. They were announcing it soon, scheduling you both for a magazine cover shoot tomorrow.

"It's not my idea."

"You're still going along with it." He scoffs.

You groan in frustration. "It doesn't matter, doesn't mean anything to either of us. It's just to get them off our backs. Besides what choice do we really have?"

His jaw clenches and he turns his head to look at the wall for a moment. He's debating something in his mind, a visible frustration forming as the seconds ticked by. He couldn't stand the thought of someone else's hands on you, posing together for pictures, kissing for the cameras.

The minute that passes feels like an eternity, but he finally turns to look at you again. "Fuck that."

"What?"

"No."

"No?"

"After everything we went through together in that shithole it should be me and you out there.” He spits, "Bomb boy was in a different sector with Angel, he doesn't get you too."

You roll your eyes. “You don’t own me Benjamin.”

“It’s not that.”

Your head tilts slightly, growing tired of his definitive tone.“Oh? Cause if I recall correctly you said I was just blinded by our shared trauma, that my feelings weren’t real and it’s all just a response. So it couldn't possibly be anything other than some possessiveness crap, right?”

He looks down for a beat, something akin to shame washing over his expression at the thought of your last argument. He knew he'd hurt your feelings, could see it all over your face then, same as now. It wasn't what he wanted but he didn't see another way to protect you. He came with too much, nothing you deserve to deal with.

After a moment he comes closer, stopping in front of you and setting his warm hands on your waist. Your arms stay crossed against your chest as you look up at him, still defiant.

A sad smile slowly appears on his face at the sight. "Always so stubborn." He murmurs, softly running his thumbs back and forth against you. "I'm no fucking prince charming, sweetheart."

There it was.

As much as he likes to carry himself with a sense of pride and entitlement, deep down his father left scars that would never fade. Always an inkling of doubt, of shame within himself. He couldn't help but wonder if the old man was right, and he cared too much about you to drag you down with him whether he'd admit it or not.

At that you finally soften, bringing your hands up and around to rest softly at the nape of his neck. This beautiful stubborn asshole.

"I don't want prince charming, I want you." You bring a hand up further to caress his hair softly giving him a moment to think, process. It's all you've been doing, really.

Since a few weeks ago when you got drunk and told him that you love him. Then again when you were sober the following day. And he proceeded to try and gaslight you, telling you it's just a trauma bond.

He didn't reject you though.

Didn't say much actually, after that he went through the effort of avoiding you as much as he could. While it did hurt your feelings a little, you mostly thought he was just being immature.

So maybe you figured you could be a little petty back when you accepted Vought's "couple" proposal. Make him see what he's missing.

Because you can feel it in your heart of hearts, that he feels the same for you.

You continue quietly after a minute. "Of course I feel connected by all the shit we went though at Harmony, how could I not? But it's..different. I love you for who you are as a person, not for the experience we shared in that place."

"I really don't see how."

"You put yourself on the line for me, time and time again. Protected me when you could. Comforted me when you couldn't. You didn't have to do any of that. You chose to, cared enough about me to."

He doesn't seem to have a response to that, closing his eyes in defeat. It's not really a battle lost for him though.

Not when he opens them back up to see your sweet smile, the hand in his hair moving to cup his jaw softly. "It's okay if you don't feel the same way. Can't force your feelings, or lack of. I'd just prefer to know for sure."

Something tightens in his chest, and his movements are sudden but careful as he brings you into a passionate kiss. Your arms wrap around his neck once more as you melt into it instantly.

He's pouring everything into it—all the emotions he's been keeping in regarding you, his apology, the desire he tries so hard to keep in check. You feel it all, reciprocating with just as much enthusiasm.

When you pull away for air, he continues his descent of kisses to your cheek and down your neck, all while you pant into his ear. "Ben." You whine softly, and he finally pulls back enough to look at you, still close enough to feel his breath on your face.

He looks down at your swollen lips, then back at your eyes. "Course I feel the same, doll. How could I not." He murmurs, a soft echo of your own words.

"Then give this a try. All the horrors we went through in that concrete hell and feelings are what's gonna scare you?" You tease just as soft, his lips curling into a real smile.

"You're a smartass, y'know that?"

"And...?"

He holds you closer, pecking your cheek with a gentle kiss before finally saying it. "And, I love you too."

You beam in response, and he can't help but roll his eyes playfully before you bring him in for another sweet kiss.

part two ᝰ. ben masterlist ᝰ. main masterlist