Wrong side of Heaven, Righteous side of Hell

STACKEDextras ➙ Is the Mark of Cain still affecting you?

" I'm eating, what the hell does it look like I'm doing? "

As her hormones raged on, she couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and amusement at Dean's feeble attempts to hide food from her. It was as if he didn't understand the insatiable hunger that consumed her every waking moment. The cravings were intense, and she found herself longing for the most peculiar combinations of flavors.

Pickles and ice cream? Sure, why not! But Dean's futile attempts to keep his snacks a secret only fueled her determination to uncover his hidden stash. She was determined to satisfy her cravings, even if it meant resorting to detective-like skills to find his secret hiding spots. She did have the nose of a wolf after all. No hiding spot was safe from her keen eyes and heightened sense of smell.

And as her belly grew with each passing day, so did her appetite and her determination to find every last hidden treat of his.

Her eyes fell on Dean as he sat down at the table in front of her and decided to give her a new nickname. With a pickle poised in her hand, she sensually slipped it into her mouth, only to snap it in two with a wordless admonition. Rolling her eyes, she abandoned the remaining pickle and reached for her spoon, ready to indulge in the ice cream. As she savored the creamy sweetness of the ice cream, her eyes glowed.

" If you had half a clue as to how hungry I am right now you wouldn't dare pick fun at me. "

Did he want to answer that retort? Probably not, since it didn’t bode well for his physical wellbeing, but he did so anyway. “Inducing vomit.” He mused, not understanding one bit of that insatiable hunger. “I mean, I’ve done some weird crap, but this…” He pointed with his fork at her unholy concoction of combinations and looked as though he was going to be sick. He shook his head, knowing that it was a losing battle, and shut his trap for the moment. 

【❖】  ――――   Ruby  arched  an  eyebrow  at  Sam's  protest,  a  smirk  tugging  at  the  corner  of  her  lips.  ❝  Sure,  sure,  no  fries  for  the  hangry  giant,  ❞  She  teased,  revving  up  the  engine  as  they  pulled  out  onto  the  empty  road.  As  they  drove  in  silence  for  a  while,  the  tension  between  them  slowly  dissipated,  replaced  by  a  sense  of  cautious  camaraderie  —  at  least  on  her  behalf.  Ruby  glanced  at  Sam  out  of  the  corner  of  her  eye,  noting  the  way  his  jaw  clenched  with  determination.  She  respected  that  about  him,  his  unwavering  loyalty  to  his  brother  and  their  cause.

❝  The  plan  ?  ❞  She  echoed,  tapping  her  fingers  lightly  on  the  steering  wheel.  ❝  Well,  as  much  as  I  hate  to  admit  it,  we  might  need  to  consider  reaching  out  to  some  old  friends  for  help.  This  mess  we're  in...it's  bigger  than  anything  we've  faced  before.  ❞  She  wasn’t  thrilled  about  it.  Reaching  out  to  old  hunters  and  allies  meant  risking  exposure,  betrayal,  or  worse.  But  they  were  in  deep  this  time,  deeper  than  the  Mariana  Trench.  ❝  We’ll  figure  it  out,  Sam.  We  were  a  pretty  good  team  once.  ❞  Suddenly,  a  loud  screech  echoed  through  the  trees,  causing  Ruby  to  slam  on  the  brakes.  They  skidded  to  a  stop,  heart  pounding  in  her  chest  as  she  scanned  the  surrounding  woods  for  any  sign  of  danger.  That's  when  they  heard  it —  low  growls  and  rustling  leaves  closing  in  on  them  from  all  sides.  ❝  I  hope  you’ve  got  some  extra  weapons  handy.  ❞

“Three's a crowd.” Sam muttered, shaking his head as he wracked his brain if there were really any friends left to turn to.

Sure, there were the tried and true hunters that were still standing–the unlucky few–but did he want to drag them into this particular mess? Apocalyptic as it was? Might be best to let Ruby do the thinking on that part, though he’d never admit it aloud.

“Yeah. Once.” He tried not to let the venom seep into the words, so he turned his head away and looked out the passenger-side window instead. He was content to sulk some more, at least until some sort of unholy shrieking set him simultaneously on edge with Ruby. “I hope that was an owl.” Yet his body was in full fight or flight mode, already reaching for a concealed pistol beneath his jacket. He couldn’t see anything what with the dark outside, but he trusted his and Ruby’s instincts–again, not something he was keen on admitting to her.

(  various  dialogue  prompts  to  send  to  your  worst  enemy  (affectionate).  feel  free  to  change  how  you  seem  fit.  )

❛ oh great, it's you again. ❜

❛ you? kill me? that's funny. ❜

❛ for being someone you hate, i'm sure on your mind a lot. ❜

❛ you're the last person i wanted to see, actually. ❜

❛ do us both a favor. stay away from me. ❜

❛ you really are an asshole, you know that? ❜

❛ i'm the asshole? what does that make you then? ❜

❛ sometimes i think you must hate me. ❜

❛ i thought you said you never wanted to see me again. ❜

❛ if you want me to go, then you have to tell me to leave. ❜

❛ well, someone's cranky today. ❜

❛ well, someone needs to shut the fuck up. ❜

❛ just stay out of my way. ❜

❛ of all the idiots in the world, i'm stuck with you. ❜

❛ what is it you want this time? ❜

❛ sometimes i wonder if you're in love with me. ❜

❛ do you honestly think this is easy for me? ❜

❛ why would i ever want to be friends with you? ❜

❛ can we please just talk? ❜

❛ there is nothing for us to talk about. ❜

❛ you can yell at me later. just let me help you. ❜

❛ touch me, and you're dead. ❜

❛ oh, so now you care? ❜

❛ there is something deeply wrong with you. ❜

❛ i know i'm the last person you probably want to see, but... ❜

❛ you don't think we could be friends, do you? ❜

❛ i'm tired of fighting against you. ❜

❛ don't pretend you give a shit about me. ❜

❛ you're an idiot, but... i trust you. ❜

❛ oh, don't be cute. ❜

❛ wait, did you just say that i'm cute? ❜

❛ we're not good for each other. ❜

❛ if i say yes, will you shut up? ❜

❛ don't you have to be stupid somewhere else? ❜

❛ maybe we should kiss just to break the tension. ❜

❛ i'm sorry i can't turn off my feelings as easily as you. ❜

❛ maybe there's a universe out there where we're friends. ❜

❛ how can you be so smart yet so dumb at the same time? ❜

❛ don't think this changes anything between us. ❜

❛ you look ridiculous in that outfit, by the way. ❜

❛ if you die, i'll kill you. ❜

❛ is that a challenge? ❜

❛ ah, so you're not heartless after all. ❜

❛ i don't think i've ever seen you smile. ❜

❛ you never cared about me, so why now? ❜

❛ why didn't you kill me when you had the chance? ❜

❛ i don't even remember why we started fighting. ❜

❛ i don't have time for distractions right now. ❜

❛ you're not as bad as everyone says you are. ❜

【❖】  ――――  RUBY'S  EYES  HOLD  A  FLICKER  OF  SOMETHING  UNREADABLE  AS  SHE  WATCHES  SAM'S  OUTBURST,  THE  TENSION  BETWEEN  THEM  THICK  ENOUGH  TO  CUT  WITH  A  KNIFE.  She  can  sense  the  weight  of  his  words,  the  burden  he  carries  on  his  shoulders,  and  for  a  moment,  her  demon  facade  slips,  revealing  a  glimpse  of  genuine  concern  hidden  beneath  layers  of  manipulation  and  deceit.  Keeping  secrets  from  Dean?  Everything  he’s  complaining  about  are  the  very  things  she’s  already  brought  up  to  him.  It’s  like  her  words  go  through  one  ear  and  right  out  the  other.

WITH  A  SIGH  THAT  SEEMS  TO  ECHO  THROUGH  THE  ROOM,  RUBY  STEPS  CLOSER  TO  SAM,  CLOSING  THE  DISTANCE  BETWEEN  THEM.  ❝  We  both  know  there's  no  easy  way  out  of  this  mess,  ❞  she  says  softly,  her  voice  devoid  of  its  usual  edge.  ❝  But  maybe...just  maybe,  we  can  find  a  way  to  survive  it  together.  ❞

THERE'S  A  RAW  VULNERABILITY  IN  HER  GAZE  AS  SHE  MEETS  HIS  EYES,  A  SILENT  PLEA  FOR  UNDERSTANDING. Despite  their  tangled  history  and  the  constant  dance  of  trust  and  betrayal  between  them,  Ruby  can't  ignore  the  undeniable  connection  that  binds  their  fates  together.  ❝  I'll  get  the  car  keys,  ❞  she  says  finally,  a  ghost  of  a  smile  playing  on  her  lips.  ❝  Let's  go  grab  some  food  before  you  turn  into  a  hangry  giant.  ❞  With  a  playful  nudge,  she  leads  the  way  to  the  door,  leaving  behind  the  weight  of  their  conversation  for  now.

Sam didn’t know how to respond to that, so he chose to remain stoically silent. There was never an easy way out; with him and Dean, there was only one way: through. Escape wasn’t an option--they'd both learned that the hard way--so the only way was to go down swinging. He gave a nod as his only confirmation he heard Ruby, but that silent plea of hers was met by his own unwavering stare, knowing the enemy of his enemy was his…frenemy. That was how they worked together before, wasn’t it?

Her nudge shoved him from his thoughts, pulling him out of his head and into action as he stalked off after her, never wanting her too far from his sight. “I’m not a hangry giant.” He grumbled in protest, very much like a hangry giant. The grump reluctantly took shotgun in the car and folded his arms, a huffed exhale shooting out of his nostrils as he finally started to look a little more calm. Just a giant. “I’m not getting fries. That’s all you.” He reminded her; she could steal Dean’s food all she wanted–hypothetically, of course, since he wasn't letting them within ten feet of one another–but at least she’d lay off his salad. 

【❖】 ―――― SAM   COULD   FIGHT   HER   LEFT   AND   RIGHT   AT   EVERY   TURN,   BUT   AT   THE   END   OF   THE   DAY,   HE   KNEW   SHE   WAS   RIGHT.   That's   why   it   bothered   him   so   much,   it's   why   she   could   so   easily   get   underneath   his   skin. She   knew   things   about   Sam   that   Dean   didn't   even   know.   Admit   it   or   not   she   and   Sam   were   similar   creatures   and   that   was   why   Sam   hated   the   idea   of   being   with   her   —   for   falling   for   her.   He   didn't   want   to   admit   that   when   they   were   together   he   felt   a   little   less   alone   in   this   world.

RUBY   HAD   TO   ROLL   HER   EYES   OVER   THE   WAY   HE   LURKED   OVER   HER   SHOULDER   EYEING   EVERYTHING   SHE   DID.   But   for   that   small   moment   they   looked   into   each   other's   eyes   she   felt   that   undeniable   pull   between   them.   He   had   no   idea   how   hard   this   was   on   her.   She   cared   so   damn   much   about   the   lug   head   and   he   couldn't   even   see   it.   If   she   had   known   half   the   things   she   does   today   would   she   have   done   things   differently   back   then   ?   Without   a   single   doubt.   If   she   could   just   go   back   and   do   it   all   over   again,   but   what   was   the   point   of   wishful   thinking   ?

THERE   WERE   SEVERAL   THINGS   SHE   COULD   SAY   BUT   HE   DIDN'T  SEEM   TO   WANT   THE   TRUTH   ANYMORE.   ❝   Since   I   got   here   all   I've   been   doing   is   spilling   my   guts   out   to   you.   So   how   about   you   take   the   wheel   and   talk.   What's   really   on   your   mind   right   now,   Sam   ?   I'll   either   like   it   or   I   won't   but   there's   no   need   in   holding   back   now.   ❞

Sam’s jaw goes taut as Ruby redirects the conversational tennis match into his court. A heavy exhale shoots out of his nose as he stomps a repetitive pace away from her, impatience and frustration rolling off of him in waves. “What’s on my mind?” He angrily echoes, his head snapping to the demon.

“Let’s see! I don’t even know if I can trust you, I’m living a life that I didn’t ask for and, honestly, can’t decide if I want in or out of, and, once again, I’ve gotta keep secrets from Dean, and we all know how that show ends…” He lets those words linger in the air between them, remembering how it resulted in her demise on their first rodeo.

" Bullshit, Sam. " Without any hesitation, Ruby immediately called him out on that. He seemed determined to constantly remind her of her betrayal, which was becoming tiresome. " I'm not the only person who has led one of you astray so stop acting like I'm the worst of the worst. We've all made mistakes, Sam. Right now, you remind me of your brother. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree after all. " In her eyes, Sam was being heavily influenced by Dean, and she didn't consider it to be a positive development for him. It worried her to see him becoming more and more like his brother. Right now she couldn't decide what she wanted to do more, pin him down to a bed or slap him... maybe even both. 

She expelled a huff of air from her lungs as he asked his final question. Why did her appearance even matter? Deep in thought, she pursed her lips and casually threw a couple of bones into the bowl. Did he anticipate being questioned about her looks? Or was Sam Winchester more worried about the potential judgment he might face if he were caught kissing her, especially if she chose to appear old and unattractive to everyone else? Maybe she would just leave him in the dark. That's exactly what she did for the time being, only by passing the question with a shrug of her shoulders. Pulling a knife from her pocket she cut the palm of her hand enough to make it bleed. Holding that hand over the bowl her eyes caught with Sam's. Back then she didn't know Sam the way she does now. Falling for him was not part of her original plan, but it unexpectedly happened. What they shared back then wasn't just something you could flip off like a switch. Her eyes went pitch black as she recited a few chants. the wind picks up around them and suddenly everything is silent. " Done, your secrets safe. " She practically grumbled under her breath. 

That comparison nearly sent Sam over the edge, but he had enough self-control left to restrain himself from doing something he might…not regret. What she thought didn’t matter one bit to him, but yet somehow Ruby’s every word went right under his skin. Sam blamed it on demons: they always knew exactly which buttons to push.

He observed the spell in a tense silence, eyeing every ingredient if only to ensure she wasn’t about to pull a fast one on him. It wasn’t the best move considering that Ruby had to cut her palm and…he could have gone without seeing that. Maybe he didn’t crave the blood, but the sight of it was resurfacing memories he preferred to leave buried. He focused on her eyes instead, finding that she was also looking right into his as well. He didn’t look away when the jet black film crept over hers, the call of the void tugging somewhere deep inside of him until its pull was interrupted by her voice.