ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ: "You wrote the book on maturity, right?"
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VENUS HAD NEVER FELT SO DISTANT FROM THE BOYS.

The hunters had been staying at Bobby's for a week now and everyone took to grieving in their own ways.

Arturo was bedridden for most of it, refusing to talk to anyone and crying himself to sleep most nights. However, one night, he did allow Venus to sit with him as he rambled away about his fondest memories of his deceased best friend. 

Dean spent most of his time in Bobby's scrapyard, restoring the Impala and always sipping a beer or something stronger that left an unpleasant scent on him. Every attempt at conversation that Venus made with him was either no longer than three seconds, or just completely ignored. He was like a powder keg, ready to blow at the slightest touch.

Even Sam seemed to be actively avoiding conversation, opting instead to keep his nose in John's notes for a new way to find and kill the demon. He'd always wave Venus off, insisting that he was 'hanging in there' and even trying to flip the script and ask her how she was holding up.

But Venus couldn't even begin to unpack her own feelings. Her relationship with John was more than complicated, constantly teetering on the line of respect and hate. But regardless he was a constant presence in her life for two decades. Losing that wasn't easy, no matter how much she lied to herself about it. 

And of course, there was the lingering guilt for failing to avenge Jess.

So when she wasn't tending to her uncle, Venus found herself either listening to music or drinking, finding it to be the only way to cope with her failures and grief. Messed-up thoughts could no longer weave their way into her head if she was constantly blasting Sade on her Walkman or downing a bottle of the strongest thing she could pluck from Bobby's liquor cabinet to drown them out.

She was passed out on Bobby's couch when Sam shook her awake, the younger hunter frowning at the tiny cocktail umbrella hanging from her lips.

"What now?" she grumbled, throwing her legs onto the ground and sitting up. Venus took almost ten seconds to realize that the umbrella was in her mouth, quickly pulling it out when she did.

Sam extended a hand and yanked her onto her feet, steadying her when she stumbled on the carpet. From what he could tell, she looked severely hungover, which was rare for her.

Until this past week.

Venus pressed the heel of her palm to her forehead, trying to force back the migraine lingering there. "Maybe an entire pitcher of margaritas and half a bottle of vodka back to back wasn't the best idea," she muttered, blinking slowly.

Sam quirked a brow at her. "You think?"

Venus shoved the taller hunter aside and waddled over to Bobby's kitchen, hearing Sam's heavy footsteps behind her. "Dude, why'd you wake me up?" she asked, her tone annoyed.

"I found something on one of Dad's phones," Sam told her, pulling out the small device from his pocket.

Venus uncapped a beer and began to turn it to her head until Sam reached out and took it from her, replacing it with a bottle of orange juice. "You haven't given up on this yet? Seriously, man?" Venus hadn't even noticed the change of beverage, swallowing a mouthful.

"No I haven't given up," Sam replied, pressing a few buttons on his father's phone, "I might've found us a lead, actually."

Venus continued to sip her orange juice idly, leaning against Bobby's counter and eyeing Sam curiously. 

The taller man soon pointed the phone toward her, allowing her to listen to a voicemail. His brows furrowed once Venus perked up slightly at the female voice.

"Ellen?" she mumbled, listening to the rest of the message. She handed Sam the phone once it was finished. "How old is that message?"

"Four months," Sam answered. He paused in thought before asking, "You sounded like you knew her. How? I didn't even find her name in Dad's journal."

Venus put down the bottle of orange juice, finally noticing it and growing disgusted at the citrusy taste. She pulled out a tray of eggs from Bobby's fridge. "She's an old friend. Tío and I made a couple of pitstops at her place after a few hunts back in the day. I even ended up staying there for a few weeks in '02. I bartended for her for and everything," she smiled fondly.

"How come Dad never mentioned her?"

Venus grabbed a frying pan and placed it on the stove. She scoffed in response to Sam's question. "Shit, after the way things ended between them? I wouldn't mention her either."

Sam's brows knitted together. "What happened?"

Venus paused where she was beating two eggs, looking over at him. "Not my story to tell, hermano."

Sam sighed but nodded in understanding.

"You want an omelet or something?" Venus offered while grabbing some peppers and onion from the fridge.

"V, it's 2:30 in the afternoon," Sam deadpanned.

"So?"

Sam opened his mouth to say something then closed it, knowing he would only start an argument. "I'm gonna go show this to Dean," he eventually said, beginning to make his way out of the kitchen.

Venus instinctively rolled her eyes at the mention of the man. "Yeah, whatever. Let me know when it's time to go."

-ˋˏ [                                ] ˎˊ-

Venus' face was damp with sweat, gravel crackling under her boots as she hopped off her bike, removing her sunglasses and eyeing the dusty old roadhouse in front of her. 

In the light of day, the familiar sign didn't hold its usual charm but she still smiled at the sight of it. The smile morphed into a grimace once she laid her eyes on the boys' current mode of transportation, a rickety old minivan from Bobby's collection—it was so hideous that Venus couldn't stop the giggles that fell from her lips when she first saw it earlier that day.

She walked over to it, expecting to see the boys sitting in it but found it empty. "Goddamnit," she sighed deeply.

The brunette had previously gone off-route to grab some water and snacks, the late July sun taking its toll on her, but she radioed the boys to wait outside of the roadhouse for her before they entered.

To nobody's surprise, they didn't listen to her.

"Those little shits–" Venus grumbled to herself, stomping over to the roadhouse door. But what she found on the inside had her eyes nearly bulging from her head. "Woah, what the hell?" she exclaimed.

Dean stood at the end of Jo Harvelle's trusty old rifle, personally gifted by Venus herself, clutching his face in pain.

Jo maintained her grip on her gun but turned to see Venus standing at the door. "Venus?" she sputtered, immediately grinning at the sight of the girl.

"Jo? Holy shit, look at you!" she ran further into the roadhouse. "Ay, mi güera," Venus pulled her in for a hug, squeezing her affectionately.

Jo laughed at the familiar nickname, happily accepting the embrace.

"Hello?" Dean's voice grabbed their attention.

The girls pulled away and sent Dean a look, prompting Jo to point her gun at him again.

"Alright hold on," Venus stuck a hand out, "What the hell happened that's got you pointing a rifle at my..." she stopped herself for less than a second, "...at my friend?"

Jo raised a brow at her slip, deciding to question it later. "This dumbass picked the lock and tried to slip in here," she replied cocking her gun, "Thank God for the Second Amendment."

Venus laughed, silently enjoying the bewildered expression on Dean's face.

"Well, you're no damn help," he quietly spoke, twisting his head to where Sam had run off, "Sam, I need some help in here!" he shouted.

Sam stumbled into the room, his hands behind his head. "Sorry, Dean. I can't right now, I'm a little tied up," he gestured to where Ellen Harvelle was pointing her revolver at his head, walking him out.

Venus smiled at the sight of the older woman.

"Wait, Sam? Dean?" she turned and finally spotted Venus, "V?" she smiled.

"How's it going, Ellen?" Venus offered her a wave.

Ellen looked at the boys again. "Winchester?"

"Yeah?" they both answered at the same time.

"Son of a bitch," Ellen cursed lowly.

Jo glanced at Venus and then at her mother. "So the both of you know these guys?"

"Yeah, I think these are John Winchester's boys," Ellen explained. She laughed and lowered her gun, eyeing them both. "Hey, I'm Ellen," she introduced herself, "That's my daughter, Jo," she nodded over to where Jo lowered her rifle.

"You not gonna hit me again are you?" Dean grabbed his nose.

Venus chuckled and walked over to hug Ellen while Sam moved to Dean's side, both watching the interaction.

"How've you been, kiddo?" the older woman mused once she released her.

"Eh, been better," Venus shrugged, still wearing a grin.

Ellen reached out and pinched Venus' nose, smiling when she wrinkled it. "Last I heard," she walked over to the bar to get some ice for Dean, "You were off at college, being a little scholar."

"Yup," Venus nodded and followed her, "Graduated back in June."

Ellen lowered her voice now that Venus was close enough. "But you're back in the business?" she raised a disapproving brow.

Venus took the ice from Ellen. "Don't look at me like that, y'know how it is," she pleaded, "Somebody important to me died and now there's work to be done."

"Hmm," Ellen hummed, patting her on the shoulder.

Venus walked out from behind the bar to hand the ice to Dean.

"Thanks," he said, taking it. He pressed it to his face, now turning to look at Ellen. "You called our dad, said you could help. Help with what?"

"Well, the demon of course?" Ellen replied like it was obvious.

Dean's head snapped to where Sam sat behind him, both sharing a look.

"I heard he and Arturo were closing in on it," Ellen continued.

"Was there an article in the 'Demon Hunter's Quarterly' that I missed?" Dean snapped, "I mean who are you? How do you know about all of this?"

Venus glared at him from where she stood between the two women, silently telling him to lose the damn attitude.

Ellen threw up her hands in defeat. "Hey, I just run a saloon," she insisted, but not before sending Venus and Jo a small smirk, "But hunters have been known to pass through now and again. Including your dad a long time ago. John was like family once."

"How come he's never mentioned you before?" Dean questioned.

Ellen's smile disappeared, her eyes darting to the ground. "You'd have to ask him that," she answered, her mind replaying memories from the past.

Dean seemed less apprehensive now, letting a beat of silence pass as he took in the information. "So, why exactly do we need your help?" he rudely asked after some time.

Ellen narrowed her eyes at him. "Hey, don't do me any favors. Look, if you don't want my help, fine. Don't let the door smack your ass on the way out."

 Venus brought a hand up to her lips to hide her laughter, gaining a glare from Dean.

"But John wouldn't have sent you if–" Ellen stopped mid-sentence, realization hitting her. She stood up straighter, "He didn't send you. He's alright, isn't he?"

Venus folded her arms across her chest, looking down for a moment.

"No, no he isn't," Sam replied, tears in his eyes, "It was the demon we think."

Venus' jaw clenched at the mention of the yellow-eyed creature. She had dreams about the endless ways she'd kill him if she ever saw him again. It's mainly what kept her smiling these days.

"It just got him before he got it, I guess," Sam added.

Ellen faltered, mixed emotions swirling within her at the news. But then she looked at the boys again. "I'm so sorry," she gently said, her expression genuine.

"It's okay," Dean's defenses sprung up, "We're alright."

Venus raised a brow at him. No way he thought anyone would buy that.

"I know how close you and your dad–"

"Really, lady," Dean bit back, interrupting Ellen, "I'm fine."

Ellen didn't seem deterred by his attitude, only eyeing him sadly, knowing that the grief was taking a toll on him.

Sam broke the tense silence that lingered. "So, look, if you can help...we could use all the help we can get."

"Well, we can't," Ellen said with a glance at Jo, "But Ash will."

Venus' eyes widened at the mention of the man. "Ash is still here?"

"We couldn't get rid of him if we tried," Jo scoffed jokingly.

"Who's Ash?" questioned Sam.

Ellen's eyes darted to the pool table behind Sam, "Ash!"

Venus looked over to see what she previously thought to be a random passed-out hillbilly jostle awake, "What?" Ash shouted, almost falling off the pool table, "Closing time?"

Venus laughed loudly at the man, walking over to him. "Ash the rash," she grinned.

Ash rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Venus my Jesus," he replied in shock, instinctively holding out a hand for their old handshake.

Venus giggled as she indulged in the very precise handshake, ending with a snap of their fingers.

"I'm surprised you still remember it," Ash said, his southern drawl unmistakable.

"It's almost as easy as breathing, buddy," she said.

"That's Ash?" Sam asked from behind them.

Venus slung an arm around the shorter man's shoulders, turning him for the boys to see. "Yup. Don't let his pretty mug fool you, he's a genius."

-ˋˏ [                  ] ˎˊ-

Venus stood behind the bar with Jo, both watching the Winchester boys and Ash discuss John's research. She knew that Ash could make more sense of it than any of them could.

Jo nudged her shoulder with the stick of the broom she was using to sweep. "I'm guessing Dean's your little boy toy from back in the day," she teased.

Venus shushed her, pushing her further out of earshot from the boys. "Yes, but I don't think those were the words I used," she raised a brow.

Jo rolled her eyes, continuing to sweep the floor. "I get what you see in him," she shrugged. The blonde then paused her sweeping and peeked around the corner to get another look at the brothers. "I think the other one's cuter tho."

Venus smirked. "Who, Sam?"

"Yeah, if that's his name, whatever," Jo tried to act casual.

Venus leaned back against the fridge. "I mean, yeah, Sam's cute. But he's not exactly my type. He's definitely your type though."

Jo stopped her sweeping and glanced over at Venus. "Nope, don't you go trying to set me up with him," she insisted.

"Joanna Beth, please," Venus rolled her eyes, stepping closer to the younger girl, "I saw you checking him out back there."

Jo tried and failed to fight the blush on her cheeks. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Hmm," Venus hummed knowingly. She then turned to grab a bottle of beer from the fridge.

Jo pulled an opener from her pocket and opened the bottle for Venus. "How's Arturo?" she asked, "I know he must be taking this John thing hard."

"He is," Venus replied, swallowing a mouthful of beer, "I mean, I try to be there for him where I can but he's really hurting."

Jo rubbed Venus' shoulder soothingly. "I'm sorry, V. And I'm sorry about the other stuff you're going through."

"Other stuff?" Venus said, breaking eye contact for a second, "How–"

"You don't have to talk about it but I can see it in your face. You're struggling."

Venus took another sip of her beer. " 'Struggling'," she repeated the word with disdain, "Everybody's struggling, what's new?"

"Doesn't make your struggle any less important," Jo reasoned.

Venus looked at Jo, unable to muster a response.

"Hey, V?"

Venus' head snapped to where Sam shouted for her. She finished the last of her beer and walked around to where he sat, Jo following. "What's up?"

Venus noticed his eyes flicker to the younger blonde beside her for a moment. "Uh, I was telling Dean that I might've found a case."

"A case?" Venus blinked. "You sure you're ready to be working cases again, 'mano?"

Jo took that as her cue to leave, giving Venus a final pat on the shoulder.

"Yeah, I'm sure," he sent her a reassuring smile.

Venus sighed, thinking to herself for a moment. "Well, you and Dean can go ahead and handle this one. I'll stay here till you come back."

Dean looked up from where he sat nearby, instantly meeting her eyes. He didn't say a word, but Venus instantly knew he was upset about something.

Sam stood and grabbed a folder containing info on the case. "I'll text you when we get there."

Venus waved at both boys from where she stood behind the counter, not even receiving a second glance from Dean on his way out. She sighed to herself once the door closed, ignoring Dean's sudden attitude.

-ˋˏ [                                      ] ˎˊ-

"Rakshasa, yup, that's right."

Venus walked out of the kitchen to hear Ellen finishing up a phone call. Initially, she ignored it, moving further into the bar to wipe down the tables. But then her ears perked up at something Ellen said.

"Yup, you and your brother be safe, Dean."

Venus slowly placed down the bucket and towel she was holding and pulled out her phone from her skirt pocket. She checked it and found no missed calls or text messages from Dean.

Once Ellen hung up her phone, Venus walked over. "That was Dean, right?"

Ellen nodded, going back to wiping down beer glasses.

"Why didn't he call me?" Venus mumbled, mostly to herself.

"Lover's spat?" Ellen quirked a brow.

Venus scoffed and moved back to the table she was wiping. "We'd have to be lovers first to be having those," she replied bitterly.

Later, the next day, Venus was in the middle of serving a table of hunters. She placed down a pitcher of beer for the older men, sending one of them a flirty smile when he pulled out a rolled-up ten-dollar bill and handed it to her. Taking the money, Venus turned and walked to the bar counter, the smile on her face morphing into a smirk.

"It's too easy, I swear," she said to Jo who watched her with a grin. Venus stuffed the bill into her tank top strap with the rest of her tips from the day so far, just in time to hear someone clear their throat beside her.

She spun to see Dean and Sam taking seats at the bar, both just returning from their case. She glared at Dean, ignoring the way his eyes instantly raked down her body, and then smiled up at Sam. "How'd it go, 'mano?"

Sam sent his brother and best friend each a questioning glance before he answered. "Not too bad," he cleared his throat, "How's it been here?"

Venus went behind the counter and grabbed a beer, uncapping it and placing it in front of Sam. "Great. I made a lot of tips, hung out with Jo–"

"Uh, are you just gonna pretend like I'm not here?"

Venus turned to Dean with a raised brow. "I'm sorry can I help you, sir?"

Dean chuckled dryly, "Real mature, Venus."

"Oh, and you wrote the book on maturity, right?"

The muscles in Dean's jaw tightened as he held Venus' glare, neither daring to blink. This time his eyes stayed locked onto her face, his lips buzzing with the terse words he wanted to chuck at her, yet couldn't because he knew his anger was misplaced. He had no right to feel how he felt, yet he did anyway and it was from a pit of insecurity deep within him.

Sam and Jo exchanged an awkward glance from where they stood, both recognizing the unspoken threats that lingered in the air, the threat for one to break first or light the invisible fuse that stood between them. "Hey, Jo, you wanna go play–"

"Pool? Sure!"

The younger hunters hurriedly walked away from the bickering pair, releasing a breath once they escaped.

"You want a beer?" Venus asked after some time, her tone less than accommodating.

"Sure," Dean said through clenched teeth.

Venus, without looking away from Dean, grabbed a bottle of beer and popped the cap off, slamming it on the counter in front of Dean. "On the house."

"Thanks."

Ash came barreling into the room seconds later, his laptop in hand. "Where you guys been? I've been waiting for you."

Sam looked up from where he was chatting with Jo, "We were working a job, Ash. Clowns?"

"Clowns?" Ash recoiled, "What the fu–"

"You got something for us, Ash?" Dean cut him off, his face hard as he finally turned away from Venus.

Ash strolled over to the counter and hopped onto the stool beside Dean, Sam coming to join them. Venus sharply exhaled and leaned her cheek on the heel of her palm, diverting all her attention to where Ash was opening his 'special' laptop.

"Did you find the demon?" Sam asked in a hushed tone.

"It's nowhere around, at least nowhere I can find," Ash reported, "But if this fugly bastard raises its head, I'll know. I mean, I'm on it like divine on dog dookie."

Venus chuckled softly to herself. Ash sure had a way with words.

"What do you mean?" Sam questioned.

Ash shifted his laptop for them to see. "I mean, if any of those signs or omens appear anywhere in the world, my rig will go off like a fire alarm."

Dean peered down at the man's device in awe, eyes darting between each tab with every omen Ash was tracking. He even reached a hand out to touch it. "You mind?"

"Oh, that's not..." Venus trailed off in a warning tone.

Ash tilted his head to the side, staring Dean down. "What's up, man?"

Dean slowly retracted his hand.

"Ash, where did you learn to do all this?" Sam chuckled in amazement.

"M.I.T. Before I got bounced for fighting," the mullet-wearing man explained.

"M.I.T?" Sam raised an impressed brow, glancing over to where Venus was shooting him an I told you so look.

"It's a school in Boston," Ash explained further.

Dean looked at the man once again. "Okay. Give us a call as soon as you know something?"

"Sí, sí, compadre," Ash nodded.

Dean took one last swig of his beer and stood to leave, Sam behind him.

Venus threw up a peace sign to Ash and hopped over the counter to the other side, just in time for Jo and Ellen to walk over with her bags.

"Thanks for hosting me again, ladies," she mused, giving each of them a hug.

"Anytime, darlin'," Ellen smiled. The older woman then glanced at where the boys were waiting at the door, "Matter a fact, if you boys need a place to stay, I got a couple of beds out back."

"Thanks, but no," Dean politely declined, "There's something I gotta finish."

Venus turned and pressed a kiss to the top of Jo's head. "I got your new number now. I'll keep in touch, okay?"

"You better," Jo smiled as she walked out of the roadhouse.

-ˋˏ [                                              ] ˎˊ-

Venus marched down the hallway of Bobby's house, coming to a stop by Dean's room. The door was already opened, with the older man inside unpacking some of his clothes from his duffel.

"So," she began, leaning against the doorway with her arms folded, "Is there a reason why you called Ellen instead of me when you needed help on the case?"

Dean turned to look at her for a moment, caught off guard, then shrugged. "Didn't wanna bother you. Plus she's older than us, thought she'd be more knowledgeable about certain things."

Venus narrowed her eyes. "Bullshit," she called him out.

Dean's jaw clenched. "What?"

"You did it to spite me," Venus stepped further into the room, "I knew you were pissed that I decided to stay back."

"Of course, I'm pissed," Dean took a step closer, his voice slightly raised.

Venus matched his volume. "Why? I'm not your dog. You can't just tie me on a leash and ignore me when you don't want me, then drag me around the country when you feel like it."

"No, but you told me back in June that you were back for good. Sitting out a case? Doesn't really sound like you're back to me, Venus," he argued, "Matter a fact it sounds like you already got a foot out the door."

Venus remained silent, taking in the full weight of his words. She found herself chuckling in disbelief.

"All I'm saying is if you wanna stay here and kick it with your uncle till you're ready to do the job you signed up for then be my guest," he continued.

"Are you done?"

Dean froze. She sounded unamused. "What?"

"I said, are you done? Are you done with this little bitch fit you're throwing? 'Cause something told me that you've needed to get your frustrations out at somebody since the mighty Dean Winchester refuses to directly address his feelings."

Now it was Dean's turn to be silent.

"I stayed back because I didn't feel like dealing with your little cold front anymore. And since—oh I don't know—your dad just died, I thought that you and your little brother needed a moment to yourselves alright? Sue me."

"I-"

Venus raised a finger, "Nope, I'm not done talking. I'm not going to baby you and talk about how I know what you're going through 'cause I know that's not what you need. And I'm not gonna repeat myself because I meant what I said that day at the pier. So," she paused and walked back to the door, "When you're ready to face your feelings and accept comfort from someone who genuinely cares about you, you know where to find me. And if not, then own that shit."

She left the room with a slam of the door.

Dean barely had time to process her words before she came barging back into the room, more infuriated. "Oh and if you ever imply again, in any way, that I'm not capable of doing this job," she stepped close enough for her breath to fan his lips, her voice dropping to a whisper and eyes meeting his without a hint of uncertainty, "I will fuck you up. I don't care if you mean it or not."

Dean's jaw pulsed a steady rhythm as he stared down Venus. It was obvious that she was angry but he couldn't decipher what he was feeling in the moment, only that it was strong and aimed at Venus.

"Is that it?" he sneered, his voice low.

Venus took a step back and walked out without another word.

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A/N: This took four damn hours to edit for some reason. Hmm.

Anyways, WE HIT 30K READS TODAYYYY AGHIFGVHHGJG

Translations:
Ay, mi güera- My blondie

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