Midnight Manor 1B - Friday Morning

[single_man_tear]

Dean stood in the middle of his room, taking in the stuff that had piled up over the last seven months on the island. In his old life, everything he owned could fit in a duffel bag and the trunk of the Impala, no problem. But now, looking around, he realized moving from Midnight to his new place on Godiva Street wasn't going to be as simple as throwing a bag over his shoulder.

Now there were boxes. Just two, sure, but that was already more than he was used to hauling around. He'd had a similar setup at the bunker, but that was different. It was a base of operations and a place you recovered between hunts.

He'd spent more time in this room than he had on the road these past months. Met his neighbors. Shared meals. Burned a bunch of mutant french fries that came to life. And it hit him that this room wasn’t just a pit stop anymore.

Without any tape to seal the boxes, he folded in the flaps, tucking them in so they stayed shut. He slid the boxes out the door into the landing, then paused, giving the room one last once-over to make sure he hadn’t left anything behind.

He stood there for a moment longer than he meant to, then let out a breath and said, almost awkwardly, "Thanks, Midnight."

And yeah, that felt weird. He shrugged then turned and walked out, closing the door behind him.

[Last post in Midnight before officially moving to Godiva. Feel free to catch him on the way out]

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

Marc did, in fact, catch him on the way out.

"There's no keys or anything so - " Marc said, giving him a shrug.

What? That was useful information. For Marc that counted as sentiment.

[single_man_tear]

"Makes it easier than a hotel when checking out," Dean joked.

He looked around the house and gave it a nod. "This is a good place. Part of me feels weird about leaving."

[hasaknightjob]

"Gotta do what you gotta do," Marc said, ever the philosopher. "You can visit whenever. Move back if you need."

Someone might make a reference to how when you're a Jet you're a Jet all the way. Not Marc, but someone.

[single_man_tear]

"Appreciate the offer," Dean said with a nod and offer of a handshake. "And if you ever need to get out of the house for a bit, my door is always open."

[hasaknightjob]

Wonderful having you here, Steven said, as he took over the closest reflection. He saw Dean holding his hand out and gave Marc a look until Marc returned the gesture. (No offense, Dean, Marc was just bad at people. Satisfied, Steven addressed Dean again. You helped make things feel like a home. Always welcome, as Marc said.

[single_man_tear]

"Thanks Steve-"

Dean grimaced as soon as he said it.

"Steven," he said, correcting himself. "You and Watts are always welcome to stop by as well. It's been nice calling this place home."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven smiled in acknowledgement of the correction. Cheers. We look forward to seeing what you do with the place. May bump into you fairly often as well. You're right by the museum.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Hey," Arden said, popping out of her door from where she was also packing, though only for the trip. "Dean."

She went over to offer him a hug. "You got a bar installed in the tub?"

[single_man_tear]

"I don't even have a bed yet," Dean admitted as he returned the hug. "Just mattresses on the floor which I admit is pathetic and will be resolved."

There was whiskey bottles on the kitchen counter and glasses thought because priorities.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Yeah, well, up the bar on the priority list. Falls are dangerous at your age."

That meant she was going to miss you, Dean.

"Also, you still gotta come back for dinner sometime. It's the only way I'll know you're eating more than burritos."

[single_man_tear]

"When invited, I will come," Dean promised. "And it's not like I'm going anywhere, I'm just down the block from you."

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Listen, Dean...shut up. Arden was having feelings she was going to need to process later, okay? People leaving was a whole thing for her and also shut up again.

"Yeah, yeah, and when we get back, I'll be over there to teach you how to understand phone apps and play receptionist," she said. "That has nothing to do with whether or not you're gonna die of a heart attack from gas station foods."

[single_man_tear]

Dean scoffed. "I totally ate a vegetable last week," he said defensively. "I'm fine. But if you need anything from me? Call. Got it?"

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Pretty sure the only reason you don't have scurvy is because of your pie addiction," Arden sighed. "And hugged Dean again. "I'll call," she promised.