sixwordstories | (no subject)

[Dean is legitimately thinking about her having to burrow through his brain like some sort of horrible hospital drill right now and his moment of squicked out panic might be obvious in his face. Thankfully, Bobby's kitchen is well stocked with beer and Dean has one in his hands, already half drunk.]

Maybe I should jus' pretend I know what you're talkin' about and start nodding, huh?

[She gave him a look, taking the beer from his hand and having a drink before giving it back to him.]

Dean, I don't get it. How can you face what you do and then look at me like I'm a monster for trying to help?

Monsters I get man, people are friggin' weird. [Beer, glorious, glorious beer.] Anyway, it's my skull we're invadin', why wouldn't I be freaked?

[She fell quiet, considering this and how to word things.] I just want to help but I'm not going to force you to do this. Okay? Don't feel you have to. I thought you might be good as an extractor, though I could help but I'm not some psychobitch to force you into something.

[A beat. Another sip of his beer] We can't get stuck down there, right? There's a way to wake up after it all?

Not where we would be going. You can go so deep you could get stuck but we wouldn't be going that far. [She paused, considering.] Okay, let me explain this a bit. Your mind has layers and so you use those in the dream to get deeper into the subconscious. We'll be staying on the upper levels.

So, do the worst parts of you stay in the lower levels or is it more like the tumblers on a lock an' you gotta open 'em all to pick it? [Another swig, leaning on his knees]

You're looking at this wrong. I've never been down to the furthest known level. I've never had a reason to. I think, for you, it will be about finding what it is you're holding on to and is twisting your mind. Likely it was an event or two and if we can figure out which ones, we might be able to get you past them.

The worst that happens is you killing me a few times. There's very little downside for you, except possibly facing something you're shying away from.

So what - you can tweak my mind to make me not give a crap about some- [his gaze flickers for a moment] thing anymore?

Isn't that kinda invasion of the body snatchers? I mean, I get it - I do. But I'm fairly sure that I've had enough freakin' events to out-event anyone.

[She gave a bit of a wave of her hand.] Not so much tweak as helping you through it. Though, I have heard of a way to tweak but I wouldn't do that with you.

It doesn't mean you shouldn't have to continue dealing with the nightmares if you don't have to. Your call though, Dean. I'm offering though.

Well, I can't have y'thinkin' I'm a coward or nothin'. [He drains the rest of his beer, standing up to go back to the kitchen] Want one?

[That made her frown.] Why would it matter if I did, Dean?

[He shrugs, pauses in his trek to the kitchen] Doesn't really, I guess.

[Arthur was quiet a moment, thinking before speaking but then she let herself say it anyways.]

It matters to me that you're hurting, Dean.

[He stiffens very obviously, muscles tight.] I'm fine, I deal.

[She slipped up beside him, voice soft but firm.] Have the balls to tell me the truth, and admit it to yourself. You're not fine, and you're not one to back down from help, Dean. Even I can see that.

Look, you've known me for five minutes. This? Is how I operate. I'm willin' to come see how your life works, how it all comes together 'cause I'm honestly curious. But I don't need anyone feelin' sorry for me, I deal.

You're a fucking moron if you think this is feeling sorry for you. [Straightening, face devoid of emotion as she took a step back.]

Enjoy your drunken stupor.

[Said even as she turned for the door, not willing to stand around and embarrass herself further. This was exactly why she kept a tight rein on her emotions and a reminder not to let that go.]

[Dean shrugs, doesn't even bother to correct her, just keeps his voice a low mutter] Lady, you haven't even seen drunken stupor.

[Pushing out the door, not even looking back.]