The Saltwater Ridge
past implied Castiel/Dean Winchester, Benny Lafitte/Dean Winchester, Alternative Universe - Canon Divergence, Season/Series 8, Graphic Depictions of Violence, Hunting, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Explicit Sexual Content, Slow Burn, Benny Lafitte, Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester (mentioned), Castiel (mentioned), Elizabeth (mentioned), Andrea Kormos (mentioned), contains no Cas hate, no Sam hate, and no DeanCas hate
I want to thank the mods at deanbennychallenges for organizing this challenge, and kuwlshadow for the wonderful art - please make sure to check it out! - and anactorya for her amazing beta services and encouraging and helpful comments!
My main reason for participating in this challenge despite never having written for this pairing before was my dear friend androbeaurepaire, who got so excited for this story already when it was barely more than a vague idea. Andro, I dedicate this story to you :)
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It's three weeks after getting back topside that Benny gets the call. He's standing under a tree in the half-shadow, with his shades on. Just a step away from where sunlight is warming the asphalt. The phone is cheap, bought at a convenience store. The plastic is silver and black. Already scratched. But it did its job when he sent Dean his number. And he hasn’t heard back.
Dean's number, hastily scribbled on a piece of paper, is flashing on the screen now.
He punches the accept button, moves the phone to his ear. Before he can get a word out, Dean is asking, scratchy through the connection, “Can we meet somewhere?”
Benny doesn't know what this is about. Dean seems to be trying for casual, but there's a tense undercurrent to his tone. So Benny doesn't ask. He shifts out of the shadows, steps onto the sun-warmed sidewalk. Suggests a diner several miles from his current location, just to be safe. He doesn't know where Dean is. Dean didn't say.
Dean replies, “Give me five hours, tops.” Then he hangs up.
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