Dean Winchester and Y/N were as different as two people could be. He was just killing time until graduation, and she spent all of her time dancing and studying, dreaming of a career as a professional dancer. When fate throws them together, they fall in love. But she chooses dance over him, and they part ways for 14 years. When her mother dies she returns to Lawrence with a partner in tow and opens up a dance studio, and Dean’s ex-wife just signed their daughter up for lessons.
14 YEARS AGO
“Nice of you to grace us with your presence, Winchester,” Mr. Price says with a scowl as Dean Winchester comes sauntering into the room, not giving a shit that he is fifteen minutes late. Guys like him drive me nuts. Just because you’re good looking doesn’t mean you can do whatever the hell you want. Unless you're Dean Winchester, apparently.
He gives Mr. Price his trademark cheeky grin. “Well now I’m here, let the Biology party commence!” he orders as he slides into his seat. What an asshole.
Mr. Price coughs and shuffles some papers on his desk. Of course, anyone else would get sent to the principal, but not him. It doesn’t matter what he does, he never gets in trouble. Mr. Price turns his attention to the class. “Okay class, today we will be starting our first lab, so I am going to assign lab partners. Everyone starts talking at once. He holds up a hand and everyone quiets.
“Let me save you the trouble: No, you can’t change or swap partners. Yes, it’s for the whole year, and no, I won’t change my mind, and yes, by all means complain to principal Mills but she will back me up. So are we good?” he asks as he looks around. Everyone nods in defeat. “I’m going to read down the list, and no complaining!”
He goes down the list, and when he gets to my name, my pulse quickens. “Y/L/N, you’re with Winchester.” Several people look over at me in sympathy as my mouth opens and closes like a fish. “Get with your partners and open your books to page 26.”
“Good luck, Y/N,” the person sitting next to me says as he gets out of his seat and heads across the room. I look straight ahead, trying to hold it together as Dean sits down next to me.
“Smart and pretty, lucky me,” Dean says with a wide smile.
I finally turn to look at him. “Listen and listen good, Winchester,” I say through gritted teeth. “I need to do well in this class. So you’d better be ready to work because I am not carrying you. I know you’re not stupid, so don’t act like you are.”
He blinks in surprise. “Well consider me warned. I will do my best not to disappoint you, Sarge.”
“Earth to Dean! Will you pay attention already? I have to leave for dance soon, and we aren’t even half done. And stop playing with my hair!” I shove the Biology book away from me and glared at him.
We are studying for our Biology test in the mostly empty library one day after school. Dean, who has been busy twirling one of my curls around his finger looks up in surprise. “I’m listening! Hey, can I ask you something?”
“Um…..Okay.” I reply warily.
“When do you get to be a teenager?” he asks quietly, his eyes meeting mine.
“Excuse me?”
“You’re always running to dance practice or studying. Why do you practice so much? When do you get to have fun? Do you even know how?” For once, his trademark smirk was missing, and his eyes looked sad.
.“I work so hard because I want to be a professional dancer. I want to go to Juilliard. My mom works her ass off, but money’s been tight since my dad died.” Tears filled my eyes. I was suddenly on the verge of bawling, but I couldn’t let Dean see me break down. “I…I need to get a book off the shelf, I’ll be right back.” I pushed back in my chair and ran into the stacks. I stopped in a corner, my chest heaving and tears pouring down my face.
“Y/N,” Dean said quietly, his hand on my shoulder. “Are you okay?” I whirled around to face him, my back pressed against the bookshelf, and Dean’s tall form looming in front of me.
“You’re right, you know. I’ve been working so hard I’ve forgotten how to have fun,” I admitted sheepishly.
He leaned in closer until our chests were practically touching. Reaching out, he tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “Consider this lesson one,” he said in a thick voice as he leaned down and cradling the side of my jaw in his huge hand, he brushed his lips against mine. I jumped as though an electric current had jolted through me.
._________________________________
I began to cut back on dancing to spend more time with Dean. My teacher Miss Julia wasn’t happy about it, but she could see we were young and in love so she let it slide for the moment. It was hard, but I managed to find a balance between dance, school, and Dean.
I lost my virginity in the back of his dad’s ‘67 Impala, and that was the first time I told Dean that I loved him. I thought about him all the time. He was planning on working in his dad’s garage when we graduated, but the thought of being separated from him was getting harder and harder to bear.
“What’s going to happen to us if I get accepted to Juilliard?” I asked one day as we lay on the grass outside school studying for finals. “It’s all the way in New York. I don’t think I can stand to be that far away from you.” I said with a pout.
“What if I came with you? We can get a crap apartment somewhere, and I’ll get a job as a mechanic while you go to school. At least we’ll be together.”
I jumped into his arms. “You would do that for me? But what about your Dad’s shop?”
He hugged me tightly. “I want to be where you are.”
_________________________________
The news came a week before graduation. I had gotten a full scholarship to Juilliard! I couldn’t believe it and after telling Dean, I practically ran to the studio to tell Miss Julia. She asked me to take a seat in her office. “You are the most gifted dancer I have ever taught, Y/N. I have no doubt you will go far.”
“Dean is moving to New York with me so we can be together. He is going to get a job while I go to school. Everything is working out.”
Miss Julia looked sadly at me. “I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t mention this. Having him go with you is a big mistake. You are going to be working harder than you’ve ever worked before, dancing 16-hour days. You need to be at the top of your game, and keep your distractions to a minimum. End it now while there still is time.”
But I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I’d tried to broach the subject with him, but it never went anywhere. Then graduation happened and we were leaving the next week. Finally, I had no choice. He had just taken me to dinner and the words came spilling out. “Dean, we need to talk about something,” I began tentatively.
“Okay, shoot.”
“I don’t think you should come to New York with me,” I said in a rush.
“What? Why the hell not?” he demanded.
“I need to be focused on my dance, and you’ll just be a distraction. I’ll always love you.” I tried reaching for him, but his eyes were cold as he backed away.
. “Are you sure this is what you want? If I leave now, we are done. And for the record, I think you’re making a terrible mistake.”
“I love you, but I think this is best for both of us,” I said sadly.
He shook his head in disbelief and headed for the door. “Have a nice life,” he told me sarcastically. Hopping into the Impala, he lay his head on the steering wheel for a minute while his heart broke into a million pieces. Reaching into his pocket, he took out the black jewelers box and threw it on the passenger’s seat. “Guess I won’t be needing this.” Then he peeled out of the driveway.
I held out hope he would come and say goodbye when I left but he never did. I cried on the entire flight to New York.
Dean Winchester and Y/N were as different as two people could be. He was just killing time until graduation, and she spent all of her time dancing and studying, dreaming of a career as a professional dancer. When fate throws them together, they fall in love. But she chooses dance over him, and they part ways for 14 years. When her mother dies she returns to Lawrence with a partner in tow and opens up a dance studio, and Dean’s ex-wife just signed their daughter up for lessons.
Part 1
PRESENT DAY
"Thank you for coming," I say quietly for what seems like the hundredth time, shaking another person's hand. I am still overwhelmed by the number of people who have shown up to pay their respects.
"Your mother touched a lot of lives," our old neighbor Mrs. Clancy comments as she hugs me then moves along to allow me to greet the next person.
I feel fresh tears welling up again, and Cass hands me a new tissue. Calling hours are almost done, and then I can get these shoes off and maybe have a glass of wine.
"How are you holding up, pretty girl?" Cass asks as I lay my head on his shoulder for a second.
Castiel Novak is my rock and my best friend in the world. We met in those early days at Juilliard when I was still pining for Dean and having trouble getting out of bed, let alone dancing.
Thank goodness Cass took me under his wing. We teamed up and found out that we just clicked as partners. Anticipating his moves came as naturally as breathing. We just worked together so well he soon became my only partner.
We tried dating for a hot minute, but Cass knew my heart belonged to someone else, so we decided to be friends instead. After college we got an apartment together, and started the rounds of auditions.
We danced on Broadway many shows, including Wicked and Hamilton, and toured the world with several famous singers, most notably Beyonce. Cass is in demand as a choreographer now, but I am still his favorite partner and collaborator. We had just been asked to tour with Taylor Swift when the word came that my mom had passed away suddenly from a stroke.
"I'm just tired," I said wearily. "Thanks again for coming with me. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
"Like I would let you face this alone," he whispered as he kissed the top of my head.
I turn to greet the next person and time stops for a moment when I come face to face with those green eyes that have haunted my dreams for the last decade.
Dean Winchester.
Damn, the years have been good to him! I can’t stop staring and for a moment I am actually struck speechless by how attractive he is. You gave up HIM for dancing? Are you insane?? My inner bitch says mockingly.
Cass, sensing something is wrong, comes up next to me and coughs loudly to break me out of my trance. "Hey Dean," I say weakly, holding out my hand to shake.
"Y/N," he says curtly, ignoring my hand, so I drop it to my side. "I liked your mom. Who's he?" he asks abruptly, glaring at Cass.
"So this is Dean?" Cass asks before giving Dean a brilliant smile, and not bothering to answer his question. Jerk.
He gives Cass such a hard look his smile abruptly fades and then he looks annoyed. Oh boy, here we go. "Dean this is my……. This is Cass." I don't owe him any explanations, so I leave it at that. Cass makes things worse by putting his arm around me. Now he’s just trying to cause trouble.
"Now listen here," Dean snaps as he sizes Cass up.
"No, you listen, Winchester. There is a time and a place for everything, and this just isn't the time." Cass informs him with a shake of his head.
I can tell that Dean's ready to blow, so I throw up a hand against his chest. "Please don't make a scene at my mother's funeral." I implore him, my hand clutching at his shirt.
He gazes down at my hand and nods silently before turning to leave, stopping to look back and stare at me intently before he does.
'Well that certainly was interesting," Cass remarks dryly.
The last person to come is my old dance teacher Miss Julia. We hug and I introduce her to Cass. "I'd love to have you come down to the studio, for old times sake. Do you have time for your old teacher?" she asks with a grin.
"For you, I'll make the time," I promise.
_______________________________
That night, Cass and I are sharing a pizza and a bottle of wine at my mom's house.
"So Dean….." Cass remarks offhandedly as he chews a bite of pizza.
"What about him?"
"He looked like he wanted to rip my face off. He's a little intense, isn't he?" Cass comments as he pours more wine.
"He's still angry. I told him I loved him, and he was ready to drop everything for me, Cass. But Miss Julia told me he would ‘distract’ me, so I chose dance over him. And he clearly hasn't forgiven me or forgotten." Despite my best efforts, I felt a tear rolling down my cheek. I hastily wipe it away.
"If he'd only seen what leaving him cost you," Cass observed, taking my hand. "You were a mess. I didn't think you'd bounce back from it."
"Thank goodness I had you," I remarked with a soft smile. “So are you up for visiting Miss Julia tomorrow? I want to take you to the studio and show you where I got my start.”
“Sure!” Cass said enthusiastically. “I want to see where tiny dancer Y/N took her first steps”.
________________________________
When we pulled up to the studio, I could tell by the number of cars that lessons were underway. “Let’s see if Miss Julia is free. She may be teaching.” I comment as we approach the door. It even smells the same.
When we entered, complete chaos reigned. There were little girls in both studios taking lessons, and girls on the chairs outside waiting for their turns. There weren’t enough chairs so the parents were clustered at the end of the hall in a large group talking and laughing.
I flagged down a young woman in dance gear who looked like she might be an instructor. “Sorry to bother you. Is Miss Julia around?”
“She might be in the office, or teaching in studio three, I’m not sure. Can I help you with something?” She blew her sweaty hair out of her face and smiled. “Sorry, it’s insane today.”
I smiled at her. “I’m Y/F/N Y/L/N, she asked me to stop by.”
Recognition dawned, and her mouth dropped. “Holy shit! You’re famous here. There’s a display and everything.”
My eyes narrowed as Cass chuckled behind me. “A display?”
“Yep, it’s over there,” she pointed down the hall. “Hey, Courtney! Have you seen Miss Julia?”
“She’s in the office.” A disembodied voice called back.
“Thanks,” I replied before turning away.
“Wait!” The girl asked, “Can I get a picture with you, please?”
“Um, sure,” I said awkwardly as she handed her phone to Cass and he dutifully snapped a few pictures before handing it back.
“Thanks so much! I have to run, my class is starting. Great to meet you!” Then she took off running, nimbly navigating the crowded hallway.
“I didn’t know I was in the presence of a celebrity,” Cass commented with a huge grin.
“Shut it. Let’s go check out this display’” I told him, grabbing his arm and pulling him down the hallway. It was outside of the office. We both stood there open-mouthed as we took it in.
The display case said in big letters, DEDICATION, DETERMINATION, DISCIPLINE
Inside were many of my dance trophies I had won at competitions, pictures of me in various costumes, playbills from Wicked, Hamilton and other shows I had done, and T-shirts from the tours I had danced in. There was an article that had been written about me in the local paper after I graduated from Juilliard.
In the center was a picture of me dancing, a look of intense concentration on my face, and underneath a plaque with my name and the years I had studied with Miss Julia.
“Holy shit,” I whispered.
“Yeah, I’d say she’s a little proud of you,” Cass said with a snort.
___________________________________
I said nothing, just marched forward, and knocked on the door. Miss Julia opened it, and when she saw it was me, her face broke out into a smile. “Y/N! I was hoping you’d have time to visit. And you brought Mr. Novak! How wonderful! Have a seat.”
“So I saw your little display…” I began.
“Isn’t it great? You are such an inspiration to young dancers. I wanted to show them that with hard work, it really is possible to go all the way. And you are proof of that. I have several girls who are just as talented as you were but need to focus.”
“It seems like the studio is doing better than ever,” I commented. “There were never this many kids taking lessons when I was here.”
Miss Julia’s face looked sad for a moment. “Y/N, there was a reason I asked you to come down here. You’ve been like a daughter to me, and I wanted you to hear this from me personally.”
There was something about the tone of her voice. “Is everything okay?” I asked nervously.
She shook her head. “No, it’s not. My mother lives in Florida and she has cancer. I am moving there to care for her. I’ve been trying for over a year to find a buyer for this place, but no one is interested. So I have no other choice. I am closing the studio, but I wanted to tell you first.”
Hi guys! Yes, I am still here, I haven’t died! I’ve been recovering from major surgery. I am still writing, albeit slowly. Thanks for sticking with me! Anyhoo, I read a ton of fics, and I like to recap the year with some of my favorites. I know this is a little early, but I am going back to work Wed, so I wanted to get this out there. I’ll be posting 12 fics, 1 for each month. Fics are below the cut
(1) The Video by @impala-dreamer (Sam X Reader) Some late-night alone time with her computer leads Y/N to discover an extremely sexy video. As she watches through a lustful haze, it becomes clear that she may just know the subject of the film. This is classic Becca. Funny, well-written, and hot as hell!
(2) Abandonment Issues by @moonlitskinwalker (Alpha Sam X Omega Reader ) Sam’s your best friend at school, and you may have a small crush on him. He is not a typical Alpha, kind, caring, funny… the kind of man people dream of ending up with, right? I love Miami’s stories. She doesn’t post a ton ‘cause she’s a busy chick, but when she does, I know I am getting an original, beautifully written story. Another plus, it is A/B/O, which I live for.
(3) Prove It by @waywardnerd67 (Dean X Reader) The old fake dating cliche turned on its head. Dean and the reader are posing as a couple for a case. When they get caught, they have to prove they are really together. I really enjoyed this one. I couldn’t wait to see how it turned out, and the smut was on point!
(4) Hiding in Plain Sight by @winchesterprincessbride (Alpha werewolf Sam X Omega Reader) The small town of Lebanon, Kansas has a secret. A pack of werewolves lives among the humans, and pack Alpha Dean Winchester and his brother Sam kept things under control so the humans were none the wiser. One night on a full moon, Y/N’s car breaks down and she is attacked and bitten by a mysterious wolf. Waking up in a house full of strangers, she is told that she is turning into a werewolf, and she must leave her old life behind. Will she threaten all that Sam and Dean have worked so hard to protect? It’s my list, so I always include something of mine. Yeah, it’s shameless self-promotion, but too bad!
(5) House of the Rising Sun by @kittenofdoomage (Sam X Dean X Reader) The reader is a detective eager to prove herself, is assigned her first undercover case working at a bar owned by Sam and Dean Winchester, the sons of the wealthy Winchester Dynasty. Corporate billionaires involved in more shady dealings that can be counted, Y/N’s investigating a case of corporate fraud and embezzlement, but what she uncovers is a much shadier world of murder and deception that might not let her out alive. When I first read this, I was blown away. It’s an AU, and Sam and Dean are NOT nice guys in this. There is some kinky shit in here, but there is also a highly original story and amazing writing that we have come to expect from Rhi.
(6) Bed of Roses by @crispychrissy (Dean X Reader) The reader finds some strange abnormalities with some medical records, and when she continues to look into it after her boss tells her not to, things take a turn for the worse. I enjoyed the slow burn of this, and I am a sucker for mob stories! Chrissy never fails to deliver!
(7) The Joy of 90s Pop by @fictionalabyss (Dean X Reader) Minor threats by an annoyed Dean. 90’s pop hits. Soulmates linked by music. I just love the effortless way she just nails these characters. Every. Damn. Time. And don’t even get me started on her titles........
(8) Tell Him by @sofreddie The reader has a secret and Sam decides she needs to own up to it. Shannon is one of my favorite writers. Her stories grab you and they don’t let go. I’ve been a fan since day one.
(9) I’d Rather Be Blind by @atc74 (Dean X Reader) The reader witnesses her boyfriend, Dean, fitting in perfectly with another hunter. She doesn’t know what she’d do without him and mutters to herself. The only problem is someone is always listening. Ang is one of the most prolific writers I know. She consistently turns out such quality work, I just don’t know how she does it!
(10) A Week in Boston (Chris Evans X Reader) by @blacktithe7 It was your first vacation in years. One week all by yourself in the big city of Boston. No rules. No expectations. Just a list of places to go and things you wanted to see. That all changed when you run into a certain blue-eyed Boston boy who turned your world upside down. Is it really possible to fall in love with someone in just one week? Or is that kind of love just a fairytale? Every time I see a new chapter has posted, I do a little squeak of happiness.
(11) The Mud On Your Boots by @thoughtslikeaminefield Until Dean shows up in Hibbing unexpectedly, Donna had been enduring a bit of a dry spell. Then, just as unexpectedly, they find something in each other and fall deeper and deeper into happiness and comfort - and, yes, love. Ah yes, Dean and Donna, Deonna, one of my favorite ships of all time! This series does such a realistic job of letting the relationship build in a way that makes sense.
(12) Help Me Understand by @pinknerdpanda This one made me sad. I felt bad for the reader, and for Dean. He loves Lisa, and he loves the reader, and he’s sorry, but they are both miserable. Manda is usually my go-to girl for Castiel fics (no one writes Cas like her!) but I love everything she writes.
