Fourth floor common room, Saturday afternoon

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Sometimes the best way to spend a day was sacked out on a couch with all kinds of junk food watching really bad horror movies. Dean had decided that today was such a day. So here he was ensconced on the couch in the common room surrounded by lots of snacks that were really bad for him, watching a movie on Sci Fi that was so bad he was halfway certain that forcing someone to watch it would be labelled a crime against humanity.

Just what he'd wanted.

[ooc: open like an open CR]

Comments

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Penelope came back late last evening; she'd had enough of her mother, and Edward, and the engagement ring on her finger didn't help ease any of the misgivings she had where he was concerned.

So she wandered the floors and found a common room that was preoccupied. Her roommate was still gone and she didn't feel like being alone.

Seeing Dean, she gave him a small smile. "Hello, Dean."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Hey," Dean said, giving Penelope a welcoming smile. "How's it going?"

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"Fine, thank you," she returned politely. She sat down in a chair and folded her hands together on her lap. "How are you? Did you have a wonderful Christmas?"

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"It was pretty awesome," Dean said. "Gracie -- my baby sister -- is old enough now to start getting some of what's going on. It's a hoot to watch her. How about you? How was your Christmas?"

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She smiled. "How sweet. I've always wondered what it would be like to have a sister or brother, but then I imagine most only children do. What a lovely name your baby sister has. And my Christmas was just fine. I went home to be with my parents but I came back a day early. Mother can be grating."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Things okay?" Dean asked, giving her a concerned look.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Penelope glanced at the TV. She didn't know how to lie. "Things are as they've always been," she replied, evasively, feigning an interest in the movie.

"What is this you are watching?"

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"A really really bad movie," Dean said. "Like really bad."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She grinned. "I've never seen a really bad movie before," she said, and gestured to his mountain of junk food (which she could appreciate). "To help you get through this really really bad movie?"

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"It doesn't hurt," Dean said. "But really junkfood is its own reward. Want some?"

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"And you are rewarding yourself because?" she asked, teasing. "I would love some chips, if you've any there."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean dug through the pile. "Plain or barbecue?" he asked holding out two bags. "And no real reason for rewarding myself. Beyond being awesome. Which means you totally should get to share. Because you're pretty awesome too."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"Barbecue," she answered, then laughed lightly. "You are awesome. I'm just... Penelope."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, but from where I'm sitting that's pretty awesome," Dean told her as he handed her the barbecue chips.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"Thank you, Dean," she said, feeling shy as she accepted the bag. "For the compliment and for sharing your chips."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Hey, anytime, cutie," Dean said, giving her a wink.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

Penelope blinked, blushing. "Are you... flirting with me?"

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Maybe just a little," Dean admitted. "Sorry, it's kinda a reflex with pretty girls."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"You're funny, Dean. I like you. You shouldn't feel like you have to say those things to me," she told him as she looked down at the bag of chips. "My own mother never tells me I'm pretty."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"No offense Penelope," Dean said, a bit more seriously, "but your Mom kinda sucks on this issue. Also, is kinda blind. Sure, you may look a little different than your typical girl next door, but that doesn't mean you're not pretty."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"Well, I have lived with her my whole life. I'm not sure she's ever really gotten used to me. Physically speaking, of course. Faking my death when I was a baby never worked for her. She is my mother and at heart, she means well."

She paused, glanced down at her ring.

"But thank you, Dean. I'm sure everything will be alright soon enough. To repay you, I'd like to tell you I find you very handsome in a ruggedly casual manner. Very attractive."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Privately, Dean thought he'd like to have a word or ten with Penelope's mother, but he didn't let any of that show on his face.

"Thanks for the compliment," he said softly. He nodded toward the ring she was staring at. "That some kind of family heirloom?"

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"No," she said softly, curling her fingers into her palm. "I was engaged over Christmas."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Yeah?" Dean cocked his head as he regarded her. "You don't look like someone who just got engaged," he observed.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"I don't particularly feel engaged," she commented in a small voice. "It's not exactly been left up to me." Penelope peeked over at him, seeing if she could judge what he was thinking by the expression on his face.