Title: Until the Next Time
Rating: PG
Summary: “This is the corniest thing I’ve ever done.”
Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural. A girl can dream, but, alas, that's all it is.
Author's Note: Used for philosophy_20, prompt #15: infinity.



“This is the corniest thing I’ve ever done.”

“I’m naked. Why don’t you just try to concentrate on that.”

“Oh, believe me, I am.” She reaches back and smacks his shoulder. “But still, candles?”

“You didn’t set it up, I did, so, rest assured, your manhood is intact. Just, relax and enjoy the bath, would you? You’re tensing me up.”

He kisses the space where her shoulder meets her neck. “Sorry.” There’s a few moments of silence as Layla pushes bubbles around the tub. “I have to leave tomorrow.”

“Why do you think I set this all up?”

“Well, it’s one hell of a goodbye.”

She shrugs. “It’s more like… until the next time.”

“You really believe they’ll always be a next time, don’t you?” It isn’t as if she hasn’t said it many times before. He sounds awed every time. She doesn’t quite know why. Dean Winchester, it appears, is not an optimist.

“Yes.” There’s nothing but sincerity in her voice. Steadfast believe, faith, as if nothing else could be true. She reaches back and wraps both of her arms around his neck. “Always.”

He doesn’t reply, just sits there with the woman who has turned his life upside down in his arms, and holds onto her as if, at any moment, she will float away from him.

So, yeah, he feels like a jackass, sitting in a bath tub, surrounded by bubbles and candles. But he’s also surrounded by Layla, and the possibility of the next time and the time after that…really make him seriously consider spending always in this tub.