Ying’s expression shifted even as his eyes widened.

The ceremony was about to start and unlike other times, he was already here.

It took him only a second or two before his eyes regained their usual calm.

"Have you checked his escape spot?"

Yuki was initially confused before recognition hit her. "You know about that?"

"I am your father...Yuki," Ying answered simply.

Straightening his body, Ying noticed everybody present was getting seated. He glanced at Yuki again.

"Go get your brother..."

Yuki nodded and got on her feet. Leaving quietly, doing her best not to draw attention.

***

"I don’t know what they expect from me." Dean spoke out loud, his voice low and defeated like he was in solitude.

But he wasn’t alone. Ash slid slowly around him. It’s gelatinous body pulsing between colors before stopping at blue.

This seemed to be its attempt to comfort him.

Dean stared at his open palms. The hands of a teenager. Unfamiliar no matter how much he tried to ignore it.

"I’ll let them down," he said to Ash even as it sank into his own mind. "I’ve never...I’ve never done something like this before. How can they blindly trust me? An impostor."

Ash pulsed like a dying star beside him then it grew brighter as it snuggled his arm.

Dean could feel his body grow weak, his throat tightened. "I’ve never had a single soul trust me. That’s basic knowledge. Never trust Dean. Unless–"

He looked down at the slime that was snuggling his arm. "Unless you’re Ash."

At this point, he was referring more to his dog, Ash. But the slime rippled like it understood. Like it shared his worry and disapproval.

Dean sighed. If he couldn’t even take care of his dog that he died and left behind.

’Then how can I take care of an entire family. People that want to put their future in my hands.’

Gesturing his hands like he was weighing them. He continued. "These hands. Hands that I don’t trust. Hands that know only chaos."

His fingers curled as they balled into a fist. "How can I carry a family if all I know is chaos and how to survive in it?"

Dean could feel the weight on his shoulders even though he hadn’t carried the burden yet.

Looking around he was a bit surprised. He couldn’t remember how he even got here.

It was as if he just doubted himself and muscle memory brought him to a safe spot.

The sun rose higher but Dean didn’t feel hot. Just troubled.

***

After a few minutes, Dean heard footsteps, he didn’t have to look as he already knew it was Yuki from the corner of his eye.

She just stood at the edge of the chimney without saying a word. Then she sat on the opposite side of the chimney. Her back against the warm stone.

"He knew you would be here, you know," she said warmly.

"Good for him," Dean replied after a short sigh.

"Do you still remember how she would bring you here?" Yuki exhaled. "Mother."

Dean remained quiet.

"I remember how you will sit here for hours. Just looking at the stars. With her"

Dean’s chest tightened as the memories replayed in his mind.

"I was jealous, you know," Yuki admitted. "She never did that with me and didn’t get to with Nessa."

Dean remembered it all. Even though this connection wasn’t what really troubled his mind.

"But you know, I don’t resent you anymore," Yuki laughed. "They say I should. I have a summon too. I am the eldest. I should be the heir."

She tilted her head back against the warm stone of the chimney. And looked up to the sky.

"But you deserve this. Only you. More than me. More than anyone else."

For the first time, Dean couldn’t say anything. There was nothing quirky in his head or any cynical jab.

She was talking to her brother and yet no matter how he wanted to twist it. That it shouldn’t be him. But right now, she was talking to him.

"You always fought for us first," Yuki continued. "Even when we didn’t deserve it. Even when we didn’t ask for it. Even when it hurts you."

She paused and tilted her head towards his left ear, while she stretched her hand backwards.

"I will always be on your side, Dean. No matter what."

In that moment, Dean felt a weight dispersed from his chest as if something cracked in there.

For the first time—not in inherited memories, not in someone else’s life—but his life...

He felt it.

Something he could only define with one word. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

LOVE.

Somebody actually loved him... Not one..all of them.

But did they really?

Did they love him? Or what he could be?

The question twisted his mind again. He wasn’t the real Dean Gray. He was a transmigrator. A fraud wearing the boy’s skin.

Did they love the person sitting here now? Or the boy who died? Or maybe both?

He didn’t know...And that terrified him.

But... maybe. Just maybe. It didn’t matter.

Maybe it wasn’t about who they loved.

Maybe it was about who he loved.

And the truth was, this family, these people. The ones he knew and didn’t even recognize.

He wanted to protect them. Not because of some inheritance. Or duty. It couldn’t be those.

He could care less about all of that.

But this thing in his chest. This sensation that is driving him to do more for them than himself. To be more for them.

Isn’t this love? He didn’t know but he wanted to keep it. Protect it.

Dean turned towards where Yuki’s hand was. He placed his over hers and they both stood up, back to back against the chimney.

After standing, she smiled warmly, holding his hand tighter. "Let’s go," she turned and pulled. "They’re waiting for you."

A/N: Thanks for all your support. Those that are supporting in one way or another I really appreciate.

Knowing someone is reading this is a joy. I hope Y’all keep enjoying this.