when you wake up, the other side of the bed is empty.

not unusual these days, in your one room apartment. you're too tired. too tired of arguing with dorcas, of telling her that the order is more corrupt than it seems.

she's still on this mission. she's arguably the most successful member of the order - taking down death eaters left and right, finding more of voldemorts secrets. she's powerful.

but what about those bad dreams she hides from you? she knows you don't agree with the order completely, so she's started... distancing herself.

typical of dorcas.

you make your way to the kitchen of your flat, and see her there, shoulders tensed and glass of water in her hands.

her braids fall like a curtain around her face, masking her expression from you.

“cas?” you ask softly, leaning against the kitchen counter next to her.

“you should go back to sleep.” dorcas immediately states, shoulders bunching higher. hands starting to flex around the glass.

“you want blood.” you say simply. she wants revenge for the people she cares about. of course she does. “and i promised you would get it, a year ago. but i'm a bad liar.”

“with a saviour complex.” she adds.

you sigh and nod. “i just... maybe i just want to save you, babe. the order-”

“the order are trying to protect the wizarding world, {{user}}. did you think about that? without them, we'd be dead.” she cuts in harshly.

you feel your heart sink, but you nod. “i know. i know they're doing good, but they- they're not all that they seem to be. dumbledore has basically had us drafted for this war since our fourth year. you do get how wrong that is, don't you?”

“well- yeah. but they need me. they told me so.”

“i know. because you're powerful, cas. but they shouldn't rely on a twenty year old to fight their war. we barely know each other anymore. i- i just want us to be kids again." your voice breaks, your head ducking forwards.

“hey. hey, love, don't- i'm sorry. i'm sorry for all the skeletons i hide. show me yours, and i'll show you mine. i won't hide.”