With Rhys safely bundled in his arms, Cane entered the small cabin after the young man fell asleep on the short drive back from town. He carefully deposited the slumbering farmer down on the bed and removed his shoes for him.

He returned to the porch and picked up the solar powered lanterns. One was deposited on the kitchen counter and the other was set on the nightstand, and he turned the one closest to the bed on low in case Rhys woke up. It didn’t take long for him to drift off once the vehicle started moving, and it seemed like he wouldn't wake up anytime soon. He worried about him missing his medications for a second night in a row, but he knew he’d be back around in a few hours when they would leave for the city so he settled on that being enough. Hopefully nothing too drastic would happen in those short few hours.

Somehow, Cane felt like Vic would be watching due to his own anxieties and infatuation, so Rhys would be cared for. The newcomer had enraptured the town in an immense way.

Cane quickly jotted down his phone number on the receipt from Molly's in case Rhys needed it and set it near the lantern so it would be visible. He watched Rhys sleep for a while to ensure he was alright.

“Sleep well, kiddo,” Cane said quietly before he headed toward the door.

As Cane wandered into the funeral home, he yawned heavily and kicked his boots off, “Cas, I got your smoothie!”

“You’re late!” Cas called from the living room.

“There was some drama in town, Carliel showed up and he’s sick!”

He walked into the living room and handed them the drink carrier. They took the smoothies and set them on the coffee table.

“Sick how?” they inquired.

“His feedin’ cow died—honestly, I’m surprised Betsy lasted this long—and he didn’t eat for damn near a month. He came t’town lookin’ for Vic and ended up in the sun,” he explained.

“Oh, poor Betsy. He loved that cow, spoiled her like a pet, too. He must be devastated. I do wish he’d stop being such a recluse, he has to be lonely.”

“He’s been hurt too bad too many times, we can’t blame him for bein’ on guard… Cas?”

Cas picked up their smoothie and punctured the lid with the straw, “Yes?”

“Did you know?”

“Know what?”

“That Rhys is sicker than he realizes?”

Cas merely shrugged their shoulders “Would it have made a difference if I said something?”

Cane sighed angrily. He walked around the couch and sat on the coffee table to face his partner head on. Cas lifted a thin eyebrow up in question as they sipped their pomegranate beverage.

“Cas—”

“I’m not a full reaper, Cane. I can only see glimpses and they’re not always true, or accurate. It doesn’t mean anything, I didn’t even foresee my own brother’s death, why would I be able to see a stranger’s I barely know or care about?” Cas said quietly.

"What did you see?” Cane asked.

“Snow… a lot of snow. Vic was upset.”

Cane set his hands together and contemplated what the vague vision could have meant, contemplated how little time his new neighbor may have left in his young life. Cas merely went back to sipping their smoothie. A happy shiver ran through their body and he couldn’t help but smile. He loved their mannerisms, their rare, genuine moments of joy, and every little expression they made caused his heart to race. It wouldn’t do anyone any good to press them for more information, but he was definitely on guard knowing that Rhys was sick enough to make Carliel ill simply with his smell.

“Thank you for getting this for me,” Cas whispered.

“Of course, you know I’ll get you whatever you want if you ask for it,” Cane replied.

“You’re a good husband.”

A soft, playful growl escaped Cane’s lips. Cas smirked. He set his hands on their thighs and playfully tapped their legs. His body wiggled a bit like an animal ready to pounce on some unsuspecting prey.

“But am I bad dog?” Cane asked, anticipation in his gaze as a goofy grin formed on his scruffy face.

“The worst,” Cas said seductively.

“Punish me, then… please?”

“You’re so needy today.”

“Please.”

Cas pointed to the other side of the house, “Bed, now.”

Cane laughed and scooped them up in his arms. He tossed their body up over his shoulder and raced off into the bedroom, Cas broke out laughing at his excited energy. It would be a long night, and the Wylder-Michaels household didn’t mind in the slightest.