Chapter Text
Part 30
“This is stupid,” Dean complained. “Ow,” he grunted as Bobby whacked him upside the head (hard).
“Just keep your mouth shut and show some respect, boy,” Bobby grumbled at him.
With the newfound knowledge that John had secretly had a third child, and the revelation that Adam had died after setting Lucifer free, Sam had tentatively suggested they hold some kind of service to honour his passing. They may not have had a body to burn or bury, but Sam insisted that they do something.
A sombre looking John had agreed, Dean being the only one to bitch about it.
“He wasn’t even really our brother,” Dean muttered. “Ah,” he winced as Bobby hit him again (harder this time).
“One more shitty comment out of you and I’ll hit you so hard in the balls you won’t ever be able to fuck Sam good and proper again,” Bobby warned.
“Yikes,” Dean grumbled, placing his hands in front of his crotch protectively and keeping quiet.
They had lit several candles, and Sam gave a little speech. While Dean wisely kept his bitchy comments to himself, he couldn’t suppress an eye-roll or two. There wasn’t anything inherently wrong with what Sammy was saying. His words were the typical kind of thing one said about a person who died young. But the speech was painfully generic since Sam had never actually met Adam and had no cherished memories to share to make the words more personal.
As it turned out, John didn’t have much more to offer either. Though there was genuine sorrow and affection in his eyes as he talked about taking a young Adam to a baseball game for his birthday. Dean nearly bit through his own tongue preventing himself from making a snide comment about that. He and Sam were lucky if their father was even around for their birthdays, nevermind getting to do something as normal as going to a damn baseball game.
XXX
After the pitiful (and in Dean’s opinion completely unnecessary and undeserved) memorial service, they packed up some weapons, research books and other supplies. John loaded up his truck, Bobby got his van, and of course Dean and Sam sat side-by-side in the Impala. They drove far away from Bobby’s place. Far away from anything really. They had witnessed some of the chaos and destruction Lilith had unleashed. There was no doubt in their minds that Lucifer was capable of significantly worse, especially given that ending human kind was his ultimate goal. With the knowledge that Lucifer had found a temporary vessel and was making his way towards Sam, they all agreed it was best to find a spot outside of town and away from innocent people.
“You think Bobby’s plan has a shot?” Sam asked as the Salvage Yard disappeared from view.
“Probably not,” Dean sighed. “But it’s all we’ve got.”
Sam’s face fell slightly, as though he’d been expecting positivity and optimism. Dean was typically so full of confidence when it came to hunting, never doubting that they would win when facing off against ghosts and goblins. But of course, their current situation was no run of the mill salt and burn case. The fate of the world was at stake now and they were surely well out of their depth.
“Maybe… maybe we should say ‘yes’,” Sam suggested uneasily. “Let Michael and Lucifer fight it out and hope that Michael wins.”
“Never gonna happen, Sammy,” Dean responded, laying a hand on his brother’s thigh.
“It could save the world,” Sam pointed out. “We could save everybody.”
“Not worth it,” Dean shook his head. “Not if I lose you.”
“Isn’t that kind of selfish?” Sam asked.
Gripping the steering wheel one-handed, Dean didn’t answer right away. He knew damn well how selfish it was. Potentially dooming the world just so he could make sure Sam was safe. Even though a doomed world would mean he and Sam would die anyway. Horribly too no doubt. But he couldn’t find it in himself to care.
“We’ve been hunting since we were kids,” Dean said. “We’ve saved a lot of people along the way. This time, I’m gonna do everything I can to save you. I don’t care if that makes me selfish. I love you too damn much to let you sacrifice yourself to Lucifer. No matter what happens, we are not going to say ‘yes’ to these Angel dicks. Promise me, Sammy.”
“I promise,” Sam answered. “We don’t say ‘yes’.”
“No matter how bad it gets,” Dean insisted.
“Yeah… yeah, I promise,” Sam agreed.
“That’s my boy,” Dean said proudly squeezing Sam’s thigh before placing his hand back on the wheel.
“Guess we’d better pray Bobby’s plan works out,” Sam sighed.
“I’m not the praying type,” Dean murmured. “Holy shit!” he swore, nearly swerving off the road when Castiel suddenly appeared in the backseat. “Damn it, Cas, can’t you knock or something?”
“Lucifer has massacred an entire town,” Castiel informed them.
“Just one town?” Dean asked with a disapproving shake of the head. “Gotta say, I expected a bit more from the literal Devil. Maybe this son of a bitch isn’t so badass after all.”
“He is far worse than you can possibly imagine and I fear he is only just getting started,” Castiel replied. “His vessel is containing him for now. But already he grows weak. If he does too much he will wipe the vessel out. For now I believe he will focus on preserving his energy.”
“But he’s still coming, right?” Sam asked. “He’ll find us.”
“He’ll find you, Sam,” Castiel corrected.
“How long?” Dean frowned.
“Perhaps hours,” Castiel answered. “A day or two if you are blessedly lucky.”
“What about your brothers and sisters, the other Angels?” Sam asked. “Could they be convinced to help us?”
“I am afraid not,” Castiel bowed his head, looking something akin to ashamed. “Things are unsettled up in Heaven. Never have I experienced anything like it. It is… troubling.”
Sam and Dean shared a look.
“Um… there, there,” Sam offered sympathetically. “I’m sure it’ll be ok.”
“I admire your faith,” Castiel told him. “On this occasion I wish I shared it.”
“So what are you saying here?” Dean asked. “Are your big and powerful Angel buddies a bunch of cowards too scared of Lucifer to try and protect humanity?”
“Many are deeply afraid of the fallen Angel,” Castiel admitted. “Regrettably, far too many are indifferent of what outcome might befall the human race. I was not able to convince others to help defend the people on Earth.”
“Damn, Angels suck,” Dean huffed. “I’m just saying it, I hate Angels.”
“Dean,” Sam stared him down, gesturing awkwardly to a frowning Castiel in the backseat of the Impala.
“No offence, Cas,” Dean said with a pleasant smile, batting his eyelashes slightly.
Castiel cocked his head to the side, his blue-eyed stare unwavering.
“I think you hurt his feelings,” Sam whispered.
“What about this Michael guy?” Dean changed the subject slightly. “Is he gonna show up at some point and ask to take me to the Prom? Or is he hiding behind a cloud like a scared little cherub?”
“Michael is a fearless warrior,” Castiel claimed. “If there is to be a showdown with Lucifer, he will find a way to be a part of it.”
“Through Dean you mean?” Sam asked.
“Dean is his true vessel,” Castiel acknowledged. “But I suspect Michael is entertaining other possibilities at this time. He will undoubtedly try to persuade Dean to say ‘yes’ in the very near future, but for the time-being he will settle for an appropriate substitute.”
XXX
Deciding they had driven far enough away from ordinary folk, John pulled his truck to a stop. Not long after, Bobby and the boys were parking up.
“What do you think?” John asked gruffly. “Pretty nice spot for a potential apocalypse?”
“It’s got some end of the world charm to it,” Bobby said. “Come on boys,” he beckoned Sam and Dean. “We’ll probably all be dead tomorrow. Let’s try and enjoy ourselves a little. What about you?” he asked Castiel. “You seeing this shit through to the end or are you flying back upstairs?”
“I believe my place is here,” Castiel responded.
“Great, help us pitch the tents,” Bobby clapped him on the shoulder.
XXX
“Place is kind of nice,” Sam said to Dean once the tents were erected and they had a little campfire going.
“There are worse places we could be,” Dean acknowledged, standing at the edge of the lake and looking across the water. “Tell you what, if we live through this, we’ll come out here for a proper trip. Just the two of us.”
“Yeah?” Sam asked with interest, leaning up against his older brother.
“Yeah,” Dean grinned, hand resting at Sam’s hip. “A little romantic getaway down by the lake. Drink some beers, catch some fish, gaze at the stars. Then we’ll fuck like cowboys in the tent. It’ll be very Brokeback Mountain of us.”
“Sounds perfect,” Sam smiled, and Dean leaned in to him, kissing him softly on the mouth.
“Boys, get over here,” Bobby called.
“Come on,” Sam gave Dean a reassuring smile before leading the way to where their dad, Bobby and Castiel sat around the crackling fire. “Thanks,” he accepted the can of beer Bobby passed to him.
“What should we toast to?” Bobby asked as all five of them opened their beers, Castiel peering inside the can curiously.
“To Adam,” Sam suggested, Dean glaring slightly.
“Adam,” John repeated with a sigh. “Mary,” he added sombrely. “And my boys,” he peered across the flames at Sam and Dean. “My little Sammy… and Dean, my brave soldier… I’m damn proud of you both. Don’t ever forget that… Seriously?” he huffed when Bobby flicked a little holy water at him.
“Just checking you’re not possessed,” Bobby responded. “…To the hunter life.”
“To humanity,” Castiel declared. “And all the courage… faith… stubborn tenacity and unyielding love this fragile world and its inhabitants have to offer.”
“To tomorrow,” Dean said. “Let’s hope some of us are here to see it, and let’s hope it hasn’t gone to Hell.”
They all drank a small sip of beer, Castiel pulling a face at the taste.
They cooked sausages over the fire, as well as marshmallows. While Castiel had no need or desire to eat, he was greatly intrigued by the charred marshmallows and seemed to enjoy stretching the gooey sweet through his fingers.
“Got a surprise for you,” Dean whispered to Sam before heading towards the Impala.
“Fireworks?” Sam beamed excitedly when Dean returned.
“If it’s all gonna end, we may as well go out with a bang, eh Sammy?” Dean winked at him.
There the five of them stood, one angel, four hunters, two brothers in love, gazing up at the night sky and watching the bursts of colour decorate the black sheet of the night.
“Thanks, Dean,” Sam smiled after the last firework had fizzled out.
“You’re welcome, baby,” Dean replied.
He recalled a night many years ago, the fourth of July. He and Sammy letting off fireworks. Had he known he was desperately in love with his baby brother back then? Perhaps that night had been the start of it? Or maybe it was the first time Sam hit all the targets during practice? Or when he learned to tie his own sneakers? When he spoke his first word – ‘Dean’? That night their dad placed baby Sammy into Dean’s arms when the house was on fire?
It didn’t matter, not really. For they were in love now and Dean could lean in and kiss his boy if he wanted to. And damn did he want to.
“Mm,” Sam moaned a little as Dean crushed their lips together, licking his way into Sam’s mouth. “Love you,” he wrapped his arms around Dean, resting his head on his shoulder.
“Love you more,” Dean spoke the words tenderly into Sam’s ear.
“Maybe we should try and get some sleep,” John recommended, ripping his eyes away from the intimate moment between his two sons. “Who wants to take first watch?”
“I am an Angel of the Lord,” Castiel reminded them. “I do not require sleep. It would be my honour to keep watch.”
“Our own guardian Angel, I like it,” Bobby said knocking back some whiskey before excusing himself to his tent.
“Thanks, Cas,” Sam said, and the Angel nodded.
XXX
“Are you scared?” Sam asked. He was curled up against Dean’s side, his head resting on his older brother’s chest, fiddling with the amulet that decorated his neck.
“Terrified,” Dean admitted, fingers running through Sam’s long hair. “But it is what it is. And if we’re gonna go down, at least we’ll go down fighting. Together.”
“This could be our last night,” Sam voiced. “Do you want to… you know?”
“Sam, sweetheart,” Dean sighed cupping his cheek. “As much as I want to spend my last night alive making sweet hot love to you… I really don’t want to do it with dad and Bobby in a tent nearby and a damn Angel outside. Tonight I just want to hold you.”
Sam nodded in acceptance, shifting closer into his big brother’s hold. Their lips found one another in the darkness of the tent, kissing unhurriedly, as if they had all the time in the world, though they both believed it to be unlikely.
“I love you so much,” Sam whispered against his brother’s mouth.
“I love you too,” Dean rubbed their noses together affectionately.
“Wish I’d figured it out sooner,” Sam said. “I wish we’d had more time together.”
“I’m just grateful for the time we did have,” Dean told him. “And for any more time I’m lucky enough to get,” he dropped a kiss to Sam’s forehead. “You’re everything to me, Sammy. My baby brother… my best friend… the man I’m so butt-crazy chick-flick in love with.”
They continued kissing, tongues and lips swiping together slowly. Dean’s fingers were still tangled in Sam’s hair, Sam’s hand still gripping Dean’s necklace. That piece of jewellery Sam had gifted him was like a hot burning brand on Dean’s body, far more significant than Castiel’s handprint on his arm. Eyes closed, they remained cuddled together, dozing lightly, intermittently exchanging kisses.
XXX
Morning came, the four hunters crawling out of their tents and joining Castiel to watch the sun rise.
“It’s beautiful, is it not?” Castiel asked.
“Yeah,” John answered gruffly. “Wish I’d taken the time to watch and appreciate a few more when I had the chance.”
The group of five admired the morning sky in silence for a time. Then they bustled around, washing up a little at the lake and scrounging some breakfast together from their supplies.
“We are not alone,” Castiel stated.
The others turned to where their Angel friend was looking. In the distance, a figure walked purposefully towards them.
“Lucifer?” Bobby asked gripping tight to his gun, despite knowing it would be largely ineffective against an archangel.
“No, this is Michael,” Castiel informed him turning his attention to Dean.
“I am not saying yes to this bitch,” Dean insisted stubbornly.
“What the Hell is this?” John asked angrily as the archangel drew closer.
“John?” Bobby frowned in confusion.
“You sick son of a bitch,” John swore stalking towards the new arrival. “You think you can just walk over here in my dead son’s body?” he seethed. “Get out of it. Get out of it now!”
“Adam has granted me his full consent,” Michael claimed calmly.
“This is our other brother?” Sam asked, looking the figure up and down sadly. “He died and now you’re using his corpse? How is that angelic?” he looked to Castiel for an explanation.
“The boy was dead,” Michael said. “But I believed he could still be of use, so I simply brought him back to life and offered him a chance at redemption for setting Lucifer free.”
“Where is he? Let him go. Let us talk to him,” Sam demanded.
“I am prepared to leave this vessel alive and in good health,” Michael bargained. “Provided I have the consent to inhabit the body of my true vessel,” he looked to Dean.
“Go to Hell,” Dean retorted coldly without even a second of hesitation.
“You disappoint me Dean,” Michael said.
“Stop, you’re breaking my heart,” Dean remarked sardonically.
“This vessel is strong,” Michael continued. “It will hold me as long as I need it to.”
“He,” John said through clenched teeth, his hands balled into fists. Perhaps the only thing preventing him from trying to beat the archangel to death with his bare hands was the fact he wore the face of his youngest son. “‘He’, not ‘it’,” John spat.
“Humans, I will never understand them,” Michael said to Castiel in an amused tone, Castiel frowning in response.
“Brother, you must defeat Lucifer,” Castiel insisted.
“And I intend to,” Michael replied. “Of course, my victory would be all but guaranteed if I had my true vessel,” he fixed his eyes on an unimpressed Dean. “Especially as Lucifer’s current vessel is falling apart.”
“Kiss my ass,” Dean glared at him. “I’m never letting you in.”
The archangel and hunter stared one another down, the others watching on in silence, John still brimming with anger that Adam had been resurrected to serve as a vessel.
“Ah,” Sam gasped out clutching at his head.
“Sammy?” Dean was by him in an instant, looking him over with worry.
“Lucifer,” he said through gritted teeth. “He’s nearly here.”
They collectively looked into the distance and sure enough, another figure was approaching. The closer the man got, the more they saw that Lucifer’s vessel was indeed a little worse for wear.
“I’ll ask you again Dean,” Michael said. “Be my sword?”
“Go fuck yourself,” Dean told him.
“The guy doesn’t look so tough,” Bobby commented as Lucifer got ever closer.
“Only a fool would underestimate the Devil, Bobby,” John said.
The blonde man continued his approach, a subtle limp to his walk, skin seeming to peel away from his face in the gentle wind.
“Lucifer,” Michael greeted coldly.
“Mikey,” Lucifer sang out the name, his arms outstretched. “What? No hug?”
“You know how this must be. We fight to the death,” Michael stated.
“Oh blah, blah, blah,” Lucifer rolled his eyes. “Sammy,” he grinned, eyes sweeping up and down Sam’s body. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes? I have to admit, you look even better in person. If you were my brother, I’d totally fuck you,” he winked before throwing a smirk at Dean. “Sorry I’m not looking my best myself,” he cricked his neck a little and tried to smooth down some peeling skin on his cheek. “I really wanted to look good for you,” he told Sam. “But Nicholas here isn’t holding me too well. Better than most,” he acknowledged. “But being inside him just doesn’t feel as good as I know it would feel being buried deep inside you,” he leered. “What do you say, Sammy? Want a real man inside of you?” he stretched his fingers out, making to caress Sam’s face.
“Don’t call me ‘Sammy’,” Sam smacked his hand away.
“Ouch,” Lucifer placed a hand over his heart in mock-offence and Sam gave him his best bitch face.
“Enough,” Michael interrupted. “This ends now, Lucifer.”
“Predictable boring Michael, all work and no play,” Lucifer criticised. “Daddy’s favourite always knew how to suck the fun out of everything.”
“I will strike thee down!” Michael boomed.
“Holy shit!” Bobby exclaimed as the two archangels began smacking each other around.
“What do we do?” Sam asked backing up from the truly violent display being carried out in front of them.
“Let them fight,” Castiel said. “And make the preparations,” he advised Bobby. “This will surely be our only chance to send Lucifer back to the cage.”
“Maybe Michael can defeat him, he looks pretty strong,” Sam said just before Lucifer began effortlessly throwing Michael around like a ragdoll. “Spoke too soon,” he mumbled as they helped Bobby set things up. “Honestly, how likely is this to work?”
“Boy, I don’t even know if I got the translation right,” Bobby admitted.
While Bobby worked, the archangel fight continued. Michael seemed to have gained the upper hand now. Half the skin on Lucifer’s face had melted away, part of his jawbone being made disturbingly visible.
“Sam!” Lucifer called out. “We’re made for each other, kid. I need you. Don’t pretend you don’t want it, Sammy. Think of the power. Let me in.”
“No,” Sam glared.
Lucifer took another hit from Michael. Then he delivered a hit of his own, followed by several more. A Michael victory was not looking particularly promising.
“Let me in, Sam,” Lucifer growled as he stomped towards him, a couple of teeth falling out of his mouth. “Let me in, or your brother lover dies.” The Devil raised his hand, glaring hard at Dean.
Dean dropped to his knees, his eyes wide and clutching at his throat as he struggled to breathe.
“Stop it, stop it you asshole, stop it!” Sam yelled as he held Dean in his arms, panicking as blood began dripping from his brother’s mouth and nose. “You’re killing him, stop it!”
“Say yes,” Lucifer demanded.
“No, Sam… no,” Dean begged through a mouthful of blood as his eyes began to roll in his head.
A panicked Sam struggled to make a decision. He couldn’t stand to lose Dean. Tears fell down his cheeks as he looked down at his big brother, the man he loved more than anything slowly and painfully dying in his arms. If saying yes to Lucifer would spare his brother, then surely Sam ought to give in. But they had made a promise to each other that no matter how bad things got, they would say no. Sam didn’t want his last act on this earth to be one that disappointed his brother and went against his wishes.
“Stop it, please,” Sam begged, as if the Devil could be persuaded to show mercy.
“Say yes, Sam,” Lucifer commanded.
“N-n-no,” Dean struggled to get the word out, his eyes begging his baby brother to refuse.
“Dean,” Sam said his name apologetically. “I can’t let you die. I can’t let you die.”
With what remained of his fast evaporating strength, Dean gripped his fingers into Sam’s t-shirt, telling him with his eyes not to do it.
“I’m sorry,” Sam whispered, his mind made up. He could not lose Dean, no matter what the cost. He dropped a kiss to Dean’s forehead, swallowing thickly as he faced the Devil.
“Say yes,” Lucifer repeated.
“Yes!” John consented before Sam could.
A dark smile curled onto Lucifer’s lips. Dean’s face dropped against Sam’s strong chest. He was panting and gasping for breath, but still alive as Sam clung to him. Then the vessel burnt up before their eyes before Lucifer’s energy and essence entered John Winchester.
“Dad? No,” Sam shook his head as he stood up, hauling Dean to his feet along with him, but it was too late.
“Not bad,” Lucifer complimented moving around in his new meat suit. “Not bad at all,” he craned his neck to get a glimpse of his ass, nodding in approval.
Getting back on his feet, the archangel Michael rushed towards the archangel Lucifer. With John as his new vessel, Lucifer easily deflected his brother’s attack. Michael was obliterated within a matter of seconds, Sam and Dean watching on in stunned shock, Dean still weak, spitting out blood.
“Now to destroy the world,” Lucifer said gleefully, the words sounding so sinister and strange coming from their father’s lips.
“We will not allow that to happen,” Castiel said determinedly, stepping in front of Lucifer.
“Aww, Castiel isn’t it? You’re so brave,” Lucifer mocked patting the Angel on the head like a dog before snapping his fingers.
“Cas!” Dean yelled in shock as the Angel in the trench-coat exploded, the body of the vessel landing around them in hundreds of tiny pieces. “You son of a bitch,” he glared hard at the Devil possessing his father’s body.
“Uh-oh, what’s this now?” Lucifer asked in an amused tone, ignoring Deans’ outrage and fixing his attention to Bobby and the portal he had just created. “A little gateway back to my own personal Cage in the pits of Hell. You know I’m not going to drop down in that hole willingly. Do you really believe you have a chance at forcing me in?” he laughed.
Together, Sam and Dean charged at Lucifer. A cruel sinister laugh erupted from the Devil, the sound deeply unnerving given that it was matched with the crinkles by their own father’s eyes. Wearing John Winchester’s body, Lucifer smacked Sam and Dean around, beating them black and blue, spilling blood and breaking bones, taking perverse glee in it all.
Aiming his gun, Bobby fired shot after shot at the Devil’s back. The bullets simply bounced off of him. With a smirk, Lucifer slowly craned John’s neck around to glance back at Bobby, raising a hand and sending Bobby hurtling through the air. The old hunter crashed painfully down to earth, unable to get back up and unable to feel anything below the waist.
“Boys,” Bobby wheezed as Lucifer threw the pair against the Impala. “John,” he croaked out. “Fight back, John,” he urged. “Send that son of a bitch back where he came from.”
“Argh!” Sam cried out in pain as Lucifer dug a finger into him, just above his navel, painfully stabbing the digit through Sam’s skin and wiggling around his insides.
“Sammy!” Dean worried.
“Such beautiful boys,” Lucifer cooed, laying his palm on Dean’s chest, then digging his fingers in, making Dean shriek in agony. “So in love with each other too. Your daddy found it disgusting,” he reminded them, “but I’ve gotta admit, thinking about the two of you together… mm, kind of a turn-on,” he leered. “And now you’re going to die together, very painfully and slowly… it’s so romantic,” he stage whispered.
“Dad, please,” Sam shook his head weakly. “I’m sorry… for everything… I’m sorry.”
“Fight back, John… C’mon you stubborn ass, what are you waiting for?” Bobby huffed in frustration from where he was stuck helplessly on the dirty ground. “Fight back!”
“Kick his ass, dad,” Dean encouraged.
Lucifer looked deeply into Dean’s green eyes, laughing cruelly before raining brutal punches down on Sam and Dean both. Gripping the boys by their throats, he threw them through the windshield of the Impala, the glass shattering into countless little fragments. The boys were hardly conscious, struggling to even sit up. Smirking, Lucifer moved closer to them. As he did so, John’s eyes landed on the DW and SW initials that his two sons had carved into the car’s interior.
“Ssh, ssh, John, you can’t beat me,” Lucifer claimed as he felt the man scratching at his mind, desperate to obtain control. “Just sit back and watch as I kill your precious boys… John,” he said warningly, like he was scolding a child. “Now, now John, play nicely,” a hint of panic was creeping into his tone.
“That’s it, John, you fight him,” Bobby called out.
“You can’t beat the Devil, John,” Lucifer insisted. “Nobody can beat the Devil.”
“My dad can,” Dean declared. “He’s more badass than you’ll ever be… the man’s a legend… my hero,” he said. “He’s gonna drag your ass back to that Cage.”
“Now John, now!” Bobby urged.
Something changed and it was suddenly clear that Lucifer wasn’t in the driver seat anymore. Reaching out, John gripped Dean’s shoulder lightly.
“Take care of Sammy,” John said gruffly before turning and running towards the portal and jumping in, thereby ensuring Lucifer’s return to the Cage.
The hole immediately closed back up and the ground around them rumbled just a little. The three hunters were bloody and weak, but they had lived through it, preventing the world from ending. It took some time, but Sam and Dean managed to clamber out of the car and stagger towards Bobby.
“Can you move?” Sam asked, kneeling down beside him.
“Been trying… Can’t feel my damn legs,” Bobby told him.
“Are you sure?” Sam moved his hands up and down the man’s limbs, applying pressure. “Anything?”
“Nothing,” Bobby closed his eyes, clearly devastated.
“Hospital,” Dean wheezed.
“Come on, Bobby, I’ve got you,” Sam assured as he lifted the man into his arms. Due to his own injuries, carrying Bobby was much more of a struggle than it would usually be. But Sam gritted his teeth and determinedly made it to John’s truck, placing the older hunter carefully in the back.
“I’m not leaving Baby,” Dean said.
“Dean, you’re in no state to drive,” Sam tried to reason. “We can come back for the car later.”
“I’m not leaving her,” Dean insisted, limping towards the Impala. “Fuck!” he swore, falling on his ass when an unharmed Castiel appeared before him. “Cas? What the Hell? I thought Lucifer killed you. I watched you explode.”
“I am unable to provide an explanation myself,” Castiel answered as he looked around. “Lucifer is defeated,” he realised.
“Yeah,” Sam said. “Our dad, he… um… he took care of it.”
“Your father’s sacrifice was admirable, you should be very proud,” Castiel replied.
“It’s over right?” Sam asked. “No more apocalypse crap?”
“This beautiful Earth is as safe as it can be,” Castiel told him. “I hear my brothers and sisters,” he closed his eyes, listening to voices the rest of them could not hear. “They are relieved that Lucifer is no longer a threat. Heaven is peaceful once more.”
“Whatever,” Bobby grumbled. “Somebody get me to the damn hospital.”
“You were injured,” Castiel observed.
“Yeah, no shit,” Bobby grimaced.
“Allow me to assist,” Castiel stepped forward, opening the truck door and tapping two fingers to Bobby’s forehead.
“Well damn,” Bobby was completely healed, not a scratch on his person. Tentatively, he stepped out of the truck, his legs working just as well as they had the day before. “I knew I liked you Angels.”
Castiel then turned to Sam, tapping two fingers to his forehead, curing his injuries. He made a move towards Dean to do the same.
“Don’t,” Dean refused. “Just let me feel the pain.”
XXX
It seemed wrong to leave their dad’s truck behind. Now that Bobby was able to use his legs again he wasn’t prepared to abandon his van. And of course nothing in the world could convince Dean to leave the Impala behind, no matter how damaged the car was or how injured Dean might be.
So Bobby drove in his van. Sam gave Castiel a quick driving lesson before having the Angel follow Bobby in John’s truck. Helping a still beaten down Dean into the passenger side of the Impala, Sam insisted on driving. Dean glowered but did not protest.
“You should let Cas heal you,” Sam said, driving as carefully as he could so as to not aggravate Dean’s injuries.
“Maybe later,” Dean winced.
XXX
“Did you know?” Sam asked sometime later when they were back at Bobby’s. “Dad saying yes to Lucifer… was that part of your plan?”
“We’d considered it as an option,” Bobby admitted, and Dean slammed his fist down on the table.
“This makes you angry?” Castiel observed curiously.
“Damn right I’m angry,” Dean huffed. “My dad took down Lucifer, he saved the world. He’s a fucking hero, I know that. But he could have given me a warning. He should have let me known what he was planning.”
“He was a grown-ass man, perfectly capable of making his own decisions,” Bobby pointed out. “And you boys should be proud of him.”
“We are,” Sam said quietly on their behalf. “We just… we should have discussed this together beforehand, as a family.”
“It wouldn’t have been a discussion, it would have been a damn argument and you know it,” Bobby reasoned. “Besides, John had already sold his soul for you. He was doomed to Hell once his year was up anyway. At least this way he went down saving the world and defending his boys instead of being torn apart by Hell Hounds.”
“I need some air,” Dean stormed out.
“Dean,” Sam made to follow but Bobby gripped his arm and shook his head.
“He’ll come to you for comfort when he’s ready,” Bobby said confidently. “For now, just let the boy rage and grieve in his own way.”
Releasing a long sigh, Sam dropped his head into his hands before dragging his fingers through his hair.
“Why won’t Dean allow me to heal him?” Castiel wondered. “He must be in considerable pain.”
“That boy’s been exposed to all kinds of pain, he’s probably taking comfort in it right now,” Bobby shrugged. “We just need to give him some time… What about you, Sam? How are you holding up?”
“He knew I loved him right?” Sam asked Bobby. “Dad, I mean,” he clarified.
“Of course he knew,” Bobby replied.
“I spent so much of my life being mad at him, fighting with him,” Sam shook his head.
“Don’t beat yourself up about it, kid,” Bobby said. “Your daddy was a difficult man to get along with.”
“I never thought it would end like this,” Sam fought back tears. “He was always so strong… so fearless… larger than life… and stubborn as anything. But now he’s… he’s gone. Trapped in Hell, in that Cage with Lucifer. That’s a fate worse than death.”
“It can’t be pretty,” Bobby sighed.
“Torture beyond all imagining,” Castiel added on.
“Read the room, you idjit,” Bobby frowned.
“I apologise, were my words inappropriate?” Castiel asked.
“Don’t worry about it, Cas,” Sam assured him, knowing the Angel meant no offence. “First dad sold his soul for me. Then he took my place as Lucifer’s vessel, to spare me from having to do it. To save Dean. To save us. To save the world. A true hero… and what’s his reward? An eternity trapped in a Cage with the Devil.”
“It’s a rough deal,” Bobby sighed. “But he’d do it again every damn time if he had to. Nothing was more important to him than you two boys, nothing.”
“Can we get him out of that Cage?” Sam asked in a pleading tone. “Is there any way to save him?”
“I scraped together as much research as I could on this Cage but it’s not much, and I’m sorry, Sam, but I don’t think there’s a way to bust your dad out,” Bobby told him. “At least not without risking Lucifer getting out too.”
“Castiel?” Sam turned to the Angel. “Is there anything you could do? Anything at all? Please?”
“I…” Castiel hesitated, his blue eyes glancing away.
“Cas, please?” Sam begged.
“It is possible that it could be done,” Castiel said. “But he would not be the same.”
“What do you mean?” Sam frowned.
“A human soul is not made to endure the horrors of Hell,” Castiel explained. “Being trapped in the Cage with Lucifer is even more horrific. And time moves differently there. What is hours to you will already be weeks of unimaginable torment for your father. He would be a truly damaged soul, a broken shell of a man. And of course he sold his soul to Hell, it belongs down there. Breaking John Winchester out of the Cage would mean leaving his soul behind. And a man without his soul is hardly a man at all.”
Shaking his head, tears spilling down his cheeks, Sam slammed his fist down on the table, very much like his big brother had done earlier.
“I need to see, Dean,” Sam excused himself.
XXX
Stepping out into the Salvage Yard, Sam made his way towards his brother, just in time to watch Dean smash up the already damaged Impala with a hammer. He swore, screamed and sobbed as he smashed the car up before collapsing to the ground, bawling his eyes out.
“Ssh, it’s ok, it’s gonna be ok,” Sam gathered him in his arms, kissing the top of his head, then down his face across his cheeks, finally finding his lips. “We’re gonna be ok.”
“Shit, it hurts,” Dean grunted, clutching his side in pain.
“Please, Dean, let Castiel heal you now,” Sam implored. “I’m gonna have to drag your ass to the hospital if you don’t.”
“Fucking fine,” Dean agreed.
XXX
Over the coming weeks, Dean spent his days out in the sun, lovingly repairing the Impala.
“That’s my girl, good as new,” Dean smiled as he tested the engine. “Sammy!” he called out bounding into Bobby’s living-room where the two hunters were looking through newspapers and online for potential cases. “Baby’s ready. Let’s take her for a test drive.”
“Alright,” Sam agreed, turning the screen of his laptop. “Looks like we could have a ghost just a few towns away. Ready to carry on with the family business?”
“Born ready,” Dean bragged. “You want in, Bobby?”
“You’re big boys, you can handle a ghost without me,” Bobby told them. “Besides, there might be a werewolf situation one state over.”
“Sure you can handle it on your own?” Dean asked.
“Don’t you patronise me, boy, I’ve been hunting a lot longer than you,” Bobby pointed out. “I’m better at it too,” he claimed.
Dean looked slightly affronted, and Sam amused.
“Well he’s a peach when he’s cranky,” Dean remarked as Bobby left the room.
“I think that was more sassy than cranky,” Sam grinned.
“Whatever, let’s gear up,” Dean instructed.
“Sir, yes, Sir,” Sam stood up, giving an army salute, Dean smacking his ass for it.
XXX
Thankfully, their ghost case was a standard salt and burn. A casual walk in the park compared to the apocalypse they had helped to prevent. As promised, Dean drove them back to the lake so they could enjoy a weekend break together. While fishing and drinking beer, they talked a lot about their dad. The emotions were still very raw, plenty of tears being shed, but it seemed wrong not to talk about him and honour his memory.
“I hate that we’re just leaving him trapped down there,” Sam sighed.
“I know,” Dean replied quietly. “I’d give anything to safely bust him out. But I think Cas is right. Whatever we brought back… it wouldn’t be him. Not without his soul.”
“I won’t stop looking,” Sam insisted. “I’ll keep researching until I find something. Some way to bring him back, all of him. Even if we can’t get him back here with us. But if I can find a way for him and his soul to be at rest in Heaven, then I promise you, Dean, I’m going to find it.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know you will, you big nerd,” Dean ruffled Sam’s hair lovingly. “And hey, dad’s so stubborn, maybe he’s already fighting his way out of Hell on his own.”
“Yeah,” Sam agreed. He didn’t believe it, not really. Neither of them did. But it was comforting to pretend, to hope.
“And he’ll just make Lucifer his little bitch,” Dean insisted. “Drag him around on a leash and everything, let all those demons know that John Winchester’s in charge.”
“Right, yeah, that’s definitely what’s happening down there,” Sam smiled at the thought, bringing his beer bottle to his lips.
“But you know, Sammy, up here, you’re my little bitch,” Dean smirked, hand creeping up Sam’s leg and then cupping his younger brother’s bulge. “And I’m the one in charge.”
“That right, big brother?” Sam asked, thrusting up into Dean’s hand.
“Damn right,” Dean insisted, covering Sam’s mouth with his own.
They made love right there by the lake.
Over the weekend, they also made love in the lake. As well as multiple times in the tent, over the hood of the Impala, and in the backseat.
XXX
Weekend over, they packed their things up into the car. They were making out hot and heavy, Dean pressing Sam against the side of the car when Bobby called.
“Damn it,” Dean grumbled. “Do I answer it, or do I fuck you?”
“It’s Bobby, you’ve gotta answer it,” Sam told him.
With a nod, Dean answered the call, putting the older hunter on speakerphone. He had another case – a suspected coven of witches.
“Gonna need your help on this one, boys,” Bobby claimed.
“We’re on our way,” Sam replied on their behalf before Dean hung up.
Hands at Sam’s hips, Dean kissed him a little more, groping his brother’s dick as he did so.
“Dean,” Sam panted, rutting desperately against him.
“Not now, Sammy,” Dean smirked. “C’mon, we’ve got work to do,” he declared climbing into the driver’s seat.