I know, I should be working on Each Day a Gift, and I swear I am, but this has been bouncing around in my head for weeks, demanding to be written. A few things about this story:
1. It's not explicitly Destiel, but can be read that way and maybe seen as a pre-Destiel fic.
2. This is an end!verse story, meaning it takes place in the AU we see in 5x04 "The End".
3. It's not beta'd, so please excuse any mistakes.
Disclaimers: I don't own Supernatural or the song Fast Car. Kripke and Tracy Chapman do though. Enjoy and R&R!
It wasn't long after Sam said the big "Yes" to the devil in Detroit that Castiel assigned himself the role of Dean's New Hunting Partner. To be totally honest, Bobby Singer asked him to look out for Dean- by more than just watching from the sidelines whilst invisible.
"Just... keep an eye on him, Cas, would ya? Keep him company." Bobby was as close to begging as Castiel had ever seen the old man. His brown eyes held immeasurable sadness and exhaustion as he observed his remaining "son" passed out in a drunken stupor on his couch. (Bobby had tried to convince Dean to rest in the guest room, but Dean had paled and refused. Bobby hadn't pressed.) Bobby gave a heavy sigh and gently wiped the tears from Dean's face. "Just don't let him disappear too far into his own head."
Castiel agreed.
Castiel unobtrusively stayed at Singer Salvage for the entire week Dean stayed there. Bobby was welcoming and made sure that Dean knew he was welcome to stay as long as he needed, but everyone one knew that, eventually, Dean would be moving on. Castiel was aware of the exact moment his charge decided to move on. He could tell Bobby knew as well, if the tight hug before wheeling himself to his room was any indication. Castiel watched silently from the sidelines as Dean went straight to sleep with out a drink.
Well, "sleep".
Castiel was sitting on the hood of the Impala gazing at the stars when Dean came silently out of the house with his bag. Castiel didn't take his eyes from the constellations as he heard Dean approach. Blue eyes remained fixed away from the other man as he felt Dean observe him, heave a sigh, drop his bag and lean beside Castiel on the hood. They sat in silence for a few moments before Dean spoke up. "Hey, Cas."
Castiel had never heard such a defeated tone from the strong man beside him. Irrationally, Cas wanted to hug Dean and comfort him. But instead, he offered up the expected "Hello, Dean." Again they lapsed into silence.
"Are you going to say good-bye to Bobby?"
Dean looked over at Castiel in mild surprise before shaking his head. "He'll just offer for me to stay longer if I need it and..." Dean's voice trailed off. He turned his head resolutely away. "I need to get way." From this place that reminds so heavily of Sam went unspoken but understood by both parties.
The angel nodded his understanding and turned his blue gaze back to the stars. Silence again. Dean followed the fallen angel's eyes. "What are you looking at?" he asked softly.
"Heaven," Castiel answered. "Heaven at night is a beautiful place. The stars are right next to you. At least for angels," Castiel amended. "Humans have personalized heavens, but outside those heavens, the angels can see all of Earth as it sleeps and the stars God made for us. The Milky Way is beautiful." The angel tilted his head. "It looks different from down here."
Dean was silent. "I'm sorry about making you fall from Heaven, Cas."
Cas turned to Dean, meeting his sorrowful green eyes with his own steady blue gaze. "Me too, Dean." It was his turn to look mournful. "I am sorry about Sam."
Dean closed his eyes and turned away. "Me too, Cas. Me too."
The pair of them sat in comfortable silence for a long time, watching the stars disappear and the sky lighten. At the first hint of pink on the horizon Dean cleared his throat. "So what are your plans now?"
Castiel shrugged. "I can't return to Heaven, and I don't know the human world very well just yet, so I thought, maybe, I could catch a ride with you to the next town. My grace will slowly wane until it is gone, so the less I fly the better use I will be later. If I go to town to town with you I'll be able to sense disturbances with greater ease."
Dean felt a foreign emotion bloom in his chest. Trying to identify it, he asked, "Just the next town?"
Castiel shrugged. "That town, or the next town, or the next. Until you get tired of my presence or I tire of yours. It doesn't matter to me either way." Castiel looked away. "Perhaps we will find a way to remove Lucifer from your brother and triumph after all."
Dean smiled tightly. "I doubt it."
Castiel just looked up and held Dean's gaze for a long time. Dean for once easily read the emotions there. I wouldn't give up all hope just yet, Dean. There may yet be a way to save your family. The strange emotion was back in his chest, making his throats feel tight and his heart and chest loosen. The angel tilted his head in question. "Can I accompany you, Dean?"
Dean finally recognized the feeling in his chest.
Relief.
He wouldn't be alone. Cas was no Sam, he would never be Sam, but Cas wasn't trying to be Sam and he didn't NEED to be Sam. Dean just needed someone to keep him grounded in the fight. Dean cleared his throat and said gruffly, jerking his head toward the Impala's passenger side, "Get in."
A smile was given and returned and the two warriors slipped into the old muscle car. Dean started the car and started to pull away from the junkyard, but then stopped. Ignoring the questioning look from his passenger, Dean rifled through the old cassette tapes and selected an old case, popping it open and slipping it in the player. Dean put the music away and restarted their departure as soft guitar music started. "We needed exit music," Dean explained, with a light blush. "For a new start."
Castiel listened curiously. The music was relaxing to listen to, soothing, and as the words started, the fallen angel understood why Dean had chosen this song.
You've got a fast car,
I want a ticket to anywhere.
Maybe we can make a deal,
Maybe together we can get somewhere.
Anyplace is better,
Starting from zero got nothing to lose.
Maybe we'll make something,
Me, myself, I've got nothing to prove.
"To a new start," Cas murmured softly.
"Amen," Dean seconded and pointed the Impala into the sun.
You've got a fast car,
Is it fast enough so we can fly away?
We gotta make a decision-
Leave tonight or live and die this way?
What do you think? I'm thinking of making a second chapter that will take place after Dean stops driving Baby and starts driving the Jeep we see in "The End". Thoughts? Opinions? Review and hopefully I'll continue to make progress on Each Day a Gift.