AN: So I haven't uploaded in a really long time so don't be mad if this is rough and nasty. It's just a little one-shot portraying what I think would be a perfect start to season 10 that I know won't happen. Hope you enjoy. And cry your eyes out. Love yous, angelfaces.
It all happened so fast.
"Why wouldn't you think to mention something like this, Crowley?!" Dean screamed, his eyes flashing black to reflect his rage. "I died. I was done. What the hell am I doing back?"
"Really?" Crowley argued, "You think I would tell you the Mark could have this effect? I'm sorry, Crowley, King of Hell. And your name?"
The shouting had called Sam who now stood in the door way, staring wide eyed at his brother.
Before he could reply, a hand fell on Dean's shoulder from behind. Dean reacted on pure instinct and spun to face what he could only see as a threat, the Blade he was still clutching in the lead.
At any other time, Dean would have heard Sam yell, "No, Dean!" Or acknowledged Crowley's quick breath intake that could have only been a surprised gasp. Any other time, he would have felt the silence that fell over the room.
But now, all that registered to him was Cas.
Cas. His blue eyes now round. His face twisted in confusion. His blood and Grace now pouring out of his throat.
Dean's world stopped moving. Time froze. Once his mind realized what had happened, the Blade fell from his hand only to be replaced by Cas falling into him.
"Hey, hey, hey, stay with me, buddy," he said, fighting back the panic that now filled every atom of his being. "Come on, Cas. Cas, just stay with me, please."
Cas stared up at Dean, choking on his own blood.
"Cas..." Dean said softly. He was slowly coming to the realization that his best friend was dying in his arms. He couldn't let him die not knowing... "Cas, I love you."
Cas, still struggling for breath, smiled. "I know." A few chokes later, a soft glow filled the room and when in disappeared, the shadow of wings was spread around Cas' still body.
Dean did what he always did when his world fell apart. He slept. It was one of the only ways he found his way back to the things he had lost.
After years or being haunted by nightmares, Dean had learned a valuable lesson. The only way out was through. Slowly, he began sleeping through his nightmares to find peace at the end, sometimes even those dreams that leave you waking up smiling. After a while, the nightmares because shorter and less frequent and Dean started dreaming again.
Tonight was not one of those nights.
It seemed like he watched Cas die again and again for a week straight, every time worse than the previous. More painful. More real.
Then he felt it. A tug. He felt himself waking up but he was grasping at unconsciousness like a lifeline. Because he couldn't leave. He couldn't leave Cas to die alone. He couldn't let go of the guilt, the pain, him.
But even more he wanted the nightmare to end so maybe, just maybe he could find his way back to him. To see him just one last time. Not the bloody, lifeless Cas, but the alive and stern yet wonderful Cas he had fallen in love with. Even if it was only a dream.
"Dean," he heard. Again and again and the force pulling him back became stronger until suddenly, he was awake, sitting up in shock.
There was someone on the bed beside him and Dean reached for the light. Cas smiled.
And Dean cried. Though for the first time since he could remember, they were tears of joy.
Down the hall, Sam could hear Dean and Cas softly talking. He smiled to himself, knowing there probably wouldn't be much talking soon.
Crowley stood beside him, also listening. "You get ten years, Sam. Sorry, but I can't do it for free."
Sam nodded, understanding the price. For once, he felt no regret. He owed Dean more than he could pay, but this was a start. "I know."