There was always something…off about Dean. It wasn't just a wild streak, it was worse. It was realizing he feared the brother that kept him safe from his dad's fists and rage. It was leaving after years of watching Dean grow worse. Sam remembers being nine, watching the smile on Dean's face grow as he cut into the writhing cat. He remembers being twelve, staring in horror as Dean sneaks back into the hotel dripping in blood from head to toe. He feels terrible, but as soon as he turns eighteen Sam runs from the abusive wreck of a father and budding psychopath of a brother. He runs across the country, goes to California, to law school. He wants to keep children safe from men like John and Dean.
Stanford is perfect. He falls in love, makes friends, and the nightmares grow more and more rare. He meets Cas, the first friend he's ever had. Even if Cas is near silent and stoic, he is helpful and there for him. He meets Gabriel, who teaches him to be brave, what life is like without hiding in corners. And he meets Jess, who doesn't think he's a broken coward running from his past.
So when Sam's handed the paper in criminology he can't do more than stare. The article's full of terror and panic, how the "angel of death" killed another man. The professor starts talking, about how the killing was unusually savage, the victim's scalp slit in a grotesque parody of a halo and hacked ribs spread to resemble wings. No one knows why the victim was chosen. Why would a killer out for revenge go after a dying drunk named John Wesson? He knows Cas leaps up as he doubles over and spews, praying it wasn't Dean. Dean couldn't have killed John Winchester like that, he didn't.
He's just glad he managed to convince Jess it was just the shock of seeing such a terrible crime scene. Cas doesn't seem convinced, glancing at his vomit soaked clothes, but doesn't push it. Gabriel ignores it completely, and he's grateful for that. Gabe insists on a distraction though, that Sam needs to get out and relax.
It's Gabriel's favorite new place, filled with bright colors and waitresses to ogle whenever Kali isn't around. Cas, trying to help "relax" him doesn't dress up like a tax accountant and wears something neon. Gabriel and Cas' smiles as he laughs are nearly enough to make him forget Dean and John, but good things never last.
After the third waitress slaps Gabe after the fourth threesome invitation he looks around and freezes. He recognizes Dean, even after years of trying to forget. There he is, eyes shining and teeth bared in a smile that isn't bloodthirsty. It's aimed directly at the guy's lap he's sitting on. Blue eyes fixed on Dean, he leans in for a kiss and strokes his jaw, a possessive arm looped around his waist. Dean looks happy, looks like he's in love, looks like he's worshipping. The guy looks the same.
He steps back when Dean leaves the booth, but he doesn't expect Cas to drop his glass and for Gabriel eyes to turn furious when they see the guy follow. There's Dean, moving closer, wearing the leather jacket and tight jeans he wore the night Sam ran away. He gets a better look at the other guy too, muscular, with blonde hair and a feral smile.
Gabriel snarls just as Dean opens his mouth, his words hissed.
"What the fucking Hell are you doing here, Lucifer?!"
Lucifer's eyes are mocking, a triumphant smirk on his face as he answers.
"We wanted to congratulate Samuel Winchester on his engagement."
Gabriel looks shocked as Dean steps forward, smiling gently at Sam
"Hello Sammy."