Author's Note: Alright guys, just remember - this story is following elements of the book and elements of the movie - as well as an entirely new spin on it. So stay with me! Let me know what you think. 3-28-2018

Chapter 4

Dean pushed his way into the castle, stumbling past the threshold. His eyes scanned the open floor plan of the home. It was obvious an angel lived here. The kitchen looked like any ordinary kitchen, except for the sigils across the walls and the potions, skulls, bloods and basins scattered around the messy kitchen. His eyes followed along the room noticing a small alcove and bathroom beside the kitchen, a set of stairs, until they fell to a large living room with a warm crackling fire, two couches, a coffee table and a squishy arm chair big enough for two people in front of the fire.

"Um excuse me?" Dean nearly hit his head on the roof as he leapt up at the small boy standing curiously in front of him. His light eyes were filled with fear, and he hugged his skinny pale frame, his light blonde locks falling to hide his face. Dean frowned and narrowed his eyes. He couldn't have been older than ten.

"Jesus kid! Way to scare the living shit out of a guy." He noticed the kid flinch and take a step away from him.

"How-," He cleared his throat and took a step forward trying to defiantly stand up to Dean. "How did you get in?"

Dean raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean how did I get in?" He gestured behind him. "The front door was unlocked."

The kid blinked a couple of times and glanced uncertainly at the fire behind him. "But-but that's impossible!" He rubbed his lips together and mumbled under his breath tentatively. "But he never lets demons in…"

"O-okay…" Dean furrowed his eyebrows together. "Well look kid," He shrugged. "I don't wanna intrude or anything. I'm just looking for a place and looking for a guy named Clarence-,"

"Clarence?" The kid straightened up and frowned. "Do you mean, Cas?"

Dean rubbed his lips together nervously and re-shouldered his duffle bag. "Cas?"

He nodded once. "Yeah, Castiel."

Dean's heart leapt to his throat. He was in Castiel's Castle. Well – he should have known from the beginning right. The guy was the only angel with the big lumbering Castle, but still. He bit his lip. Hearing it out loud made it so much more real. He cleared his throat and tried to hide his discomfort. "Castiel goes by Clarence?"

The child rolled his eyes. "Sort of. The demons gave him that nickname but-," He tilted his head. "Shouldn't you know that already?"

"Um, yeah sure. Well, I need Cas then. Is he here?"

He furrowed his eyebrows. "No, you'll have to come back later, demon." Demon? It was like a light clicked in Dean's head. Of course this kid thought he was a demon. His eyes were pitch black. He took a step forward as if to try and shunt Dean out the door, but the Winchester crossed his arms.

"I think I'll stay right here and wait for him."

The kid froze and darted his eyes around the room. "I really don't think Castiel would like that…" He bit his lip.

Dean shrugged. "He doesn't have to like it, but I'm here to stay." He went to move forward and found himself being inexplicably pushed back. "What the hell?" He looked down at the rug he was standing on and toed it away to find a devil's trap written in chalk underneath him. God being a demon, sucked. He knelt and lifted up the fabric to inspect underneath it. Nothing, he could do about it. He was gonna have to talk that kid into let him out. He stood to his feet and dropped his duffle bag beside him. "Look ah – what's your name, kid?"

The small child shifted his weight from one leg to another. "Samandriel." Dean raised his eyebrows. Good God, why the hell did angels need these insane names. As if reading his thoughts the kid gave an apologetic smile. "You can call me Alfie though. It's my nickname."

"How-," Dean shook his head. Learning the ins and outs of Alfie's name wasn't nearly as important as convincing him to let him stay here till Castiel came back. "Nevermind. Listen Alfie, I'm gonna make this as simple as possible for you. I'm staying here till Castiel gets back." He sat cross legged on the floor and folded his arms over his chest. "So, you can either let me sit patiently by the fire, or I'll be the first thing your boss sees when he walks through that door."

Alfie glared. "He's not my boss – he's my brother." He shifted his weight on his feet seeming to way out his options. He looked again at the fire as though trying to get a read on it before letting out a small sigh. "Okay fine, but you have to sit by the fire. No where else." He sat on his knees across from Dean and pulled out a small pocket knife. He held it at the line of chalk. "What did you say your name was?"

"Dean." He answered. The kid seemed to wait for a last name, but when none came, he eyed him skeptically.

"Remember the fire."

Dean rolled his eyes. "Alright, alright. Right by the fire." It took a couple minutes for the kid to scratch the line away. Dean stood to his feet and stretched his muscles before lifting his duffle and marching straight to the armchair in front of the fire. He held up his hands, dropped the bag beside the chair and sat down. "There. Ya happy?" He called over his shoulder.

"Thank you!" Alfie called out before scurrying up the stairs.

Dean sighed and ran a tired hand over his face as he sunk deeper into the chair, staring at the fire. The flames were licking and stretching over the log almost like tiny hands grasping for the wood. The base of the fire showed a bright blazing blue and for a moment Dean, swore he saw a face in the flames. He shook his head and rubbed the heels of his hands over his eyes.

"That's a nasty spell you got there." A voice crackled.

Dean's head snapped up, and he realized there were a pair of bright blue eyes staring owlishly up at him. He scrambled back, pressing himself further into the armchair with a fearful – but manly – squeak. "What the hell are you?" He croaked.

"A fire demon." He answered simply. "Well sort of…" There was a beat of silence before the fire blinked a couple times. "There are two spells on you. Did you know?" He seemed to tilt his head. "One is very obviously from the Demon of the Wastelands." He let out what Dean assumed to be a small chuckle, tuffs of smoke leaving his mouth. "He's one nasty son of a bitch, but the second one… I can't quite pin point it."

Dean leaned forward hopefully. "Can you end the spells?"

The demon seems to consider him a moment before answering. "I'll cut you a deal." Dean groaned. What was it with demons and their damn deals? "If you can figure out a way to break my contract with Castiel, I'll help end the spells on you."

"What's your deal with, Cas?"

The fire demon seemed to turn his flames down into a frown. "I'm tied to Castiel's fireplace. He channels his grace through me to keep the castle moving and the protection spells in place." The flames licked around the log snapping it in half and pulling the broken pieces closer. Dean reached out and grabbed a fresh log to place in front of the fire. "Thank you." Two arm-like flames stretched from above the face and pulled the logs closer.

Dean nodded and put his elbows on his knees rubbing his hands together. "Okay, how do I break your contact."

"I can't tell you." Dean snorted. "Come on, you should understand that a curse keeps you from telling anyone." The flames gave him a condescending look. "Have you been able to tell anyone?" Dean shook his head. "That's what I thought."

Dean felt his eyes droop and he laid his head on the arm rest, tucking his legs underneath his body. "Alright fire demon, you got yourself a deal." He gave him a light smile. "Dean."

The flames blinked a couple of times. "Jimmy."

The Winchester's eyes fluttered closed and he let sleep consume him.