John stared at Sherlock, waiting for the laughter he was sure was coming. This had to be a joke. Sherlock Holmes did not believe in the Supernatural. He glared at his friend, waiting. The laughter did not come.
"So," he stated blandly. "You're telling me that Santa's evil brother is killing off people who dislike the Holidays, and this clown is an angel of the lord?" he gestured towards the guy whose name was apparently not Cas, but Castiel. According to Sherlock, he was the angel of Thursday. Castiel tilted his head to the side. John noticed Dean grinning a little. The two were sitting on their bed together, and Dean's arm was around the supposed angel. Sam was standing beside John, with his lips pursed. When Dean saw his brother's stern look, he quickly tried to hide the grin. Apparently, this nonsense was supposed to be a secret from John and Sherlock.
"I am not a clown," Castiel said, sounding confused. "I do not even resemble a clown."
"No, you really don't," Dean said, looking Cas over. John rolled his eyes. Damn horny Americans.
"Is that a flirtation?" Castiel asked, tilting his head once again. Dean's face reddened.
"Right," John said, shaking his head. This was madness. Sherlock was laughing a little.
"You know, John, he makes a fair point. He does not resemble a clown."
"I'm glad I am not the only one sometimes puzzled by human oddities," Castiel said, looking at Sherlock.
"Right?" Sherlock said. "Isn't it annoying, the things they expect of one?"
"Dean does not like it when I enter his personal space, yet he wraps his arm around me frequently," Cas said. Dean hurried to drop his arm and scoot away from Cas.
"John and our housekeeper, Ms. Hudson, think that I should clean up after I eat or do an experiment." John opened his mouth to protest but Cas was already speaking.
"Sam and Dean think that I should just appear whenever they pray to me for any reason, even when I am very busy with important work."
"John expects me to discuss the most trivial of things, like his date with some silly girl, and pretend to be enraptured."
"Alright, enough you two. We are right here!" John snapped. Sherlock and Cas looked at him, and both started chuckling. John and Dean exchanged a look, and simultaneously touched their foreheads with their palms, shaking their heads. Sherlock and Cas only laughed harder.
"OK," Sam said, chortling. "Seriously, though, I guess now it's all in the open. So you believe us?" John and Sherlock answered at the same time.
"Yes," Sherlock said.
"No," John said. He turned to Sherlock in outrage. How could Sherlock believe this codswallop? "Seriously?" he asked. Sherlock stared into his eyes seriously, and John felt his stomach do a flip.
"I've gone over every possibility in my mind, and God help me, this one makes the most sense. You didn't see what I saw. John, please just trust me." John did not believe this insane threesome who claimed to be monster hunters, fighting for free will and peace on earth, and who the bloody hell knew what else. He did not trust them, but he did trust Sherlock, with all of his heart, God help him, he did.
"So, I think John makes a fair point," Castiel said. John raised an eyebrow. What had he said?
"About what?" Dean asked.
"This could be the work of Santa's evil brother." John burst into a bout of laughter. No way was this guy serious. Sam and Dean were laughing too. John wasn't sure if that made the theory even more crazy or not.
"Santa's evil brother?" Dean finally managed.
"Yes," Cas said.
"Wait, hold on, Cas," Sam said. "Are you telling us that Santa Clause is real?"
"Yes," Cas said. He tilted his head to the side at them. "You didn't know that?"
"But, I mean," Sam said. "It's the parents that leave the gifts."
"Saint Nickolas is a spirit," Cas said. "He is a benevolent entity that makes a list of naughty and nice children and resides in the North Pole, except to travel the world on Christmas Eve night. He rarely leaves physical presents, but he does leave gifts for the nice children of the world. The gifts he leaves are intangible, and seem to come from nowhere, like an extra hug from mom, or a smile from a dad who is normally depressed. Sometimes, he does leave physical presents, though. Sam, didn't you even wonder where Bobby acquired the God amulet you gave to Dean as a present?"
"Wait, you're saying Santa left Bobby that amulet?" Sam asked.
"I have no idea what the bloody hell you lot are talking about," John said. "But does it have a thing to do with the recent murders?" They all looked at him for a moment, and Cas opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by John's cellular phone buzzing. He picked it up, and flipped it open.
"Hello?" he asked.
"Is this John Watson?"
"Yes, why?" John covered up his mouth at the reply. It was the local authorities, calling him regarding his great aunt.
Apparently, she had been found dead in her bedroom, surrounded by bathing suits, and other apparel suited for Florida. She had been torn to shreds, just like the other victims. When John was finished speaking with them, he clicked his phone shut, and covered his mouth, staring ahead in shock. Everyone was looking at him. He had not been incredibly close with his great aunt or anything, but it was still awful business. He found himself sitting down on his bed, still staring straight ahead.
"John," Sherlock said in a soft voice. He placed a hand on John's shoulder. John did not look up as Sherlock sat down on the bed beside him. "I am deeply sorry about your aunt."
"I didn't know her all that well," John said. "It's just…I mean…Sherlock , you don't really believe that all of this is the work of Santa's evil brother, do you?"
"I don't know what else to believe," Sherlock replied.
"I know what we have to do," Castiel said. Everyone stared at him. "We have to convince Saint Nickolas to come here, and help deal with his brother, and find out why he is doing this."
"We have to summon Santa Clause?" John repeated. This just kept getting weirder.
"Yes," Cas said. Sam, Dean, Cas, and Sherlock all nodded. Well, John thought, if you can't convince them they're insane, humor them.
"So," John said, his voice shaking. "How do we summon the jolly old fellow?"