A/N: I had an extra moment because I typed my final paper, but other than this I will probably be studying.
Chapter 25
Castiel could feel the boat rocking around him and throwing him every which way before he slammed into the side of it. He hissed in pain and grabbed his side and the edge of the boat as it rocked fiercely to the left and took him with it. He opened his eyes and looked over at Dean who was desperately trying to hold on for fear that he would be ejected into the depths of the River Styx again. Castiel's mind went into protection mode and he inched closer and closer to Dean. Dean ground his teeth as his left rib was slammed into the boat for a second time and he tried hard to level his breathing and keep his grip. Dean suddenly felt pressure on his left hand and fingers lace through his. He looked up to see Castiel holding his hand and using all of his remaining strength to keep them in place. Dean didn't question it as they braced for the impact of the waves once again.
Barakiel had a grip on Zion's collar. Angelhounds were known for standing stiff and solid as a rock if need be. Zion's eyes glowed white and he dug his claws into the hull of the boat. Ron seemed to be the only one holding on without much effort. Dean's guess was that the son of Charon had done this numerous times before, but he had to be using some sort of powers. Anyone would've been thrown off by now were they not holding on with the boat shuddering and being thrown around like it was. Ron was standing with his legs apart and still attempting to steer.
"It's the rapids," Ron yelled over the rushing water. "Everybody just hold on! It'll be over soon!"
"It can't be soon enough." Castiel's gravelly voice filled Dean's ears and the hunter laughed at that comment. Not because it was funny or anything, but because it figured. It figured everything in Hell was trying to kill them. It certainly wouldn't be the first time. Something about Castiel's hand in his though, it made Dean feel right at home even in such a hostile place. He felt safe, saved even considering what Castiel had done for him thus far in Hell to prevent his demise with little strength himself. Even his grip felt as light as a tender butterfly's wings. Still, Dean gripped as hard as he could simply knowing they could stay in place if in fact they stayed like this.
They both covered their heads and closed their eyes, relying on each other's sweaty palms to confirm they were both still in the boat. Eventually the shaking stopped and the only shaking they felt was their own bodies. Dean was the first to stand and look around. They were in another cavern, but this one was filled with houses. The houses weren't pretty to look at. They were all dilapidated and the typical town house that was in a bad neighborhood. The kind you didn't want to be caught in at night or you risked getting shot.
"Ah I thought you'd end up here," Ron commented before hopping off of the boat and onto land, taking a rope with him and securing the boat. Zion leaned over the edge of the boat and panted, his eyes still blown wide. Barakiel gave a sigh of relief and shakily stood regaining his footing. Dean helped Castiel to his feet and hesitated before letting of the angel's hand. Castiel's eyes met Dean's and then he looked down at their hands before motioning to Dean to let go. Dean jerked his hand away and he felt heat rush to his cheeks before Castiel turned away and exited the boat. "Welcome to Demontown."
"The Fourth Realm of Hell," Castiel said. "Trust me I am well aware."
"Well Mr. Know It All," Ron threw the tied rope around an anchor and dropped it into the water. "I was informing the ill advised of the group, but thank you for being a wet blanket and ruining my tour guide speech."
"You're welcome." Castiel's sarcasm was something entirely new to Dean and the hunter couldn't tell if he liked it or hated it. The only thing he did know was that it scared him a little.
"Enjoy your stay in beautiful Palm Beach," Ron replied with just as much wit and sarcasm as Castiel. "I have to be upstream for a new crop of souls. I'm taking them past here. The door you seek is near here. I figured you'd like some instructions and a safer place to sleep than the hull of a boat."
"Thanks Ron," Dean nodded. "How can we repay you?"
"Don't die anytime soon," Ron chuckled. "Then we won't have to do this again."
"Deal," Dean laughed. "I promise."
Castiel sighed. He didn't want to reply. He didn't know what kind of promises he could make.
Ron took off downstream after lifting anchor and waving goodbye. Dean had enjoyed talking to the teen. He seemed like a well rounded guy for being the son of an evil tyrant as he'd put it. Dean silently wished the best for him. He turned back around to see the two angels he was traveling with talking. Zion sat patiently by their feet with his tongue out like a regular house dog. Dean scratched behind his ears and Zion sighed contently, leaning into Dean's hand. Dean knew Titan enjoyed the gesture and he figured after all that had happened Zion would've liked some positive energy.
"If we head through Demontown," Barakiel argued. "We'll be killed! We're angels Castiel. They don't like us and they never have. They'll kill all three of us and probably Dean too. Do you honestly want that?"
"No," Castiel was adamant as he glared at Barakiel. "But what other choice do we have?"
Dean saw a mixture of emotions in Castiel's eyes. Fear, anger, and pain were the top three. They mixed together in this sort of melancholy yet pissed look that only Castiel could pull off. Dean watched him unsheathe his angel blade and keep a steady hand on it while he led them all into Demontown.
-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-
"So Dean's got this guy pinned right," Sam was enthusiastically explaining a hunt he'd been particularly proud of the outcome. Gabriel smiled and nodded. He'd listened to Sam for hours go on about anything and everything. He was glad though. He'd feared the younger Winchester was going to be sad forever. "So he sucker punches Dean in the face and tries to escape. Now granted he was a werewolf so he was kind of fast, but I took him out with just my leg. The old fashioned tripping, it was that simple! I mean can you believe that?"
"Sammy boy," Gabriel commented, kicking his feet up on the dash again and leaning back in the passenger seat, arms crossed behind his head and a content smile on his face. "You are truly one in a million. I don't think anyone has taken out a werewolf with just his foot."
"Well thank you," Sam smiled, slightly embarrassed at the kind words. "Get your feet off that dash. Dean'll kill me when I get him back."
"As you wish moose man," Gabriel took his feet down, but remained in the same position glancing over at Sam occasionally. "So how is it far 'til this bunker of yours?"
"Right here actually," Sam turned up a dirt road and the rocks clinked underneath the Impala. "There's no angel warding so you should be okay to enter. Unless something from your Loki persona will stop you. I don't think the Men of Letters even knew what angels were back then."
"We kept ourselves hidden to the humans until Luci decided to resurface," Gabriel explained, sighing at the memory. "We knew you'd need us then more than ever."
"Yeah," Sam chuckled. "You know I'm glad even though I had to go through eternal Tuesdays and TV land to get here."
"I said I was sorry for that already," Gabriel replied. "That was how many years ago?"
"I still can't listen to that song," Sam closed the driver's side door as he exited after throwing the Impala into park. "So thank you for that."
"You're very welcome princess." Gabriel chuckled and followed Sam through the door of the bunker. Sam flipped on the lights and adjusted the thermostat. The bunker was bone chilling cold. It had a presence seeking system where it only kept either the heat or the air conditioner, depending on the season, on when a human was in the bunker to conserve power. Sam, being the environmentalist that he was found it to be an excellent idea, the only downside was freezing cold floors in the morning. Besides the bunker heated up fast once it did detect a presence.
"Wow," Gabriel whistled, taking it all in. "Nice digs."
"Thanks," Sam replied. "Well I mean. I didn't build it, but my family did."
"I always knew there was something special about you kid," Gabriel smiled. "But a Man of Letters, I never would've guessed it."
"Dean and I didn't even know until this year," Sam explained. "Our time traveling grandfather had to explain it to us. Anyway, this is where we've been hiding out for months now."
"Beats motel rooms I guess." Gabriel said.
Sam threw his bag up on the table and the metal in it clanged. Sam walked over to the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water.
"You want a beer or something?" Sam asked.
"Nah," Gabriel replied as he looked around again. He didn't mean to snoop, but when he saw the things he did in Sam's bag he couldn't help but pull them out. "I'm good."
Gabriel leafed through the photographs. They were all of Sam and Dean mostly, but there was one of all three of them. Three being Castiel was in one of the photos too. Gabriel stared at the photo and at his brother's genuine happiness as he laughed along with Dean. Sam was clearly the one taking the photo, but Gabriel could see something in his brother's eyes even in the picture that he hadn't before. Though he was laughing and happy, he was afraid at the same time.
"That was taken a few days before Cas took off on his own," Sam explained. "The mark hadn't been given to Dean yet. Cas wasn't hunted. Gadreel was out of me."
Gabriel snickered.
"Pervert," Sam smirked. "Anyway the point is that I kept it because Dean had cracked a hilarious joke and he got Cas of all people to laugh. They were both happy. Something that was foreign on both of them. I figured I'd better capture the moment before it went away and there wasn't another one to follow."
"Excellent choice Sambo," Gabriel set the picture down on the dining room table, but continued to stare at it. "I think they both need a little reminder sometimes of why they're friends."
"More like kindred spirits," Sam replied, laughing a little. "I've never met someone Dean got along so well with. He doesn't even tell me his best jokes. Not even before we met Cas."
"Not to mention the way Cas feels about him." Gabriel commented.
"What?" Sam asked.
"I don't even have to explain it," Gabriel replied. "Just look at the picture and you'll see it."
Sam did. He saw the sparkle in Dean's eyes. He saw the laugh lines on Castiel's face and the tilt of both of their heads. He saw genuine laughter, happiness, joy. It was all Dean had ever wanted and needed in one photograph. Sam saw it.
"You're right," Sam smiled. "It needs no words."
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Demontown was far too quiet. Dean was on edge and he didn't even have to look at Castiel to know he was as well. Barakiel walked like he was a seasoned veteran and Zion stalked like he was on patrol for some priceless painting. He'd keep his nose to the ground until something caught his scent and he'd lift his head and then go right back to sniffing. Dean envied how calm and collected he was acting. He wished he could have the same demeanor, but he didn't exactly feel at home in a town of preying demons.
"We should be able to take shelter for the night," Castiel explained. "If only we keep move—"
His words were cut off by a figure jumping him and raising their knife high to strike. Castiel deflected it with his blade as Barakiel and Zion watched in pure shock. They couldn't move. Dean was about ready to spring into action, but Castiel and the figure did this sort of dance, holding each other's blades at bay before Castiel slammed the figure into the wall.
"Well this looks familiar doesn't it Clarence?" a familiar voice spoke to Castiel and he stopped his pursuit. "I see you haven't changed one bit. Did you miss me?"
Dean and Castiel both replied at the same time.
"Meg?!"
Reviews are appreciated!
Sort of another filler chapter, minus what I have planned for the next one. I didn't want to leave you all hanging too long and I had some spare time tonight so I whipped this up. Hope you enjoyed!