Title: Comfort

Author: Fenikkusu Ai

Pairing: Alastair/Dean

Rating: M

Fandom: Supernatural

Genre: Angst

Word Count: 955

Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural.


Dean was getting paranoid. Even after he had discovered the light switch and turned on every light he could; he still felt that his every move was being coolly being observed by a pair of opalescent eyes. As he reluctantly searched through the rooms, Dean finally discovered a place that could have been a kitchen. On a countertop, he found a lone glass and immediately filled it up from the metal faucet. Well, he was thirsty. He'd spent half a day locked up in a bathroom.

When Dean tipped the glass back to drink, his eyes widened as he noticed that the water in the glass had turned ruddy. It had turned to blood. He choked, a wet sputtering sound throat, and dropped the glass where it shattered on impact into tiny slivers.

"Stop fucking around Alastair," he whispered hoarsely.

For a moment, Dean thought he could hear laughter.

"You should be more careful," a vaguely comforting voice said from behind him.

Dean turned to see Anna standing there. He stared at her uncomprehendingly as she was one of the last people he ever expected to see. His mouth went dry. Immediately, he was on his guard. Surprises weren't always good.

"Did Castiel send you here?"

Anna kept her head down. "No. This is a safe house known to angels, and...I'm an angel."

He could hear the strain in her voice, but Dean nodded in understanding. They both knew that statement didn't ring quite true. Anna was a fallen angel. But, Dean knew as a fallen man that he was in no place to judge. At least they could relate; two fugitives on the run.

He watched her drift closer and wondered if she was a threat to him. However, he wasn't sure he cared.

"I can see it," Anna whispered suddenly.

"What?" His heart was in his throat.

"Your bond."

"Can you?" Dean's eyes were beginning to mist with tears. "What does it look like?"

She was hesitant at first. "It's...dark and smoky. Like barbed wire."

Dean thought it was an accurate description. It sounded like a spiked dog collar around his neck; an emblem of Alastair's ownership

"Anna? What am I supposed to do?" Dean wasn't surprised when his voice cracked nor was he ashamed.

She seemed to be considering his words; her gaze far away.

"I can't stay too long, or I'll be discovered."

Of course there could be no answer. What could Anna do? Not even Castiel was sure how to handle this.

Gently, Dean was unprepared when she cupped his face between her hands. He could still remember their night of passion in the Impala, and now, her touch was making him fall apart at the seams. Here was somebody kind. Somebody good.

It was as if she was a flower petal caught in the wind, and at any moment, she could be snatched away from him.

He allowed himself be drawn into her soft embrace. For once, it was as if Dean could feel heaven. Bathing in her concern, he suddenly kissed her on the lips and it felt...right. His eyes closed contentedly. Someone out there still cared.

Then, Dean heard the sound of distant of wings taking flight. When he opened his eyes again, he wasn't surprised to find that she was gone. If she had even been real to begin with. She could easily have been one of Alastair's illusions. Who would show up next tonight? Sam? Mom?

Dean stood there frozen in place as he wondered what would await him next.


"What the hell do you mean soul bond?" Sam was so tired of this cryptic bull shit.

"Dean and Alastair are connected," Castiel explained.

Sam still had trouble processing this information. " I know that," he growled. "But why? Why would Dean do this?"

The angel sighed and for once seemed uncomfortable. "Dean is...lost. And troubled. Severely troubled."

Sam let the comment slide. That was a delicate way to put it.

"How long will Alastair do this?"

"Until your brother gives in. Until he follows him to hell."

Sam turned away as an inappropriate laugh escaped his lips. "Stupid. He's a stupid ass is what he is."

Castiel shook his head. "I don't know why he's making it so hard."

"That's Dean for you." Ruby's comment was dry and unexpected.

Sam's attention shifted to her. "Do you know anything about this, Ruby?"

"Other demons don't get involved with soul bonds. It's dangerous territory."

"What's so dangerous about soul bonds?"

Ruby seemed to be on the verge of rolling her eyes "Well, for one, the demon practically owns them. The person is considered his or her property. "

"Why the fuck would anyone want to create one?"

"Why do you humans do anything?" Ruby mocked; fire in her eyes. "The same reason demon deals are made in the first place. Some might feel loyalty towards the demon. Others may want to attain power through the link or to gain psychic abilities. Who knows? Only older and more powerful demons know how to create bonds or have knowledge of them to begin with. Like I said: dangerous."

Sam was speechless for a moment. Could Ruby have known something all along?

"The righteous man has fallen far," she continued. "If Dean goes on Team Dark Side, well, we're screwed. I guess you'll have to save the world solo, Sammy."

"This is Dean we're talking about. We can't just abandon him. Right, Cas?"

Both stared at the empty spot where the angel had been standing.

"Castiel?" Sam called out.

He didn't return.


"Do you understand, dear? This is a very special assignment."

"I can handle it."

Alastair chuckled. "You always were one of my favorite students, Meg."