Dragon Dean is still scared of heights

by wolfie180g

The boys are after a monster taking women from the woods but it turns out to be a massive dragon! They split up to take on a nest full of twitching eggs and a huge fire breathing mother that decides to turn Dean into her next kid! How can they get Dean back to normal and who else is after him as a pet, for study, or a trophy kill? Who can they trust? Human angel/dem AU. sequel!

39. Lay Your Weary Head To Rest

Chapter 39

Lay your Weary Head to Rest

'Dean!' Cricket cries out, spinning with him the instant she senses the evil presence. Targeting in on a dark brown monster in the woods. She growls viciously when she sees who it is. 'You! You will not hurt my family!' and charges after him, Dean only a half step behind. Caught off guard by his mom reacting first. Leaping to her side, snarling, pounding the ground and leaping over Balthazar and Cas to put himself between them and the threat. Hoping that they'll start running to safety. Cricket didn't wait for him but he caught up all the same, protective instincts on overdrive.

The blow is so intense that all of the humans struggle to stay standing. Hunters pulling the others to the side of the jeep and Impala, the only protection they have out here. They immediately go for weapons and start shooting whenever they get a clear shot. Which isn't often. All three Drauglin's are spinning, tumbling, biting and slashing. Blood splashing all around the area, coating the Impala which narrowly avoids getting crushed by a push of Dean's side to Gordon's. Body checking the dark brown dragon away. Clamping down on his tail and dragging him away from his family in the clearing. Dean spat out the bloody tail and was spinning around to leap on him as solidly as he could. Trying hard to keep him pinned down and distracted.

'Mom! Get to the circle! Now!' he calls out before biting down on Gordon's wing stump, crunching the healing wounds and forcing Gordon to flip to the side to dislodge Dean's jaws while yowling in pain.

Dean's gnashing teeth were ripped from the wing stalk taking with it bits of flesh and bone. He spat it out and beat his wings to get some air away from Gordon's teeth, he accidentally flew backwards trying to stay upright and dodge the attacks. Belatedly realizing that hes now farther away from the circle and his family. He scrambles to get back to the space between the threat. Gordon stretches his neck out and grabs a firm hold of Dean's side, pulling him back down to slash at each other. Dean rips into him again, kicking his legs at the recently healed belly wounds from yesterday. Opening them back up, forcing Gordon to retreat for a second or risk his organs spilling out.

'Mom! Go!' Dean shouts again, panting, covered in blood.

Gordon is desperate, exhausted from the all day running but fueled with rage. He wont get another chance to turn human ever again. No one would try to help him. Only kill him for the lives he took. Gordon releases a blast of fire at Dean who feels the heat of it now that he's freshly shed his old scales.

Dean cried out and had to roll in the dirt to put out the lingering flames. Wings digging into the ground, tearing up the landscape as he scoops great chunks of earth over his smoking body. He shakes off the boulders and small trees and blasted right back at Gordon with the same results. Looks like Walker had also just shed. He spat out more flames and kicked his own head back quickly to avoid getting his own flaming spray on himself.

Dean sees Cricket pace just outside of of the circle, begging her son to stay back from that abomination. Bobby is reciting the chant as best he can, waving his hands for somebody to get in the damned circle! The moon is already rising. The other Hunters and humans are waving for Cricket's attention, not getting too close because she's so frantic to save Dean that she's not watching where she's stepping.

The bastard dragon is relentlessly slashing and attacking Dean, all in the hopes that he could enter the circle too and change back into human like the others. Dean knows that the spell can only work one at a time, and they only have enough ingredients for two dragons to shift back and can't allow him to take his place. He debates with himself though, as he guards his family, using his body as a punching bag to buy his mom time to get going. But if he and Cricket are human, Gordon will still be a pissed off Drauglin that will kill everyone there. Dean dislodges Gordon just long enough and shoves his mother into the circle and she's nearly pinned in place as Bobby and Sam continue the chant and spell work. Cricket is screaming. It's not from pain. It's from her inability to save anyone now. Falling to her knees and elbows, struggling to stay standing to leave the circle and help her son. Her cries die off and she falls to her side. Weakly watching her sons destroy each other as her eyes slip closed. A frightening feeling of being torn asunder the only thought assaulting her mind now.

Sam holds onto Bobby's ears so he can't hear the howls and screams. Focusing on finishing the complicated spell. Rufus is standing right next to them, shotgun up and aimed at Walker, pumping round after round of silver buckshot at the beast. Doing little more then bug bites to his skin but he can't stop because there isn't anything else he can do. Ellen and Jo are standing at the cars, protecting Meg who is the least prepared one here for battle. Balth and Cas are firing off their own weapons at Gordon as well. But it might as well be trying to stop a raging elephant with bb's. Soon, wordlessly, all of the humans except for Bobby who's still reciting and adding the ingredients to the area, all circle Gordon and give Dean a chance to get back up on his feet from where he fell.

Cricket's body is heaving in the center of it all, lights too bright to look at shine from the cracks in her skin like magma breaking the earth's crust. The humans using the light to see the evil monster better, aiming at his head and forcing him back a few steps.

They will have to reset to do a second dragon soon, which one is the problem. Gordon is in the middle of the circle of men and women all trying to keep him from hurting Dean anymore. He's giving his all, desperate for the chance to turn back into a human, between pleas and growls. Barely on his feet, assessing the situation with the eye of a psychopath.

Dean growls lowly, hacking blood into the ground, trying to get his balance back. It feels as though he cracked his skull open. 'You stay away from them.' the blood and saliva drip from his mouth, cheek slashed badly and the ridge of his nose is showing a flash of bone. Even speaking hurts.

Cas shoots a look up at Dean, sees what the monster has done to him and runs to Bobby's side and steals his cane. Unsheathing the silver sword from inside and with just one usable hand, slashes at Gordon's hands. Gordon wheels back away from the burning metal. Cas pursuing. "He is mine!" Cas roared right back at the dragon and cut an artery in Walker's arm. Blood pouring out and forcing him back.

Meg runs out of bullets in her .22 and hears the other hunters also call out that they are out or getting there. She retreats to the Impala for more magazine clips and returns to the fray, handing them out to the Hunters. She nearly trips over herself when she hears a woman's cry behind her, so human, so scared. She races to the circle where Bobby is no longer chanting but hurriedly removing the things he threw into the circle. Resetting it. The moon is half risen. Minutes remain.

A huge black dragon lifts its head, blinking blearily at her surroundings. Hears a scuffle close-by and tries to focus on it. Thoughts are hard to sort. Her body is sore, but healed somewhat. Something below her is running, rushing to the inside of her curled form. Part of her mind waking up and recognizing who she's looking at. 'Meg?' Cricket half groans at the little woman. 'Did it? Did it work?' her head lifts higher and she frowns. She's still tall, she's still a Drauglin. But Meg isn't paying attention to her anymore, but to something at her stomach. Curled on its side, mimicking how she woke up.

Meg looks up at Cricket's face and smiles a little. "Cricket? It worked!" and holds out her hand to a black woman who is slowly waking up, dressed in long shredded cloths, a once layered dress and petticoat with just one tall fur lined boot. Dressed for winter, but her clothes looked like they'd been on fire at once point. Holding her arms across her stomach. A long braid of black curly hair coming undone. Eyes wide and fearful. Coughing to rid her lungs of something wet.

"Missouri? Honey? It's ok, it's gonna be ok but you have to come with me over to the car right now." Meg said calmly, easily pulling the woman to her feet and guiding her straight to the Impala.

The woman starts to speak but coughs instead. "Me- Meg?"

"Yes! Yes, I'm Meg. I'm here to help you. Let's get you to safety."

"My son... my son?" she feebly pushes at Meg's iron grip to look at the two massive Drauglin's crashing into the woods. Meg pulls her along faster, half hugging half dragging, since Missouri is taller then her.

A huge black shape overhead makes both of them look skyward at Cricket who chirps at them.

Missouri stops dead still. "Yes, it's me."

Cricket's eyes went wide. 'I understood that.'

Missouri has tears in her eyes, wiping them away. The days events coming back to her fully. "Cricket, we need to leave the circle so they can reset it for our son!"

Cricket nods and looks over to Dean and cries out in shock at what she sees. She charges right over the humans and barrels into Gordon at full speed, fury and rage and protective instincts singing in her veins. She would have killed Walker instantly, but she's still weak from the split.

'Mom!?' Dean calls out, bewildered and upset.

'Get to the circle!' Cricket roars at him and slashes at Gordon again. 'Don't you fuckin' dare hurt my boy again!'

Gordon is frantic, knowing that he's too far from the clearing now. Watches as Dean gets to his hands and knees, hobbling to the circle. Gordon sees that the circle is unoccupied and shoves the weakened Cricket off of himself to force her down the hillside. Muscling his way past Dean to the center, demanding he's next. Bobby can't stop setting up the bowl of ingredients. Can't run away, knowing Dean's the only one that can take Walker out of the circle again. Not even sure if Dean wanted him here in the first place, turn the most dangerous one here human so they can kill him easier. His cane gone, he grabs a stick to redraw the sigils but hesitates. He knows if he starts drawing it again with Walker in the center, it will be useless to the brown Drauglin.

"What should I do?" Bobby shouts over. Chaos everywhere he turns.

Dean summons up his strength and charges head on at Walker, pushing him back, impaling his skin with his horns when Gordon tries to attack his neck. Dean whips his head back and around, Gordon bleeding and staggering, delirious. He drags him forcefully from the circle like a bag of garbage, as the other hunters and humans descend on the circle, redrawing the sigils as fast as possible. Racing against the rising moon. One by one, each shouts that they are done with their section and run to help the next one closest.

Rufus shouts over to Bobby. "Punch it, Bobby! We're ready!"

Bobby starts the spell while Ellen and Jo flank him. Cas and Balthazar keep Gordon from getting closer to Meg and Missouri in the Impala. Firing off everything from the trunk to keep Walker away when he looks to the car to take hostages. Cricket blasts out of the woods and tackles Walker yet again.

Rufus shouts at Dean, "Dean! Now! She's got him!"

Dean is weak and manages to muster up just enough strength to walk gingerly into the circle and immediately falls to his knees in the center the second his last foot enters. Looking over and watching helplessly as Cricket and Gordon slow in their attack, each worn out but fighting for their lives.

They don't have long before the time is lost. Moon practically fully exposed. Sam snatches up the second and last set of ingredients and practically throws them at Dean who just manages to duck into it to get as much on his own skin as possible so that even if Gordon comes back, he wont be able to shift back into a human.

Bobby shouts the words as fast as he can, hoping that he doesn't screw them up as Dean writhes in the circle, panting and wide eyed. Shrieking in pain. This is different then how it was for Cricket. Light comes from from every crack in his scales. Shining out like a beacon. Bobby keeps on chanting but looks to Sam for what they did wrong this time around. Gordon sees that the moon is nearly out of alignment and musters up some strength, starting his charge to bull Dean away. All of the others open fire on him, skin bursting with the explosions. Dean can't keep him at bay. Cricket locks her jaws around Gordon's side, ripping his chest open to expose ribs. The tear in his skin extending down to his stomach like a ripped bag, intestines falling and being stepped on by his own feet. An errant kick lands square on Crickets forehead and she falls where she is.

A mortal wound but Gordon only has bleeding eyes for that circle and tries hard to push aside the searing pain in his body from each gaping hole and silver bullet, the silver cane sword still firmly stuck through his arm. Lodged in from that one human wearing a cast. All of the silver cutting past his softened post shed hide to get the silver in deep. He feels like he's burning from the inside out. His charging body falters. He's so close.

Dean looks over, only half seeing the huge brown form and braces himself for the impact. Gordon falls heavily, ground bucking under the weight, but just his head is inside the circle with Dean. Ragged breaths slowing, blood spattering the circle with each exhale. Eyes struggling to stay open. One gurgled word before he's unable to do more then spit blood, 'please...'

Bobby stutters the chant. Sam can't do anything because he's still adding the ingredients to the spell. He shoots a frightened look at the others who jump to action. Cricket isn't moving, hopefully just out cold. Everyone that's able to is running around and trying desperately to haul the heavy dragon's neck and head out of the way. Dean screams.

Gordon's body starts to glow, even as he's taking his last breaths. Dean is a beacon of light. Everyone shields their eyes from the dragons and a deafening sound rings out. A howling cry of pain and agony.

Bobby muscles his way to the end of the spell, blinded and deaf, he hopes that it can still work somehow. Too late to stop mid way, Dean would surely die. An exploded mass of flesh and bones.

The light fades, Bobby is silent, Sam is on his knees, groping around for the bowl of ingredients with blind eyes. He touches it and hears a loud but familiar pained wheeze and throws the remainder at the sound. It hits its mark, and he hears a grunt of pain mixed with annoyance.

Gordon is dead, a malformed abomination that's sure to give everyone there nightmares for life. Hardly resembling anything that was once dragon or human. His remains look like he had contracted every disease known to man. Boils, leperacy, gangrene, herpes, black plague, his body looked like a mishmash of death. Starting at his malformed head but lessening closer to his tail.

Slowly, the humans eyesight's return to see a lump in the center of the raised churned circle. Only the outermost ring was recognizable now. Everything inside the spell's circle is torn earth, mounds of it in a rough semicircle. The cloud of dust slowly settling around it. Everyone's hopes rise a little because the small lump is much smaller then the Drauglin's size kicking up a puff of dust. It moves and deep gasps are heard in stereo. A much larger shape is coming up out of the earth now, encircling the small form in the center, rising up from the dirt as a low rumbling is heard like thunder. It uncoils and lifts up its head on top of a mighty long neck, a thunderous, vicious roar is belched out of its fang filled mouth and it lifts itself onto four huge legs. Barely visible in the dark where the moon has passed behind clouds.

It jerks left and right to rid itself of the dirt and rocks. It glares at everyone around, eyes glinting in the little light available. The cold glower chilling their very souls as it lifts up its thin scaled lips and hisses at them. Pure animal. They could detect the growls and movements as defensive after their hearts were swallowed back down. It's afraid. It's pissed that it's surrounded. Sam can barely see, no better then anyone else here from the brilliant light display, but he still makes out the vague shapes of his friends and lifts up his arms slowly to usher them back from the beast.

The monster zero's in and hisses at Sam, lowering its head and squinting. Sam gulps audibly and twitches his fingers again for everyone else to get the hint and back the fuck away from it. Simultaneously, getting the monster's attention on him alone.

Sam let out his own growl, trying to sound as challenging as possible as he heard the others back up to safety. All the while his heart was breaking. This. Was a monster. Dean was dead. What does he have to live for now? They lost. His brother's dead. He's dead. They failed. Sam's growl turned pathetic. Sniffing back tears, turn it to hatred. This thing isn't his brother anymore. It's threatening the only family he's got left. Thoughts jumbling in his head. Dean's dead. Dean's dead. Don't let him die alone.

Suicide by monster. Save his friends in the process. It's not what he hoped, and definitely not what he promised Dean he'd do. But Dean's not here to call him out on it. Dean was supposed to live that long life with him. And he can't because he's dead. Dean is dead and Sam wants to join him right the fuck now. He failed. He failed and his failure is gonna sink it's teeth into everyone here if he doesn't fix this.

"Everyone? Go. I got him." Sam risked a glance to his left and right to his friends. They trusted him to be able to talk to the monster, thinking that he senses Dean still in there. He knows better, but lies to alleviate their future guilt. "I can get Dean to back down, but not if everyone's here." He lied easily even though his breath was being squeezed from his lungs. At least he wont have to live too long with the horrible ache in his chest. His face contorting into one of disgust and sadness. Why? Why did his brother go through all that torment for nothing? Don't let him die alone. Don't leave him alone.

Sam worried that Dean's soul wont rest if he thinks his family is in danger, wont find peace. Turning into a ghost to and then what's left of his soul will degrade into something that they used to hunt. A poltergeist or vengeful spirit. Sam thought out a message to the disembodied soul of his brother, if he could hear and understand that is, 'I got this, Dean. I got it.'

There was no talking this monster down. The hungry saliva dripping from it's mouth is proof of that. Sam just hoped that his body would provide enough of a distraction for the monster to let them escape and regroup. Maybe Bobby could take out the monster while it's busy eating him.

Morbid thought. But one that crossed his mind.

Cas was beside himself with horror. He knew that there was no part of this monster that was Dean. It was all beast. Hungry, angry, and wild. His love, was dead. Cas found himself walking over to Sam who was still tense and standing his ground. Cas didn't stop, didn't hesitate. He just kept on walking in a straight line, right towards the dragon.

The dragon snarled menacingly at him. Baring fangs, digging his claws into the ground and tearing it up. Cas stopped at the edge of the circle and closed his eyes serenely and lifted up his arms to his sides. The cast keeping his broken arm from extending all the way. Waiting for the quick death. Hoping that it would be quick. He felt the hot air rush by his face and squeezed his eyes shut tighter. Then a rush of air moving towards the dragon's snout and back again. It was inhaling and exhaling with the rumbling growls slowing down and morphing into curious croons.

It was smelling all of the anguish, love, fear, acceptance and then, surprisingly enough, impatience.

Cas huffed a breath. This mode of death was taking too long. Castiel cracked one eye open, making sure that the dragon didn't just leave him standing there with his arms outstretched like an idiot for no reason at all. An insult that his body wasn't good enough as a dragon sacrifice. Maybe it didn't like his white plaster cast. He opened up both eyes to the gray ones staring back at him. Not green, gray. And now that he's looking harder, no freckles either. Unblemished light brown scales. Any thought that this was ever Dean went out the window. But that feeling, the emotion behind the eyes, that was its own kind of pain. A touch of compassion. Some deep emotions whirling around in the monster's countenance. More deep inhales that gusted the air around himself and then Sam, before heading back to himself again. It crooned a single note at him and moved very slowly towards him. Nudging his chest before retreating again to look at him with open confusion in those big gray eyes. Cas could see the intelligence flare up as if it was a spark in the darkness. Where there once was a monster, was now just a being. A living being that was waging a war with itself and its buried nature. Cas lowered his arms, feeling the slight burn in the sore muscles and looked up at the massive dragon again.

After a false start, Cas found his voice again, "Who are you?"

The dragon made no sign of recognition at first but then frowned a little. It dipped its great head in again and bumped into his chest. The look in his eyes when they were just a few feet away from his own said it all, this wasn't Dean, but perhaps he already knew who this was.

"Dane?"

The dragon squinted at him a little and those large gray eyes lit up a bit. Recognition mixed with distrust. Another growl turned croon. Like the thing was waking up after a nightmare. Unsure if this was the real world or if it needed to keep fighting the evil monsters.

Castiel raised up his good hand again, the dragon sniffed at it before bumping into it with extreme care. Cas risked rubbing the front of the huge nose and the large gray eyes drifted closed, a slight nod in the head when they opened and a serene smile tugged at the long mouth.

"Hello, Dane." Cas said, smiling widely but with a hint of sadness there. He was grateful that the beast was no longer about to kill them all, but it appeared that he was alone in the body. He felt Sam move to his side, adding his own hand to the front of Dane's snout. Rubbing and tearing up badly.

Castiel turned to Sam and hugged him close, tears flowing freely now. "I'm so sorry, Sam." What it must be like to loose a brother? Cas himself felt like he lost a part of his soul. How the hell are hey supposed to go on now?

After accepting Cas's condolences, coming to terms himself that he wasn't the only one mourning the heavy loss. The tears flowed harder, both of them lost a part of themselves. Sam chocked out past the despair. "Sorry, Cas." Unable to voice much more. Hugging back just as tight. All of this. All of it was for nothing. Dean still died in the end. He caught a glimse of Missouri and was a little consoled in the fact that they were able to help someone out in all this. But, at what cost? Dean didn't deserve to go out like that. In so much agony...

Dane chirped at them from overhead. They were startled enough to let go of each other and look up to the questioning expression. Both remembering that Dane literally lost a piece of himself. Not only a brother or soulmate. But both at once. His literal, other half. They were about to console the Drauglin but Dane was just chirping at them and turning his head to something behind him, still in the circle. They couldn't see past his legs and tail once he stood again on tired feet. Dane moved sluggishly back to the circle, giving the lump of mutilated flesh that once was Walker a distasteful snort before ignoring it and moving on. Sam and Cas were the first to move closer, the rest hovering back a little ways out of respect but their intrigue is growing at what the dragon is doing now.

Dane dipped his head down into the middle of where he'd been curled up and nudged at something there. The thing moved but they weren't sure if it was just a thing knocked off kilter or something that was alive until it moved on its own. A twitch of some sort at the snout that then blasted air at it. More movement as Dane uncovered part of the thing. A fist came out of the pile of churned dirt and punched at the nose. Dane jerked back from the startling movement but dove back in, snuffling and pushing the figure out by force.

Dane grumbled something at the figure and received another punch followed by a kick. The figure wriggling around on the ground, trying to find purchase in the soft earth. Finally getting to its side and coughing into the dirt. A wet hacking cough that was so painfully human sounding, sent Castiel and Sam hobbling towards him. Having to climb over the churned earth and dips in the ground. Nothing for the dragon to walk over, but for them, took a little bit of time.

Dean tried to collect himself. There was a weight on his back once he flipped to his side that was throwing him off kilter. His shoulder muscles twitched as he coughed again, and felt movement along his back and dragging across his bare legs and feet. He felt air currents move along his spine in more places then there should be. Skin felt stretched along the upper part of his spine but below his neck. He felt whole again though, the gash's and breaks in his skin were either gone or just sore. He could barely see anything. But something huge kept on pushing at him until he was finally on his hands and knees. Heaving into the ground all of his dinner and some from lunch. Chunks of meat that were probably hot dogs and beef jerky. Pretty large chunks by the feel of it as he retched again. Ridding himself of the food stuffs. His lungs burned and he had to take a break to just breath for a second. His throat still felt full but he swallowed whatever it was back. Feeling something on either side of the base of his jawline shift back. A foul taste on his tongue that wasn't from bile.

He tried focus his hearing on some kind of scuffle off to the side but unable to see much. Something brushed by his legs but that was far down the list of things to worry about right now.

"Hell.. hello?" His voice came out five times lower then he expected. But blessedly human sounding. Rough from the fight and throwing up no doubt. "Gu-" more coughing. "Guys?" He could hear something rumble overhead and instantly understood the words but the sound of it was foreign and familiar at the same time. Unused to hearing it outside of the rumbling it caused his skull when he used to speak. "Dane?" he croaked out.

'I'm here, Dean.' the relieved crooning sigh said, and Dean felt the huge thing on his side, help him stand up before moving away.

Dean staggered to his bare feet once the steady wall disappeared and fell over immediately from the shifting weight on his back. His head hurt as well and his fingertips tingled when he landed on them. His eyesight was clearing quickly now. Blinking out the debris and sorting out his scrambled brains enough to link up the visual stimuli with his cognitive abilities again. He took stock of his body and was horrified that the spell didn't work – at least, not all the way.

Huge wings were still attached to his back, proportionate to his current body, horns protruding from the back of his head and claws on every one of his fingers and toes. He was not naked though, like he feared, because when he was first changed, he still had his boxers on when the mother swallowed him whole. But to see him like one would a demon from hell, in this state, in boxers... just didn't seem right. His wings folded in front of himself to cover them up and he looked around himself, almost scared of what the others would think or do once they see how monstrous he looked now. He could even feel some of the more prominent fangs in his mouth. At least his face was more human-ish.

He didn't expect a man bigger then him at 6 ft 4 to come barreling in and knocking him to the ground in a huge bear hug. Both of them in pain from earlier injuries but hardly caring at all. It was like Sam didn't even give a shit about the wings, horns or claws. Dean tried to speak but a forked tongue flicked out and the blind horror of it all came crashing down. He's still a monster. One look up confirmed that the time for the spell was well and truly over. The moon was overhead, shining past the clouds. He's stuck like this.

Dean got to his feet, thrown off balance with every step. He looked around himself, at everyone there. No one he cared about died but he might as well have. He's a monstrosity. He looks like a fucking demon. Pure hatred and vengeance on the deceased dragon. "You basstard!" his forked tongue made him lisp slightly but he was too pissed to care. His hands hooked into claws and he marched over to the mutilated body, his wings flaring and causing him to sway in time with how the wind caught them. Pissing him off even more. "Mother fucker!" he reached the massive body and his hands tore into the already ripped flesh yanking chunks of it away, digging out where a long wound was already made by Cricket. The definitive mortal wound for the murderer. Dean broke thick layers of membrane past the skin that had been holding back the internal organs that spilled at his feet. The belly had already been slashed and intestines were trailing behind the carcass. Now he was after the chest. He just stomped on the bits of flesh, digging further.

Everyone around him took steps back, holding each other. He was crazy. Cas was in tears. Thinking that they lost their Dean after all. Now was just a feral creature playing in the organs of a body. Dangerous. Insane.

Dean clawed away, ignoring the scents and sights around him, only concentrating on his goal. He came upon a rib and got a good stance in the squelching organs and kicked at it. A crack forming, he kicked at it again. He was stronger then he ever was as a human. 'Demons are stronger then people after all.' his inner voice hissed. He kept on punching the rib until it broke and he roared in triumph. Plunging his hands into the chest cavity and moving his hands around until he found what he was after, yanking over and over again until a part of it came through the hole he'd made. It was very large, bigger then he was, and slippery. He shot a look behind himself, he'll need help.

"Sammy. Get over here and help me."

Sam stepped back. The thing wearing his brother's face was talking to him but he was covered head to toe in blood and literal guts.

"Sam." Dean's brow furrowed in frustration. "Get over here and help." His hands came out from behind the ribs and dripped with blood, claws curling and twitching.

"Dean?" Sam found his voice, worried.

Dean cocked his head to the side. "What's wro-" he checked himself over. Saw what the others were seeing. Coming back to reality for a second before actually growling at Sam. "I'm trying to get his heart. It's too big for me to haul out on my own. Now are you gonna help me or just watch?"

"Dean... why...?"

"For the fucking blood spell!" Dean shouted, an undercurrent of a growl. "We need blood to do it right?"

Sam cautiously raised his hands in a calming motion, speaking softly and clear, "It doesn't work like that, uh Dean. We need, um." unsure if he should clarify when his brother is looking like he's possessed. "Human blood."

Dean flipped his hands out to get some of the blood off, wiping his brow. Giving the huge heart next to him a second glance before slashing it with his fingers just to watch the thick already curdling blood pour out in a satisfactory manner, pooling around his bare feet. He stood back from the entrails just far enough to put some space between the cooling dragon corpse and himself. Shaking his fingers out to rid them of the excess blood. Wiping off his arms and flinging it about. Uncaring where it landed so long as it was off of his skin.

Sam and the others were still un-moving, unsure how to proceed when a sudden burst of fine liquid spray came from Dean's human mouth quickly followed by a spark. The heart lit up instantly. A ball of fire shot out like a failed firework ignited the body's own spray from within and soon the whole thing went up in flames.

Dean had to take a few hasty steps back to keep himself away from the fires. He felt more then saw a huge presence behind him and raised his hand to pat Dane's arm solidly. The corpse didn't burn all the way so Dane took it upon himself to let loose what was left of his own flames to the mix. Neither spoke a word. Just watched as the brown dragon burned.

The two were still for so long that the others could tell that they were calming down again. Watching the cause of all of their current pains and problems go up in flames and smoke. They knew that since Dean still had wings and such, that the spell went terribly wrong. Walker cost him his humanity. And what was it for? He surely knew he wouldn't have walked out of the woods alive if he'd taken Dean's chance at humanity. Or his mother's. One or all of the Hunters and people would have killed the murdering human dead. So why? Why did he fight so hard to change back when he knew it was useless? All of these questions on everyone's minds.

Dane finally broke the silence. Rumbling quietly to Dean, 'He didn't want to die a monster.'

Dean wiped a few tears from his eyes and shook his head. "He was a monster before he became a Drauglin. No, not Drauglin. Not that pure, he was a dragon. Blood thirsty, hate filled, deserving death, dragon. He got what he deserved." spitting at the blaze and causing a small spark where it landed.

Dane lowered himself to the ground, laying his head next to Dean, looking at him from the corner of his eye with his own grays, 'I'm sorry, Dean.'

Dean shook his head a little, both still facing the burning mass. Wiping off his face again, trying to find a clear spot on his skin that wasn't soaked in blood. Wiping again anyway. "It's ok, Buddy." he sniffed and looked Dane over. "How are you doing? Everything back to where it belongs?"

'I'm fine, Dean.' Dane closed his eyes a little. Assessing his own body again. 'Killer headache but I'll live.' He turned slightly towards Dean and asked, 'You? Are you alright? Besides well... that it didn't, that you uh...' Dane sighed, 'I'm sorry.'

"Not your fault. We'll figure this out." Dean finally looked over and saw that Sam and Cas and Bobby were closer, on Dane's other side. To them he reaffirmed louder, "We'll figure this out." nodding at them. Willing them to forget the last half hour of his panic and rage. "We'll just get Azazel or Alistair. Bleed 'em dry for the blood spell. Easy peasy."

Bobby frowned deeply, "Son," he started, trying to find a comforting way of saying it. "It wouldn't work."

Dane pushed at Dean a little when he knew that Dean was going to round on the old hunter. Reminding Dean that Bobby's not the enemy. Bobby didn't notice, or ignored the flash of anger aimed at him.

"Since the spell was 'Completed',d it can't be redone. Thank Gordon over there. The pile of bones, mutilated flesh and blood. I don't even know where to start looking for another reversal spell. Sorry, Boy. Since you aren't a regular Drauglin or human, we can't do that blood spell. Or at least, I don't know how to change it yet to work for you. We'll need time, but, I doubt we'll find a cure that way. Not saying there isn't one, but I wouldn't risk your life on it."

Dean looked like he wanted to hit something but the only object here worth beating was already reducing to ashes. Dane rubbed a clawed finger along Dean's side. Gentle and reassuring. He rumbled to his human half, 'There was that... that other way.'

Dean's eyes widened and he looked to Bobby. It was their last hope for some kind of normalcy. Even if they chopped off his wings, horns and claws, he would always be something not entirely human. The least they could do was make it so that he could live in public instead of hiding out in the woods until the day he died. Always on the run from humans of all kinds. Dean knew he couldn't live in hiding like that. Eventually his family and friends would want to go back to living their own lives instead of staring at each other in the woods till they all got eaten by a bear or died of exposure.

"Ok, Bobby, let's do it." Dean's head nodded firmly. Wings folding and unfolding behind him, making him go off balance again. "I feel like some kind of demon, out to collect souls." His bat-like wings flexed and he felt along the top rear of his head at his short but sharp horns. A moment of silence as he inspected his body a little while they watched, also

fascinated at the change that the faulty spell managed to produce. "At least its all proportional, I didn't end up with over 200 feet wingspan. Right Dane?"

Dane grinned slightly, lifting up one of his wings to cast the entire area in shadow from the moonlight. 'And your horns aren't too heavy for your head, permanent neck cramp.' his own horns were large enough that, if they were hollow, would fit more then one human inside. Dean actually lucked out, somewhat.

Dean felt something twitch his boxers and flushed, embarrassed as his hands immediately went to the front but found the twitching originating in the back. "Oh great. And a tail. I have a tail. Perfect." a hand rubbed down his face. "Did you get anything human from me? Or am I the lucky one with all of the dragon bits?"

'Your snarky comebacks, Goliath.' Dane snorted.

"Goliath?"

"The gargoyle leader from that cartoon..." Dane furrowed his brow. How did he know that.

"How the hell did you know about that? Sammy loved that show." Dean turned to his little brother, "Nerding out right about now, Sammy?" flexing wings and whipping his tail a bit in his direction.

Dane smirked, at least he's not the only one missing a step. Figuring this out along with the rest of them.

Dean turned back to Dane, "But yeah, I never said anything about..."

Cas spoke up, "He has your memories. That's what he got of yours. Some would argue that their memories make up a huge part of being human. Without them, we would be blank slates. Have feelings sure but no human identity."

A thoughtful hum from the Drauglin. 'Probably other things too. I'm just too tired to give a crap right now.'

"You and me both, Buddy." Dean yawned widely. He looked down at himself and saw the disgusting sight he must be making. Appearing as if he was some kind of expensive Halloween costume. "I could use a shower and a bed. And some food."

With that said, his family and friends were finally calmed down completely, Dean didn't have that look of blood lust in his eyes, hatred in his heart. That frenzy was violent, unexpected, but not unwarranted. Walker got off easy for the crimes he committed. How many soldiers lives did he take? Consume? And before all this, how many innocent creatures died at his bigoted Hunter's hands?

They just didn't want to see Dean loose himself over that murdering filth.

Sam limped on over, putting a firm hand on Dean's shoulder, "Let's get the hell out of here. Find you something to eat and yeah, you could use a shower. Blood baths don't count." A poor joke but it helped with Dean's mood a little. His brother was showing his acceptance in his own way. Crackin' lame jokes and being a solid anchor for him. "And Dane, he does not look like a Gargoyle. They were red or blue or green. Dean's more of a... Dungeons and Dragons character, or Balrog. World of Warcraft." the atmosphere lightening up, a jovial air coming to sweep away the tension.

"Nerd." Dean chuckled. "You're just jealous that these," he opened up his 14 foot wide wings at his brother, "Can get me any job in Hollywood. My devilish good looks don't hurt either."

"I'll say." Castiel said and pulled Dean over to kiss him on the lips. Fully.

Dean's eyes went comically wide at the unexpected assault of his mouth. Then a wave of love flow between them. Filling his senses with belonging and acceptance. His Mate didn't care what he looked like. Even now. When it looks like he'll never turn human again. Cas is surprising him with how close he's being. How far he's digging his tongue into Dean's mouth and hands grasping at his sides. Pulling him in close as if Dean would float away.

"I love you." Cas whispered and hugged tighter. "This is just packaging. Your soul is what I crave, need." Kissing him again, burrowing his head into the crook of Dean's neck, seeking the warmth there. He didn't know what came over him all of the sudden. His Dean was here and still alive. He didn't loose himself in the spell. Isn't giving up, but even if he did, Cas knew that he would grip Dean tight and raise him up and away from the edge again and again. Tell him how much he's needed, wanted, loved.

Dean finally looked up and saw no less then 8 people and the conscious Drauglin staring at the two love birds. Cricket still sleeping, and the only one not privy to the PDA. Dean smirked and wrapped the two of them up in his wings and dove right back into Cas's mouth. Cas and Dean spent time hugging and kissing each other, their love started with him as a freak and this was just better for Cas to get his arms around then some big monster. Now they could walk side by side instead of one carrying the other. Fingers could lace together like Cas had hoped. They could sleep in the same bed and complain about morning breath. A step in the right direction. His optimism was refreshing to Dean's mind.

"Hey, how did you find us anyhow? Meg said she lost her phone before she could tell you guys where to go."

Cas smiled serenely. "Would you believe that I followed my heart? I knew you were here. Something was pulling me to this spot. I felt elated when we got closer and closer." A hand dragged up Dean's arm to cup his face, going in for another kiss.

Balthazar passed behind them, "That, and, Sam texted us."

Cas cursed under his breath as Dean let out a huffing laugh. Fondness in his gaze as he watched his Mate correct his British friend, "I knew where you were first. The cell phone... coincidence." and waved his hand in a dismissive way. "We do share a profound bond."

"'Bout to get more profound." Balth snickered.

Dean smacked him with a wing that snapped out from behind him. Balth squawked and stumbled. Dean feigned ignorance at Castiel's firm look. "They have a mind of their own." Shrugging. Making the wings twitch erratically. "See?"

"And yet until this point they were behaving themselves."

"You make them want to misbehave." Dean knew it was a lame line but Cas grinned anyway for the effort and they resumed their interrupted kiss. When they came up for air, Cas breathed hard, looking accusing and alluring to his mate.

"I'm... glad your tongue is still..." his fingers split and wiggled. Dean winked, damn proud he could still pleasure his Mate without needing to be fully one form or the other. Cas seemed ok with doing it with a Drauglin, so long as Dean was at the helm of course, and Dean was pretty sure Cas would be a-OK with a human, but this mix and match body?

Cas kissed him again before Dean's mind wandered too far. Cas was somehow able to feel out Dean's emotions even with the communication spell worn off. Or maybe that's just a Cas and Dean thing. They just knew.

Dean thinks he can work with this body. And eventually, when he gets to be fully human again, he can really feel Cas as he's meant to. Until then... there was the other option.

"Cas? Babe? There's something I should have discussed with you like, forever ago." Dean frowned and pulled Cas off to the side.

Dane quirked a fan to Dean, still amazed at seeing the mostly human outside of their mindscape. No one in control of these woods. It still felt like a dream. One whiff of the smoky air proving that it wasn't. There could be no way this was all in someone's head with the stench of burning flesh in the air. Dane got to his feet and went over to Cricket, making sure his mother was still alright after being knocked out. He could feel his own body, how worn out it still is. Sleep pulling at him. There wasn't anything else they could do tonight. They couldn't exactly run or leave so much evidence laying around. And all of the humans were exhausted. They'd figure out a game plan in the morning. This spot in the woods was pretty far from the nearest human house so he was confident they would be safe for that long at least. He curled up next to his mother and watched her breathing for a few minutes, then carefully adjusted her sleeping position she she wouldn't wake up with a sore neck with how her head was angled. He used his right wing to extend his mother's left wing, and covered her up with it, retaining some kind of heat and comfort. Laying his own wings over them both for a few moments before tucking his wings around himself and falling into a deep dreamless sleep.

Meg was still in the Impala, comforting Missouri and filling in the blanks as best she could. The last fifty years of human experience were basically either ignored or slept through when she was Drauglin. When Missouri asked about the war the country was in, the one that her and her fiance were running from, Meg reluctantly told her that we lost that one. Missouri wept for a long time. Meg comforted her and told her if they'd stayed and fought, they would have likely died. Knowing that her fiance died anyway, didn't help. At least she was still alive. Through tears, Missouri told Meg all about her fiance, the world they lived in, their families, the war, and what she could remember about that time. Meg listened to it all, knowing that her friend needed a kind ear as much as she did information. The world now is different but the same. Technology was a hard sell but it helped Meg to get her friend to focus on things other then wars and death. The information Meg had on the 70's, were eye opening for her and Meg tried explaining the revolutions that happened while she'd been in hibernation.

At first, Missouri was sitting in the middle of the Impala's back bench seat, but Meg had inched her way closer to hug her and be a shoulder to lean on. Missouri drifted off at some point, somewhere between mobile phones and the birth of the internet. More history lessons will come, and Meg was happy to teach. She was already planning on giving Missouri a bed at her house until something more permanent could be set up. Thankfully, she used an alias for the base so it might take them a hot minute to figure out where she currently lived. By then they'll likely be long gone. Meg was pretty sure the Hunters could help with teaching them how to stay off the radar until new aliases could be formed for both of the women. For now though, Meg silently closed the door and slept with the frail woman leaning against her with a fist wound into her jacket like a safety line. The world would be strange and dangerous, but, they'll make it.

Bobby and Rufus were spent. The others may have done some fighting that night, but who was it that had held everything down? Made four very important spell circles in one night? Drove for half a day and nearly all of the ones previous? Been the steady rock of reason and authority for more days then they could count? Making tough decisions. They were spent. Tired. Exhausted as well. Each spell does take a toll on the castor, but they kept that information to themselves. Nothing comes for free, even spells take some energy to activate.

They knew there wasn't really a choice. Since they couldn't fight as fast and fierce as the younger members of their party, they took on all of the other rolls. But now? They just wanted sleep. Ellen and Jo helped them with that. Setting up a large tent and laying out a few sleeping bags flat on the ground. A flap on the inside that Ellen firmly stated as separating 'his' and 'hers' side. Bobby and Rufus were obsequious and practically fell into the tent sleeping. Ellen went to the area where she'd last seen Dean and Cas and whisper shouted at them, "You two can have the jeep to sleep in, Sam's already passed out in the front of the jeep but there's room in the back if you fold down the rear seat. Meg and that black lady are in the car but I'd leave them alone. The lady had been through a lot and I wouldn't want to wake them if you open any of the doors."

"We hear ya." Dean said back, "And Ellen? Thank you."

"I'm just glad everything worked out." he could hear the shrug. "More or less. At least you're still standing. You could have easily ended up as a puddle of goo like Walker from a botched spell. I call that a win."

Dean's throat went a little dry so Castiel answered for him. "Thank you. We will get by." and then, "Goodnight, Ellen."

"Night Boys. No more problems tonight." Ellen knocked on a tree and headed towards the tent, pulling Balthazar from his doze while leaning against the jeep. The poor guy was probably at a loss for what his duty was now that there was nothing more they could do tonight. "Come on, there's room on my side of the tent for ya."

"Flattered, but, alas, I play for the other team."

Ellen snorted and put a hand more firmly around his shoulders as they walked, "Well then, all the more reason for you to sleep on our side."

Balthazar chuckled and let himself be led. He paused outside of the tent after Ellen entered with a change of clothes. "Shouldn't there be a watch on guard?"

Ellen frowned, looking around their makeshift camp. "No one would sneak up on two big fuckin' dragons and 6 Hunters. We're safe. And if anyone comes by that's uninvited? We'll just have Dean tell them bad jokes till they die."

Balth grinned tiredly and yawned. "Ya know, Dean sounds differently then I thought he would. All I heard this whole time were chirps and growls. He really is quite a good looking man."

Ellen glanced to where the lovebirds were still probably macking in the woods. "Even now. Yes. I can see it. Of course, I'm a sucker for freckles. I had only met John Winchester's sons a handful of times, years and years ago. He may have grown up but, he's still too young for me. And, I think, he's already spoken for." She grinned peacefully. Glad a Hunter found someone to share their life with that's alright with the craziness surrounding Hunters.

Balth nodded firmly and hunkered down with the ladies on one side and the privacy divider for the tent on the other. He could hear Rufus's sleepy snores starting and nudged the flimsy tent flap for Rufus to lay on his side and was amused that he complied.

The whole site quieted down and slept, save for the two souls in the woods. Having a very important and long overdue conversation.

"So?" Dean scuffed a shoe in the dirt. "Say something."

"What do you want me to say? I finally get to see you," he stops, hand wiping his eyes and frowning. "You survive all this and separate from Dane, and you want to risk your life for another chance?"

Dean shrugged, knowing that he didn't consider his own life worth all this trouble but still wanting to live it. The depression he was in easing a little now that he knows that Dane can live without him there, sharing that body. That he himself will live. But as what? Some Hunters would still see him as a monster even though he looks more human now then he had for nearly a year. With some, it's all or nothing. He'd be continuing to put everyone at risk. Sure it's easier to hide himself now, but, he didn't want to hide anymore. His wings itched and he ran his nails down the membrane absently.

He was dying to know what he looked like but there was no full size mirror simply tucked away in the Impala or that jeep Ellen showed up in. He was grateful that the ladies were prepared for camping out because none of them thought to buy a damned tent or gear. He came back to the present when he felt Cas suddenly behind him, lightly scratching at the base of his wings. Damn that felt nice.

Cas could only use one hand, the other cast making it very annoying to try and be close to his lover. So he did what he could to soothe Dean's worries. "I don't care what you look like. I'm glad you're alive." And kissed the shoulder that he wasn't massaging and lightly scratching. Dean tucked his wings in closer to his body so he could turn around and face Cas without knocking him over. It would take time to get used to the feel of wing tips brushing by his legs. He looked down and realized that he was still only wearing boxers, (which were bloody now, yuck) and was running around barefoot. His feet must have thicker padding because he barely noticed.

The chill in the air made him shiver which translated to his wings wrapping around him and Cas more fully. Cas was startled but pleased and snaked his good arm behind Dean's back to reciprocate. "Let's get you warm." Cas said simply and tried to see over the wing wrist to where everyone was located. He could feel Dean hmm contentedly, breathing in and sighing as if resigning to some chore.

"Rather just stay here forever. You are comfy as hell, Cas." and dipped his head closer to Castiel, fingers carding through his black hair while Cas gave a low grunt of reproach for the delay.

"Dean. That wasn't a suggestion. I'm freezing out here, so you must be too. We're going to the jeep." And pinched one of the wing membranes to get Dean to loosen his grip.

Dean amplified the effect of the injury, and rubbed his wing with his hand and Cas took that chance to pull out of the hug, dragging Dean behind him with his hand clamped on Dean's wrist. They got to the clearing and kept on walking past to where everyone was set up and sleeping. No one wanting to look at the smoldering remains for long. They let it burn to nothing. They couldn't douse it so they just let it go. The longer it burned the less they'd have to bury or hide. Dean forced himself to look away. Aware that he's still got dried blood caking his body.

Cas read his mind and after getting to the jeep, quietly pulled out a couple of water jugs. Without saying a word, Cas helped bathe Dean with a rag and the water, cleaning every spot so that Dean didn't wake up with the reminder of what happened on his skin. It will probably be burned into his memories and soul for a very long time, but for now, Castiel didn't want Dean to think about it. Cas washed his own hands off as well, flaking off the bits of cast plaster that had some blood stains on it from the cleaning. Dean frowned at the cast and a tear fell down his cheek.

"I'm so sorry." he choked out a hoarse whisper. "Sorry. So sorry." hugging him tightly.

"I'm not." Castiel said and kissed Dean's cheek. "I'm not sorry you saved our lives. Over and over again." He kissed Dean's other cheek. "You've been injured far worse then this. By all of those evil bastards..." Cas looked away and said quietly, "And me."

Dean froze and gaped at him. "No! No no, just, no." and pulled him back in, hand on the back of Cas's head to make them look into each others eyes. "Ok. Let's just, uh. Start over. Whatever bad thing happened in the past, is forgiven, forgotten. That sound good to you?"

Cas squinted at Dean but eventually nodded. "Deal. But this also means that you have to forgive yourself."

Dean balked a little but the stern look from his Mate shut his mouth. "Ok, I'll try." he said, looking anywhere but Cas.

Castiel knew it was as good as he was going to get that night and nodded. Dean was really shivering now, skin damp and the night winds were picking up a little. The trees swaying in the moon light, casting shadows everywhere and sending tiny currents of air rushing by them.

"Cold as balls out here. Let's get to bed." Dean said as if it were his idea the whole time and quietly pulled the back hatch open. Wings unfolding and folding again as he tried not to move the jeep with his crawling form. He knew how loud he could get with Sam sleeping in the front seat like that. His little brother had different sleep patterns based on what happened the day before. Now, Dean knew this was the kind of Sam-sleep that meant he could be moderately loud but can't jostle him too much. If it were a normal night a year ago, Sam could wake up wielding a knife or gun, depending on what they'd been hunting in that town. Right now, Sam will probably sleep till noon or later if they let him. And Dean is determined for that to happen. His little brother deserves it and more.

Once Dean got the seat set down and blankets adjusted, Cas eased into the rear of the jeep after him, closing the hatch behind himself and sealing them inside for the night. After some shuffling, they found that Dean couldn't possibly be the little spoon so Cas took up that position. They used Cas's trench coat as a pillow and Dean's right wing as a blanket over them both. Cas insisting on using the second blanket over Dean's wings, ignoring his silent protest that that's what his wings are meant for.

Cas whisper-scolded, "They are a part of your body and deserve warmth too." shuffling around until he could get the blanket to cover as much of Dean's huge wings as possible. Dean finally helping him out using his toes to tuck himself up under wing and blanket.

"Happy?" Dean mock grumbled, a kiss just on the horizon for Cas's care and attention.

"Almost." Cas stated gravely and wiggled his rear end into Dean's front and pulled Dean's arm in front of himself, hugging it to his chest. "That's better. Night, Dean."

Dean huffed a quick affectionate chuckle and kissed the back of Cas's head. "Night, Babe."

They were asleep before they knew it. Comfortable and at peace laying there, scrunched up in the back hold of a jeep. Legs entwined and tail slipping in as well for warmth. For tonight, all was as well as it could be.

The morning had other plans.

The jeep's door flew open with a panicking Ellen in the entrance. The former Drauglin, Scientist, and Moose in the jeep all shot up from their dead sleep with fists, wings, and cast raised in defense and offense. "They're gone!"

The three in the jeep squinted at her. The sun rising behind her made her look like an angel descending from heaven to yell at them. "They're just gone! They vanished!"

Dean's rough voice spoke up first, "Who? Who's 'gone'."

"The dragons!"

They willed their eyes to focus on the campsite behind her so she backed up, showing that there was indeed, a lack of Drauglin's in the area. Dean frowned looking back to Ellen. "They didn't vanish."

"They did! There's no sign of either of them!" She started to pace, behind her, Dean could see Bobby and Rufus stretching out after leaving the tent. Not looking the slightest worried. Dean relaxed a bit from that and flopped onto his side again, pulling Cas down with him. Sam gave a tired chuckle.

"So glad you're finding this amusing!" Ellen snapped, pushing Cas aside just enough to pull out her supply bag. Dean's teasing look darkening on her behalf when she pulled out a gun and started to reload it from last nights' excitement.

Dean composed himself and said calmly. "They're hunting down breakfast. It's not a problem."

"How the hell do you know?"

"Because I know Dane. He wouldn't ditch us." Dean sat up again, rubbing his eyes and yawning. "I bet you twenty bucks that they're gonna come back to camp with some kind of predator for breakfast. Unless they can't find one, then it'll be a deer, a big ass buck or two. Those are easy enough to find just about anywhere." Dean frowned a little but knew his Drauglin half pretty well. They would want to give the humans something grand for a thank you gift. Deer is what you eat on a random Wednesday, cougar or bear is for special occasions. They generally tended not to go after the more rare animals, or ones just too small to catch for them, like rabbits and foxes. Being the forest caretakers means keeping the balance. And forests need their predators just as much as they need strong prey. When the predators are gone, the prey get abundant and then weak.

Dean found himself sniffing at the morning air, looking into the distance. He saw the tension slowly leave Ellen, glad that since Bobby and Rufus also looked nonplussed at the absence, that she'll feel more at ease. "They're harmless." he reassured around another yawn and found Cas was already sleeping again. Sam was in the front, checking his phone for something before he too settled back down in a more comfortable position. Dean added, "Don't freak out if they set it on fire once they get back here. They like to cook the meals themselves. They're most likely having some family time."

Ellen let out a deep breath and stopped pacing. Looking back at the tent where her daughter was still sleeping heavily and that British guy was just now stirring. Nature calling probably. Even though Ellen and Jo had been helping them for months now, she still felt like she was just joining the party. Wanting to do more then stand around, she joined up with the other Hunters and helped make a more human-centric breakfast. Nothing against getting meals for free from their dragon friends, it's just, she's not sure she could stomach eating a mountain lion steak for breakfast. At least, not by itself. She thought about it, and decided that she didn't want to come off as ungrateful for the dragon's gift. Half suspecting that it would only hurt feelings, and break nothing more, of her person, she'd rather just accept it for what it is. Which is whatever they intend it as. Be it, simply providing breakfast, showing off their hunting skills, giving a gift, practice for Cricket to get back into hunting for herself after months imprisoned, or what. It wasn't worth the risk of not eating the meat and seeing how they react.

Thankfully, it was more then one very old bear, there were two bucks. Just like Dean said. Dean, who now had twenty bucks to his name. Ellen had venison before and thanked the big members of their group repeatedly for the meal. Dane looked proud, and Cricket looked even more proud of her boy hunting and taking them down. They had to travel a ways away for the bear, but it was worth it to hear the congratulations and praise from all of their human friends. There was a proper pack of humans at this point. They felt alright leaving them alone while they got breakfast.

Once Dane and Cricket settled down, Dean hid a grin when he heard his big boy tell his mom what everyone's name was and what they do. Dean was glad that Dane retained so much from their time together, and that Cricket and he were doing so well after reuniting. They'd been gone till about noon, presumably talking about this that and everything. Which Dean was very happy to hear. Not only for the bonding, but also the fact that he could still hear them, understand Dane and Cricket. He'll have to have a chat with Missouri soon enough, talking about what happened since she last walked on two legs. And, what it must be like for her to basically come back from the dead. At the moment, Missouri seems content to chat with Meg and it looked like they'll be friends for a good long while.

Still, he couldn't help getting up from his spot next to Cas on the Impala's hood and sitting close to the beautiful black lady who was now swimming in some of Ellen's spare clothes, Ellen was by no means big, but Missouri was starving thin when she was changed.

"Hey Mom. What's going on? Gotta put some meat on your bones! Introduce you to the good stuff. Burgers and Pie." He clearly looked just a few years younger then her, but the fondness in his voice eased the shock of being called "Mom," by a ridiculously tall freckled white man that meant it.

"Dean? I'm uh, I am doing quite well, thank you." and grinned a little. "I remember you, but everythin' is a little, hazy? You'll have'ta forgive me, Child."

Dean's grin got wider. The moniker coming so easily to her lips, made him feel loved. He decided to keep calling her Mom until she told him not to. (That still hasn't happened yet, and Sam joined in soon after.) "It's alright, Mom." he said and scooted a little closer to her, wrapping a wing around her back and enjoying the startled sound she made at the feel of his wing fingers hugging her side. Meg batted them away like it was a normal everyday occurrence. Dean awkwardly angled his wing out to ruffle Meg's curly black hair and yelped when she pinched the thin membrane too hard. "Mooo-ooom, did you see what she did?"

Missouri laughed openly and shoved at Dean's side. "Don't go teasing her, Child!" she tried and failed to put on a reprimanding face, "Keep it up and I'll slap the freckles offa you!"

Dean gawped and laughed so hard he nearly fell off of his seat. Wings flailing and knocking into shit behind him.

"Can't take you anywhere's." she added, a mirthful look in her eyes.

Once Dean got his balance back, forgetting how to stand with such huge appendages slapped onto his back, he leant down and kissed her forehead. "I'll behave."

She patted the side of his cheek and felt joy well inside her. She always wanted to have kids with James. After remembering what had happened, she was afraid she'd never get the chance again. Unable to even think of lovin' someone so deeply as her James. But it seems as though fate decided to give her a boy all the same. She was told that Dean's first mother died when he was just 4 years old, being forced to even help raise his younger brother who was just 6 months old. No child should have to grow up without their parents. From what she understood, is that their father was never around, they moved often and had no family ties besides each other. She looked over to the man that Meg named, Bobby singer, and knew that he was trying his best to fill in the role the brothers so clearly needed.

Missouri made up her mind, then and there, to look after them if they needed it. And even when they say they don't. Because intended or not, she feels connected to Dean and therefore to his brother. They can help each other out. Missouri didn't want to dwell on the fact that if she had relatives, that they'd all think she was dead or had forgotten about her. Thinking that she and James simply made it to Canada when they were escaping the draft and racist bigots that saw their love as a thing to despise. It's love. It shouldn't matter that James was white and she was black. They loved each other for years. Grew up in the same town, laughed and cried and lived together.

She wiped her face, finding her fingers coming back wet when she thought about how she wanted them to die together as well. But Cricket wanted to live, and forced those wings to open during her free fall off of that cliff all those years ago. She didn't realize how it was back then. That their merging was so deep it was seamless. Cricket loved her Kazz and Missouri loved her James. And the ache would always be there.

She startled when she felt arms around her, gripping the hand in front and following it up to the tearful gaze. Dean, her son, could feel her emotions as sure as his own and knew the pain she must be going through. "I'll be alright." she assured, patting his arm, wiping away some tears, "I've got my family." she said and reached over and patted Meg on her arm as well. Remembering Cricket adopting her as well. Her gaze swept around the campfire, most everyone was looking at her with concern and love, silent but also supportive. "I've got a big family."

"You do, Mom." Dean hugged tighter and let go, wiping off his face and clearing his throat. "Bigger then most." Dean shook his limbs out from the feels parade, and gestured wryly at Dane to force focus on someone else. "Especially with Fat ass over there."

'Watch it, Dean.' Dane chirped. His long tail snaked along the ground and tried to sweep Dean off of his feet but Dean was ready for it and launched into the air for a second of flight before landing on his hands and knees clumsily. Surprising himself that he could fly even though it should be obvious to anyone with eyes. With the size of his wings, perfectly proportioned to his body, he should have no problem flying, or even carrying a passenger. They were big. The take off and landing would simply need some work.

Bobby threw a small bone at Dean and then one at Dane. "Knock it off you two or you're walking home."

Both of them stuck forked tongues out at Bobby who's glare didn't last long. "Idjits."

After the late breakfast, everyone just sat around the fire and chatted. Grateful for the calmer day. Dane and Cricket went out for their own lunch and supper, still wiped out and empty feeling from having an entire person magically ripped from their bodies and minds. The very catalyst for their own Drauglin bodies to form in the first place. It was quiet in their own heads, the background hum of an active mind that was not their own was now silent. Neither one of them knew what it was like until it just was. It would take more then a single night to get used to it.

They'll need time to get back to full steam and basically the breakfast they brought back for everyone didn't really cut it. Dane invited Dean to join them, test out his 'chicken wings' but Dean declined. He wanted to spend time with Cas, 'alone'. And Dane didn't ask for clarification, just made a gagging noise before turning tail and running into the woods.

Ellen still didn't like the two Drauglin's out and about just because there's so many people that would want to punish or even kill them for all that's happened. She never voiced her opinions, but felt that she wasn't alone, worrying about them. But, like they'd proven time and time again. There wasn't much that could take on a Drauglin without some serious firepower involved. And the few that had that firepower are currently either running or in hiding. Neither one a threat. Now they just had to get Azazel and Alistair out of the picture. Azazel still had loyal henchmen and Meg's brother. Alistair was a master torturer. In the hearts and minds of everyone there, both need to die for their crimes.

But first, they need to get the Drauglin's somewhere safe. They are right now, but the peace wont last. Soon they'll need to find a permanent sanctuary. The island.

Now that Dean's cut off from the Drauglin's mind, more or less, he only has a vague idea where the island is now. But he knows if it's still there, it's the best place for them. Something tells him that an ancient mating ground like that for dragons wont be let go without a fight. Dean was curious what it looked like in person as well. Wondering if the other Drauglin's would take one look at him and label him an abomination just like the rest of humanity would. Not belonging anywhere now. It hurt to think about. All of this, all of the planning and spells and running and fighting... only to be ruined by Gordon fucking Walker. Who would have died anyway even if the asshole had succeeded in turning back into a human. There was literally no rhyme or reason for it.

Dean refuses to admit that right now, he might actually know what Walker was thinking. To die as a human was better then dying as a monster.

Dean thrust a hand through his short spiked hair. Frustrated in himself for sympathizing with that murderer. Having any empathy at all. "I'm taking a walk." He announced curtly to no one in particular and got up and started walking. Cas scrambling to his feet and following after. He got a sideways glare but turned his head the other way, in a neutral way. Keeping pace with Dean's powerful strides, like this is simply how they go for walks together. Dean knew he wasn't going to run away from his Mate. Not when they're already getting deeper into the uncharted woods. Anything could happen to him here. So Dean slowed his pace a little while climbing a slight rise in the earth, and then staying at the new easy pace for Cas's benefit without making it look like he was taking it easy.

Cas stayed silent, trying not to breath too harshly due to his bruised ribs and broken arm throwing off his balance. It seems as though Dean was having some difficulty as well with his wings constantly shifting about behind him. The horns adding a slight weight to his head and making his head dizzy trying to compensate for the unexpected mass to a human head. They were by no means huge horns, roughly three inches long past the bump, but still, added weight. The coat that Sam gave up for Dean had fresh slits up the back to accommodate the wings and were safety pinned back together at the base to keep it from flapping about. Cas studied Dean's back, posture, mannerisms. Recognizing many of them from his larger body, adapting for this different one. Cas was pleased to note that Dean did indeed have bow-legs and his tail was content to wave between his legs lazily until he had a strong emotion to convey.

Dean slowed way down, and Cas hesitated before coming up alongside him. For a little while, he was just following the trail that Dean and his wings made in the brush, but now they were entering an area of forest where there were more grasses and wildflowers. Dean turned his head slightly to the side and held his hand out a little from his waist, fingers twitching and open. Dean looked like he was nervous, glancing around again and making a fist before opening his hands again quickly, like he wasn't sure if he should be doing this. Fearing rejection. Thinking Castiel didn't want to...

Cas made a quiet, "oh!" sound which made Dean flinch then blush and hold back his amusement as Cas strode forward those two steps to firmly lace his fingers with Dean's. Cas squeezed Dean's hand while looking forward, just like Dean and after a few seconds, Dean squeezed back. A soft sigh leaving his lips as his eyes closed a little.

Cas smiled and pulled Dean forward into the wildflowers, leading Dean to the thicker patches and feeling so romantic he could write a book. 'How to woo your dragon.'

Dean chuckled, "Not a bad title."

Cas blanched. "I.. I didn't..."

"Yeah, that was out loud." Dean squeezed Cas's hand and brought it up to plant a quick peck on his fingers. "Don't worry, Babe. I can't read your thoughts. And what feelings I'm getting are pretty damned muted now. Still better then I could detect back when I was human."

Cas searched for the right thing to say but Dean didn't look like he cared about his own condition. Like he was just making a statement. Referring to his time as a human in past tense like one would their high school years. Something that happened, was memorable, but firmly set in the past.

"Quit brooding. We're being romantic." Dean used their joined hands to nudge at Cas's side. The wing closest stretching out and hugging Cas's other side to make them walk closer. "That's better. Like sharing a blanket."

Cas sighed out his worry and hummed into Dean's warmth. "At least you're warm again."

"Yeah. That's a perk. We would have to spend a fortune on heating pads if I wasn't." Dean joked and they ambled over to a dip in the field, following it for a little while back into the thicker woods. Dean wasn't sure if Cas had been intending on laying in those flowers he had led them to, but felt like there was enough sap in the woods as it is. "Hope you were paying attention to where we were going..." Dean trailed off, looking behind them for a few seconds before shrugging. "Dane will find us."

"Assbutt." Castiel remarked casually.

They walked for at least another hour and indeed, Dane did find them, but it was by total accident. He was following a herd of deer into the area and the two lovers scared them into running. But instead of from, the herd was running towards them. Dane nearly pouncing on the two in his thundering chase. They dove for the ground and Dane crashed into a few trees trying to stop and process what just happened because to his eye, two deer turned into a human and a baby Drauglin.

'Dammit, Dean?!' Dane half roared once he got back to his feet. Dean was laying half on top of Cas, wings splayed out and protective. Once Dane saw the stance the two tiny figures were making he softened instantly. 'You guys ok?' and crept closer, jerking his head up to track Cricket who had taken over the chase. She didn't ask why he stopped, she probably didn't know.

Dane lowered his head closer and sniffed them out. 'I didn't hurt you guys did I?'

"We're fine. Sorry bout that, Danny." Dean got to his feet, wings splaying and folding as he tried to get the leverage needed to just stand back up again with their added weight. Finally he just flapped them downward to give his torso the thrust upwards and pulled Cas into a stand in the same move. Feet splaying a little to stay standing and giving a thumbs up to Dane. Dean quirked an eyebrow up as Dane continued to check them over. "Stop with the mother henning. We're fine. Go grab your lunch." His hands pushing at the lower part of the inquisitive mouth that was bigger then his whole body.

Dane snorted at them but gingerly walked around the two on the ground to join up with Cricket. Dean was impressed with how silent they could be. Unable to hear them until they were right freakin there. Soon after they heard sounds of tree branches breaking when they went in for the kill.

"Well... there goes that. Nothing like a walk in the woods to the sounds of deer screaming in the distance."

Cas grimaced as well. "Let's get back."

"Right." Dean grabbed at Cas's hand and pushed their fingers together again. Only after a few seconds asking if it was alright with his eyes. Cas leaned into him a little more as an answer and once again Dean wrapped them up in his wings.

Even that interruption couldn't stop their good feelings. The buzz from being close like this. Neither one leading, but both knowing how to get back by following the trampled ground their large family made in the woods. They followed the hunt in reverse, the path going straight for awhile till it started to split. Mother and son taking on the herd at different angles. Corralling them. Dean identified Dane's footprints and they followed those as they meandered around, scuffing up the trees where his limbs couldn't slip by easily. They finally made it back to the site to the relieved sounds of their family and friends.

"You idjits wanna explain why you left without a cell phone?"

Dean felt like being cocky, "It's not curfew yet, Dad. Street lights aren't on yet."

Bobby went a little red in the face and was calmed down by Ellen's hand on his shoulder. "You boys eat?"

"Not yet, starving." Dean said and headed for the Impala's hood which is doubling as a table, holding up whatever was perishable in their cooler. Dean spotted the pie immediately and hesitated, hand hovering over the plastic fork used for serving.

"Can't you eat regular food now?"

Dean frowned, hand falling a little. "I don't know. This morning I had some of the meat they caught for us, and a bottled water. Didn't know what I could stomach. Didn't want to risk throwing up before noon. A record I intend on keeping." He looked at Sammy with a smug grin, the kid was a lightweight and got hangovers almost before he was done drinking. But now... Dean looked thoughtful and the others noticed his dilemma, a little sad to see that it's there at all. By all rights he should have been 100% Grade A human by now. That's why Bobby had been saving that pie for him. Now, Bobby was across the way, cursing himself out for rubbing it in his boy's face if Dean wasn't able to eat it.

"Screw it." Dean firmed his jaw, taking a hefty portion of the apple pie and looking around, belatedly realizing that someone else might not get a slice.

Balthazar could easily read Dean's features and said loudly, "We all had the lemon and banana creme ones before you got here. Couldn't wait all day for you, Darling. They were getting warm."

Dean took him at his word and pushed the pie to the side of his plate to make room for more food. Loading up on the things that would go bad if left un-refrigerated. The old green Coleman cooler was off to the side, holding the melted ice water for anyone that wanted it. Dean dipped a cup in it, grateful for the refreshing drink as he balanced his heavy plate of food and drink on over to sit next to Sam and Balth, shoving it in Sam's lap while he gets his wings sorted enough to sit on one of the fallen trees from last nights battle that they were all using as a bench.

"Never get used to these." he grumbled, fanning the wings and tucking them in again. Wing wrists moving in out, to the left right then outwards from each other like literal spread eagle. "So damned long." and bent the fingers of the wings to form bowls behind himself. He'll deal with them later. Determined to figure it out so he can drive the Impala back home.

Balth scooted over to let Cas sit on his other side and everyone got back to eating. Surreptitiously glancing at Dean now and then. Worried that he's going to get sick with all of the regular food on his plate.

Dean mumbled, getting a hefty forkful of the apple filling and crust, weighing it in his fingers, letting the excess fall back to the plate instead of smear on his face. "Here goes nothing." And shoved it into his mouth filling it up completely and making it hard for his mouth to close all the way, lips struggling to seal, forming an 'o' as best they could. He swallowed a bit and moaned sinfully at the taste. "Owhmaygawed." eyes rolling and breathing out of his nose. Mouth too full to chew properly. Mmm-ing at the tastes and swallowing part of it at a time. Savoring every single morsel. Finally, but before he finished it, he had enough space in his mouth to talk, albeit with puffed out cheeks. "SoofumbkingoobSabby."

"You're welcome." Sam said with a pleased smirk on his face. "I speak squirrel." he informed Balth on Dean's other side.

"Moofse. Youbshoubgeduhpeffse,Sabby. Moofses eadds..." swallow a bit, "Apples." Dean snorted, nearly loosing a chunk of pie but a hand to his mouth kept the precious pastry in. He mmmed once again and swallowed the rest with grandiosity. Holding a hand to his stomach and waiting. Everyone's eyes locked onto him when he realized he was the main attraction again and shrugged. "Feel fine. Thank God!" and dove into the next forkful of cinnamon and apple heaven. A collective sigh of relief from the group as they returned to their meals. At least he could have that again.

The night went on and the Drauglin's once again returned, full and tired. This time taking up positions on either side of their makeshift camp to sleep. Sentinels.

Jo spoke up to those around her, but in the silence, her voice carried to the rest. "So this is it? We eat drink and be merry? We're done?"

Bobby sat more upright, he'd been leaning against the jeep next to Rufus and Ellen who looked at each other. "We aren't done, but you ladies can be." And grinned a little. "We appreciate all the help you've given us, but there's not much more that's gotta be done. We are gonna wait till morning and follow them," He pointed to Dane then Cricket, "To the -" he paused for a second, changing what he was going to say with, "The place where Cricket was born. Some woods that were part of protected wildlife. She doesn't know what the current name for it is, but knows the way there. We'll make sure they get there safe and sound, or as close as they'll let us get."

Rufus frowned a little but didn't comment that that wasn't the plan at all. The Drauglin's were going to their nesting island and there was no chance at all that humans would be allowed anywhere near it. Killed on sight or changed into one of them. Dean might have a chance, lookin' the way he does, but the rest? It would be the end of them. But Bobby was probably right, the fewer hunters know about the island the better. Ellen and Jo didn't need to know because their roll in this mess is done. They'd worked hard for so long and deserve to get out while they still can.

Rufus had an idea and said, "And if you don't mind, please give Meg and Missouri a lift back home? I'm sure they don't want to be witness to the things we're going to do to the man keeping her brother hostage." He murmured that last part. Meg was still off to the other side close to the brothers, explaining the processed food to Missouri.

Bobby nodded, fixing the brim on his hat. "Yep. We'll get'r brother back, if Azazel hasn't already let him go."

"There's something we didn't consider." Rufus growled. "What's the demon gonna do when he realizes that he can't get a pet dragon anymore?"

Eyes cast downward in thought and dread. All they could hope for is that Azazel keeps to his old habits. He hadn't killed or purposefully changed a human before, just dealt with monsters. They could kind of see how he'd bend his rules for a rare dragon, but now? It was anyone's guess. But one thing was for sure. They could NOT have the Drauglin's in tow when they confront Azazel. They had to be safe at the island, far away from them so there wasn't a chance in the world that he could get his hands on either one of them.

Meg startled Rufus when she laid a hand on his elbow, coming up from behind the jeep. "I understand." she murmured, sighing heavily as if this was just one more blow to bear. "But. I don't like it." Jaw firming. "Crowley is my brother and... and if that bastard hurt him.." Fists forming, tears prickling her eyes before falling. She shot her gaze over to Cricket, sleeping soundly, curled around one whole quarter of the site. "But I get it. She's gotta be long gone." Her hand came up to Rufus's elbow again and gripped it tightly. "Don't let him get away with this. Any of it." more tears but from rage.

Bobby came to her side, hands on her shoulders. "He wont. Trust me."

Meg nodded. Satisfied that she saw the same kind of fury in the old Hunter's eyes for Dean getting hurt. Tortured. Manipulated, and mind fucked. Meg knew Azazel will die and she took comfort in that. She only hoped that they'd be able to find Alistair as well. He was a rogue worker. A ghost. They'll just have to beat the location of the grand torturer from Azazel before they kill him for good.

Part of her was upset with the bloodthirsty thoughts, but so long as he had her family, they were the enemy. She'd seen first hand the evidence that damned their souls. They weren't worth saving. Bobby saw something in her expression and said with some concern. "Revenge... is a tricky thing. It doesn't stop. That's why we are handling it. I don't want you goin' down that path." he pulled her in for a hug, whispering, "We'll get the job done, you focus on healing. Take care of Missouri. She's lost and alone in this world. She could use a friend she knows. The rest of us? None of us had much time spent with her before or after the spell. She needs you. Can you help her find her legs?"

Meg wiped off her face, smearing the tear streaks with the grime that was there since yesterday. She hiccuped but then answered wetly, "Yeah. Yes." Nodding fervently to assure them and herself that it's going to be alright.

"Atta girl." Bobby pulled her in again and swayed a little as they hugged. The others getting scarce to give them a minute. "Now. I think Missouri needs someone to explain the game AP with the ticked off birds. She saw Balth playing it yesterday and he's shit at describing things."

Meg chuckled and nodded again. "On it." and straightened out her clothes as she found Missouri sitting by herself where Meg left her, close to Cricket but apart from the boys she didn't know. She pulled out her newly charged phone from the Impala and brought it over. "This is a game where you throw birds at pigs." Grinning at the confused expression on the woman's face. "Here, I'll show ya. It's stupid but fun."

Bobby found Ellen again, informing her that Meg and Missouri should be good to go. The fewer people, the better. The Impala is gonna get crowded real quick anyways. No doubt, Dean will not be dissuaded from driving, so that leaves one other in the front seat due to those boat sails on his back, it'll likely be Castiel. So that means that Sam, Rufus and Bobby will be stuck in the backseat. Bobby shook his head. If it's like that, those two love birds would crash with all of their heart eyes nonsense. "Tomorrow? I got shotgun." And aimed his sword cane at the gentlemen that were in the middle of another celebrity name game.

Dean was about to protest loudly but was silenced with a glare.

A hand went up to calm his oldest adopted brat. "Dean's driving, but I wanna get to where we're goin' in one piece. So you two Idjits," he aimed it at Cas and Dean respectfully, "Are gonna stay on other ends. Got it?"

"Yes, Sir." Dean mumbled, rolling his eyes. "Not like I don't know how to drive like a pro."

"Be thankful we're letting you drive. Could just as easily tell Dane to haul your ass." Bobby went obviously thoughtful, finger on his chin and looking up philosophically, "Makes sense, that. If we get pulled over, kinda hard to explain the extra appendages our driver has. Don't you agree, Rufus?"

Rufus made some loud sounds of agreement.

Dean shut up after that.

One chapter left! then the sequel! so much crack! Please leave comments and favorites :)