When The Past Comes Back To Bite You

by samflower

Dean Winchester left the hunting lifestyle behind after a mistake was made, resulting in the person he was closest to in the world getting hurt. He moved far away and decided to try out a new life as a college student. Two years later, he had moved on and found love. But even Dean knows the past always comes back to bite you-sometimes literally.

The television in the small dorm room buzzed with the morning news. 'The number of missing persons at the University of Kansas rises to eleven this morning, more on this at the hour.' Dean groaned, rolling over on his hard mattress. "Cas?" he called groggily, covering his head with the pillow. "Turn that shit off. That's all I've heard about all week." Dean rolled again, squashing his ears with the pillow his younger brother had sent to him when he learned that Dean was sleeping on a balled up blanket. It smelled like home and Dean swam in and out of consciousness. The television cut to commercial but the station never changed.

"Cas?" Dean groaned again. When he heard no response, he sat up, looking around. "Did you go to class already?" Dean threw the covers off of himself and threw his legs over the side of the bed. "Castiel?" No response. Dean groaned and threw himself back. If Castiel had already left for class, that meant Dean was running late. Very late. He sat back up and scanned the small dorm room. The door was locked and Castiel's things were strewn about inside, just as they always had been.

After rubbing at his tired eyes, Dean pushed himself to his feet and walked over to the only dresser in the cramped room. He pulled out an outfit and plopped himself back down on the bed. If he were late already, he may as well be really late. No point in rushing. Castiel had always been the one to shove Dean out of the dorm in the morning and get him to his classes early enough to ask the professors questions when he was struggling. He would never admit it, but he always did appreciate that. Dean had let the television become background noise as he pulled his clothes on and shoved his textbooks into his cramped backpack. The whoosh of the breaking news sound caught his attention. 'We interrupt this commercial with breaking news! Eight of the eleven missing persons from the University of Kansas have been found deceased late last night in a mass grave a few miles from the campus. It appears that the bodies have been drained of blood and several have been decapitated. The names of the deceased have not yet been released. We will continue covering this story as new details are revealed.'

That had caught Dean's attention. Eight bodies, drained of blood and several decapitated. A lump welled in his throat. He didn't like Castiel being alone without him there to protect him and, afterall, Dean had seen this kind of thing before. More than he had ever been willing to admit after he left the lifestyle behind two years prior. He knew he would always be surrounded by 'freak accidents' and 'unexplained events', such was the way of life. However, this in particular was a bit too close to home for Dean. Dean pressed a hand to his head as the memory of home, his little brother, and his father rose up in his mind.

The college had told the students to stay in doors and travel in pairs after the first three students went missing. They had listened for the most part but then students began to disappear in pairs. Dean had written the events off as everyday things, a serial killer on the loose, designer drugs, or even just the college experience; but there was a voice in the back of his mind that told him he knew better. It had screamed at Dean for the last week and Dean had pushed it farther and farther back, telling himself it wasn't possible–he knew it was possible. Anything was.

There was talk of closing the school doors until the case had been solved but a decision hadn't been made yet. Dean shook his head, ridding himself of the heaviness that the television had brought upon him. Dean grabbed his phone, glancing at the time. Seven forty-two in the morning. His nor Castiel's classes had started yet, nor would they for another hour. Dean's heart began to beat a bit faster and he hurriedly dialed his boyfriend's number. It rang once, then twice, then a third time. Dean's chest felt tight and just as he was about to hang up and begin his panic spiral, a familiar voice answered the phone. "Hello, Dean." Dean sighed, relieved from the sound. "I stepped out to get us coffee, I figured you'd need it after last night." Dean grinned at that, his worry dissipating. He leaned back against the rail of the bunk bed, the top one having been used for an extremely short time before Cas decided to shove himself against Dean every night.

"I got worried when you weren't here this mornin'," Dean said, groggily. There was a brief silence on the other end and Castiel cleared his throat.

"You were worried about me?"

Dean rolled his eyes and sighed, a smile tipping up the corners of his lips. "Of course I was, sweetheart," he drew out the words, knowing it would drive his geeky lover insane.

"I'll be home soon and we can put all those worries to rest." Castiel's voice had dropped an octave and Dean was a bit taken back by the flirting, Castiel wasn't usually the type. He had come into his own with Dean over the last few months of their relationship, though, and Dean was happy about that.

They exchanged their goodbyes and Dean worked on getting himself ready for the day. He doubted that after the morning's news that he would even have classes to attend so he took his time pulling his boots on and lacing them up. He grabbed his back before he walked into the common area. Dean and Castiel's room had been connected to a common area containing a kitchen and a small living area. Connected to the common area was three more dorm rooms. One dorm room housed the two redheaded best friends whose less than friendly faces greeted him as he stepped into the living room.

"Mornin'," he said.

Rowena, the eldest of the two girls, glowered at him. She had one hand on her head, the other was holding a cup of coffee. She looked like hell. "Winchester," she said snidely. Rowena had never been the biggest fan of Dean and Castiel but her girlfriend, the ever so chipper and not at all hungover, Charlie, was Dean's best friend. Dean didn't pay much mind to Rowena. Over the last year and a half of being her dorm-mate, he had grown fond of her snide entitled attitude.

"Good morning, Dean! Do you want any breakfast? I'm making pancakes," Charlie said in the chipper voice that only came from someone too hyped up on energy drinks to sleep. Dean shook his head, giving his thanks and took a seat on the couch next to Rowena.

Garth, the scrawny nerdy occupant of the third dorm room was curled up on the opposite loveseat. His nose was buried deep in a text book and he hardly lifted his head to greet Dean. "Morning," he said quickly. Dean chuckled a bit and relaxed back on the couch.

Dean sat, watching the muted television broadcast the morning news for a long uninterrupted moment before he noticed Rowena eyeing him out of the corner of his eye. He glanced at her, a bit startled and wondered how long she had been glaring at him. "You seen my brother?" She demanded.

Dean was taken back by the question. Fergus, as Rowena called him–he was Crowley to everyone else–had never been the one to show up very often. He was Garth's roommate and, even though Garth would never admit it, he was glad Crowley stayed away. Crowley had a lot of 'intimate relations' with sorority girls that Garth rather not get involved with. Or rather, that Garth rather not be privy to if Crowley were to bring them back to the dorm instead. Dean gave her a confused look.

"How would I know–" Dean began.

"Don't be daft. He was at the party you and Castiel went to last night." Rowena said in a scolding tone. Crowley wasn't one to come around very much, Rowena knew this. So why had she been so worried about him?

Dean shook his head. "Cas and I never made it to the party last night. We were uh… busy." Dean said with a smirk and Rowena rolled her eyes. "You know he'll turn up eventually, Row. He's probably just on another bender–" Dean was cut off by the sound of the door crashing open. Dean whipped around, looking at his frantic lover in confusion.

"Turn the sound up!" Castiel rushed out as he all but ran over to the couch, thrusting the cup of coffee towards Dean. Rowena, suddenly sobered, scrambled for the remote. She clicked the button to unmute the television and everyone in the room perked up, interested in whatever it was Castiel had wanted them to see.

'-names of the deceased have been released this morning. Among the deceased are Reba Baker, Allison Hendrickson, Jacob Jameson…' Dean's eyes were wide as he turned towards Castiel but Castiel's eyes and ears were glued to the television. Dean's heart began to pound in his ears and he turned back just as the broadcaster got to the end of the list. 'One member of the deceased includes a Fergus Crowley, 22 year old Religious Studies student, who had not been reported missing by family or friends. We will continue to cover this story as more details are released. The families have been notified.' The anchor segwayed to a commercial.

Everyone in the room's breath hitched and they turned towards Rowena. Pain and confusion had etched across her features. No one in the room dared to make a move, going as far as to hold their breath. After a long pause, Rowena's features unchanged, Charlie spoke. "Row?" She questioned quietly, taking a few short steps towards her lover.

Rowena seemed to snap out of her haze, turning towards the sound. "Fergus?" Her voice broke and she began to shake. Castiel and Dean shared fearful looks and Garth closed his textbook, placing it on the coffee table between him and the other members of the dorm. As soon as Charlie's arms snaked around her girlfriend, a loud screaming sob ripped from the older redhead. Dean's heart shattered inside of his chest, the pain that was radiating through the room overwhelming him. Castiel took Dean's hand and squeezed it tight.

The two men shared pained looks and Dean decided then that maybe this was the exception to his rule. Maybe this was the time to call. Maybe it was time to go back to the thing he swore he'd never return to. Dean squeezed Castiel's hand back before pulling away from his lover, turning and walking into their private room. He shut and locked the door behind him.

Dean's hands shook as he fished his cell phone from his back pocket. His fingers hesitating on each button before he pressed it. He brought the phone to his ear and his breath hitched in his throat as the first ring came across the line. His heart began to pound in his chest and a bead of sweat traveled from his browline to his cheek. The ringing stopped and a shuffle sounded on the other side. "Dean?" An all too familiar voice rasped on the other side.

"Dad." Dean stated, his voice barely above a whisper. There was a long pause on the other line and he heard his father let out a long sigh.

"You got a case, don't ya?" The eldest Winchester asked.

"Yeah. Eleven–or, uh… twelve–missing on campus. Eight found dead, several decapitated, blood drained from all of their bodies." Dean recounted the events of the morning to his father. The voice on the other line cleared their throat and hummed in acknowledgement.

"Sounds like you've got a vamp nest on your hands, huh?" He said with a light chuckle. "You know how to take care of this son. You did it just before you left." Tears welled in Dean's eyes but he didn't dare let his father hear him break down.

"Dad… I can't. I can't do this. I need you and Sammy."

"You mean you need us to clean this up?" His father asked.

Dean took a long pause. "Yes."

There was another long pause. The static hum of the receiver made Dean's stomach flip. "Where are you, Dean?" Dean squeezed his fist shut and grabbed the phone tight in his hand, covering the microphone. The side of his fist slammed into the door twice, causing it to rattle within its frame. He heard his father repeat his name, his thumb muffling the sound.

"University of Kansas," Dean said through gritted teeth. His father scoffed and Dean's head fell, his back pressing firmly into the door.

"We'll be there tonight. Find out what you can." His father said before the line disconnected. The hand that held Dean's phone dropped to his side and he slid down the door, burying his face in his hands. A silent sob tore through his body. Dean sat there for what felt like an eternity before the door knob behind him rattled, announcing someone's attempted entrance.

"Hold on," Dean choked out before climbing to his feet. He unlocked the door and moved out of the way as it pushed open. Castiel pushed himself into the room, a confused and irritated look on his face.

"Dean, I know we're all upset right now but I think we should be out there to comfort Rowena–" Castiel began in a scolding tone. He cut himself off, concern flooding his features and tone. "Dean, what's going on?" Castiel reached forwards towards his lover, wrapping him in his strong embrace.

Dean decided then that it was time to tell Castiel the truth. He was going to find out eventually anyway, there's no way Dean could see himself keeping this secret from Castiel for the rest of their lives–and Dean wanted to spend the rest of his life with the man. It had already eaten Dean up, keeping the true nature of his past from his lover for so long.

"We need to talk. I need you to listen to me, believe me." Dean said as he buried himself into Castiel's shoulder. Castiel held Dean like that for a long moment, processing what Dean had said. He led Dean over to their bed. He took a seat and patted the spot next to him. Dean sat, opening and shutting his mouth a few times before he groaned, dragging his hands down his wet face.

"What is it, Dean? Talk to me. You can tell me anything. I will believe anything you say to me." Castiel professed. Dean doubted that. He had people in the past see what goes on in the dark first hand and still not believe him when he told them everything they needed to know–including what Dean used to be. Dean shook his head and then let out a breathy laugh.

"I don't think you will, but here it goes anyway." Dean began, dropping his hands to his lap. He could hardly look his lover in the face as he spoke. "You know I came here two years ago. You know I have a brother and a father whose family business I worked in." Dean paused, taking a look at Castiel to see if he was following.

"Yes. You told me it was a hunting business." Castiel said.

"It was. But we didn't hunt animals…" Dean's voice caught in his throat and he tipped his head back, taking a long breath. "We hunted monsters." Castiel sat silent for a long moment and Dean watched as his face changed from one emotion to the next before landing back on irritation.

"Dean, I don't have the energy for this." Castiel scoffed and tried to stand up but Dean caught his hand and gave him a pleading look, shaking his head.

"Just listen, Cas, please." Castiel sighed and sat back down. "Before I left, I dated this man. He's the only man I've ever been with, besides you. We were together throughout highschool but my family, we traveled a lot. We're hunters, Cas. Every bad thing you could ever imagine, it's all real. It's all out there somewhere. Ghosts, skinwalkers, werewolves, fae, demons… vampires. It's all real. I wish there was some way I could prove it to you, but right now, I just need you to trust me."

Castiel didn't respond, but sat listening. Dean decided that was enough to continue. Dean's voice shook as he spoke. "Benny was human. I would have never dated him otherwise. Towards senior year, Sammy, our dad, and I returned from a long trip. We had been gone for months but dad decided we should go back when there were reports of decapitated, bloodless bodies popping up all over the county. When we got back, Benny was acting weird. It took me a while to notice because I was so busy with school and the case but he was dodging my calls, ignoring me at school, doing anything he could to stay off my radar. So I decided to follow him one night…" Dean trailed off, making sure Castiel was still following.

Castiel nodded, seemingly invested in the story now, even if he didn't fully believe it. "Benny led me to this old house on the edge of town. I snuck in after him and I saw his sister and a few other people I didn't know. They were standing around a man who was tied up, taking turns… 'feeding' from him. I told my father and he slaughtered them all, except for Benny. Benny was human at the time until…" Dean's voice cracked and he looked down, the emotions of his past bubbling up inside of him. Dean's chest clenched and tears rolled down his cheeks. Castiel placed a hand on Dean's knee. He looked back up at his lover and attempted to read his face.

"Dean… You don't have to keep going. I know what this is about and it's okay–" Castiel whispered, attempting to comfort him.

Dean shook his head, angrily wiping the tears away with the back of his hand. "No. You don't. Until Benny's sister grabbed hold of him in the struggle. She forced her blood into his mouth. My dad killed her and he started to go for Benny but I stopped him. I let Benny get away. I let him escape. But the way Benny looked at me when he ran… the way he looked at me was so intense. Like he wanted to kill me and take me with him to spend the rest of our lives together all at the same time."

"So… you think there's a nest of vampires killing people at the college?"

Dean paused, trying to find a way to explain this to Castiel without seeming crazy than he already did. "I think… I think Benny is killing people at the college." Dean left out the part where he thought it was Benny because of Benny's intense jealous streak and the timing matched up, since Castiel and Dean had just recently announced their relationship publicly.

Castiel wasn't stupid. He knew how to read between the lines. "You think Benny is killing people here because you and I are together." Dean's eyes connected with Castiel's and he held the gaze silently for a long moment before nodding.

Dean cleared his throat and sat up a bit. "Dad and Sam are on their way. I need… I need to figure this out so they don't have to stay more than we need them for." Dean stood up and Castiel grabbed at his hand. Dean brushed him off.

"Dean!" Castiel said, attempting to garner Dean's attention. Dean ignored him, grabbing his jacket and heading for the door. "Dean, you can't be serious right now. This doesn't make any sense. Vampires, monster hunting–look," Castiel began and Dean turned towards him. "If you don't want to be with me, tell me. Don't blame it on some 'vampire' boyfriend from your past."

Dean felt anger bubble up inside of him. "Dammit, Cas! You think that's what this is about? That I don't want to be with you? I'm in love with you." Dean nearly yelled. The pair had never said that to each other before and Castiel looked stunned. Dean wasn't sure if it was from his yelling or from his confession.

When Castiel didn't answer Dean scoffed, grabbing his bookbag and throwing the door open. He stormed out into the now empty common area. Castiel called out to him, begging him to come back. Dean ignored him and headed out into the hall, slamming the door shut behind him. Dean heard his name being called as he left, ignoring the sound despite the heavy feeling in his chest.

Dean took the shortcut to the library. There was no one outside on the school grounds, it seemed everyone was too paranoid to leave their dorms–and rightfully so. Dean stepped into the library, the bell above the door chimed with his arrival. The librarian at the desk turned to face him, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

"They're closing the campus. You should go back to your dorm and pack your belongings." She said in a tired voice. She was an older woman who Dean had gotten familiar with due to Castiel dragging him to the library every Friday night for the last year to help him study.

"I just need to grab the paper from the last few days, if that's okay?" Dean asked, walking up to her desk. He leaned heavily on his forearms, a grib spreading across his face. She sighed, her own lips turning up into a small smile.

"Fine. They're over by the door. You can just take them, I was going to have to throw them in the recycling today anyway." Dean nodded his thanks at the older woman and grabbed the papers. "Head straight back to your dorm, you shouldn't be out walking alone, Winchester." Dean held up his hand to wave goodbye, pushing the door open once again and walking out into the cool spring air.

Dean's phone gave two sharp buzzes as he walked down the old library steps. He fished the phone out of his back pocket. Two messages appeared on the screen. Dean clicked the first one. It was from the college that he must have missed from a few minutes before. Dean's eyes scanned the message, it was a statement from the college saying there would be a meeting broadcasted on the school's website later that day to update students on the state of the college. The second text was from Castiel. It was a voice message. Dean pressed play and held the phone to his ear. Shuffling played on the other side along with a loud thud. He heard someone–who he assumed was Castiel–clear their throat. Then, the phone buzzed sharply in his hand. Dean pulled it away from his ear just as the screen shut down. His phone had died. Dean sighed and wrote it off as a butt-text, throwing his phone back in his jacket pocket.

Dean didn't head back to his dorm like the librarian requested he do. Vampires couldn't step foot in the sun, afterall. So, Dean was relatively safe as long as he headed back to the dorm before dark. Instead, he found a private nook between two campus buildings where the buildings stifled the wind and spread out his papers. He grabbed some items from his bag and set to work.

Time passed quickly once Dean got absorbed and before he knew it, a gray cast had taken over the darkening sky, muting the colors of the sunset and casting long shadows over Dean's work. He had nearly pinpointed the location of the nest from the disappearances alone and he knew it would be enough for his father and Sam to track down Benny's hideout. He took a breath of the now frigid spring air and rubbed at his arms. He barely noticed when a shadow loomed behind him. Dean stiffened and his hand crept towards his bag. "You don't needda do that, now, brother," drawed an all too familiar cajun accent.

Dean's skin pimpled and the hairs on the nape of his neck stood on end. "Benny." Dean stated as fact before he turned himself around to face the man. A deep laugh boomed, amused. Dean turned to face the man. He looked older, a bit more gruff than he had before. His eyes were red and veiny, purpling bags had taken up residence under his eyes. Dean's eyes narrowed and Benny flashed a sharp toothed grin at him.

"Now, is that anyway tuh greet the man you love?" Benny questioned, a sinister twinkle forming in his tired eyes. "Er, I guess I shoulda said, 'loved' since it seems tuh me that ya moved on." Benny crouched before Dean, getting eye level with him. Dean forced himself to remain stoic and calm, despite the fear and anger bubbling up inside of him. He kept his eyes narrowed on his ex lover, his jaw set. "I'm hurt, Dean. I thought you said we'd be togetha forever?" Benny peered over Dean's shoulder, his lips twisting into a devious smile. "Whaddya have here?" Dean didn't dare move to stop him as Benny reached forward, snatching the book Dean had been jotting his ideas down in. Benny held it up to his face, occasionally glancing at Dean to make sure he didn't make any sudden moves. He tsked at Dean, dropping the notebook at his feet before he stood.

"Well, I guess I never gave ya much credit, huh? Heard you was a good hunter…" Benny grinned, kicking the notebook to the side. "Sure by now ya've called that father for yours, huh?" Dean didn't answer. Benny strode slowly around to Dean's side. Dean didn't take his eyes off the man. Benny bent down, grabbing the bookbag from beside Dean. He picked it up and dumped the contents on the ground, kicking through them with his boot until he found what he wanted. Benny picked up the knife that Dean had kept in his bag, shaking his head disapprovingly when he noticed the tip coated in dark red dried blood, enough dead man's blood to render a vampire useless for long enough to get away. "You'd nevuh use this on me, now, would ya, 'babe'?" Benny all but hissed, anger taking over his face.

"I'm not your babe." Dean said through gritted teeth. Benny let out a loud, sarcastic laugh.

Benny tucked the knife into the back of his waistband and kicked the bag as hard as he could, sending it flying across the narrow alleyway. Dean went stiff against his best efforts. "I'm gonna give you two options here, Dean." Benny said as he reached down, grabbing Dean by the front of his shirt before hauling him to his feet. Dean's nails ripped at Benny's flesh as his feet dangled and kicked erratically under him. "You come wit' me, I turn ya, and ya cut off this little friend of yours or I rip him and every one of your otha friends ta shreds and turn ya anyway."

Dean thrashed against Benny's hold, his heart pounding violently in his chest. His mind drifted to Castiel the first time they kissed, the first time they made love. Then to Sam and his father when he said goodbye. All the voicemails Sam left him over the years, how he always told himself he'd call his little brother more often but never had. His heart ached for them. "I'll never–" Benny cut him off by wrapping his free hand around Dean's throat. Dean choked, tears stinging his eyes.

"Aht! You take some time to figure out whatcha wan'. I'll be back… an' it seems in the meantime, you know where tuh find me anyway." Dean's head began to spin just as Benny lowered him to the ground, his hand leaving his throat. Before Dean could adjust, Benny had pulled him into a bruising kiss, forcing his tongue passed his lips. Dean's hands beat against the large man's chest and Benny's lips turned into a wry smile. Benny ended the kiss, his lips finding Dean's ear. "I'll be back fir my answer, sweetheart. An' trust me, I'll get it." Benny shoved Dean roughly against the wall, sending a shock of pain through Dean's body. He crumpled to the now cold and wet pavement, coughing and sputtering. Black ate away the edges of Dean's vision.

The low thud of Benny's boots as he walked away echoed through the alley and that's the last thing Dean heard before he lost consciousness.

When Dean awoke, he was flat on his back and his entire body ached almost as bad as the time he was thrown from a second story building by a werewolf they had been hunting. Dean groaned and opened his eyes. Through his blurry vision, he could make out a figure hovering over him in the dark. Dean pushed himself up, trying to scramble away from the person over him. A hand pressed firmly into his chest and a soft, familiar voice whispered to him. "You're alright, Dean. We're here now, you're alright." Dean relaxed at the sound of his younger brother's voice.

"Sammy?" Dean croaked out. His throat hurt and speaking was hard. "How did you find me?" Dean's eyes adjusted and a smile began to form on his face as he made out his little brother's features in the dark. He had changed so much in just the two years since Dean had seen him last.

"We told the administration we were here to pick you up because of everything going on and they gave us your dorm number… but when we saw that everyone was gone and the place was ruined, we went looking for you. I recognized the bag I sent you last Christmas and we followed you here. Who did this to you, Dean?" Sam explained.

Dean's voice caught in his throat and he shook his head at his brother. "Benny." Sam's face turned to one of shock and then he sighed, heartbroken for his elder brother.

"Dean," the gruff voice of his father said. Dean looked in the direction of the voice. He was barely able to make out his father's silhouette in the dark. "I'm glad you're okay. Now, let's go get this son of a bitch."

Sam reached out a hand to his brother and hoisted him to his feet delicately. Dean wobbled a bit before correcting himself and Sam shot him a concerned look. "What did you mean there was no one in the dorm?" Dean asked, realizing what his brother had said to him.

"There was no one there, Dean… should there have been?" Sam kept a hold of his brother's hand, placing a hand on his back to steady him. Dean's heart kicked up in his chest for what felt like the thousandth time that day. A ball of worry and nerves formed in his throat, choking him almost as much as Benny's hands had just shortly before.

"Cas…" he whispered, his head spinning.

"Cas? What's a Cas?" His father demanded, giving Dean a stern look.

"Castiel. Oh fuck, Sammy–" Dean cut himself off, not bothering to explain to his father. "Oh fuck, we need to find him, we need to find him, now!" Dean pushed away from his brother, looking frantically at the ground for the notebook he had kept everything in.

"Dean! Dean, slow down!" Sam said hurriedly. "What are you looking for?"

"My damn notebook! It had everything in it," he said frantically, rummaging through the backpack he had picked up. "Dammit!" He shouted, "Where the hell is it! That son of a bitch took my notebook!" Sam moved away from his elder brother as he searched around in the dark.

The eldest Winchester, John, had been silent since he had asked Dean about Castiel. Dean knew he didn't give his father the answer he wanted, but Dean also knew his reluctance to answer would be answer enough for the wise older man. "Why is that so important, son?" asked his father.

"It had the nest location in it." Dean said, finally stopping. He dragged his hands down his face with a heavy and irritated sigh. "Dammit!" he yelled, kicking the textbook that had fallen to the ground. The book went flying, smacking against the wall of the surrounding building with a heavy thud before it hit the ground once again.

"You really think we'd come that unprepared, my boy?" His father said with a shake of his head. Dean's head snapped up to look at his father. "I've been at this for damn near as long as you've been alive. Your brother located the nest from the articles on our drive down here." Dean took a shaky breath, his anger melting away, including some of the anger he had harbored for his father. Dean nodded. "Now, let's go get your 'Cas'."

Finding the house on Sam's map was relatively easy once they realized it was the only shabby, rundown house that was secluded enough for people to break into it in the area. Dean didn't pause to wonder why Benny would choose such an obvious place, why he made it so easy for Dean and his family to track him knowing they would and could kill him. Dean's mind was too focused on Castiel. John pulled the men aside despite Dean wanting to storm in and take back what was his.

John pushed the syringes filled with dark red liquid towards the brothers. It was one of the only things powerful enough to slow down a vampire, especially one that had turned fully. They were powerful and Dean was well aware of this, but something told him that Benny wanted–needed–Dean alive. He may be able to hurt him both emotionally and physically, but Dean didn't believe that Benny could survive without him. Afterall, Dean was the one that somehow saved and ended Benny's life at the same time. John motioned for the brothers to stay where they were, holding a finger to his lips. John walked stealthily through the dense trees, his quiet footfalls growing silent as he moved to the sides and back of the house.

"I need to go in there, Sam." Dean whispered, leaning back against a tree. Sam, who was years younger than Dean, towered over him. He looked up at his younger brother, his jaw set in place. "I can't let anything happen to them." Sam nodded, placing a hand on Dean's shoulder reassuringly before pressing a finger to his lips, motioning for Dean to stay quiet. Dean took a breath and tipped his head back, his eyes falling shut. The brothers had stayed far enough away from the shabby house that they could whisper without a human hearing them but vampiric hearing was advanced, far more in tune.

John returned a few minutes later and looked between the brothers with a sigh. He always had the same serious look on his face and Dean had usually hated the stare–or, at least, he had begun too when he finally left the lifestyle and his family behind. Now, he appreciated it. He appreciated how seriously his father took the hunts. "I'll take the front, Dean, you and Sam take the back. Looks like there's at least three of those nasty bloodsuckers in there. Looks like at least four hostages. Let's go."

All three men trekked to their destination, machetes in hand. John split off to head towards the front of the property, giving the brothers a sharp nod as they parted ways. Dean motioned for Sam to look through the windows at the back of the house and Dean slid alongside the back wall towards the back door. He nodded his head towards the door a few times, motioning to his brother that he was entering. Dean's heart thudded in his chest, his mind racing with thoughts of finding Castiel or one of his redheads dead–or Garth, his goofy classmate.

Dean's hand found the doorknob and he gave it a slow and calculated turn. It turned part way before stopping and Dean cursed under his breath. "Locked," he mouthed towards Sam. Sam nodded in response and slid his jacket from his shoulders. He balled it up around his fist and gritted his teeth. Dean turned his face away, using his hand to protect himself from any potential glass shards. Sam raised his fist to break the glass just as Dean saw a small pot sitting at the back step. Dean was willing to bet that the previous owners had stashed a small key under it.. "Wait!" Dean hissed under his breath and Sam stopped, turning towards his brother in confusion.

Dean moved the pot slowly, lifting the heavy and cracking ceramic holder from the ground. The plant inside was long dead and Dean found himself distracted by it for a short second; Castiel absolutely adored plants of all kinds. He adored all life on earth, going as far as to try to convince Dean to go vegan with him. Dean had humored his boyfriend for a short time before sneaking beef jerky into bed one night. Castiel found him in the morning, bits of jerky all over their pillows and had merely laughed. He had known Dean better than Dean had known himself and instead of getting angry with him, he accepted him for who he was. Dean accepted Castiel's new lifestyle too, going as far as to try tofu with him on several occasions–Dean didn't enjoy it, but that didn't matter to him as long as Castiel was happy. Dean's heart ached at the thought.

He shook his head, willing the thoughts away and searched around quietly for the key, his fingertips grazing the cold ground as he did so. Finally, he felt something cold and hard and picked it up, examining it. "Jackpot," he mouthed to his brother, holding up the key. There was no commotion coming from the front or inside the house as Dean would have expected by now. His father wasn't inside, yet.

Dean looked at his brother and gave him a quick nod. Sam's back pressed against the back of the house instinctively, his machete at the ready. Dean inserted the key slowly, his breath hitching in his throat. He gave it a slow twist and the lock made a click. Sam and Dean froze in their spots. There was no sound from inside the house and both brothers let out a small sigh of relief. Dean pushed the door open slowly, his blade at the ready. He took a quick survey of the room in front of him. It was a musty looking kitchen with falling off the hinges cabinets and a large old round table in the middle of the room. The chair was tipped over in front of the door and Dean maneuvered around it as he entered the room.

Sam followed behind him, calculating Dean's every move. Dean nodded towards the room in front of them and both brothers pressed back against opposite walls, following the wall through the dark room. There was muffled talking coming from a nearby room followed by a heavily muffled sob. Dean's heart raced in his ears and his face grew hot with anger. Dean advanced quickly towards the door, no longer bothering to be silent as he moved through the house. Sam caught the back of Dean's shirt just as someone–or something–burst through the opening to the kitchen.

Dean stumbled back, shocked. He hadn't heard anyone coming down the hall and now, there were thirty two scalpel sharp teeth chomping at his face and throat. Dean stumbled back loudly and fell to the floor, causing his head to spin as it smacked sharply to the floor. He grunted and his palms connected with the vampire's shoulders. "Dean! Cover your mouth!" the gruff voice of his father said from the doorway. Dean did as he was told and clamped his mouth shut tightly, struggling against the thing on top of him. The vampire turned its attention towards his father just as the blade found the front of its throat. John's foot pressed firmly into the vampire's back and pressed down hard as he yanked the blade toward him. Dean felt a hot wet substance splash across his face. Then there was a dull thud and the vampire's head rolled across the kitchen floor.

They were outed now, Benny had to know they were in the house. Sam grabbed hold of Dean, yanking his older brother to his feet. Dean quickly wiped his face off with the jacket Sam offered him before tossing it back at his brother. "On me," John shouted over the sounds of ecstatic guttural noises from the other vampire in the house. They made it to the hallway just as a familiar face burst through the doorway to the next room, nearly growling at the men as he squared up with the eldest Winchester. They circled each other and John charged first, his head connecting with the vampire's stomach. "I got this one, you go find your friends!" John shouted as the vampire's back connected with the wall. Dean froze, torn between finding Castiel and helping his father. Sam grabbed his brother's hand, ripping him away from the scene and Dean regained his will to find Castiel. Dean headed toward the end of the hall, rushing through the entry way and into the living area.

There was an old couch blocking the archway to the living area and Dean gave it a rough kick, sending it hurtling towards the opposite wall. He heard a familiar laugh and his head whipped in the direction of the sound. His eyes landed on Benny. He stood in the center of the room, a sadistic grin tugging up the corners of his lips. In his arms was Charlie. He had her head tipped back and her back against his chest, his hand cradling her jaw. One arm was thrown over her chest lazily, knowing that no matter how much she struggled, that little bit of effort from him was enough to detain her.

"You come tuh stay?" Benny drawled.

"I came to kill you." He answered. Dean's heart pounded, anger surging through his body. Heavy breaths made his chest feel like it was on fire and his hands clenched into fists by his side. A cry snapped Dean out of his staring contest with the vampire and Dean looked down, seeing Castiel tied up at Benny's feet. Rowena was to the side of him, seemingly unconscious. She had a large gash on her forehead and she was limp, untied.

"I gave ya two choices. Ya either stay wit' me or I kill pretty boy down there." Benny said with a menacing glare. Charlie's eyes pleaded with her friend and Dean's heart broke for her. He thought for a second of what he would do if it really came down to it. He would definitely sacrifice his life and eternal happiness to make sure Charlie and Castiel were safe for the rest of their lives.

"He won't be staying with you." Sam said and Dean remembered suddenly that he wasn't in this alone.

"Suit ya'self," Benny said and before Dean could move, Benny bit through the wrist he had previously had around Charlie's midsection. He ripped the cloth gag out of her mouth and shoved his wrist against her lips, letting the blood flow into Charlie's mouth. He was turning her.

"No!" Dean screamed and Sam grabbed him, hoisting him back. He knew that if he charged at Benny right then, Charlie would be dead and Benny would get the upper hand on Dean but all rationality went out the window at the thought of having to kill his best friend. The hand on Dean's shoulder left him suddenly and there were two loud grunts from behind him. Dean whipped around to see the other vampire his father had been fighting off slam his younger brother into the wall. Sam fell, limp and unconscious towards the ground. "Sam!" Dean shouted. The vampire advanced on him, blood covering his mouth and chin. Dean brandished his weapon, holding it up in front of him as he backed closer to Benny.

"Perfect timin', brother," Benny said with a chuckle and the other vampire grinned menacingly at Dean. Dean backed himself into the wall and the other vampire stopped a few feet away from him, content with how he had Dean trapped.

Dean turned his attention back towards Benny, knowing he wouldn't allow the other vampire to hurt him. Dean didn't let his weapon fall, though. Benny grabbed a fistful of Charlie's hair, ripping her head back and exposing her throat. His lips pressed to her ear and he whispered something to her which made a sob sound from his best friend's lips. He threw her to the ground, crouching down next to Castiel.

"Don't you dare hurt him, Benny," Dean threatened, despite the fact that they both knew it was more of a plea than a threat at this point. Benny leaned down, a smirk on his lips as he looked at Castiel. He placed a small kiss to Castiel's forearm before he sunk his teeth into his flesh. Castiel let out a muffled scream, thrashing against the vampire which only caused his skin to tear further. Blood leaked down Castiel's forearm and Dean's head spun. He tried to run toward Castiel but the other vampire caught him, holding him against his larger, toned body. Dean was out of practice, afterall.

Benny pulled away, a sigh of satisfaction falling from his lips. It dawned on Dean what Benny was doing and Dean thrashed erratically against the vampire behind him. He motioned for Charlie to do as he told her but she just let out a sob, falling forward on her hands. Benny grabbed her roughly by her hair and Dean let out a pleading cry. Benny forced her lips to Castiel's skin and she hesitantly began to drink from him. She appeared disgusted at first but Dean watched as the disgust turned to satisfaction, then horror. Charlie couldn't stop.

"Benny, please–" Dean begged, watching as Charlie's teeth sunk into his lover's forearm. Castiel's eyes connected with Dean's, a sorrowful look in them as he began to sway from the bloodloss.

He watched as Castiel said something against his gag and Benny grinned sadistically. "What was tha', brother?" He asked, reaching across Charlie to rip the gag out of Castiel's mouth.

"I love you, too, Dean," Castiel whispered, tears falling from his eyes. "I'm so sorry I didn't believe–" he began slowly.

"No," Dean whispered tearfully, shaking his head. "I forgive you, it's okay. I forgive you. I love you so much, Cas," Dean whispered and Cas gave him a small smile, his face growing pale from the sudden loss of blood. Benny petted the back of his head, grinning as he watched Dean's heart shatter before him. Castiel fell back to the floor. Benny let go of Charlie knowing she was too far gone in the bloodlust to escape. He bit back into his wrist, causing more blood to fall and pressed it against Rowena's lips. She stirred heavily and her eyes fluttered open. She was too groggy to understand what was happening as Benny reached over, cutting through the bindings on Castiel's wrist and freeing the hand Charlie wasn't attached to. He bit through Castiel's skin and pressed it to Rowena's lips. She let out a low groan as the blood fell into her mouth, mixing with Benny's on her face.

Dean let out a sharp sob and suddenly, the body from behind him was being ripped off of him. Another thud sounded as another head rolled backwards down the hallway. Dean stumbled forward and whipped around to see his father helping his younger brother to his feet, his machete dripping brick red blood from its tip. Dean advanced towards the three vampires before him but Rowena and Charlie, taken over by the bloodlust braced themselves against Dean, hissing and growling against him.

"Dean!" John shouted, garnering the man's attention. "Sam and I are hurt, you can't take them alone, let's go!" He shouted as Charlie and Rowena stood, ready to charge in order to protect their meal. Dean stole one last look at Castiel, his heart breaking as he saw his lover's bluing lips and pale skin. "He's gone, Dean, let's go." His father demanded. Sam grabbed hold of Dean's wrist and yanked him from the house.

They finally caught up to Benny a few months later after several reports of two rogue redhead serial killers popped up in the south. Charlie was long dead by the time the Winchesters arrived. Rowena had killed her lover in a fit of grief and bloodlust. They took down the new nest they had created, allowing themselves more time this time around to make sure they were doing everything correctly. They killed them all, including the several new vampires Benny had turned and Benny's new boyfriend, Garth. They slaughtered Dean's once friend in front of them. According to Rowena, Garth had been in on the plan the entire time. He was consistently updating Benny on Castiel and Dean's relationship throughout the years and had fallen in love with Benny at one point. The two were lovers, but Benny never stopped talking about Dean. He talked about Dean until the moment his head rolled from his body at Dean's hand.

As for Dean, he never did return to the college he had fallen in love at. He vowed to never leave hunting again–he never wanted anyone else to go through the level of heartbreak he had if it were avoidable. Which, usually, as long as the Winchester's got there in time, it was. Sam helped Dean through a lot of his grief-Sam had previously lost his girlfriend, Jess, to the supernatural and knew a thing or two about grief. John and Sam welcomed Dean back into the family business and the three of them, together, avenged the losses of the loves of their lives.