Disclaimer: Written by 'JustNeededAUsername', Owned by Supernatural, Sang by 'NEEDTOBREATHE'
Last time: Things were changing for the group, and they knew that they had to take these changes in stride. That night, they all had pleasant dreams about spending time with their loved ones and imagining what their own personal future could be like after this was all over. Really only time could tell.
…
The group woke up to find Sam and Eileen making them breakfast. It seemed as if Sam had gone on a run, but where? Seeing them look at him questionably, he points out that "There's a gym room with a treadmill over by the closet." Dean huffed at his brother and then grabbed a piece of toast that popped out from the toaster. "Ow, Hot toast," he exclaimed to the amused family. After they all had sat down at the table, Eileen shared something she found while Sam had been running. "So you know that library," She said/signed, "I was searching through it some more, and I think I found the fanfiction packet that the audible is reading from. It's called 'Surely Heaven waits for you, and it's written by someone named 'JustNeededAUsername'." Bobby looks up at this and beacons for her to hand the packet over to him. Dean watches the transfer and ponders the name. "That's a song lyric from 'Carry On my Wayward Son' by Kansas." Sam choked a bit on his veggie bacon and then looked over Bobby's shoulder at the packet. "You know Dean, this kind of reminds me of that time we went to a world where our lives were a TV show." Dean chuckled a bit at that, remembering how Sam had apparently married Ruby and had an Alpaca in the backyard. When they noticed the rest of the group confused, they explained their little Jenson and Jared story. After they shared the story they put their plates in the dishwasher and the dirty dishes in the sink. They then left the kitchen one by one, some with beers and some with coffee or tea. As they walked over to their seat, Jack whispered something in Dean's ears. "I love that song too." This caused Dean to smile as he took his seat. As soon as the rest of the group was seated, the narration began.
…
Okay. If he had to be honest with himself, he had been avoiding Dean. A little. Just a little.
Cas blushed and turned away from the screen, preferring the beer in his hand.
He stood by his words and his feelings remained the same. But there had been something safe in knowing that he could profess his love without receiving an answer. In giving without waiting to receive. Being, not having. And not losing.
"I'm still a little angry with you about that, you know that right?" Dean whispered silently towards Cas, who nodded slowly. "Sorry" he whispered back, before taking a chug of beer.
Since Jack brought him back, he had been busy with assisting in recreating Heaven in his son's image. He had helped reassuring the other Angels that their new God and the New Heaven was for the better. The Angels recognised Jack's power, but he was – or used to be – a Nephilim. And son of Lucifer.
Wait…..wait. Was Jack the new God?! Dean's eyes widened and turned to look at his adopted son. Cas was also starting to put two and two together and turned to watch his son carefully. Sam raised his eyebrow, but watched the screen carefully, reading along with the narrator.
Jack, kind-hearted as he was, had refused to force the Angels to do anything. They were free to leave if they chose to, or to remain without assisting in the daily work of Heaven. But he had kindly asked them to assist in his work, had expressed how much he needed them, their experience, and their input. He truly was good and just, as God should be, and the Angels responded well to that. Eventually, all Angels joined them.
When Jack had started creating new Angels, the first Angels had been ecstatic to welcome their new brothers and sisters. However, Jack had created them in the spirit of his fathers, giving them free will. Even though the original Angels were free to act as they pleased under Jack's realm, it still created some friction between the old and the new, as the original Angels were still adjusting to the concept of free will. But the new Angels were as kind as their creator, soon gaining the acceptance of the original Angels.
"Wow. I am so proud of you Jack!" Cas said, looking at his son with pride in his eyes. Dean's eyes were also filled with pride as he considered all that was just read aloud. Sam and Bobby glanced at each other and then at their adopted family member. Jack looked up, and as he saw everyone staring at him with pride, blushed at all the attention. "Thank you father," he said, quite lovingly.
It had all taken so much work and diplomacy that Castiel had not yet truly considered that he would one day have to face Dean again. Dean was going to live a long, happy life. He had plenty of time to not worry.
But Dean, once again, defied all plans and arrived much too soon in Heaven.
Dean laughed at this, and choked a bit on the beer he was drinking. "Sorry to ruin your plans Cas," he said, not really looking sorry at all. Cas just nodded his head and returned his gaze towards the screen.
Castiel had felt a mixture of sadness and excitement when he felt Dean's soul enter the realm. His hunter was here, was safe, and he could see him again. He hoped that New Heaven would please him. It was, after all, free will and family that had been the inspiration for the changes that they had made. The things that Dean had fought for for all of his life.
Sam nodded his head, knowing that this was true. Bobby just shook his head, also knowing that this statement was true. In fact they all knew that this statement was true. Dean would do anything for his family.
He considered going to him immediately but found it better to give Dean some time to adjust, to reunite with Sam. Leaving his little brother too early was the greatest regret Dean felt in his death. In Heaven, time would move quickly for him, to assure him that everyone was alright and give him what he needed to be at peace. Time did not move as quickly for Castiel, but he was comforted by the contentment that Dean felt when driving through the time leap, almost with childish glee.
Sam smiled sadly, still a little upset about Dean's death. He turned and saw Dean nodding his head in agreement and understanding.
Then, Dean went to meet his family and friends. And it just never felt right to barge in on his happiness. Castiel was not sure whether or not he was wanted.
Dean was a bit startled to hear this. He turned rather abruptly towards his angel and frowned at the thought his angel thought he wasn't wanted. "You are a member of this family Cas, you are always wanted!" Cas hid his frown and smiled instead at his favorite human and the love of his life.
But then, he heard Dean pray to him. It was not unexpected, but Castiel had assumed that Dean would have wanted more time with everyone else before calling him. Yet, he was a bit relieved that Dean actively sought him out.
"…in case you've forgotten about me, its Dean. Dean Winchester. You know, that pain-in-the-ass-hunter you helped save Earth?"
Castiel smiled. As if he could forget. He recognised the special mixture of humour and insecurity in the words that very much characterised Dean.
"…but… Please. Please, Cas. I need to see you..."
As if Castiel could deny him.
Surprised by how short this chapter was compared to the previous one, the gang sat there for a few minutes, wondering what to do. "Well that was short." Crowley said rather bluntly although it was what they were all thinking. "Now what?" Jack asked, turning towards his fathers. However, before anyone could say anything the screen went black and then lit up again with the words:
Karaoke Time!
A big smile swept across Dean's face, and Crowley immediately frowned, remembering the last time he heard Dean sing Karaoke and the crowd's response.
First up: Dean Winchester singing "Brother" by NEEDTOBREATHE.
Sam smiled at the song choice as Dean's smile faltered a bit but then expanded again. As the music started to play on the screen, a microphone appeared in front of them and he scrambled to it quickly in order to not miss his cue.
'Ramblers in the wilderness we can't find what we need
We get a little restless from the searching
Get a little worn down in between
Like a bull chasing the matador is the man left to his own schemes
Everybody needs someone beside em' shining like a lighthouse from the sea'
A bit surprised at how good Dean was singing, The family started to cheer and clap while their smiles grew larger.
Brother, let me be your shelter
Never leave you all alone
I can be the one you call
When you're low
Brother, let me be your fortress
When the night winds are driving on
Be the one to light the way
Bring you home
Dean sang this while staring straight into his brother's eyes, and with a sad smile on his face.
Face down in the desert now there's a cage locked around my heart
I found a way to drop the keys where my failures were
Now my hands can't reach that far
I ain't made for a rivalry I could never take the world alone
I know that in my weakness I am strong, but
It's your love that brings me home
Cas smiled at this verse, partially because it reminded him of when he gripped Dean tight and raised him from perdition, but also because he too could feel the brotherly love Dean and Sam shared.
Brother, let me be your shelter
Never leave you all alone
I can be the one you call
When you're low
Brother, let me be your fortress
When the night winds are driving on
Be the one to light the way
Bring you home
Sam was singing along now, as he had heard this song multiple times since it had come out in 2015. In truth, he knew the words better than Dean.
And when you call and need me near
Sayin' where'd you go?
Brother, I'm right here
And on those days when the sky begins to fall
You're the blood of my blood
We can get through it all
Bobby smiled at the two boys, loving their relationship. The two of them had had a rough and unstable childhood, but they're doing alright now.
Brother, let me be your shelter
Never leave you all alone
I can be the one you call
When you're feelin' low
Brother, let me be your fortress
When the night winds are driving on
Be the one to light the way
Bring you home
By now they all knew the chorus and were singing along with Dean. There seemed to be something about the some that made them happy to be one big family.
Brother, let me be your shelter
Never leave you all alone
I can be the one you call
When you're low
Brother, let me be your fortress
When the night winds are driving on
Be the one to light the way
Bring you home
Be the one to light the way
Bring you home
Dean took a mocking bow and then returned to his seat in order to be mauled by Jack. While Jack and Dean hugged it out, the screen changed again.
I will now be reading my favorite Famous Quotes by Dean Winchester. I will do Sam later, and then the rest will follow.
Dean and Sam turned to look at each other, a silent question in their eyes.
First off we have: "We need to remember what's important in life. Family, pie, and hunting. Or pie, family, hunting. It doesn't matter. But hunting is third."
The group burst out laughing. "Wow Dean, I see how it is!" Sam said jokingly. Dean just punched his brother in the shoulder and chugged his beer.
Next up is: "I'm sitting in a laundromat, reading about myself, sitting in a laundromat, reading about myself. My head hurts."
More laughter filled the room. "This was when we found the books!" Dean said, remembering when he had said that. Sam smiled and remembered what had happened afterward.
"C'mon, we hunt monsters! What the hell? I mean, normal people, they see a monster and they run. But not us, no no no, we… we search out things that want to kill us! Yeah, huh? Or eat us! You know who does that? Crazy people!"
"Well you're not lying there, you idjit." Bobby admitted, finding truth in the statement. Dean meanwhile was racking his brain, trying to figure out when he said that. "You were affected by Yellow Fever Dean," Sam explained, "You were scared of literally everything." Dean blushed and chugged his beer.
"If this is my last day on earth, I do not want it to be socially awkward."
This shut them up. "That's when I turned on Bon Jovi and we sang along to 'Wanted Dead or Alive.'" Dean pointed out softly. Sam sucked in a breath and then let it out again, trying not to think about, you know, what he's trying not to think about. The rest of the gang were left to pick up the pieces.
"My name is Dean Winchester. I'm an Aquarius. I enjoy sunsets, long walks on the beach, and frisky women. And I did not kill anyone."
"That's five truths and one lie, you all should know what that lie is." Dean said before chugging another beer. Did I forget to mention that he went and got a full case instead of a single beer? Sam just shook his head at his brother, as he was used to his crap by now.
"Just a couple hours ago, I killed Death. I'm pretty much open for anything."
"I still can't believe that I killed Death, like come on! Who else gets to say that?!" Sam rolled his eyes in amusement and then grabbed Eileen's hand, remembering what had happened before Dean had killed Death.
"Always knew I'd find the source of all evil at a vegan bakery."
"Haha, very funny Dean," Sam said sarcastically. Dean just shrugged with a grin. Cas chuckled at the brothers' antics.
"A wise man once told me, 'family don't end in blood.' But it doesn't start there either. Family cares about you, not what you can do for them….family's there; for the good, bad, all of it. They got your back, even when it hurts. That's family. That sound like your mother?"
"That's beautiful Dean," Eileen said, turning to her boyfriend's brother. Bobby, who I am pretty sure was the one referred to as a wise man, smiled at his words being remembered and altered to mean something even more meaningful. Crowley scowled a bit, remembering when Dean had told him this, but then smiled thinking about who really was his family. As they all pondered this amazing quote, the screen went black again, signaling that it was done for now. Understanding this signal, Dean and Sam went to the gym room. Eileen and Jack went to the library, soon to be followed by Bobby. Cas and Crowley caught each other's gaze and then went to their separate rooms to get some alone time and to meditate on what they had just learned.
….
Alrighty! Sorry that it's been a while, I have had a lot of late work, and choir performances to take care of, but it's slowing down now so I have more time to write. First of all, I want to thank you all for reading my story. The fact that there are now more views than there are amount of days in a year astounds me, and I just want to thank you so much for reading, So Thank you. Alrighty then, … when I started this project I guess I might have underestimated what I was doing. I have received the green light from a lot of authors, which means that this story will go on for a long time. A big thank you to all the authors who are allowing me to use their work for this. I implore you all to go and check them out because they really are good writers. That being said, this also will take a big commitment from me, and this means that I will be spending all of my already limited free time on this. As a result, I will probably only update once a week from now on. Thank you all for understanding in advance. I also would like to point out that some chapters that I write them reacting to are smaller than others, and so I will now add Karaoke and Quotes to those chapters to add a change in the story and to lessen this family's growing depression to the best of my ability. Anyways, I hope that you all have enjoyed this chapter, and I guess I'll see you either next week or the week after because of my vacation. Until then, that's all for now.
Carry on my wicked readers!