It moved, slowly, slowly, slowly. It sniffed the air, smelled stake blood and weakness. It smelled dark thoughts of death and felt it's mouth watering. It crept forward on skinny, reptilian legs, readying to pounce.
"Dean?" came the voice of the tall human. He flicked on a light and the creature screamed angrily at the hiss of sizzling flesh as the light grazed it's leg.
Soon, soon it would kill them all. And they would scream.
At first Dean couldn't breath in the crushing darkness, he clung onto Cas, feeling the Angel's breath coming in short gasps. Sam called for him distantly, his voice carrying concern and maybe just a tiny bit of fear. He heard the thing scream as a light flickered on and Sam was staring at him clutching at Cas's trench coat.
"You okay?"
Dean nodded. "I'm good." The flashlight flickered. "These won't last forever. Gabe, Lucifer, get Cas and Sam out of here."
"I'm staying if you're staying," Sam said stubbornly, jaw clenched. "Both of us or neither of us are walking out of this."
Dean realized Sam was echoing the words he himself had said in that burning house what seemed like one billion years ago. So much had happened in these last days. "Sammy," he said softly. "I've made my peace with this."
"Dean-"
"Sam," Cas said softly, surprising Dean. "Let him go."
Not surprisingly, the words stung. Cas was going to let him die here, alone, forsaken, fighting an unbeatable enemy. But these words also flooded Dean was warmth. Cas knew Dean couldn't go on without Sammy or Cas, would let himself die to keep them safe. Dean nodded, a choked sound coming from his lips. "Thanks Cas."
Sam was staring at Cas like he had just suggested that they arrange a tea party with Hitler. "What? Cas, are you insane?"
The light flickered out and the scream moved in closer. "Go!" Dean said loudly. "Come on Sammy, please go."
Sam flicked on another light, casting the thin beam onto his brother's worn face. The Angels didn't dare interfere as they stood behind the brothers. "Dean," Sam said slowly. "No. I have lost you to Amara, I nearly lost you to that fire. You did die! Your heart stopped in that ambulance! I will not loose you again."
"And if you stayed behind? Or Cas? Sammy, you two are the only people- Angels- in the world I have left!"
"You honestly think that's not true for me either?" Sam felt his heart twist. "Why do you have to make the sacrifice? Why can't I save you?" Grief and hurt and anger poured into his words.
"I'm still your big brother," Dean said softly. "And it's still my job to protect you." He turned around before Sam could stop him. "Go," he told Lucifer and Gabriel. "Go and don't stop until Cas and Sam are safe."
"No!" Sam shouted. "No, please, Dean."
Dean looked at him sadly. "I'll miss you little brother." And he began to run off towards Asmodei.
"Dean!" Sam screamed, raw desperation in his voice, his heart aching and crying out for his brother. "No..."
Gabriel grabbed him, held him back. "Sam." His voice came muffled through layers and layers of foam. "Sam don't."
Suddenly Lucifer was in front of Dean and grabbed him around the waist, holding him tightly and the pieces came together. Sam's eyes widened as he turned to Cas who smiled sadly at him before walking quickly to Dean.
Dean couldn't process it for a moment but then Cas came forward and it fell into place. "Cas no," he whispered.
"I'm not letting you die," Cas murmured. "Dean, I love you, okay? I want you to know that."
"I know," Dean said softly. "Don't do this." He was begging, pleading.
"I have to. It's my fault we're all here in the first place." Cas's rough fingers trailed over Dean's face. He gently placed a butterfly light kiss on Dean's lips, so light and so quick Dean didn't have the chance to kiss back. Cas shrugged off the coat and draping it over Dean's shoulders.
Cas turned away and smiled softly. "Keep it. This is forever Dean, don't try and bring me back."
"What will happen...after?" Dean heard himself asking, he mentally berated himself for the question.
Cas glanced over and said, "that's a question I'll just have to find out, isn't it?"
And Lucifer placed one hand on Dean's forehead and Dean collapsed.
Lucifer felt his heart break as Cas and Asmodei turned, walking to their deaths. Dean was writhing and screaming and making it impossible to fly, screaming for Cas.
Brother, why? he thought to Cas. Why couldn't you let it be me?
Because I am selfish, Cas answered. And I could not live if you or Dean or Sam died.
Dean thrashed, trying to break free so Lucifer placed to fingers on his forehead, rendering him unconscious. "Gabriel," Lucifer said. "We must go."
Sam looked alarmed as Dean stilled in Lucifer's grasp, glaring at the Devil with mistrust. "What did you do Lucifer?"
"Relax Samuel," Lucifer said softly, unable to bring himself to even tease the you eat Winchester. "He's alright. Unconscious but alright."
Sam's gaze was filled with mistrust but he nodded and suddenly they disappeared as Gabriel and Lucifer fought their way to the Earth.
Asmodei and Cas waited in the dark. The screams were loudest now, only feet from the Angels. Asmodei gripped his blade tighter, feeling a gentle stir of breeze whisk past his face, he almost felt Esmerelda in that breeze, her plump, soft arms and gentle fingers. Her lips as soft as snow on his. Yes, this was the love that he knew would carry him to his death.
Cas didn't think of anything but Sam and Dean as he felt something move past him. He didn't even try to fight when he felt it's teeth dig into his leg, didn't even flinch because he had fulfilled his sole purpose in life. The one thing he was created for.
He saved Dean Winchester.
To save Dean Winchester. That was your goal right? I mean, you draped yourself in the flag of Heaven but ultimately it was about one human.
Dean was safe. Sam was safe. Cas's own fate didn't matter anymore because as long as they were safe all was right in the world. Cas could die knowing that much he didn't screw up. And that's what he planned to do.
AN: Bet you thought I was done hurting people! NOPE! Idk why but I love causing my boys angst and heartbreak, sorry.
