So You Think You Know Better
(Or Hospice Care)
Disclaimer: I claim no rights to Supernatural, or any of the characters you find here.
Spoilers: Continued coda to 5-22. Castiel POV.
Warnings: Angst, references to suicide.
A quick thank you to my beta icelily, who helped me get over my plot issues.
Thank you for reading, and to those who've reviewed. I appreciate all your ideas and support!
Chapter 4: Castiel
He faced the wrath of Lucifer. He did it to protect Dean, and because it was the right thing to do.
He acted out of loyalty, and died for it. He never expected to be rewarded.
Then, his grace was renewed, and he was one with the host. Again. It was quite the surprise.
Heaven wasn't the same as he remembered it.
The Heaven of his memories was boundless, a wide expanse of light and love.
It was the home of his Father, his brothers and sisters. It was his home, as well. Had been for all the years of his existence. All but one.
He took in its entirety, its majestic glory and awe.
He wondered why Heaven now seemed so small.
He checked in on Amelia and Claire Novak. They were both coping well. Amelia was moving on, and Claire was quiet and content.
She prayed to him, sometimes. He liked that.
He also checked in on Bobby Singer. He was hunting again. That, and grieving. He grieved a lot.
One of his brothers asked why he still watched them.
"I care about them," he replied.
"More than the rest?" his brother asked.
"Yes," he said. He felt no shame in it.
"More than Dean Winchester?"
He didn't respond to that. He didn't need to.
Dean was miserable. Castiel knew that.
But Heaven needed him, and Dean deserved a life free from the meddling of angels.
Better late than never.
Then, Sam Winchester was alive, and back on earth.
No one knew where he'd been. There were whispers of his Father, but nothing more. Just that Sam had been freed of Lucifer's taint, and deposited outside Lisa Braeden's house.
Castiel had won the favor of God. He'd been promoted, and had a role to fill.
But the heavenly order would take centuries to solve. The Winchester's problems were far more immediate.
Sam wouldn't talk to Dean. He said it was better this way.
"This way, Dean can have a life," he said.
"He won't," Castiel replied, "not without you, Sam."
"He will," Sam said, and that was that.
He knew it was a mistake, but Sam was stubborn, unmoving.
He remembered his vow to stop interfering with Dean's life.
He knew it was a mistake. He prayed it wouldn't be a big one.
They took turns watching over him. They waited for the day Dean's grieving would end.
He went to Heaven when called, and found easy, local hunts for Sam.
He could tell Sam was close to breaking, and Castiel willed him along. The sooner he collected his brother, the better.
Dean's misery was near palpable. He wouldn't be getting better.
"I saw Lisa today," Sam told him. They'd been watching Dean together for two weeks.
"She saw me."
"And Dean?"
Sam's shoulders stiffened.
"I don't think so."
"If you stay here, Sam, one day, he will," he said.
"I'll be more careful," Sam replied.
A month later, Crowley came to Lisa's house.
His presence had left a dark film in the air. Castiel sensed it at once.
He told Sam that night. Together, they tried to guess what the demon had wanted. They came up with nothing.
Crowley came back, and Castiel went on the hunt.
Finding the demon was easier than it should have been.
"What do want with Dean Winchester?" he asked.
Sam was shaking beside him. He looked furious and scared.
"What do you?" Crowley replied. "He's all but checked out now. Certainly you can see that?"
And Castiel understood. Sam asked the question, but the answer was clear.
Dean was finished. He had finally had enough.
Lisa was angry. She laughed at them. She left them standing in her lawn.
Castiel took out the slip of paper Crowley had palmed him. It was a location, a field several hours away.
He placed a hand on Sam's shoulder, and they were gone.
When they got to the field, Dean already had the Colt in his mouth.
His face was upturned. It was visible from where they stood. He looked peaceful. Happy.
That didn't stop Sam from calling out to him, or Castiel from flying to his side.
Dean didn't seem surprised. Curious and bemused, but not surprised.
The Colt dangled from his hand like a threat. A promise.
Sam noticed it, too.
"You're really here?" Dean asked.
"Yes, Dean," Sam replied.
"And Lucifer?"
"Gone. It's just me."
Dean turned to Castiel for confirmation.
"It's Sam," he said.
Dean narrowed his eyes.
"You've been watching me. Both of you."
They nodded in unison. Sam started to speak, but Dean cut him off.
"Why?" he asked.
"We were worried," Sam said.
"But why just watch?"
When no one replied, Dean scoffed, and rolled his eyes.
"After everything, you really oughta know better," he said.
Then he smiled, and handed Sam the Colt.
Things were different, and the same.
The host was slow to change, but began to accept his direction.
Heaven started to feel like home again.
He kept watch over the Novaks, and Bobby.
The demon Crowley had formed a friendship with Lisa Braeden.
Castiel watched over the Braeden's now, too.
Mostly, he watched Sam and Dean.
There were still shadows in both of their eyes.
Sometimes, when Sam left him alone, Dean would sit with the Colt in his hands, weighing.
It was always tucked away again, by the time Sam returned.
So that's that. I tried to kill him, I did. I just couldn't get it to work. I'm happy with this ending, though. As always, let me know what you think!