Chapter 12:
"And you know this how?" Risa continued, as if she really wasn't paying attention and wasn't looking around at the faces around her. I just raised an eyebrow at her that said 'really woman? Damn you're not the smartest brick in the wall are ya?' but she didn't see it.
"Our fearless leader," Castiel interrupted, seeing that no one else was gonna answer, "I'm afraid, is all too well schooled in the art of getting to the truth." At that it clicked in Risa's mind. It took her long enough. She looked at Future Dean with a mix of pity, fright and anger, but didn't say anything. It was the man beside me who started.
"Torture? Oh, so, we're—we're torturing again." Dean said, looking incredulous and downright annoyed. I can only imagine what it's like. I'd heard the stories of hell from Bobby and about what Dean was forced to do down there. That was the only story that truly gave me nightmares. I could only imagine the pain and confusion going through his mind right now. Future Dean just looked at his past self with a look of complete sadness and tiredness but then masked it with annoyance. For the first time since I'd here I felt something for the future Dean other than anger, it was pity. He didn't want to start torturing again but with what the world had come to he had no other choice. There was no way for his past self to understand that, Castiel was the only one who truly understood even if it hurt him. That's why he stayed, to protect Dean from himself. But he couldn't. There were other ways of Dean being able to do things, his past self is an example. He just doesn't realise. That was when the anger kicked back in.
"No, that's—that's good." Dean said next to me, looking like it was anything other than good.
"Classy." I chipped in, kinda wanting to wind him up and also wanting to get my point across. Future Dean looked at me and I gave him the most annoyed yet understanding look I could manage which he quickly looked away from. From Castiel there was a bark of laughter and we all turned to look at him. Future Dean raised an eyebrow at him in challenge.
"What? I like past you and AJ." He said, his laughter dulling down into quiet chuckling. Dean just rolled his eyes and smirked while I winked sarcastically and sent Castiel a fake kiss. Future Dean just looked at our antics, shook his head and carried on with his mission briefing. I just rolled my eyes, all I was doing was keeping the future cheery. God knows they need a bit of entertainment.
"Lucifer is here. Now. I know the block and I know the building." Future Dean said, pointing at a spot on the map in front of him. Castiel peered at it and sighed.
"Oh, good—it's right in the middle of a hot zone." He said, leaning back into his chair with a sigh. I'm guessing that means it is a place full of croatoans. That sounds… fantastic.
"Crawling with Croats, yeah. You saying my plan is reckless?" Future Dean said defensively, like he had just suggested we go sit in a field of bunnies and Castiel was calling him out on it. I just raised my eye at Future Dean in a 'really? You're really asking that?' manner.
"Are you saying we, uh, walk in straight up the driveway, past all the demons and the Croats, and we shoot the devil?" Cas said, one eyebrow raised.
"Yes" Future Dean said defiantly, like he wasn't asking Cas to go out on a whim and risk his life.
"Okay," Castiel said slowly, drawing out the letters, "if you don't like, uh, 'reckless', I could use 'insouciant', maybe." I snorted at that and mirth flickered in Cas' eyes quickly before it was gone and back to disbelief. Future Dean just looked at him, silently. I'd been told about their 'strange staring contests' before by Bobby and according to him it was very awkward, which I was beginning to agree with as I looked from one man to the other.
"Are you coming?" Future Dean said finally, breaking his eyes away from the ex-angel's. Castiel sighed in defeat, like he had actually thought about saying no, which I can guarantee you right now he hadn't. From one conversation with the man I know he would follow Dean to hell and back, which he has actually done but hey.
"Of course," Cas said, then looked up as if remembering we were all in the room. "But why is he? I mean, he's you five years ago. If something happens to him, you're gone, right?" he finished worriedly, looking at the younger Dean and me.
"He's coming." Future Dean said defiantly, not giving Castiel room to share is argument. How Cas could stand this man for so long is beyond me, but to be fair I think the past between the pair is stronger than the problems the relationship faces.
"Okay. Well, uh. I'll get the grunts moving." Cas said, moving towards the door, Risa getting up to follow him. I decided Dean needed some time to talk to his future self so I made a move to follow as well. Dean grabbed my shoulder and looked at me questioningly, but I just nodded and motioned for him to stay. He still looked confused but did as I commanded.
"We're loaded and on the road by midnight." Future Dean said, barely paying any attention to Cas as he walked away, making me quite angry with him. His friend, his best friend, was risking his life for Dean and the man would even say goodbye to him. I decided I would so slap him when I had the chance. For now I followed Cas and with a small 'All righty' from Castiel we left. As soon as the door was shut, slammed from me and my anger, I turned Cas around and gave him the biggest hug I could manage. At first he stiffened up and didn't react but as he realised I wasn't letting go he relaxed, if only slightly, and leaned into the embrace, finally showing cracks in his façade of drugs and women. If I could I was gonna do as much as I could to get him out of this, if not this time then next time when I get sent back to 2009. After I finally let go I looked into Cas' sad big blue eyes and just stood with a small smile on my face, which was soon replicated on his.
"I am gonna get you out of this. I promise. If I can't do it this time around I'm doing it next time. And not just because Dean needs you, but for you as well." I said, conveying every worry the ex-angel had. I knew he just stayed for Dean and saw no purpose in life but to look after him but I had to show him that he should live for himself too. He can't let all his love for Dean get in the way of everything else and when he gets back he is so locking Dean and Cas in a cupboard together whether they like it or not.