A/N Sorry ya'll, I know this has taken a while to get put up and you must be ready to kill me for it. I wanted to let you know that my updated may become even more spars and untimely as it goes on but I will never abandon this story. Okay, I'll go on to the story now.
Disclaimer: BOTH MERLIN AND SUPERNATURAL ARE MINE HAHAHAHAH( nope, its opposite day) HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Several failed conversation starters later all four of the men sat in silence as dinner cooked. Or burned as some would say. Bobby sat still, mind on the food in the kitchen, hoping to not let it burn, again. Dean was locked in a staring contest with Merlin who refused to loose. Neither showed any sign of stopping. Sam was reading in the corner, keeping check on the tension in the room, just incase a fight broke out. Dean was just about to say something when the phone rang. Merlin jumped. Dean leapt into a victory dance. Bobby grumbled about them being childish then rushed into the kitchen. Sam rolled his eyes then answered the phone. Crowley spoke.
"hello moose, how are you and squirrel?" he asked in mock cheerfulness. Sam's face darkened and both Merlin and Dean, who had previously been arguing, quieted down.
"what do you want Crowley?" Sam growled.
"well, I want to talk to the raven your currently holding. Merlin, I think his name was. I have something I want to ask him. You can listen if you like." he chirped.
"why should I?" Sam asked, voice still low.
"come on moose, I just want to talk, okay."
"fine." Sam switched the phone to speaker. "he can hear you now. Talk." there was silence and both Sam and Dean made eye contact with Merlin, who had gone still his face vacant and hard.
" Ah, good. Now Merlin, want to know what day it is?" Merlin took a step forward but stayed silent. " well, its past due date." anger, fear, and worry rushed over Merlin's face before it all disappeared again to the hard shell. "but don't worry, I picked up your package for you." you could practically feel Crowley smirking. Anger once again took over his features.
"don't you dare even think of hurting him! I will hunt you down and kill you! Do you understand me!?" The warlock yelled at the phone.
"shh, now. Don't want to lose your chances of seeing him now do you." Crowley chuckled. Merlin quieted, still fuming but now with more worry than anger. Then Merlin whispered,
"How do I know you have him?" he was starring at the phone intently, as if his or someone he love's life was on the line, and perhaps it was.
"How's this?" The phone was silent for a second then an agonizing scream filled the room. Merlin lurched and fell back into a chair, heart beating wildly. The scream faded away to pants and grunting. Then Crowley's smug voice returned. " is that enough proof or should I sent his finger? I could you know." Silence.
" what do you want?" Merlin asked, dropping his head in defeat. Dean began to protest but was cut off by an elbow to the ribs.
"That's more like it. Now in 2 weeks time I want you to meet me at the warehouse from 20 years ago. I don't care who you bring as long as they come unarmed. Assuming your companions will be the winchesters and again assuming they know nothing about anything I won't say anything else about you. Well I better be off, ruling a country and such. See you in a fortnight." The call ended and all eyes swung to Merlin who stared at the ground. 20 years before Crowley had found him hiding out in an old shipping warehouse in New York. Crowley has tried to get him to sell his soul for a second chance. Little did he know just how much a second chance would cost him, much more than any demon could provide. In the corse of the transaction, Crowley had seen just how powerful Merlin really was. After it's failure Crowley was left devastated in his powers, almost costing him his position as king of the crossroads. Merlin had left with a greater idea of how high up in the food change in he really was. That time was an ultimate low in his long and painful life. For Crowley to drag that unwanted memory back from the depths he had hidden it in was unnecessarily cruel especially after finding out he had Arthur.
Sam's heart ached for the man. Obviously Crowley had hit a tenter area, bringing Merlin to his knees. Everything in his being wanted to help him but he couldn't without all the information. It was obvious that he was withholding information. Sam had an idea that Merlin was a lillim like himself, someone who was tainted with demon blood at birth. Watching Merlin was like watching himself going through a hard time like this. He stepped forward to place a hand on the warlocks shoulder. Merlin jumped slightly at the touch but didn't look up.
"Merlin." Sam coaxed. Merlin raised his eyes to meet Sam's while keeping his head as low as possible. His hand snaked up to grip the tattered neckerchief. " I want to help you. No matter what. But to do that you need to tell us everything." Sam continued. When there seemed to be no response from Merlin he added " please" Merlins resolve collapsed.
"Alright" he answered in a quiet voice." I'll tell you what I can."