I would like to apologize for taking so long to update this. I just had zero motivation because I feel like this story isn't as good as I could've made it. Once again, sorry for the late updating especially if you've followed my other stories, you know it's unlike me.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Dean swallowed as he processed what Meg had said, glancing at all the concerned faces around him.

"Dean, who wants to see you?" Sam asked, his eyebrows creased with confusion and worry.

The eldest hunter felt a small pit start to form in his stomach, knowing full well who he had to go talk to.

Standing up, Dean made his way over to the brunette who proceeded to spin him around, the cool metal of handcuffs digging into his skin. "Protocol." She whispered apologetically as she finished. With a firm grip on his forearm, Meg led the young hunter through the gates and into the dark hallway.

...

Sam shifted awkwardly in his seat, feeling uncomfortable being surrounded by a bunch of strangers who ended up in Hell's Prison. As he watched his brother disappear through the door, he couldn't help the knot of worry deep in his gut.

"So, you don't seem to be adjusting as well to this as Dean did." Benny pointed out from his seat across from the distressed former hunter.

"What's this plan exactly?" Sam questioned with a hint of disgust in his voice as he got straight to the point and ignored the accented man in front of him. He didn't care to associate with his fellow inmates; his only concern was getting the hell out of here with his brother next to him.

Cas let out a slow whistle, nudging Benny with his elbow. "Looks like little Sammy Winchester is too good to talk to us nonhumans." He quipped, the corner of his lips tugging at the corners.

Sam scowled, irritated that the thing in front of him used his hated nickname. As if just now really comprehending what Castiel had said, he narrowed his eyes in confusion. "Wait, you guys aren't human?" He asked, noticing a shake of the head from Benny and Cas.

"Charlie and Jo are human. Cassie and I are… special." Benny drawled, flashing sharp fangs at the former hunter. He gestured towards the dark-haired man next to him, not seeming bothered by the way Sam stiffened. "Cas here is an angel." The vampire said matter of fact as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

The youngest Winchester shook his head, already feeling a pounding headache starting to form.

….

"Watch it." Dean growled as Meg shoved him into one of the leather seats that were scattered randomly in the small office. He shifted his weight, trying to get semi-comfortable with his hands secured behind his back. The hunter scoffed at the decorating, feeling like he was in a catalog.

The brunette rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms, tapping her foot nervously. "He knows. He has to know. Why else would he want to see you?" She questioned, anxiety painted on her features.

"Calm down." Dean said dismissively. "It's probably because of Sam. He wants to see how it's affecting me."

Meg paused and considered this, accepting the answer right as the King of Hell strolled into the room.

"Dean, I was beginning to think I would never have the time to finally meet you." Crowley stated with smugness evident in his tone, walking past the short-haired hunter as he approached his desk, plopping down into his tall-backed seat heavily.

"So glad we could finally do this." Dean quipped, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he eyed the demon cruelly.

Crowley folded his hands together on top of his desk, amusement shining in his eyes. "Did you get the present I sent you?"

"If by present you mean my brother, then yeah, I got it. You wouldn't happen to have a receipt would you?" Dean retorted, smirking slightly as he watched the King raise his eyebrows, obviously enjoying the witty hunter.

The grizzly man stood up, chuckling slightly as he made is way in front of the desk to lean on it. "I like your attitude squirrel, I really do. That's why I've decided to offer you a deal."

Dean stopped and blinked, slowly digesting what exactly he had been told. A deal?, He thought, confused more than ever. "You want to make a deal, with me?" He questioned, his voice gruff with doubt.

Crowley smiled smugly, straightening. "How well do you expect that escape plan you two have been cooking up to go, hm?" He asked, indicating with his hand Meg and the hunter. The pair both looked horrified, clueless on how the hell the King had found out.

Dean, able to find his voice first, tried to speak with confidence. "Before you said that, pretty damn well." He joked, smirking.

"I have eyes and ears everywhere, try not to underestimate me." Crowley advised, enjoying how he was able to make the two squirm. "Back to my deal; I'll let your little escape plan go off without a hitch, Sam will even be home in time for Sunday dinner." He paused, studying the eldest Winchester carefully.

Dean narrowed his eyes distrustfully, knowing it sounded too good to be true. "What do you get out of it?"

Crowley's lips tilted, moving back behind his desk and picking up a glass full of scotch. "In exchange, you'll stay right down here. I happen to know someone who needs a new apprentice, I have a feeling it's gonna be you."

The hunter was stunned to say the least, eyes wide with shock as he digested the new information. He stared down the King defiantly, not ready to roll over. "And if I tell you to get bent?"

The former crossroads demon laughed cruelly, pity in his tone. "Then I'd only assume you don't want that brother of yours to get out of here alive." He ended with a promise in his voice, letting Dean know that if he didn't cooperate, Sam wouldn't be alive much longer.

Crowley knew exactly where to hit Dean at; his desire to sacrifice himself for his family was a weakness the King had figured out and planned to use against him. After considering his options and seeing only one way out, the hunter swallowed, glancing at Meg before he spoke up. "Deal.

…...

Meg quietly escorted Dean back to the yard, a scowl firmly plastered to her face. The couple times the hunter tried to speak, she immediately shot him down, not wanting to deal with any piss-poor excuse he would offer her.

Finally, when they were just outside the door to the yard, she undid the cuffs. "What are you gonna tell your brother?" She questioned, her tone hard.

Dean glanced nervously around, hoping no one heard. "I'm not." He said sternly, implying she wasn't going to either.

The brunette scoffed, obviously irritated with his behavior before shoving him through the door.

He turned around, seeing the door slam shut behind him. He took a deep breath and went over to where his brother, Cas and Benny were still sitting.

He slid in next to Sam, forcing a smile. "The King wants to make sure you're making me miserable."

The youngest Winchester rolled his eyes as Castiel spoke. "That's all he wanted?" He asked, his tone suspicious.

Dean just nodded, not trusting his voice. He tried to ignore the angel's prying looks he kept shooting him the rest of their free time but to no avail.

When they were finally ordered back to their cells, Cas grabbed the back of Dean's shirt, yanking him back and shoving him up against the wall. He pinned him there with his forearm, their noses almost touching.

The guards just ushered everyone ahead, smiling cruelly at the exchange.

"What the hell's the matter with you?" Dean demanded, struggling against the angel's surprisingly strong grip.

Cas seemed furious, his nostrils flaring as he spoke. "What did you do? I swear if you lie to me, I will personally kick your ass."

Dean swallowed, feeling uncomfortable under his intense gaze. He thought about lying, but something about the angel made him realize Castiel would know if he didn't tell him the truth. "I uh- made a deal." He relented, his voice low.

Cas released him, running a hand down his face and pulling out a cigarette. He lit one, blowing the smoke out before saying anything. "What was it?"

"Crowley knows about our escape plan. He said that if I stayed down here, the rest of you could still get out of here according to plan. If not…" He trailed off, not wanting to finish.

"Sam dies." The angel finished for him, able to predict the King. "What a bunch of bullshit."

Dean watched as he took another puff, closing his eyes to really enjoy it. "You can't tell him." The hunter pleaded, his voice shaking at the end.

"I don't know your brother, who am I to tell him that you're staying behind in Hell?" Cas shook his head and tossed the cigarette on the ground, grinding it with his heel. "I won't say anything."

With that, two guards re-entered the yard when they realized they weren't going to fight. They were each grabbed by the forearm and dragged back to their cells, nobody questioning why they had stayed back.

….

TBC

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