A/N! Long time no seen. Sorry for that, but I am taking a very long and important project at uni, and my favorite professor is my tutor! That was my dream ever since I entered university, to be assigned a project with that very professor as my tutor. So I am so happy, but also busy. Henceforth, I will not be updating every week, and for that I am sorry. I know it may bother you, but I write fanfiction to relax. I can't afford to be anxious about that too. I had mentioned that in my note in chapter 1, but I am saying it again now. Thank you for your understanding.
Special thanks to my beta reader '''Geekyfangirl131" for checking the chapter out!
So, with no further ado, off we go!
Chapter 9 "The hardest thing that one could ask of you is..."
THEN...
The Devil snapped his fingers and Dean fell on the floor with a loud thud. Mary rushed to his side, but he pushed her away, and fought to get up on his feet, to get closer to Sam. "I told you Dean…" Lucifer said, smiling. "Sam would come to me willingly…" He continued, letting his lips find Sam's ear. "I'll kill you, I swear, if you touch him, I'll kill you!" Dean yelled, but his cries were met with Lucifer's amused face. "I'd like to see you try, Dean… I'd like to see you try…" He said, and with the small knife he was still holding in his hand, he tore Sam's cheek open, making him cry out in pain. Blood started dripping down marking the beginning of the most cruel revenge game to ever be played…
"Dean, get out, get out of here-" But Sam's raspy voice was cut off, as Lucifer tossed him on the opposite wall, making all breath leave his lungs it the process. "Agh!" "Sammy!" Dean cried out in agony, only to abruptly pause, when the Devil glared daggers at his direction. "Now, now... I think that we should get some 'together time', don't you think so, Sammy?" Lucifer questioned and the younger hunter could only nod his head. "I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that, what did you say?" Lucifer mocked, grabbing a handful of Sam's brown hair, yanking his head backwards, making it crush on the cold concrete wall.
Dean hissed in time with Sam, but remained silent, not wanting to provoke Lucifer any further. "Yes..." Sam muttered in between his teeth. "'Yes', what?" Lucifer asked, dragging the knife he still held in his free hand along the length of Sam's chest. Sam moaned but kept his mouth shut. He wouldn't give his tormentor the satisfaction of calling him 'sir', or anything else for that matter. A long sigh escaped Lucifer's lips and his face darkened. "Sam... Even now, you're playing hard to get... But as much as I love a good challenge, I am afraid I am out of time to flirt with you." The Devil mumbled, grabbing the front part of Sam's shirt, throwing the young hunter face down on the floor yet again.
Before Sam had the time to blink twice, he felt his hands getting pinned above his head and he tried his best to control his erratic breathing. Lucifer kneeled close to him, in between his long legs and grabbed the back of Sam's black shirt, obliging the young man to raise his head and look at Dean and Mary. "So, since we are out of time for flirting, I am afraid I have to use more persuasive means..." The shiver which ran down Sam's spine as hot breath trickled down his neck was not missed neither by Dean, nor by Mary.
"Let him go, you twisted-" "Now, mama Mary, where are your manners?" Lucifer purred in Sam's neck, letting his hand travel downwards, trailing swirling paths on Sam's back. "Sammy here, has made his choice." Mary's eyes widened and she tried speaking again. "You can't ask him to be-" "My bitch?" Lucifer cut her off, his eyes burning red. "Please... let them go..." Sam muttered under his breath, voice cracking. He felt hard eyes on his back and knew the fallen Angel had turned his fiery gaze on him again. "Please..." His small voice quivered, but Sam swallowed, getting on his hands and knees again. The Devil allowed him to move and turn his back on Mary and Dean.
"Please... Let them go." Sam offered, knowing that if there was any chance for his brother and mother to leave the bunker unharmed, then he would have to give up every bit of control, every bit of dignity he had. "I am afraid that the magic word is not enough this time, dear Sammy." Lucifer retorted, raising an eyebrow as Sam bowed his head in resignation. "Please... Let them go. Please, Master..." Sam's whisper was so low, yet it somehow echoed loud and clear in the underground bunker. Lucifer smiled, eyes flicking on Mary, whose frame shivered. Dean's face paled even more and the green eyed man wasn't sure he had heard right.
Yet, he dared ask nothing, for he knew that any objection would result in his brother getting hurt. The fallen Angel let his hand mess Sam's hair before speaking up again. "You said I can't ask him to be my bitch. And yet, here we are, with me asking him to be my bitch and so much more. And Sammy here, is on his knees, head bowed, calling me 'Master.' Something he did but a handful of times while in my Cage..." Lucifer's low voice sent shivers down Sam's spine and he found himself uttering words of denial and anger. "I never called you anything, you sick son of-" "Tsk, tsk, tsk... Silence bitch." The Devil rasped, waving his hand again, making Sam hiss in pain and eventually go quiet.
Dean was sure he would either pass out, or vomit, or maybe both of those things. The sight of his beloved brother on his knees was something he couldn't bear to watch. And on the top of that, Sam had just called Lucifer- The green eyed man shook his head. He couldn't even think of the word and the meaning it held, much less utter it aloud. Dean was certain that what Sam had just said was true, hence Lucifer's spasmodic reaction. He could remember Sam telling him about what he had to endure while in the Cage, but Sam had also told him things he had never granted to the Devil.
Sam had never willingly kneeled before his tormentor, he had never stopped fighting him, albeit he knew he could never win. It was one of those endless nights, during which Dean held a shaking, crying and disoriented Sam his his arms, whispering nonsense in his hair, all the while the young man was sobbing into Dean's chest, damping his night shirt with salty water, that Sam had first spoken of those hellish memories, which had driven him mad.
He had sobbed, fists clenching on the front part of Dean's night shirt, face buried in that muscled chest. Somewhere in between those gut- wrenching sobs, Dean could make out some words, incoherent at first, but as the hours were passing by, Dean had begun to understand that Sam was talking about the Cage... About the fire which wasn't burning, but was freezing instead. About the chains and the spikes and the lashes. About the smoke and the darkness. About Lucifer's hands on his body, about the times he had forced himself on Sam...
A sharp hiss of pain made the green eyed man jump and his eyes flew off to where Sam was, sprawled out on the floor, struggling to breathe."Now that my pet has gone quiet, let us resume our conversation." Lucifer muttered, eyes on Sam. "I was saying that I asked of Sam to be my bitch. And as you can see, my bitch he is. And frankly, It doesn't look so hard." Fiery eyes met downcast hazel ones and Sam knew he had to back Lucifer up. He managed to get up on his knees once again, but made sure to keep his head bowed. "No, Master, it's not." He replied dryly, hoping beyond hope that Dean would find a way to cast the Devil out.
"See? My pet reassures you as well. What I asked wasn't so hard. But, here raises the question... What is the hardest thing one can ask of you?" Dean's eyes became two slits on his face, but he could tell Lucifer wasn't just wasting time, he was going somewhere with this. He collected himself and glanced over his shoulder at his mother, his eyes sharp, warning her to mind her tongue. "Where are going with this?" Mary spat, rage in her voice.
"Patience, mama Mary. Each one of you will have to answer me. So, ladies first." Lucifer waved his hand, urging Mary to reply to his question. The woman flicked her gaze between her sons, swallowing hard. She remained still for a few seconds and Dean feared she wouldn't be able to answer. But he was wrong.
"The hardest thing you can ask of someone, is to ask them to stand by and watch the people they love die." Mary stated, voice haunted, figure shaking. "Good one, now, Dean, it's your turn." The green eyed man fixed his eyes with Sam's, trying to reassure him that things would be alright. "Dean, I don't like to be kept waiting." Lucifer rasped, snapping his fingers, making Sam scream as invisible bonds wrapped themselves around the younger man's throat. Dean's eyes widened, and he extended his hands in a desperate try to reach for his brother, who was writhing and choking. "Alright, alright, let him go!" Dean yelled, but his cries were swallowed by Sam's heart-wrenching screams.
"The hardest thing you can ask of someone, is to ask them to be forever alone." Dean mumbled, but Lucifer paid no attention to him, for his fiery eyes were on Sam. "I'm sorry, what did you just say? I didn't quite catch that, it's noisy in here, isn't it?." The Devil smirked, making Dean want to tear that face into shreds with his own hands. And yet, he remained still, favoring his uninjured leg, waiting for Sam's screams to fade and for his breathing to somehow even out. Then and only then, did he repeat what he had just said.
"Right, here is another good point..." The Devil remarked, eyes still on Sam. "But you see, it's just not what I was hoping to hear..." The words were an indirect order for Sam to speak. The young man swallowed weakly, bracing himself for what was about to come. "The hardest thing you can ask of someone, is to..." Sam trailed off, licking his lips before speaking again, voice wavering. "It's to demand they make a choice. Everything we do,from the simplest thing, all the way to the most trivial one, everything is based on a choice..." The low whispers faded and the room went quiet, Sam's words hanging heavy above every one's head, making the air thick.
"Now... That's what I was hoping to hear..." Lucifer's voice broke the silence and what followed was something none of the three hunters had seen coming. "I feel generous today, dear pet... So, the choice is yours." "What choice?" Mary rasped, voice frantic, sharp, scared. "As much as I would love to allow you to sit here and watch as I tear Sammy into pieces, I can't resist the temptation of throwing the ball to him." Lucifer offered, gripping Sam's chin abruptly, forcing him to look upwards. The young man flinched, hating the rough touch of Lucifer's fingers on his skin.
"One of them will be locked up in a nearby room and I assure you, whoever you choose will remain unharmed. The one who will remain here will have to watch as I take my time and play around with you." Sam's figure went rigid and he took in a sharp breath. "I will not harm neither of them, you have my word. But one of them will have to watch, as I finally take my revenge... Will have to watch as I break you into pieces, as I peal your mind, as I tear apart your very own soul..." Mary's eyes flew open and blurred, but Dean spoke before she had the chance to open her mouth. His voice was low, sad and filled with bitterness.
"I'll do it." Dean's sharp tone broke through Sam's hazed mind and he tried to tilt his head to the side to get a glimpse of his brother, but Lucifer's hold on his chin made moving impossible. The snap of bones was heard the moment the last word escaped Dean's lips, as the Devil darted his head upwards abruptly, fixing his eyes on sad green ones. "I don't remember asking you to choose." He snapped, moving his hand from Sam's chin down to his throat, tightening his hold, making Sam unable to take in a deep breath.
"Stop it!" Mary cried out in desperation, but she was unable to utter anything else, for Lucifer's eyes narrowed and glowed a brighter red as he growled in anger. "And if I don't?" He asked, nails breaking the skin of Sam's throat. The energy which was surrounding Lucifer was so dark, that despite her determination, Mary found herself retreating a few steps. Dean, however, remained where he was, eyes filled with tears fixed on Sam, who was going numb from the lack of oxygen. The Devil threw the young man on the floor hard and fast, making him groan in pain as his abused body hit the cold floor. The fallen Angel moved in less than a blink of an eye, and in two large steps he reached Sam, kicking him hard, causing his ribs to crack under the weight of the assault, before speaking again.
Sam yelped in pain and shut his eyes, attempting to make his vocal cords produce anything else, save moans and groans of pain. But as Lucifer assaulted him again, Sam wasn't sure he could speak aloud. He could hear Dean ranting, cursing and threatening to kill Lucifer and the younger man knew he had to ensure his brother's safety. But, try as he might, he couldn't bear the thought that he would be left alone with one of the most powerful beings alive. He knew that Lucifer would break him.
He would break his body...
He would shutter his already damaged mind...
He would destroy his soul, a soul which wasn't worth saving, for it was already broken beyond repair. And yet, a small, so small part of Sam was hoping against all hope, that Dean would somehow be able to pick up the pieces again. He knew it wasn't fair to ask this of him, God, it wasn't fair... But bleak as things may seem, there is always hope.
That's how the saying goes...
There is always hope.
And for Sam, there was only one hope. Dean was the only hope...
'You're betting on Dean?' Lucifer's sarcastic voice echoed in Sam's mind. The young hunter's immediate answer had surprised the Devil, but it was undoubtedly a truthful one.
'I always have, I always will.'
"Dean! Dean, let Dean stay, let Dean stay!" The young man wasn't sure how he got those words out of his mouth, but for better or for worse, he had managed to utter them, something which made Lucifer to finally stop kicking him. "I must say Sam, I am impressed. Taking into account all the things I am about to do to you, I thought you wouldn't want Dean to be here." Lucifer spat, turning towards Mary and Dean. "But, you've made a choice nevertheless..." He continued and with a snap of his fingers, Mary was gone from Dean's side, making the green eyed man gasp in fear.
"Where is she-" All words died in Dean's mouth, however, when he heard hoarse cries coming from a nearby room. The part of Dean which was still able to function, remembered that there was a bathroom somewhere close to the bunker's main room. Mary's raspy demands for Lucifer to set her free echoed in the underground fortress for a few heartbeats, but were soon lost in Sam's screams. "Enjoy the show, Dean..." The Devil almost purred and with a wave of his hand, Dean was frozen in place, unable to move but only a few inches. "No, Sammy, no!" Sam heard the desperation in his brother's voice and managed to reply, voice broken. "It's okay, Dean... It's going to be okay..." He mumbled and Lucifer smiled down at him, an evil, promising smile... "So, Dean, like I said before, get comfortable and enjoy the show..."
And to his dismay, Dean realized that to watch what Lucifer was about to do, was the only thing he could actually do. "Stop, stop it, please..." Dean muttered brokenly, watching as Lucifer pushed Sam face down on the cold floor, tearing his black shirt apart. "Begging already, are we?" The Devil smirked, hands undoing Sam's belt and jeans. "But, what gives you the right to beg Dean? Sam is the one being tortured and yet, you are the one begging..." He pointed out, holding Sam's hands pinned on above the young man's head.
Sam's breath stopped and his eyes flicked on Dean for a second. Dean opened his mouth, but then closed it again; what was there to say? A part of the green eyed man wished that the reason Sam wanted him to be present and see what Lucifer was about to do, was that so Dean could feel the pain Sam was feeling. Because Dean had forgotten to power up the wards in the bunker. He deserved to feel every single moment of agony. His eyes flew open, however, as his mind understood what Sam wanted of him.
Sam never wished for Dean to feel hurt. He didn't wish to punish him. He needed him there, for he needed strength and courage. Sam needed him there, because he believed Dean could somehow save him... But he was wrong, he was so wrong... 'As long as I'm around, nothing bad will ever happen to you...' Dean flinched as the words he himself had uttered were coming back to haunt him. 'I'll save you, Sammy, even if it's the last thing I'm gonna do.' But, try as he might, Dean couldn't break free from Lucifer's invisible bonds. He couldn't protect his beloved Sammy from the Devil's cruel torture. He couldn't save him...
He couldn't save him.
All he could do, was watch.
END OF CHAPTER 9
A/N! Loved it? Hated it? I would love to hear your thoughts!
Next chapter coming right up!
Love you all,
Usagi
