Flashbacks are in Italic.
May 1996
Alicante, Idris, Dean POV
He leans back against the headboard. Once more, he's back in the room he was in before going to the Institute. He's got no idea why he's back here. It's not as if he's been doing anything of importance right here. Nor has anyone spoken to him. Well, that's not really true; Isobel has been speaking with him from time to time. But it hasn't been about something they couldn't have discussed over letters. Something he highly prefers as it allows him to hide things from her. And he can't do it right now.
He sighs and closes his eyes. His mind goes over the reason for his return until a knock on the door pulls him from his thoughts. Almost immediately, the door opens and Noah steps into the room. He turns towards him and instantly sits up straight. There's something he doesn't like in Noah's expression. Doesn't like? More like he can't place. He bites his lips to stop the question on his lips from coming out. Noah sits on the chair and puts his elbows on his legs before resting his head on his hand. He frowns at this. It confirms what he suspected. He wants Noah to speak up on his own but can't stop himself from asking the most pressing question.
"Noah, what's wrong?"
"What do you mean; wrong? I just wanted to talk with you about something."
"Yeah, right. The way you sit tells a different story. So, tell me what's this about? You know I won't bite you."
"I know but first you answer my question."
"I did… Fine… You've got a look on your face. It tells me something is bothering you."
"It's nothing but if you want to know then it's got to do with what I want to talk with you about."
"Now you're worrying me, Noah. What's this you want to talk about? Do I need to be concerned?"
"Well, I've been thinking about something for a while and I would like to know what you think about it."
"What I think about what? Noah, come on and tell me."
"Well, I really feel we work well together and are close friends. It's something I want to further by becoming parabatai."
"Parabatai?"
"Yes, you've heard about it, right?"
He laughs and shakes his head. Noah's words had him worried. It sounded as if Noah was planning something he wouldn't have approved of. He's glad his initial feelings have proven to be wrong. This is something he can work with.
"I've heard about it a few times but got to admit that I don't know what it really means. All I know is that it are hunters who always work together. More like hunt-brothers."
"That's not all a parabatai is. Parabatai are lifelong partners who are bound together by an oath. Those partners are really close and willing to lay down their lives for each other."
"That's something."
"Yeah, I feel we are close like that and truthfully I would protect you with my life."
"As would I. But for that, we don't need to become parabatai. What's so special about them?"
At this, Noah explains all he knows about parabatai as well as the method to become one. Dean listens carefully to the explanation. With all he hears he gets more and more interested. It sounds like a great opportunity and something he wants to have. Besides, he trusts Noah enough to follow him in this. It'll just make things more complicated once he returns home but he'll figure something out by then. Like always. And most importantly, this might be a great benefit for whatever hunts they'll both end up in.
"Mhh, that's all?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, I admit I didn't know most of what you said but I've read something about a curse."
"Yes, the curse only shows itself if the parabatai form a romantic bond. It's actually forbidden to form such a bond between parabatai by law. But why do you ask all this? Are you willing to become my parabatai?"
"Yes."
"Thanks. I thought that would be your answer. I'm glad because I already informed the council so the tests can be prepared."
"Oh, you did? What would you have done had I refused?"
Noah scratches his head and looks at him sheepishly. A grin grows on his face. It just proves his suspicion. Noah's next words only confirm it.
"Well, I would have had to figure something out and have to deal with the mocking of our peers. Maybe even the scrutiny of them. So…Yeah…I would have been in a lot of trouble.
"Nice of me then to agree. So now it's waiting for the first test then?"
"Yes, waiting."
A week later
Dean watches the three circles in front of him. On the other side of the room, Noah stands. He smiles and nods to Noah. Noah returns it in kind. So this must be the final test they need to take before becoming Parabatai. Only a few days ago, (the same day as Noah approached him) they finished the Test of Water with good results. He's glad because it's not something he's not willing to do it again. Ever. His memories of the test are still fussy. He can't recall all the details, no matter how much he tries. He waits as the council enters the room. Even Cartblossom is present. He clenches his fists. It would have been so much better had the asshole stayed away.
He turns his head back to the circles. Noah stands opposite him behind the other circle. Their eyes meet and they share another smile. They only need to wait for the ceremony to start. It does not take long before Cartblossom walks to the front of the council.
"We're here because two of our young Nephilim are about to become parabatai. They faced the test of Water with a good outcome so it is time for the test of Fire to commence."
So said, Dean and Noah take the test of fire. Afterward, they speak the oath and draw the parabatai rune on each other. Once the mark is drawn, Dean takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. He's a bit lightheaded by the energy rush he feels. He breathes deeply and opens his eyes again once the feeling disappears. His eyes meet Noah who looks even more bewildered than he feels.
United States, John POV
John looks ahead as he clenches his pistol. The werewolf pack is close by now. It will be a short time before he can deal with them. And they need to be dealt with even though they've not been causing enough problems to get on his radar as one normally would. He knows why he's doing this.
He sits quietly in the car with closed eyes. He tries to release the tension of his last hunt. As time passes, the tension leaves him until he hears something in the background. He listens and identifies it as his phone. He frowns wondering who could be calling him now. Someone in need of help most likely. He ruffles around in his pocket before he finds it. He looks at the caller ID and his frown deepens. He picks up quickly.
"Yes Sam, why …"
"Dad! I'm so glad you picked up. I've been trying to call Dean but he doesn't pick up. He should have been back long before."
"Where was he coming from?"
"I don't know for sure. He said something about groceries but I…I…"
"Have you checked the route he would take to get back?"
"Yes, I have but I couldn't find anything there. It's as if he's gone up in smoke…Dad, I don't know what to do."
"Stay put where you are and ward all the doors and windows. I'm sure Dean taught you how to do that. I'll come back and look into it."
"Thanks, Dad."
Sam hangs up. He looks at his phone for a long time as what he just learned goes through his head. How could this even happen? Dean's careful - he knows that - so for something to ambush him and abduct him or maybe… He shakes his head. No, he can't think like that. Nevertheless, he doesn't like this thought at all. He grinds his teeth before throwing his phone to the passenger side. He drives off quickly.
He hopes this pack has valuable information for him. So far his search has proven fruitless. No ghosts or other monsters were around. Only one or two packs and clans. Unfortunately, he was unable to find anything about their identity. As such, he's been going through all the clans and packs in the area hoping they have an answer. Just as he hopes this pack has.
This pack moves to the wood. He keeps an eye on them to make sure they leave. Once he is sure of it, he goes into their den. There he searches for anything which can tell him anything about Dean's location; where Dean is and has been in the past. It is a fruitless search once more as he can't find anything. At all.
Scraping sounds outside the room. He turns around. The doorknob moves. The pack has returned. Knowing this, he quickly hides and grips his pistol. He prepares himself to take this pack out. The door opens and the pack saunters into the room without paying attention to what goes on. He smiles. This will make his job so much easier.
An hour later, he leaves the den without having found what he seeks. He grinds his teeth. He needs to find something. And soon. He knows what those monsters can do and worries about what they might have done to Dean. A hundred horrible ideas come to his mind. At the same time, he wants to know how they managed to abduct him without anyone noticing. If he doesn't then too many hunters will potentially face the same risk.
John steps back in his car and drives off. As he drives, his hands are clenched around the steering wheel. Next, he will look through his notes and wherever other information he can find. Maye this way he'll find an answer. He will not give up because he will get an answer no matter how long he has to look.
For the next weeks, he keeps hunting. First, a vampire clan which he hopes will have the answers he seeks. Next, a werewolf pack who are causing trouble. His time looking into them he also uses to see if they know anything about Dean. Or what happened to him. And later, he hunts a vampire clan for the same reason. All these times, he leaves without having learned anything. Well, nothing? He's seen some sign of an organization who they communicate with. No matter how much he researches this group, he can't find anything about them. It is as if this organization is kept in the shadows by someone. He doesn't like it at all.
June 1996
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Dean POV
Dean stalks to the office of the head of the institute. He's got no idea why he's been called but he can imagine who's responsible for this. He's heard Cartblossom is here. Again. He doesn't want to even know what Cartblossom wants from him now. Nor does he know why this asshole has it out for him. However, Noah was right when he told him to just deal with him. Especially, as Noah has gotten his back. It means it can't be anything bad. Right?
He stops when a wooden door appears in the corner of his eye. As he looks up from the floor, he is met with the door to the head's office. At the same time, he can hear two voices on the other side of the door. One he immediately recognizes as Cartblossom. The other, he believes, belongs to Noah's father. They're involved in an ongoing argument. He's sure of it even if he can't hear the words being spoken. Dean contemplates eavesdropping for a moment before dismissing it. It'll only get him in trouble. And he's trying to stay out of it. The worst of it, that is. And at least so long as Cartblossom is here. He takes a deep breath before he knocks on the door. He does not have to wait long before he is called inside.
As he steps into the room, mister Riverchild moves past him out of the room. Before him, Cartblossom looms. His heart beats loudly in his chest. His hands? When did they become clammy? He does know. His eyes narrow as they meet Cartblossom's. He doesn't like this self-serving smile on Cartblossom's face.
"It's good you're here Dean. We've got much to discuss."
"Discuss, eh?"
"Yes, there are some things that recently came to my attention."
"And that is?"
He feels dread building in his stomach. It can't be anything good he's heard. However, he can't think of anything which could have reached him to justify this. Nor can he think of anyone who would snitch to him. Except if Cartblossom wants to make baseless claims once more. Something which wouldn't surprise him at all. And by the look on Cartblossom's face, he gets the impression he's going to be facing baseless claims once more. He bites back the grin threatening to grow on his face. Cartblossom's not going to win it. He's not gonna let him.
"I've been getting reports about Downworlders being targeted and entire clans and packs being massacred."
"Yeah, and what have I gotten to do with it?"
"Everything. I know your family has been involved in this and they need to be dealt with. Sooner rather than …"
"Dealt with! What the hell do you mean by that?"
He has to bite his lips to stop himself from saying something foolish. He wants to use some words for this asshole but knows he can't. He won't give him the pleasure of having bated him. Nor does he want to give him any more ammunition despite the support he has. The ass just looks at him unimpressed and slightly satisfied.
"You know what I mean. It's got to stop. Either by having your family forcefully stopped or by finding another solution."
"You keep your hands off my family."
"If they pose a threat then we can't leave them be. So…"
"Who says they're a threat? Maybe those packs and clans are threats to the people around them."
"Against the mundanes? I don't think so. They've been following the Accords."
"Yeah, and who says that? You? Since when are you the authority who determines who's a threat."
"Oh, you're right about one thing; that wasn't me. The local institutes made that call once they shared information between them."
"Are you even sure they've been sharing accurate data?"
"Are you saying they're lying?"
"Lying? I don't know but I think it's more likely they don't know everything. I know my family."
"And I know the duty of the Nephilim to whom you also belong so what will it be?"
"What?"
He clenches his fist. He has an idea what this asshole's talking about. And he wants to storm out of this room but can't. He's losing this fight but can't lose. His family depends on him defending them. He's got to.
"I mean those two options I mentioned before between which you can choose. Either have your family dealt with forcefully or you find me another solution. And based on our discussion, just now, I think I know which one has your preference. However, just so you know, my preference goes to the first option. It'll make sure there won't be any surprises in the future."
"If you think I'll agree with that then your fucking insane. Give me another solution which doesn't involve murdering my family."
"We're your family now but I never said anything about murdering them. And I won't give you another solution; you'll give them to me and I'll consider if they're good enough."
"And when would you want to have them?"
"I'd like to have them within two weeks because I know you need time to even be able to come up with something. And not a day later, understood!"
Dean nods while clenching his fists. He'll have a chance to protect Sammy and Dad. A chance he'll use. His eyes narrow. Cartblossom looks at him with a friendly smile. It's just wrong with his earlier irritated looks. He's up to something.
"Now that's dealt with, how have things gone for you since our last meeting?"
Dean clenched his fists once more. Why does Cartblossom want to know this? To pry even more into his life? Most likely. He doesn't want to answer but with the annoying intriguing look, he knows he's got no choice. As such, he explains how his life has been while staying away from details and some other things. Those he doesn't want Cartblossom to know about. It seems to satisfy Cartblossom's annoying prying as he's dismissed.
Dean walks slowly out of the room and closes the door softly all the while his heart beats into his throat. He takes a deep breath and shakes his head before storming away to his room. He's got to find something which will save his family. Which will keep Cartblossom away from them. A few ideas go through his mind but he can't decide between them. He could return to his family and protect them that way. He knows he likes this. Or he could …
Maybe he should ask Noah for help. He shakes his head once more. He can't drag him into it. He bites his lips. They're parabatai so they stand together. It means he should go to Noah. And hopefully, Noah will have some ideas. However, he knows that by returning to his family he'll have the best chance of protecting them. Something which practically no other option gives him.