WARNING: Spoilers seasons 7-10 in general, but especially for 9x11 "First Born" and 10x23 "Brother's Keeper".
Author's Note: This is just a little Fourth of July story that popped into my head, and it seemed like it would fit as a sort of sequel/companion to the first chapter of this story. Anyway, it takes place between 10x23 "Brothers Keeper" and 11x01. However, since season 11 isn't out yet and I have no idea how the season premier will go, you can just assume this is AU somehow. lol
Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural.
"C'mon Sam! Can't you walk faster?" Dean called impatiently.
Sam paused in the middle of hauling the box he carried just long enough to give Dean one of his patented 'annoyed little brother' looks, but he did pick up his pace after that.
There was an air of excitement in the little grassy clearing which neither Dean nor Sam truly seemed to want to to disrupt. Their usually tradeoff of scolding and irritation was all just for show; just part of the traditions of their brotherhood.
Castiel could tell by the way that Dean grinned as Sam reached him and they began to unload the contents of the box together. The angel could also see it in the way that Sam's features lit up the moment his fingers closed around the first cylindrical object, and he tossed his older brother a look of blatant enthusiasm.
"Cas, come help set this up. You just stick them in the ground like this, and make sure this end faces out," Dean started to instruct Castiel on the appropriate way to handle the items on the ground, and the angel complied immediately. He could sense that this activity meant a lot to the men beside him and it had been far too long since his friends had been so genuinely pleased with something. Castiel had no desire to ruin their fun, especially after they had saved him from the curse Rowena had placed on him.
"Alright, they're good to go," Sam announced as he took a step back to admire the arrangement they had created.
"Got a lighter?" Dean asked the taller man.
In response Sam pulled a battered old Zippo from his pocket to show Dean.
The older man looked torn between surprise and amusement as he said, "So that's where that got to! I thought I lost it when I got sucked into Purgatory."
Castiel glanced at the lighter and noticed it had initials carved in one of its scratched silver sides that read:
D.W.
Sam cleared his throat briefly and responded, "Uh, no. It must've fallen out of your pocket or something. Anyway I picked it up and I- uh- I kept it. You know, because…" His voice trailed off and Castiel concluded he was trying to brush over the obvious display of sentimentality as smoothly as possible.
Sam looked at Dean with a mix of guilt and embarrassment, and Dean seemed at a loss for words momentarily before he smirked and said, "Well are you gonna light 'em up or just stand there with that sappy face all night?"
Sam's expression changed swiftly as he huffed a laugh and rolled his eyes.
"You guys better get back," Sam commanded as he bent down to quickly light the ends of each item mounted on the ground.
Castiel followed Dean's lead and moved backwards a dozen feet or so. Sam jogged over to join them once his work was finished.
"Fire in the hole!" Sam shouted to them cheerfully just as the first firework erupted behind him.
Then all three men stared up at the sky as the beautiful shimmering display burst forth. First came one blast, then another, then several more. Soon the air above their little clearing was filled with colorful sparks. The booming of each explosion was like a drum that mixed with the gentle crackle of the fireworks as they each slowly dissipated, forming a unique song that resonated deep within its listeners.
It was truly stunning, but most importantly, it was light.
After all that had happened in recent months- especially the cure for the Mark of Cain leading to the release of the ancient Darkness- nothing could possibly be more uplifting to see than the bold display of brightness before them.
The three observed in awed silence until the last firework lit the night sky.
As the final sparks died down and the clearing dimmed in the absence of the show, Castiel couldn't help but feel there was still a glow around him worth watching.
He glanced at his friends who were sighing contentedly and moving to clean up the burnt out fireworks containers, and suddenly the angel really believed that the Darkness would be defeated.
Because darkness had no choice but to cower before light, and though the glimmer of the fireworks had been impressive, a greater display of brilliance shined from the Winchesters' souls; souls that had both been through Hell and Purgatory, yet were still destined to one day share Heaven...
Yes, Castiel was quite certain that their combined light would win.
Secondary Author's Note: Thanks for reading! Please do leave feedback if you have the chance. It's greatly appreciated. Also, Happy Independence Day to those of you who are American readers! ;)