Dean pressed his little brother tighter and Sam - either consciously or unconsciously - pressed in closer, pulling his limbs in as near to his big brother as possible.
Crowley was playing with something in his hand as he approached, tossing it up and down over and over again. Dean couldn't see what it was, his vision blocked so quickly anyway by Castiel, stepping in front of them as they huddled on the ground, serving as their shield. Dean couldn't see his angel's face, but the posture was power and protection. Dean held his little brother and prayed to Cas, letting him know how much this meant; how much he meant.
Castiel stiffened momentarily, then relaxed with confidence.
"What do you-"
"-want?" Crowley interrupted, his Cheshire grin widening. "I want to do you a favor."
"No," Cas replied immediately.
Crowley made a face.
"Please. Your deal with me is done. I want the boys in my debt," Crowley said, acerbic and sly as ever as he strolled past Cas, eyeing the brothers on the ground. He tilted his head with an exaggerated look of compassion, then broke into his own little chuckle.
"Crowley-"
Crowley turned his head lazily to look at Cas, then back down at Dean. He leaned forward and Dean leaned back by the same measure, pulling his brother back with him, mutely panicked eyes darting up and down Crowley, not knowing what to expect.
"I want to make it clear this is not an act of sentimentality," Crowley prefaced, his face twisting with disgust at the last word. He straightened, and opened his palm. "Catch," he said glibly, and Dean caught the small piece of metal.
It was a familiar shape even before he opened his fingers to see it: the amulet that Sam had given to him one Christmas in a cold motel room when they were children.
"How did you-" Cas started.
"-Don't ask questions you know I won't bother answering, Castiel. I'm the king of hell, not a Bond villain," Crowley snapped, disdain lacing his words. He stared down at Dean until the older brother looked back up. "Amara is God's sister," Crowley informed peevishly, "Which makes Amara God's problem." Crowley sauntered back, closer to Castiel. "Now, while I know many, many people, things, and places and many, many ways in which to procure these people, things, and places..." he paused, looking at Castiel witheringly before turning back to Dean, "Well, a meeting with God is likely not one of them."
Crowley turned back to Cas, eyebrow raised.
"Are we on the same celestial wavelength of intent?" Crowley teased, giving a slow conspiratorial grin. Castiel stared daggers at him, unwilling to speak. Crowley's eyes moved from side to side, considering his options, before he stepped back. "Well," he said cheerfully, "you find God with that," he pointed to the amulet, "check his sched, y'know," Crowley flicked an exaggerated broken wrist, "maybe after His spa day and before His winter vacation, you know," Crowley added, then turned back to the three of them and said, "and tell him to start taking responsibility for his fuck up of a bloody sister!" he roared.
Cas and Dean held stock still.
Crowley fixed his tie and straightened the sleeves of his suit.
"Now," he said, suddenly calm, "get the hell," Crowley paused, smirking, and raised his hand, "out of my hell," Crowley snapped.
And they were in Purgatory.
Sam was still in his lap with the trench coat on, Castiel on a boulder about ten feet away. Castiel swirled around, at a loss.
"Cas!" Dean called out quietly, not wanting to attract attention. Cas turned, sighted them, and jumped off the boulder to sprint towards them. He picked up the weapons they'd left behind at Hell's door.
"Cas-"
"Take these," Cas said, shoving the weapons near Dean as he crouched down, scooped Sam up out of Dean's arms, and held him close. Sam squirmed and Dean stepped in, pushing Sam's hair off his face.
"We mustn't delay," the angel said anxiously. Dean looked at his angel, nodded, then bent down for the weapons. Castiel took a moment to look down at the youngest Winchester. Sam's eyes were open, staring at Cas, only the barest semblance of recognition in his eyes.
"Hello, Sam," Castiel whispered, smiling kindly. Sam swallowed, his brow furrowed with confusion. "Relax, Sam. This'll be over soon," Cas promised.
Dean watched, oddly moved, before Cas looked up and nodded. Dean returned the gesture and they set off.
They flew through the forests of Purgatory, Castiel's wings battered but still able to help Dean maneuver through the rough terrain by gusting him up and setting him down gently as possible as they made their way to the portal. Dean barely saw any monsters but the ones he did see stared in awe, dumbstruck, as the trio left them behind.
They reached the cliff side and Dean landed with the air pressure setting him safely against a rock ledge. Cas stood five feet away, holding Sam secure in his arms. Dean looked out over purgatory and his jaw dropped of its own accord.
"This is why we didn't do this earlier," Cas muttered dully.
The sight of them flying through Purgatory to get to the portal had amassed an army of monsters in their wake, collectively swarming towards where they stood.
Dean assessed the onslaught and looked over to Cas with a knowing smile.
"They won't get here in time."
"No. They won't," Cas agreed, watching the phalanx rampaging towards them.
Cas propped Sam up in his arms and Dean saw Sam's hands lift to grasp Castiel's shirt. Cas unconsciously tilted Sam's torso to angle in so Sam could grab more of the fabric. Dean twitched a smile. He felt raw but exhilarated; only one more step to go before getting topside.
"Where-?" Dean grunted, just as the portal emerged, streaking blue and white streaks of light. He turned, looked backwards to Cas to make sure he saw, and started for it, Cas following close behind. He waited for his angel and his little brother to join him. Together, Castiel with Sam his arms and Dean, they stepped into the portal and let the screeching lights and flashes take them away.