Disclaimer: I do not own any right to Supernatural, or any of the characters appearing in this story. The original concept is due to Eric Kripke and the rights to it are owned by The CW Network. This is written just for fun and I do not make any profit out of it.

A.N.: The collection is inspired by the Febuwhump2024 challenge. I am starting late and I am not sure how far along I will get with this, that's why is marked complete. I am doing really bad with the challenge, but it is still fun to post something every now and then.

This is more of a scene than a full story.

Warnings: Mention of torture

Guest star: Castiel

YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO BE THERE

Dean woke up tiredly in the trashy room. He first checked the small table where his brother was typically sitting boredly, but the chair was empty. He went immediately on high alert checking the rest of the room. Only Cas was there staring.

"Where is Sam?" Panic latched in his voice.

"You were still sleeping, he went in your place."

"No! No! No!" He went banging on the door.

"You can't do this. You can't"

"Dean you said it is just a simple ability contest. Why are you so agitated? I believe Sam is very capable at many tasks."

Dean collapsed under the weight of the lies he had been telling in the last week since they were first trapped in that room. Their captor wanted a contestant, he gave them a contestant that was supposed to be easy. Sam and Cas should have never known.

"Dean, is there something you haven't told us?"

Dean contemplated telling the angel the truth, but he didn't want to burden him with that.

Dean had no idea how long it passed before Sam was back. It could be minutes, it could be hours. That time drained his energy as if it were days of waiting. At some point, the door opened and Sam was shoved in. He was in one piece and angry.

"Are you okay?"

"What the hell Dean?"

Dean just stepped toward Sam to hug him in response.

Cas looked between the two unsure of what was going on.

"You should have told us." Sam accused him shoving him lightly away after the hug, but Dean just shrugged in response.

"It would have made no difference. You weren't meant to be there. This was the first and last time you go, understood?"

"You are not doing this alone Dean."

"Yes. I am."

Cas had enough of the pointless conversation.

"I do not understand what is happening."

"Dean has been lying."

"What do you mean? Is it not an ability contest?"

"Oh yeah. He just omitted a small detail. It's about enduring torture."

"Torture?"

Cas was in shock, how could have Dean gone through it and said nothing? He looked fine, even if he spent more and more time sleeping as the days advanced

"Is that true Dean?"

"I wasn't lying. Endurance is an ability."

Sam scoffed, Dean was never one for subtleties unless it really convened him.

"But you look healthy. You both look healthy."

"They force the people who lose the bets to make a deal to heal all the contestants at the end of the game and collect the souls from it." Sam provided for him.

"That is… that is deplorable, but I see how it is effective. Humankind has an inexplicable tendency toward gambling. Since they first tried their chance with the forbidden fruit."

"This doesn't change a thing. You were not supposed to be there and you are not going again." Dean commanded again.

"Dean is right, it should be me, my angelic grace gives me an edge when it comes to endurance and healing."

"You need to save your grace to get us out of here, once Sam finds a way around the sigil."

"And instead you are what? Expendable?" Sam retorted.

"They are not going to kill me. It's bad for business."

"Dean, you are not going to volunteer yourself for getting tortured."

"He is right, Dean." Cas agreed.

"I want to see you try and stop me."

Cas took his words to his heart. Stood up, put two fingers to Dean's forehead and Dean fell asleep immediately.

"Do I need to do the same with you?" He asked Sam.