Chapter Twelve
Who Said Riding Shotgun Isn't Fun?
Iceland: Sunset - June 17, 2010
Dean never thought he'd regret voicing his opinion this much. The fire had been blown out, hot cinders flying everywhere as Azrial's furious shriek filled the air. The temperature was dropping rapidly, and Dean shivered at the cold breeze that slammed into him.
"Dean, listen to me carefully." Castiel's voice was barely audible despite the fact his mouth was right near his ear. The angel had his arms tightly around him and was shielding him from the outflow of power from Azrial. He nodded, his voice failing him as the air seemed to fill with ozone.
"Dean, I need you to-" there was a loud crack above them and Castiel cursed, shoving Dean away. A massive tree branch fell between them, knocking Dean to the ground. "Stay on the ground!"
Castiel's concern was being drowned out by the wind, and Dean chanced a glance at Azrial.
That was a fucking mistake.
The archangel had an otherworldly glow around her, and Dean yelped as his eyes started to burn like he'd stared at the sun too long. He shut his eyes, the sound of feathers his only warning before strong arms wrapped around him.
"Dean, I'm sorry, there is only one way I can protect you with what's happening."
"Where's Bobby?" Dean frantically asked.
"Crowley is protecting him, but it won't last forever. We need to act quickly."
"What do you need?" It was getting harder to speak, and Castiel held him a touch tighter.
"I need to use you, Dean. I can't protect you and Bobby at the same time, but together-"
Dean's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't hesitate. "Then let's do it. Together."
Dean couldn't open his eyes, but he felt Castiel's exhale. "I love you," the angel whispered. "We'll be fine."
Dean didn't get the chance to respond before Castiel's body went lax in his arms. He grunted, struggling to breathe for a few precious seconds. Suddenly, an overwhelming warmth filled his chest, and Dean's eyes snapped open as he took a deep breath.
Steady, Dean.
"Cas?" he shifted his grip on the limp body in his arms, his eyes darting around. The clearing was in chaos and the temperature was dropping by the second. Azrial hadn't moved, but it looked like her vessel was glitching.
Her power will destroy her vessel if she doesn't calm down. What you're seeing is the strength of an archangel leaking into human vision.
"What do I do?" Dean muttered, glancing around to find Bobby.
"I'd make a quip if shit hadn't just hit the fan."
Dean snapped his head to look at Crowley, who was still shielding Bobby from the bulk of the wind. To his surprise though, Bobby wasn't struggling as he had. The man was staring at Azrial wide-eyed, exhibiting none of the pain and discomfort Dean had felt.
I never would have guessed. Castiel sounded awed, but Dean knew this wasn't the time.
"Tell me later," he muttered, drawing a strange glance from Crowley. "Sorry, talking to Cas. What's the plan?"
"Protect Robert," Crowley ordered. "I can calm her down."
Is he insane? "Are you nuts?"
Dean almost laughed at the absurdity of Castiel asking the same question as he did at the same time. The demon looked dead set though, and Dean huffed.
"Fine, how do I uh-?"
Extend my wings. It seems Bobby is rather unique and able to handle Azrial's power.
"Do I want to know?" Dean sighed as he focused on opening Castiel's wings. The angel's grace came to his aid without fuss, and Dean looked over at Bobby to see the shadow of a protective wing resting over his shoulder. "Uh, like that?"
Good enough. If it becomes necessary to bring my wings into this plane of existence, we have bigger problems than you figuring out how to do so.
"That's it, no more sarcasm for you," Dean huffed.
"You sound crazy," Crowley pointed out.
"Shut up and go calm down your girlfriend before she kills us."
Crowley snorted, glancing at Bobby. "Sorry, you have to see me this way, pet."
"The hell you on about?" Bobby demanded, worry creeping into his voice.
"What's needed," Crowley said. "Make sure my body makes it out of this."
The demon didn't bother to explain further and turned toward Azrial with a stiff back. "Of course she'd make me do this."
Dean almost missed Crowley's annoyed complaint. Before he could ask what the hell was going on, Crowley's vessel fell to the ground as a massive plume of red smoke left its mouth.
He's clinically insane.
Dean wanted to respond, but couldn't find words. The smoke slowly took on a solid form, a black and red body stained with thin scars that glowed like fire. It towered a good two feet above them and glanced back at them.
The dark red eyes held so much power that Dean wanted to run for the hills.
Steady, Dean. He is no threat to us.
Castiel's words soothed him, but only enough for him not to tuck tail and run. Crowley stood in front of them in all his demonic glory, his thin black tail snapping furiously back and forth. It reminded Dean of a cat. A furious, demented, demonic cat.
"The hell is that on his head?" Bobby asked, his voice tense.
"How the fuck are you so calm?" Dean demanded.
The hunter glanced at him, a dry look on his face. "Because I'm gonna get white girl wasted when all this is over."
Dean stared at Bobby for a long moment before throwing up his hands. "You're fucking insane."
His eyes did go to Crowley's head though. They had to be horns, now that Dean looked at it, but the way they twisted reminded him of a-
A crown. The title of king is not a joke, Dean.
"But he ain't king yet!"
Bobby sighed. "Will you idjits keep in mind that I can't hear half of the conversation?"
Later, focus on our surroundings for now.
Dean growled, watching Crowley approach Azrial's glitching vessel. The demon raised a clawed hand, and an almost metallic snap filled the air. A crescent-shaped wall of fire sprung up between them and Crowley, effectively cutting off the cold that Azrial had been creating.
Crowley stepped directly in front of Azrial, and Dean wondered how the demon was managing to be so close. Crowley reached out a clawed hand to touch Azrial's shoulder, and without warning blue flames consumed the archangel.
"What the hell, Crowley!" Bobby yelled.
A warning growl filled the air, and Dean could feel Castiel's curiosity at what was occurring. Dean watched as the flames wrapped around Azrial, akin to a blanket. Crowley hadn't removed his hand and the flames grew in height until they were the same height as Crowley, and Dean could see the outline of another form in them.
"Is, holy shit, is that-?" he choked out.
Somewhat, but yes, that's Azrial.
Silver eyes stared out from the flames, locked on Crowley. Dean had never felt so unimportant in his life. He felt like a damn ant in front of giants.
Even I feel small next to her, Castiel said. And as much as I hate to admit it...Crowley may be more powerful than I gave him credit for.
The flames started to go yellow, and Crowley let out another growl. The demon grabbed Azrial's other shoulder, and Dean could see him struggling to keep the fire burning hot.
Without warning, Azrial's vessel collapsed along with the form in the fire. She would have hit the ground if not for Crowley. The demon delicately cradled her body, his tail wrapping protectively around Azrial's waist as he lifted her into his arms. He turned back to them, speaking for the first time.
"Breathe a word of this, and you're all dead." Crowley's voice was a low growl, and it didn't seem Bobby understood a word of it. Dean did, and apparently so did Castiel who became immediately standoffish.
Do not threaten us, demon, Castiel hissed back in warning.
"Not a word," Crowley growled again before glancing at Bobby. He raised a clawed hand, gesturing the hunter forward. Dean had to give it to the old man, he was remaining cool as a cucumber as he walked toward the demon. He choked on his spit as the demon gingerly handed Azrial to Bobby.
I hate that I don't understand what's going on, Castiel huffed.
Dean grunted in agreement, not pulling his eyes away from the trio. Crowley cocked his head to the side, staring down at Bobby who was now holding Azrial bridal style.
"What, your highness?" Bobby demanded, making Crowley chuckle. It was a deep and rather disturbing sound to Dean, but he was starting to think it was just because he wasn't meant to be seeing or hearing this crap.
You're probably not wrong. The only reason you understand Crowley is because I can.
"So you're like a built-in Google Translate?" Dean muttered.
I have no idea what that is.
Dean sighed but didn't try to explain his comment. Bobby shifted his grip on Azrial as Crowley turned toward his vessel. He stretched slightly, his tail smacking the ground in agitation before he became a column of red smoke that slammed back into the still body.
"Bollocks, that never gets easier," Crowley muttered as he stood up while dusting himself off.
"The hell was all that?" Bobby demanded. Crowley sighed, stretching his back and shoulders.
"Me saving your arses, again."
"That is the most piss poor-!"
A soft groan cut off Bobby's rant, and both men turned toward the archangel who was slowly opening her eyes.
"...the...hell happened?" Azrial rasped.
"You don't remember?" Crowley asked.
"No? I...it's blurry. Did I blackout?" she tilted her head to look up at Bobby. "You can put me down, you know."
"Not sure if that's a great idea," Bobby countered. "Do you remember what Dean said?"
Azrial shut her eyes, nodding tensely. "Yes, along with the fury that followed it."
"Yeah, sorry about that," Dean sighed. "I didn't expect it would make you go nuclear."
"Don't apologize, Dean. You pointed out things that I may have avoided thinking about."
Dean perked up slightly at the respect in the archangel's voice. He doubted it was genuine, but it still felt good to be acknowledged.
She's being genuine. Azrial was never one to hide how she felt about someone.
Castiel's words warmed Dean even more, but he kept an outward calm.
"Uh, thanks," he grinned.
"Can you tell my brother to get out of you though? It's giving me a migraine to see your soul against his grace."
Dean blushed at the lewd way the archangel put it, ignoring Crowley and Bobby's blatant amusement at his discomfort.
Do you want me to leave?
That question did some weird shit to his insides, and Dean forcefully shoved down the butterflies that suddenly showed up in his stomach. Castiel chuckled, making him blush.
"Ass," Dean muttered.
I will leave, but I do appreciate the fact you aren't against me staying.
Dean didn't get the chance to object as Castiel left his body. He felt empty for a few seconds but adjusted quickly.
"You both should head back," Bobby said. "We've got things handled here."
Dean glanced to his side, noticing Castiel was back in his vessel. He was stretching the same way Crowley had, clearly uncomfortable.
"What about Crowley?" Castiel asked. "We've been waiting for him, and had to let Sam and Rowena start the spell on their own."
Crowley cursed, glancing at Bobby and Azrial. "Our talk will have to wait. I don't trust that bitch alone with Moose."
"What are we, chopped liver?" Dean demanded.
"You have your angel," Crowley dismissed. "I'll return Azrial and Bobby to the airport and join you both shortly."
"Fine," Castiel sighed. "But be back soon. I don't know how much more of her I can handle."
"Preaching to the choir, feathers," Crowley snorted.
Castiel rolled his eyes, offering his hand to him. Dean took it, giving a small wave to Bobby.
"See ya around, old man."
"Be safe, boys. Tell Sam I said hello."
Dean nodded before he felt the ground move below him and the sound of feathers drowned out the sound in the clearing.
The next update is Saturday, December 4, 2021