Chapter Fifty-Nine

Food Fight

Valerius Estate: August 20, 2010 – Night

Castiel was surprised they made it to the main course. Honestly, it was some type of miracle. Dean was stiff across from him, not having much to say after his earlier back and forth with John. The meal smelled lovely. He couldn't quite place the meat, but it was buttery and tender. It had been dressed in a fruit glaze that had the sweet tang of grapes and blackberries. The sides of Brussels sprouts and roasted green beans were a nice addition as well. Dean let out a tiny groan as he took a bite, making him smother a smile.

"I fucking love the chef," Dean openly praised. "I swear, every time we have a full sit-down meal like this, they pull out all the stops."

Azrial laughed. "Before we crash landed here, they were mostly doing meal prep rather than cooking large meals. Remember, it was only Cassiopeia and Orion for a long time. I think the chef just likes showing off when they can."

"They can show off as much as they want, especially to me," Dean said.

"You don't eat like this every night?" Mary asked.

"No," Marcus said. "We are preparing to live off the land for an unforeseen amount of time. While a dinner like this is acceptable on occasion, resources must be properly managed at all other times. To eat better than our people is to invite revolt."

"Breakfast is normally fruit, cheese, and fresh bread or homemade cereal," Sam explained. "There is an abundance of fruit trees on the property beyond the grape vines used to make wine."

"Not very filling," John observed.

"It's not good to train on a full stomach," Castiel explained when he noticed Marcus' frown. "It can make you ill, and then the day is wasted. Time is a luxury we don't have."

"Gabriel learned that the hard way, isn't that right?" Rowena asked with a knowing smile.

Gabriel groaned, sipping his wine. "Look, I didn't even knowmy vessel could get that sick. That old Roman is a damn taskmaster."

"Gaius?" Felix asked, getting a nod from Gabriel. "He trained Marcus, Cassius, and myself when we entered the army. He has very high standards."

"That he does," Marcus agreed with a hum. "He happily put Azrial through the same training at one point."

"No way," Gabriel said. "I don't see it. The man talks about her like she's his damn daughter."

Azrial laughed, her eyes glowing with a strange warmth. Castiel had never seen that look on her face. He wondered, not for the first time, how much of herself she buried when she laid her family to rest all those years ago.

"Gabe, his training was a lot even for me," she said with a reminiscent smile. "Somehow, he found muscles I didn't know existed until I was using them. It was a horrible few months."

"Then why did you go through it?" John pointedly asked. "Why do what some random human was asking?"

The light in his sister's eyes was snuffed like an errant flame. She kept her polite smile, though, sipping her wine before bothering to respond.

"Giaus' approval was necessary for me to marry into Marcus' family," Azrial said. "I was willing to do whatever it took to be with him."

"Well, you won it," Gabriel said drily. "Any tips on how I can because I can't handle much more of his attention."

Azrial chuckled, her eyes falling to her glass. "I doubt professing your love for Marcus while bleeding out of multiple wounds will do you any good."

"Maybe it would confuse him enough for me to get away?" Gabriel asked. "I'm sure dear old Marcus wouldn't mind. Do your new big bro a favor?"

"Leave me out of it," Marcus said, pointing a fork at him.

"Tch, worth a shot," Gabriel said with an exaggerated sigh.

"I'm confused about something," John said a bit too loudly.

"I'm sure you are," Dean muttered as he took a bite of food. Castiel shot him a searching look, but his mate shrugged and plastered on a smile.

"About?" Sam asked. "Maybe we can explain it better. With all of us here, I'm sure someone can answer any questions you have."

Mary was giving John a look Castiel knew was meant to shut the man up. It was all over her face. John didn't seem bothered in the slightest.

"Azrial is Marcus' wife," John began, his eyes shifting to Dean. "But I remember when Dean was in the past he mentioned Azrial was involved with a demon. Which is it?"

Dean froze, fork almost to his mouth. He was staring at his father with a level of anger that Castiel hadn't seen in a long time. He tapped Dean's foot under the table, trying to anchor man to the present without getting too close. If John remembered that conversation, he likely remembered everything from their jaunt to the past, including his relationship with Dean. Oh, and shooting him. Which, now that Castiel thought about it, was probably what had Dean glaring daggers at his father.

"Marcus passed away when he was sixty and two summers," Aeliana explained, clearly trying to diffuse the tension by assuming John meant well. "He was well aware Azrial would love again; he prayed for it in Elysium more than once."

"It was a relief to hear that one of her lovers would share her lifespan," Felix admitted. "Aeliana and I died very young, so we did not get as much time as we would have liked with her."

"It doesn't bother you that she's sleeping with a demon?" John asked in disbelief.

Aeliana looked genuinely confused at John's disgust. She glanced toward Marcus, searching for an answer. Marcus' jaw was clenched tightly, though his face had somehow remained impassive.

"Only you, and perhaps your wife, have an issue with it," Crowley said. "Aeliana is from a time when being involved with a supernatural entity wasn't looked down upon but rather venerated. Don't drag her into your moral hang-ups about my recreational activities."

John frowned at Crowley's caviler answer. Castiel had to give the demon points, though; it neatly pulled John's attention from Aeliana. He couldn't miss the relief on her face or the way her lips moved silently in a practiced hymn of thanks. He noticed Crowley tilt his head, a thoughtful look on his face.

"Stop," Mary hissed at John in warning. "You're being rude."

"Rude?" John asked. "Mary, you can't be serious. Especially after what you told me about your family."

"Not. Now." Mary sounded furious, shooting a worried glance at Sam and Dean. "What the Valerius do is their business."

"Not if they're dragging our sons into it," John snapped. His eyes turned to him and Dean. "Not when our damn son is taking after them."

An uncomfortable silence filled the table until Rowena sighed, pushing her plate away. "So much for dinner. Idiocy always turns my stomach."

"Excuse me?" John demanded. "Did you just call me an idiot?"

"I said idiocy," Rowena corrected. "You assumed I was talking about you. Correctly, but still, it was an assumption."

"Bitch," John hissed.

"John!" Mary snapped. "Enough!"

"No, she is a bitch," Crowley said in a bored tone. "But you've hardly earned the right to call her that. It's been less than an hour."

Azrial shot Crowley a warning look. "Don't," she said flatly.

Crowley raised his hands, his lips twitching at Azrial's silent threat. His sister shook her head and took another sip of wine.

"I'm done with this," John said. "Singer, why are you acting like this is normal? I know damn well you're aware of what Dean is up to."

Bobby took a deep breath, clearly trying to temper his response. "Aware of what? If you mean saving the world, then yes."

"That he's a fag and fucking that damn angel!" John screamed.

Castiel prayed for patience. Prayed so hard for the strength to noteviscerate John from existence. The silence didn't last long this time, unsurprisingly.

"I knew you didn't come back to help!" Dean smugly declared. "You're so damn hung up on the fact I'm with a guy you had to fucking haunt me!"

"You're a disgrace," John growled. "What type of example are you setting for your brother? You're not just fucking a guy, but he ain't even human!"

Sam looked furious, pushing to his feet. "Not that it's any of your damn business, but I'm happy Dean and Cas are together. I've also been with men before—hell, I'm with one now!"

Castiel watched Azrial down her wine in one long swig before standing. "Enough," she ordered. "You will not insult your sons in my home."

"That's rich coming from a demon's whore," John snapped before turning back to his sons.

"Don't call her that!" Dean growled at his father as he shot to his feet. "You're just pissy we're saving the world without following your ridged rules. That we don't need you."

"Bobby, don't!" Azrial cried, pulling the hunter's outstretched arm down so it was aimed at the table.

Castiel paled when he saw the gun. While it wouldn't have killed John, it wouldn't have ended well if Bobby had pulled the trigger. The man's blue eyes were burning with so much hate, and Castiel knew the only thing staying his hand was Azrial.

"Felix, get Aeliana out of here now," Azrial said.

Felix didn't hesitate to obey, pulling his shocked wife from the room.

"Bobby," Azrial said gently. "My hunter, please drop the gun. It will only make things worse."

"Your hunter?" John mocked. "Not satisfied being a demon's whore?"

"Enough," Crowley said coldly. "Don't you realize you've overstepped? It's only Azrial's actions preventing you from getting shot."

"I don't want her damn help," John said.

"John, stop," Mary begged. "This wasn't the plan."

"What plan?" Sam demanded. "Are you saying you feel the same way as him?"

"Don't talk to your mother like that," John snapped.

"Bobby, put it down," Azrial begged. "He isn't worth it. We both know it."

John turned back to Azrial, and Castiel realized with a start that she was an easy target for the man. Azrial had been politely docile this entire time, playing hostess to perfection. In many ways, it proved that everything John was saying was nonsense. Azrial had loved a human and protected his family with everything she was. Azrial loved a demon, something unheard of for angels. Azrial loved a hunter, just like Castiel did. She was the nexus of everything John saw wrong with this situation and had refused to put up a fight so far.

"Not worth it, huh?" John asked. "You know, maybe you should have picked better than Crowley."

Castiel felt ice creeping up his veins and stood up, glancing down the table. "Enough," he said coldly. "Leave my sister out of this."

"Why?" John asked. "She's worse than you. You see it, too. I know it. You know she's filth for sleeping with Crowley."

"Hey, that's my little sister you're talking about," Gabriel cut in. "Shut the fuck up."

"Make me." John laughed. "Wait, you won'tbecause then everything I've said is true! You're pretending to be domesticated monsters, and it's pathetic."

Castiel saw the grace burning on Gabriel's fingertips, his eyes burning gold.

"Rowena," Azrial begged, pushing herself fully in front of Bobby. "Please!"

Rowena quickly stood up and moved behind Gabriel, grabbing both of his shoulders. Castiel saw her lips move, and Gabriel fell face-first into his food. Rowena winced, gently wiping off his face and moving the plate.

"A bit stronger than I intended," she admitted at Azrial's shocked look.

"It works," Azrial said in relief. "Thank you. I don't need him throwing John into one of his dimensions."

"I think he needs the wake-up call," Sam said coldly.

Gabriel grunted in agreement, confirming he was still awake despite being unable to move.

"Azrial, remove yourself," Marcus ordered. "I will not have you in the line of fire."

Azrial visibly paled at the order, glancing down at Bobby's tense arm. "Marcus, I really-"

"It was not a question," Marcus growled, his face tight with worry.

Azrial's hand shook, turmoil clear on her face. John quickly picked up on it, turning his full attention back to her.

"Do as your told, demon whore," John spat. "Was Crowley really the best you could do? Figured you'd take up with a more powerful demon."

"Shut up," Dean said tightly. "Now."

"John, stop it," Mary begged. "This is going too far."

"What, Alastair had no interest in used goods?" John mocked.

The room shattered into pandemonium at John's words. Bobby shoved Azrial away from him, her horrified shock preventing her from stopping the movement. Marcus dragged her away from the table as the gun went off, instinctively blocking her with his body. John screamed in pain and covered his bleeding shoulder with his hand. Dean was around the table before Castiel could stop him. His mate brushed his mother aside and went to punch John in the face. Castiel snagged his waist, pulling him back.

"Let me go, Cas!" Dean demanded. "Let me go!"

"I can't," Castiel whispered. "What you want to do to him, it's not you."

Dean let out a pained cry, still trying to launch at his father. Castiel held him tighter, burying his face in his neck.

"I'm here," he promised. "Alastair isn't here. He doesn't have you. He doesn't have Azrial."

John was slammed into the wall behind him, and Mary screamed in surprise. Castiel shut his eyes, already knowing the cause. John was choking, struggling to push away from the wall.

"Crowley," Azrial whispered from her place behind Marcus. "Stop."

Crowley hummed, and John took a wheezing breath but remained pinned to the wall. The demon hadn't moved from his seated position and was still nursing his wine as he stared at John. Mary turned toward Crowley, anger burning in her eyes.

"Let him down," Mary demanded.

"Why should I?" Crowley asked calmly. "He sees us as unredeemable monsters. I'm just acting the part."

"This doesn't involve you," Mary said. "Release him and let our family handle our own issues."

"Your husband may be that foolish, but I know you aren't Mary Winchester nee Campbell."

Castiel didn't understand why the use of her maiden name made Mary pale, but the woman looked sick.

"Now," Crowley continued in his same relaxed drawl. "One of two things can happen from here, wholly dependent on your lovely husband. One, your husband can apologize for his behavior, and I will let him go. Two, you continue to be the rudest guests I'm sure were ever allowed to walk out of this villa alive, and I tell your precious sons just how much mommy has been keeping from them."

"Crowley, what do you mean?" Sam asked, voice shaking. "What does our mom have to do with anything?"

"She had the right to tell you herself," Crowley said without looking away from John. "I have enough respect for you and your brother not to take that away from you. Your mother forced my hand since I can't outright kill your loudmouth sperm donor without causing Azrial issues."

"Mom?" Sam asked, turning to her. "What does he mean?"

"What does it matter?" Dean asked, a crazed laugh ripping from his throat. "She's just like him. I'm nothing but a broken waste of space to her."

Castiel squeezed Dean tighter as Mary spun around to them. "That's not true," she argued. "I'm just worried about you."

Dean shook his head. "Then why didn't you mention our family history to Sam right away?" Dean whispered. "I thought I imagined it. That is was just another thing Alastair put in my head, but it's true, isn't it? This means it's true."

"Castiel, take Dean out of here, please," begged Bobby. "He's clearly having a panic attack."

Castiel nodded as Dean broke into laughter again. "You better tell him," Dean snarled at his mother. "Tell Sammy, or I will, now that I know it wasn't some damn hallucination."

"Well, this makes option two rather pointless," Crowley mused. "So here is my revised offer: your husband apologies, or I do us all a favor and rip out his vocal cords."

"John, for fucks' sake, apologies," Mary begged.

Castiel wasn't sure if the man would. Crowley appeared calm, but from personal experience, he was far from it. Castiel glanced over at Azrial, but his sister was barely moving in Marcus' arms, her face buried in his chest and fingers threaded through his toga. There were small tremors darting across her body, and Castiel hated to think she was also crying. Marcus looked from Azrial to Bobby, but Bobby's attention was split between Dean, Crowley, and John. It struck him at that moment that Marcus likely knew nothing about Azrial's time with Alastair. That he would have no idea what was causing his wife's out-of-character reaction to this situation.

"Or don't," Crowley said silkily. "Truly, that's the more appealing option from my perspective."

"Why do you even care?" spat John from his place pinned to the wall.

Crowley slowly stood, and Castiel winced as his power filled the room. Dean, thankfully, could tell it was from someone who wouldn't hurt him. Gabriel grunted in discomfort, not used to Crowley's power pushing down his own. Castiel kept his grace curled closely around himself and Dean to avoid the heaviness of Crowley's demonic presence. Mary was shaking but kept her back straight as she faced down Crowley.

"You hurt those that belong to me. I'm not a forgiving or kind creature, as you've repeatedly pointed out. Why shouldn't I meet all your expectations?"

"John," Mary whispered. "Just do it."

"But he's—"

"What's more important to you?" Mary demanded. "If it's your pride, then just let the bastard do as he pleases!"

John winced and turned his head back to Crowley. "I apologize," he growled.

"For?" Crowley asked, not bothering to look up as he refilled his wine.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me! I'm not going to beg—"

"Just fucking do it!" Sam finally snapped, his anger boiling over. "Just fucking do it so I can walk out of your damn lives again."

Mary looked like she'd been slapped, and John's head dropped in defeat. "I'm sorry for calling her a whore," he muttered.

"Crowley," Azrial said in a quiet and shaky voice. "Let him go."

"As the lady of the house wishes," Crowley said as he set down the wine bottle before downing his full glass.

John crashed to the floor. Mary ran up to her husband, ignoring the anger from both her sons. Crowley shot him a knowing look as he walked over to Azrial, who pulled away from Marcus, her eyes glassy. To his surprise, Crowley picked her up bridal style despite the audience and strode out of the room. Marcus clearly wanted to follow, but given everything going on, he likely didn't feel he could.

"Go," Bobby said emotionlessly as he once more leveled the gun at John. "Especially since I can't right now."

Marcus frowned, glancing back at where Crowley and Azrial had gone. "You will make sure they leave?" Marcus asked.

"Yes. They will no longer be allowed in the house after today."

"Thank you," Marcus said. "Truly."

Marcus quickly left the room, practically running to catch up with Azrial and Crowley. Rowena placed her hands on Gabriel's shoulder again, and the archangel groaned, slowly sitting back up.

"The hell, Rowena?" he demanded.

"You were going to send the human who knows where," Rowena said. "Your sister was right to stop it."

"Debatable," he huffed. "Look at this mess."

"A mess we should have no part in," Rowena said pointedly. "Unless Samuel asks us to."

Sam's eyes softened as he looked at Rowena and Gabriel. "I'll see you guys in a bit. Cas and Bobby have us covered."

Rowena nodded. "Gabriel, our room, please."

"What am I, a fucking Uber?" he asked.

They vanished in fluttering of feathers. Dean was limp in his arms, and Castiel was worried about how quiet his mate was. Sam crossed his arms, frowning as Mary helped John to his feet. Bobby still hadn't moved the gun, a dark look in his normally kind blue eyes. His finger was brushing the trigger too often to be normal. Bobby was looking for an excuse to shoot John again, and Castiel was worried he would find it if this disaster didn't end.

"Sam, your brother," he began.

"I know. How bad is it?" Sam said without looking away from his parents.

Castiel felt his mate's pulse, frowning at the frantic beating. "Not good. I really should—"

"Go," Sam said. "I'll be up in a bit. Let's take over the entertainment room tonight. Tell Mora and Samael to come, too. I'll have Bobby get the others."

Castiel nodded, knowing it was a good idea. With two people having PTSD attacks, especially from the same trigger, they'd found having everyone together really helped. Both Dean and Azrial were very touch-driven. A weighted blanket and a cuddle puddle—Dean's words, not his—tended to go a long way. Most of the time, it was just him and Sam helping Dean, but this time, they had their whole family.

"Okay. Please call if you need me."

"Why would I do that?" Sam asked with a sharp smile. "I have Gabriel on speed dial, and I've lived through his pranks."

Castiel chuckled at the fearful look Mary shot her son. She really had no idea how badly John had screwed this up. There had been some good will for Sam and Dean's sake. Now, there was nothing but scorched earth. At least it was over now.

He vanished from the room after one last pointed glare at John. If he didn't get out of there, he'd kill the man himself. Probably with the butter knife out of spite.