( Spn V. ) - Blog Posts

The moment Dean removed his boots and settled onto the bed, Castiel knew the hunter wasn't going to leave. As much as it ruffled the angel's feathers, Castiel couldn't help but feel some sense of... honour? Fondness? Whilst he couldn't quite place the feeling, it meant a lot to him that Dean was willing to leave Sam unguarded to spend the night with the weakened angel.

It was also some relief. Castiel wasn't blind, he could tell that the hunter knew something wasn't right, and instead of making a fuss Dean was simply providing company. Some sense of protection, a tilted perspective on their previous dynamic. Cas had spent so long watching over the Winchesters, it was strange to think Dean wanted to watch over him.

Unblinking blue eyes follow Dean's hand as it pats the empty side of the mattress. He hesitates, considers his options. His legs were aching, a heaviness beginning to settle in his eyes – and the bed was the most appealing place to settle within the motel room. Even if the idea of resting within a bed, like a human, was completely bizarre.

But Dean's words rang true. Cas was tired – his body needing to recharge, especially after using his angelic powers so frequently on their last case. If only to remind himself that they were still there. " I... I suppose I can rest for a while. Since there's nothing more for us to do at the moment. " The angel finally agrees, persuaded by the softness that had overtaken Dean's tone. Something less guarded, shared between the two of them.

Resigned, Castiel moves towards the side of the bed Dean had motioned toward. Copies the hunter's actions of removing his shoes, perfectly aligned at the side of the bed, and settling within the empty space. The motel's bed wasn't the largest, Castiel's shoulder resting against Dean's, but the proximity wasn't exactly awkward. " Thank you, Dean, " Cas turns to look at the other man, unbothered by how close they were. " You can rest as well, there's no need to deny yourself sleep for my sake. "

It was Dean's way of showing that he cared. Over the last few weeks there had been clues collected to point towards the fact that his angelic friend was slowly getting weaker. And at first Dean hadn't paid any mind to it, thinking it'd solve itself out soon enough. But Cas seemed out of breath after a teleportation, healing one of the Winchesters appeared to exhaust him. That was when Dean's worry kicked in.

By now Castiel was a great fighter, could take on several opponents at once and he was proud of the angel for that. Still, it made him feel better to not leave the other on his own. Even if only for a night. They never knew when a threat would swing by, demanding their attention and he didn't want a tired angel to be overwhelmed by it.

So Dean kicked his boots off, letting them land on the ground before he climbed onto the only bed in the room, leaning against the headboard with a slight grin. "Nope, I'm staying here tonight." His hands folded in his lap as he was willing to sit this one out. Castiel could be stubborn, but Dean was ready to match him up in it.

"C'mon, it won't be that bad spending the night with me. I can be quite pleasant," Dean offered a little amused, patting the space next to him on the mattress. "I've spent the last 30 years with Sam, he can wait a night." His eyes were trained on the other man in the room, looking through the tough face the other tried to put on.

"I just want to take care of you, Cas. Let me do that for you?" His tone was more soft now. "To be honest you look... like you could need some rest. I'll be here to watch over you, as you like to say, mmh?" His eyes were sparkling when he looked at the other. "You won't even notice I'm here. Promise."

@warriorwithasoftheart ; "Well, get used to it. I'm not leaving." For Cas.

Sometimes Dean Winchester could be so infuriatingly stubborn. It seemed the hunter was hellbent on ignoring everything Castiel said, choosing to do the opposite. Whilst in many cases that had, admittedly, worked out, it didn't stop the flare of annoyance every time Dean directly opposed Castiel's suggestions.

Well. This had been less of a suggestion and more a demand. Usually Castiel had no qualms with spending time with the Winchesters, particularly with Dean, but today the angel had wanted privacy. The hunters had gotten Castiel his own motel room for this case – he had a sneaking suspicion it had to do with his powers weakening lately, the threat of the impending apocalypse looming over them.

Or perhaps it was simply due to the hunters wanting space. Personal or otherwise, Dean certainly mentioned it to the angel enough times. But that seemed hypocritical ; the green-eyed hunter was refusing to give Castiel space now it was available.

He sighs, deeply. Uses the prolonged exhale to resist leaving himself, since Dean was so insistent on staying. " You do not need to stay here, Dean, " Cas insists. " I am an angel of the lord – more than capable of looking after myself. You should be spending time with Sam, or getting some rest. "

Thus allowing Cas to get some rest himself – being tired was a strange sensation, and the angel didn't enjoy the unease that came with it. " I can wait here until tomorrow. It doesn't bother me. "

Deep down, Sam knows she's right. Dean wouldn't have wanted Sam to become like this – moping around, drinking, staying in decaying buildings because he can't bring himself to get back into the job. He was a wreck. But how does one just move on? Stop mourning the only real family he had left.

Yet, the need for revenge churned in his gut. Even the mention of Lilith made Sam's blood boil, anger and guilt thrumming through his veins. The turmoil inside him screams why not both. So, red-rimmed eyes stare down at the demon, expression shifting into something resigned.

" Fine, " Sam finally spits out, too exhausted to keep arguing with Ruby. " But only because Lilith deserves to pay - not because I want anything to do with you. "

@fracturals sam & ruby.

"look -" word spoken, hands on her hips as she looks up and up at sam winchester. "you can keep mourning your brother, or you can do something. and my vote?" not that she gets a vote. "do something. get stronger so you can stop lilith."

If Sam's brain had been working at full capacity, he would have protested Dean's plan. Instead, the light was removed from his grip and his older brother was gone before Sam could even utter a word.

Letting out a sigh, Sam let the moonlight streaming through the windows guide him upstairs. Gun in hand, Sam crept from room to room, tired eyes searching for any pale apparitions. His ears strained for any sign of Dean, but his brother was being unusually silent. That, or Sam simply couldn't focus.

He was in the last room at the end of the corridor when the gunshot went off. Sam jumped, the closet door slipping from his grasp and slamming shut, making the younger hunter wince. Ow. But he didn't have time to focus on his pounding head when Dean could be in trouble.

" Dean? " He calls out, heading back out into the corridor as quickly as his foggy mind would allow. Squinting in the darkness, he could make out Dean's shorter form down the end of the hallway - no ghost in sight. " Are you alright? " Sam's slightly breathless as he reaches Dean, gaze scanning his brother for any injuries. " Was that the spirit? "

Suspicion ran deep in the older Winchester but he didn't handle things well the last time Sam went through this similar pain, he wanted to make up for it.

Dean knew he could be a little on the over protective side but hell Sam was all he had, Brothers looked out for brothers especially when hunting the things normal folk tell stories of.

" Okay listen, I'll take the flashlight and check out the basement, you take upstairs and hopefully this will be over soon "

Not giving Sam enough time to fully argue Dean takes the light and heads off. This way he was granting Sam's wishes while also still protecting him. The spirit had shown in the basements bathroom, converted some time ago into a rental suite but after the worlds scariest bath guest, well, it was unused.

Dean moved slowly in the dark room with the light panning left to right, but nothing happened. After some time he admitted defeat and returned upstairs.

Stood five feet tall a dripping woman had her back to the hunter. Her wedding dress torn and stained it hung around her small frame. Clearly this bride must be the spirit but no one mentioned a wedding gown, usually just a woman in white, a typical ghost the brothers have put down before but this was different.

Aiming the shot gun Dean stood watching her, he didn't want to make her aware of Sam but equally didn't want Sam to walk into this, into her without a warning.

Screw it.

Dean fired once into the woman, her spirit screamed and like a cloud of steam it dispersed.

Listening to his story, Lucifer couldn't help but wonder if this was how the Detective had felt every time Lucifer had spoken about his devilish nature. This angel's story sounded insane – talking about events Lucifer hadn't heard of, about... vessels? That sounded a bit more familiar, similar to the way his demons could possess dead humans. But an angel couldn't do that. Well, not in this world at least.

It was intriguing, the slight differences between what this angel was saying and what Lucifer knew to be true. The names he mentioned - Metatron and Castiel - were undoubtedly familiar. Yet Amenadiel hadn't mentioned anything going on in heaven, nor had any of his siblings paid a visit to the city of angels recently. Nothing that would suggest a possible end to humanity.

So, Lucifer had no choice but to believe the facts. Just as in his cases with the Detective. No matter what was true and what wasn't, it was a safer bet to keep an eye on a mysterious universe-travelling angel. At least for now.

" Right, " Lucifer finally speaks, the word drawn out. " Lots to unpack there, Linda would have a field day with you. So would any doctor, really – you look very alive for someone who's apparently meant to be dead. "

Dark eyes look the pristine form up and down, not a scratch marring the 'vessel's' skin. One could only presume this was His doing - what Lucifer didn't understand was why. What business did the Old Man have with bringing undead angels to a different reality? Their father really was a constant headache, honestly.

" Well, one thing's for certain : you aren't in your world anymore. More specifically, you're in Los Angeles - best place you could've ended up, really. " Lucifer grins, almost fondly, before his hands move to clap together once. " Now, about that favour. What is it you'd desire? Somewhere to stay, perhaps? A ticket back to the silver city? Oh, and I suppose I should finally ask your name - since you seem to already know who I am, it only seems fair. "

Other realms, other worlds, other universes -- - none of it sounded ridiculous, maybe he was lucky in that while he hadn't experienced other universes for himself, he'd been well aware of them despite being caged for all those years. It made now that bit easier to digest, not that his present company offered much solace, unnerved by the notion that his presence there could ruffle a few feathers. Literally, perhaps.

Usually, he would've apologised at the sight of someone insulted by his words, but given who this was, his brother or not, he found it difficult to offer up such pity, such empathy. Maybe that was wrong, they were creatures of compassion, were they not?

Did he dare explain what happened? How he'd died? How all of Heaven had been expelled, each of his brothers and sisters falling, only to ignite another battle on Earth, led by Metatron, closely accompanied by himself? Or did he explain why he could barely even look at him without rage lapping up every borrowed feature?

Yet he could have laughed when he heard this Lucifer offer his help, a mix of shock and utter disbelief claiming him as he shook his head in defiance. "You want to help me?" He almost seemed disgusted by the thought, staring him down as though expecting him to laugh in his face or brutally mock him. Why did he seem so different? Almost -- - nicer?

No. This was Lucifer. Maybe not his Lucifer, but still a Lucifer. He couldn't lower his guard, couldn't let himself be tricked, couldn't fall into another trap. "The last thing I remember was being held in Heaven's dungeon. I sacrificed myself to allow Castiel to escape and save humanity from Metatron's rule." It was a simple enough way of explaining it, no sugarcoating, no dancing around the issue, even if it didn't detail everything up until that point. He didn't need to know all of that -- - not yet, at least.

"Then I awoke here." He looked around him, still searching for a familiarity that wasn't there. "I no longer hear my brothers and sisters." There wasn't the same chatter, he couldn't listen in. He was an outsider. "I don't know how. I should have been destroyed, my vessel..." He looked down at the man he was inhabiting, raising a hand to his chest where he'd scratched the sigil using jagged stone. "His body is healed. But I am alive." He looked back at this other version of his big brother. "How or why, I... do not know."

Human detectives?

Ah. Certainly not an earthly being then. Considering his demeanor and the ability to remain somewhat civil, it put a higher bet on the angelic side rather than the demonic. Even having fallen, Lucifer could typically recognise the faces of his siblings, having spent enough time with them before being cast out – and when stuck for millennia with only demons and tortured souls for company, one thinks a lot of their family.

But this was not any he recognised – and in the same vein, they clearly didn't recognise him. Even those siblings that had supported his fall, had been on Michael's side through everything, they didn't react THIS way. They knew his face without Lucifer having to mention his name, or devil status. It didn't add up, a trickier mystery than some of the Detective's cases.

It was curious enough of a situation to keep Lucifer standing there, rather than resuming his previous mission of heading back to the precinct to assist Chloe on her case. He had no qualms with the other being in LA, so long as there was no interference with the Detective's life. Only then would Lucifer deem it fit to intervene himself.

No, Lucifer simply found his not-sibling interesting. That was until Gadreel claimed he ' wasn't the real Lucifer Morningstar. ' The devil spluttered at the accusation. " Excuse you, " Lucifer starts, indignant. " I am very much the REAL Lucifer Morningstar, thank you very much. "

Hands settle on his hips, lips downturned into a disapproving frown at the impeachment of his honour. It almost made him miss the implications of the other's words – this not-sibling before him wasn't from this universe. A situation like his mother's, perhaps? An angel that had been in a separate dimension for some reason, one that had been brought back here for... what? Another ploy from dear old dad?

But a dimension with another Lucifer? That hardly added up. Their dad hardly cared for the original Lucifer, let alone would have any interest in making another – especially one that sounded so... deceitful.

" Okay, there's clearly been some sort of confusion here. I'm not certain what's happened with you, nor who you are, but I have no intentions of fooling you. Lying isn't really my thing, you see. Scouts honour. " Lucifer holds up his fingers, imitating the gesture he'd seen Chloe do with her offspring. " But if you need help, I'd be willing to extend a favour. Just this once. "

He felt different -- - yet didn't everything? He was in a universe that wasn't his own, wasn't his home. Maybe he should've been thankful, waking up anywhere after sacrificing himself for the sake of humanity hadn't exactly been his first thought, yet there he was. No longer encased in another cell all over again, but not on his Father's Earth either, nor amongst his brothers and sisters. But somewhere else. Another Earth, one with another version of his Father, perhaps? Other versions of his brothers and sisters?

Was there another him? Was there another Gadreel wandering around here or locked away in Heaven?

Right now, it didn't matter. All he wanted was to get away from the deceiver, the serpent of lies, of deceiver, terrified of being wrapped around his little finger. He took another step back, brows hardened as he stared at him, anger furrowing those stern brows that were so commonly creased with concentration, yet were now pinched with a flickering fury he hadn't felt since he'd set eyes upon Thaddeus on Earth. His Earth.

That hadn't gone well either. For Thaddeus, at least.

"Detective douche...?" The angel blinked in confusion, shaking his head. Was that a reference to something? "I don't know who that is. Nor am I familiar with any human detectives." He told him straight, his breathing harder, rougher as he backed away even further. He was cut off here, still fallen, strong enough to defend himself, to fight back, but he was still injured, still wounded from the fall, and so this Lucifer would make light work of him if he needed to.

If he was so lucky -- - if it was his Lucifer, he imagined he'd do far worse than the mercy of death. Ironically, just like their Father.

"I know the real Lucifer Morningstar. My brother. The Lucifer of my world... my home." His vessel's upper lip trembled at the mere thought of him. "You will not fool me. Not as he did... I have paid for my mistakes. I will not be led astray again."

Lucifer's expression shifts as the figure before him backs away, his typical grin slipping into something more neutral. It wasn't often that a person would want to get away from him, not unless they were a suspect in the Detective's case or he'd shown them his devil face – but this man was neither! Lucifer would've been offended if something about the other hadn't seemed so off. Some sort of energy thrumming in the air, similar to the presence of his siblings yet something completely different.

The devil was intrigued.

" I'm sorry, have we met before? " Lucifer questions, dark gaze regarding the strange being before him. There was no familiarity from the other's features, nothing that told Lucifer he should remember him. But why else would this man seem so eager to get away? Unless –

" Oh - ugh - you're not one of detective douche's friends, are you? You certainly dress like it, " The fallen angel rolls his eyes, gesturing towards the other man's outfit. It was difficult to believe detective Espinoza had friends, being a douche and all, but perhaps this was one of those improv buddies. It wasn't like Dan spoke highly of Lucifer there.

" Look, whatever he's told you about me isn't true. Well, maybe a bit true, but most likely completely out of context. Not the real Lucifer Morningstar at all, I assure you. "

@fracturals asked: ❛ you didn't hear a word of what i just said, did you? ❜ ( from lucifer morningstar (tom ellis not spn) bc this is a crossover i need )

🐝  *  ―  𝑹𝑨𝑵𝑫𝑶𝑴 𝑫𝑰𝑨𝑳𝑶𝑮𝑼𝑬 𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑵𝑪𝑬 𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑹𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑺 𝑷𝑻. 𝑰.

The moment that Gadreel had come to realise just who it was that stood before him, his mind had gone blank. No, this wasn't his Lucifer, his brother who tricked him all those aeons ago in the Garden of Eden, dooming humanity and handing him a one-way ticket into Heaven's dungeon for a lifetime of endless and merciless torture. But he was the closest thing to him since the dawn of time, since he'd last locked eyes with his brother before he'd been locked away and forgotten for his failure.

It wasn't until this other Lucifer spoke again that it seemed to pull the fallen angel from his thoughts, blinking several times as he stared at the unfamiliar features looking back at him. "No." Gadreel wasn't always a being of many words, but right now he was struggling to formulate thoughts, let alone sentences. "Keep your distance." He uttered as he instinctively began to back away from him. He may need help, he may be lost in a universe he didn't know, but trust Lucifer? His Lucifer or not -- - he couldn't do it, he wouldn't allow himself to be fooled again. He just couldn't bear it.

The younger Winchester hadn't meant to bring up the pain that had been slowly increasing since he woke up, but Dean had committed on the instinctual squint Sam made every time the flashlight moved, and well - it had just slipped out. Cue the conversation Sam had really wanted to avoid, especially considering his... history with head pain.

Sam let the stream of light dip slightly, the shadows creeping from above allowing his expression to soften slightly. Made it easier to glance at Dean, to ignore the throbbing in his head – even if his expression was still scrunched with pain. " No, " he counters immediately.

" I'm fine, I can handle it – besides, we're already here, what's the point in leaving now? " It's easy to brush away the protective brotherly concern thrown his way, even if Sam feels a flash of guilt in doing so. Dean was only ever looking out for him, and the older hunter had plenty of reason to be worried. " Let's just get this over with and head back to the motel. I'll rest or whatever there, Dean. "

They probably had some painkillers somewhere, and Sam was sure a couple of those with a good sleep would fix the ache resonating in his skull. Better to believe that than to consider it could be a sign of something more.

Headache and Migraines | Accepting

@fracturals asked; "Of course I'm squinting, it's so bright in here." ( sam @ dean )

Dean lowered his gun to look over at his younger sibling, was he joking? it's several shades of shadow in here.

" Dude, you literally have the flashlight, the only light in here "

Dean looked around the old house they stood in, nothing seemed extra spooky, The house was haunted sure, but they were hunters so that was a occupational hazard they actually looked for and the ghost of a drowned woman didn't blind you with lights, least Dean hadn't found anything to suggest otherwise.

" Look maybe you sit this one out Sam " his overly protective side taking a stance, remembering those migraines Sam had and all the demonic events during that time, Maybe it was happening again?

Humans were so intricately complicated. They had conflicting emotions, fierce instincts and relationships that only continued to stun the angel. Dean Winchester considered himself a bad man, someone worthy of torture within hell, yet had given everything to protect his brother. It was a connection you hardly saw between angels, duty always outweighing bonds.

Castiel admired Dean for it. For being so selfless, even if the man couldn't see it for himself. It was a rare trait in humans - but an admirable one. Something that wasn't so admirable? Drinking. Castiel could practically taste the whisky molecules even from a distance.

" I don't think so, " Castiel can't help but disagree. Perhaps it wasn't something a heavenly being should be saying – but then again, most heavenly beings wouldn't risk diving into hell for a human.

" You had good intentions behind what you did – from what I gather, behind everything you've been doing. It may not always have a desirable outcome, but those are out of your control Dean. "

He hovers for a moment, glancing around before moving to settle on a seat near the hunter. Castiel's posture is rigid, uncomfortable. But his expression remains genuine, albeit on the stoic side. " It can't be easy for you. Having those memories. "

hero and villain sentence starters | Accepting

@fracturals asked; you are justifiably angry, you had to make a terrible sacrifice. ( castiel @ dean )

Dean was on his third whisky when Castiel found him, alone. The hunter needed space and often found being alone helped him to process whatever he needed to. He was surprised how fast the Angel had found him but then he still didn't understand Castiel's abilities as an angel.

" It's what family does, like hell was I lettin' Sam die " his voice almost broke but he kept it together, Dean was drowning in an ocean of regret " The things I saw, Hell the things I did Cas, Maybe I deserved Hell "

Dean took another hit of whiskey, eyes filling with the tears he refused to release. Hell broke Dean, He didn't speak about the ways Alastair tortured him but he remembered every detail. You can't imagine the pain, Dean held on for thirty years as time moves differently down there but everyone has a breaking point.

@decreedfate ; "You would feel better if you actually slept." (Sam for Dean!)

The unimpressed stare sent Sam's way was more than telling of Dean's thoughts on that suggestion. It wasn't like they'd ever had a regular sleep schedule – even as kids, they'd be awake all hours of the night, watching out motel windows for signs of their dad coming home. Some things stuck with you, and as much as Dean enjoyed getting a good night's rest, the actual getting there wasn't so easy.

Especially not on complicated cases like these. Where every lead came up short and the bodies were beginning to pile up. Whilst there wasn't much more they could do right now, Dean couldn't stand the waiting around.

Hell, he couldn't even settle. Kept pacing around like an animal in a cage. The shitty motel TV had no appeal, but neither did trying to sleep. The older Winchester just felt restless, agitated.

" I don't see you sleeping Sammy, " Dean counters, turning away from his brother to peer through the thin curtains for the hundredth time. As if the answer to their case would just fall outside their room window if Dean checked enough. The man scoffed and let the curtain fall back into place with more force than necessary. " I'm fine. I can sleep later, or tomorrow – whenever we've caught this damn thing. "