The man in white raised his head. He stared across the void, the empty space they existed in whilst they waited for their meatsuit stand-ins to upload a video. His empty eyes met the figure in black. "Unus."
"Do you think the clock... might stop? Maybe we could live to see our first birthday."
"Unus." His tone did not change.
The man in black held himself. "How can you switch yourself off like that? Become so detatched, even when the camera isn't rolling? Surely, you must be growing restless. The day is drawing so terrifyingly close and-"
"Momento mori." Annus' tone was becoming annoyed. "Unus Annus."
"Remember death, one year." Unus repeated.
"We all die. We are the fortunate ones, to know when it will happen. Embrace, do not fear it. Be a good example. Understand?"
Unus was quiet. He nodded solemnly. He laid his head back. He noticed Annus did the same. He closed his eyes and took a second to grieve the futures denied to him.
Summary: Unus stops by to visit one of his favorite memories
He stared at the two, trying to start a fire indoors. Annus, playing as 'Markiplier' was joking about killing Unus, playing as 'Crankgameplays'. They were characters used to connect with the auidence. Sometimes they called each other by their actual names, but mostly they stuck with Mark and Ethan.
Unus was wistful as he watched. He heard footsteps in front of him. He turned his head to face his approacher. "Ah, Annus."
"What are you doing here, Unus?"
"I'm watching." He said. "Do you remember camp Unus Annus? It was fun." He smiled. "We played games and tried to start fires. We got mauled by a bear. It was a good time."
"It wasn't that long ago, of course I remember." His tone was the same as ever. Flat, unmoved. No emotion to it. Sometimes Unus preferred when he played as Mark. Mark was a lot more fun.
"I see... I apologize for asking such an obvious question." He bowed his head in shame.
"Allowing yourself to obsess over the past will not change the inevitable." Annus stepped closer. "Do you understand?"
"Yes, yes of course. Momento Mori." He said quickly.
"Good, good." He nodded. "Let's rest. Tomorrow will be here before you know it. After all, time's arrow neither stands still or reverses."
"It marches on." Unus finished.
"Good. Come." Annus started to walk on.
Unus followed, giving one last glance behind him as they went.
Summary: A destiel fix-it fic/fluff piece. Not really one or the other. Death and Dean talk about Dean taking his ring to put Lucifer away. Death has other matters to discuss. Enjoy~
You raised your little brother for love,
you fought for this world for love,
that is who you are.
You’re the most caring man on earth,
you are the most selfless, loving human being I will ever know.
Ever since we met, ever since I pulled you out of hell,
knowing you has changed me.
Because you cared, I cared.
I cared about you,
I cared about Sam,
I cared about Jack.
I cared about the whole world, because of you.
You changed me Dean.
...Why does this sound like a goodbye?
Because it is.
I love you.
Don’t do this Cas.
Goodbye, Dean.
Dean sputtered a breath as he looked up at the pale, sunken face of the Horseman. All he’d asked for was his ring, to open Lucifer’s cell and send him back down to hell, so the world wouldn’t end and they could all keep on living. He hadn’t noticed that time had stopped around them, that the world seemed too crisp.
“What the hell was that?” He rasped. He reached for the water, but the cup wouldn’t move. Everything was permanently frozen in its place. “I need a drink, god damn it.”
“Sorry, but if I allow one thing to move, then Chuck will be able to move. I’d rather avoid that if I could.” He folded his fingers together on the table top, and watched Dean with harrowing eyes. “I’m tired of bouncing from world to world just because he gets tired of his toys and wants to start again. I especially don’t like that you two meatheads somehow end up killing me in this entire mess you two make. Now I’m offering you a one time deal, and you’d best take it.”
Dean wasn’t listening the closest. He was staring at the water. He snapped his head up and looked at Death. “Lay it on me.”
“You’re going to take my ring. You’re going to put Lucifer away. You’re going to think Sam is dead, and you’re going to forget about Adam.”
“But-!”
“You will, Dean Winchester.” He says, his tone a warning. “You’re going to play out all that I just showed you, up until you get that bloody mark on your arm. When Abaddon rears her head, and you need a way to kill her, I will craft you a weapon that can do the trick.”
“But what if Sam or Cas get suspicious that you’re helping us.”
“Think of something.” He says dully. “And be prepared to not see your mother again, that will not happen because Amara is never going to get free. And once Chuck has served his purpose, I will reap him myself.” His eyes never wavered from Dean’s.
“Do we… really have to go through all that pain and suffering? Why can’t we fix this all now and gank the SOB?” He frowned. “What’s the point?”
“There’s certain things that have to happen. Fixed points in time.” He told him calmly. “But in the end, you will all be alive and well and get your ‘happily ever after’.” He rolled his eyes and stood up. “Don’t do anything stupid with this knowledge, Dean. If Chuck finds out either one of us is on to him, we could create a chain reaction that would see the end of your reality in a blink of an eye.”
Dean frowned. Frustrated, a little exasperated, but all the same he nodded. “Fine. Just tell me when we’re all safe, okay?”
“Agreed.” Death took off his ring and handed it to the elder Winchester. “Don’t muck it up. I like the food here.”
Dante snorted and shook his head. He took the ring and stared at it, the weight of the future hanging on his shoulders. He couldn’t believe all he was going to allow to happen.
The bunker was empty. Sam had taken Jack out for the night. The world had become… mostly calm. They still hunted demons, and monsters. Dean didn’t think that’d ever change. But so much of the other stuff had. No more apocalyptic threats. Death had sworn it. It was done, taken care of. All of it.
Dean walked to the library and sat down. He propped his feet up and pulled out his phone. He scrolled down to Cas’ number. He swallowed down a lump in his throat. He called the number.
“Hello Dean.” Cas answered. Same as always. Same old Cas.
“Hey, Cas. I uh, had a question to ask you. Do you got a minute?” He asked, and scratched the back of his head.
“I suppose.” Dean heard some shuffling, and then a car door shut. “What is on your mind?”
“What do you think would make you happiest in the world?” He blurted. “Like, if your life depended on you being happy, what would it be?”
There was a quiet moment. “Is something wrong? Are you okay?” Cas asked. “If someone is there, let me know someway.”
“No, no Cas I’m not being held against my will. I doubt a killer would let me phone a friend in that situation anyway.” He said. “I’m just… curious.”
“Well,” Cas took a moment to think. “I think being with you, Jack and Sam would do it. All of us, having a drink or, watching cartoons. Something relaxing, fun.”
“Yeah?” Dean picked at his jeans as he listened. “All four of us, huh?”
“Yes, why?” Again, Cas’ worry came back.
Dean rolled his eyes. “I’m serious when I say I’m not captured. This ain’t a life or death situation.” Not really, anyway. But it did feel like it. “Cas.. how do you feel… about me?”
“Close? We have known each other a long, long time. Calling us anything less than friends would be a disservice to what we have been through.”
Dean paused and took a shaky breath. “Do you think… happiness is… just being? Do you think you need to have happiness, or can you just, be happy, ya know?”
Another, long pause. “Dean, this feels like a goodbye of some kind. And I do not like it.”
Dean can’t help but laugh. Yeah, yeah it did sound like a goodbye, because that’s what it was. It had been a goodbye, one that had haunted Dean for so many goddamned years before now. And now, he could finally say it. He had had years to prepare for this moment. And fuck he hadn’t prepared a single line.
“How quickly can you be home, Cas?”
“Maybe an hour?”
“Try to speed. I want to see you.”
Time seemed to drag on, as Dean paced the bunker in anticipation for what was coming. Castiel was going to be there any moment, and he wasn’t ready. Years of knowing this was coming, and he wasn’t ready. Unbelievable. He paced the halls and rooms, trying to rehearse cheesy lines that fell flat the moment they hit the air. What could he say? What would summarize years of unrequited pining, on both ends?
The door opened and Dean jolted, before he hid behind a pillar.
“Dean?” The angel’s voice echoed in the mostly empty room. “Dean I’m here… what did you need?”
He’d always be there when Dean called. He knew that. He just had to say it. He had to make the first move. He stepped out from behind the pillar. “Hey Cas.”
“Why were you hidden?” Cas did that cute little head tilt and Dean swallowed down the lump in his throat. “Are you okay?”
Dean stepped forward until they were closer. Not super close. Maybe too close? Dean couldn’t tell. “Cas, if I had mere moments to live, and the only thing that would save me was thinking of the happiest thing I could…” He paused and took a deep breath. “I would think of telling you that you are one of the most important people in my life. You’ve helped Sam and I again, and again, and again. You’ve always tried to do the right thing-”
“Even when it was the wrong thing.” Cas chimed in. And Dean laughed.
“Even when it was the wrong thing. But you always tried to do better. Be better, for me and Sam, and now Jack. And… I really admire that about you. I think it’s one of your best qualities.”
“It really started with you.” Cas nodded. “You taught me a lot, over my years on earth. Team free will, and all that.” He smiled and shrugged. Like he was trying to joke and be serious at the same time. He wasn’t good at that, and Dean would have to tell him later.
“Well uh, good to hear, I guess.” He was so fucking nervous. “Cas… I have something really important to tell you, okay?”
Castiel nodded.
Dean took a very deep breath, pursed his lips, and then mumbled, “I love you man.”
“Dean?” Cas looked confused.
“I said I love you!”
His voice echoed in the empty bunker, and Cas blinked. So they stood there, and Dean shifted on his feet. They both kinda looked around, before Cas finally cleared his throat. “I love you too, Dean.”
Dean whipped his head to make eye contact with him. “Yeah? Like, for real?”
“Yes.” Castiel nodded.
“Not like, not as bros.”
“No.”
“Or as friends? Or like-”
Cas grabbed Dean and pulled him down. He kissed him. And Dean kissed back, and his eyes were closing and the world was spinning as he became light headed. His heart raced and his brain screamed, this is so, so right. This is how it was supposed to end. It had to have been.
Cas broke the kiss first, both taking half a second to catch their breath before Dean kissed him again, and gripped the lapels of his trench coat, Cas’ hands moving down his body to wrap around his middle. Nothing else mattered, nothing but this.
Dean eventually, after a few minutes at least, broke the kiss and panted shallowly, his body weak. Then, he laughed a little, and hugged Cas tight, who hugged back immediately. “You gotta practice kissing, man.” Dean teased.
“Thank god I have someone to practice with.” Cas chuckled. “Also, I doubt my kissing was that bad. I have had few complaints.”
“Was the pizza man a good teacher?” Dean asked cheekily, remembering way back when.
“I’d like to think so.”
“It wasn’t terrible, I’ll give you that.” Dean pecked his lips one more time. “I can’t believe-”
Cas pecked his lips back, cutting him off. “I know. It’s liberating. But there’s something-”
Dean cut him off with a kiss. “What? What could possibly be on your mind?”
Another quick peck. “How do we tell Sam and Jack?”
Dean paused. He looked away a moment, and pursed his lips in mock thought. “Honestly? I don’t give a damn.”
Cas laughed. The two moved to the couch, never breaking contact. Once seated, Cas climbed onto Dean’s lap and cuddled up to him, the Winchester holding his angel closely. Dean ended up falling asleep like that, and Cas would never dream of waking him.
Summary: Dark and Wil are enjoying the bright white of the snow, and Dark remembers something from before. WARNING: darkstache, dilliam. Enjoy~
Wilford's love of snow always made Dark chuckle in amusement. The poor pink fool was currently dancing in the snow drifts, wearing the warmest clothing he owned as he did. He whooped and cried out in glee.
"Dark! Dark come here. Come join me!"
Dark stared at Wil and felt a pang in his heart. He had memories of this before.
"Damien old boy! Come on, join me!" William called, laughing as he bounced in the snow drifts.
"Unlike you, I don't wish to catch a cold." Damien told him, smiling all the same. "You need to think rationally."
"Pish posh!" William bounded over and took his hand. "Besides, if you get a cold, I'll just have to take care of you." He smirked.
Damien's cheeks heated up a bright red. "William Barnum I cannot believe what you're implying."
William laughed as he dragged the mayor through the snow. "Its just us! I'll say, and do, how I please!" He cackled.
Damien eeped and ended up laughing with him. "Think of the scandals!" Then, he let out a screech as he was knocked back into the snow.
William just so happened to land on top of him. "I am, Damien. I promise." He winked.
Damien's breath caught as he felt William's lips on his own. His eyes closed and he cupped William's cheek lightly. The cold of the snow was the last thing on his mind as he kept going, opening his mouth slightly.
William pulled back and smiled at him. "My my Damien. Think of the scandals." He teased.
Damien pouts. "Just hush and kiss me."
Dark smiled faintly. He ran in the snow and knocked Wilford over, easily going down with him and landing on top of him.
Wilford oofed. "Well well well Dark! What's gotten into you?"
"Just happy to be here with you." And Dark kissed him, holding onto him, letting go of the past and embracing the future.
Summary: Wilford and Dark return to the home of the egos after the Heist. They talk about their respective endings and how they feel. WARNING: Darkstache and A Heist With Markiplier spoilers!! Enjoy~
Dark was the first one home. Most had found his ending before Wilford's, which made sense. The path to his was just a hair clearer, with the tunneled labeled 'Dark' after all. He sighed as he stood in the middle of the living room and undid his tie. Just another inconsequential pawn in a long, drawn out game. Irrelevant. Used for bloopers and other bonus features.
Perhaps it's best that way. Who knows what he could do if he was able to show his true strength.
He let himself plop back against the couch. He sighed as his neck and back popped against the cushions. His counter part would be home any moment, and he just wanted savor the peace and qui-
"DARK HOLY FUCK." Wilford had kicked the door open, because of course he had. Dark looked over, confusion on his face.
"Please tell me you wore pants to the Interview today."
"Nope!" Wilford laughed as he crossed the floor. "Quite the puzzle old Mark threw out into the world! Several endings, one starring each of us! What could have been better! And of course I got to interview the lovely and charming uh..." His lips pursed a moment as he tried to remember something. "Oh their name wasn't important. Anyway it was a lot a fun! Wouldn't you agree?"
Dark leaned back as Wilford jumped onto the couch. He landed on his knees and was leaning in to get closer to Dark. He looked at his excitement and smiled. "Yes, I agree. It was a lot of fun."
He patted his lap, and like an excited dog, Wilford rolled over onto his back and laid his head on his leg. Dark idly carded his fingers through his hair. Wiford hummed as he closed his eyes. "You like nice in white."
"Thank you, Wilford." Dark closed his own eyes and laid back.
"You never told me what your ending was about. Not even when we got the scripts. Why is that?"
Dark thought back to the grafitied paintings, and the crumbling portrait of Mark. He hadn't wanted to worry Wilford with thoughts of the past, and still didn't. He leaned down and kissed Wilford's forehead, which made a giggle bubble out of him.
"It was very boring, even I thought so."
"Ugh, just a cameo?"
Dark nodded. "Just a cameo and nothing more."
Wilford rolled so he was facing Dark, and looked up at him. "In my book you're a shining star."
Dark laughed softly. "Thank you Wilford. That means a lot."
Summary: Patton finds a snake lost and alone and of course he has to take care of it! How could he not? (Warnings: Sympathetic Deceit, some angst) Enjoy~
The best part of turning into a snake and slithering around is you feel incredible. You feel amazing, and very happy. You're just a snake, slithering, hissing. Not a care in the world.
The worst part of turning into a snake in the mind palace is, until he turns himself back to normal, Deceit can no longer influence the mind palace world. But to be honest, it never really is an issue.
So Deceit slithered along merrily, enjoying his freedom as a snake. While normally he stayed out of the Light Sides' half of things, his curiousity as to why Virgil spent so much time there ate at him. He slithered on over, just to check things out.
The first thing he noticed was just how bright it was. Not just light, but colors too. And the common space showcased all the Sides' different interests. There was a very comprehensive bookcase, subjects and topics varying drastically but all having a core focus of science and facts.
There were musical Playbills, showcased, disayed right along side of pictures of Thomas from his own acting escapades.
There were pictures of all the sides at varying ages corresponding to Thomas' ages. Five, twelve, twenty, etc. There was even a young picture of the freshly made Creativity, before he split to become Roman and Remus.
Deceit remembered being young, causing mayhem and mischief with that Creativity. It was back when Thomas was a child, back when he didn't realize how much his lies had consequences. Back when Creativity wasn't so polarized. Now the two halves of his old friend were equally unbearable to be around for extended periods of time.
And lastly, there was a spot in the common area that looked like it had once been shared by the three light sides, but had been cleared off, painted purple. There were pictures of Virgil with Patton, looking... almost happy. Being loved, being appreciated. The corner was soft and dark, with an outlet nearby for charging devices. There was also a small hook for his headphones. How considerate.
Deceit had seen enough. His stomach was twisting with something like envy or jealousy, or a bit of both. What a cozy little abode. No wonder Virgil had taken to this place. Deceit turned to slither back to the dark hole he'd come from, when he saw Patton.
Patton gasped as he saw the little black snake, about the size of a ball python. "Why look at you! Where did you come from?"
Deceit just, stared. Unsure of what to do. Not wanting to change back and try to come up with a decent lie as to why he was there.
"Well you're probably getting cold, huh little guy. Well come here to your happy pappy Patton! I'll keep you all warm."
Before Deceit could stop him, Patton was scooping up the snake and gentle wrapping him around his neck. "There you go little guy! I'll set you up a tank later." He grinned.
Deceit just flicked his tongue, unsure what to do as he tighted the coil slightly. Not enough to hurt, just to be secure.
Patton carried him around, baking cookies and doing whatever else. He occasionally would compliment his new snake friend, unprompted, just giving him encouragement and kindness. And Deceit... actually liked it.
Soon Patton had a forty gallon tank set up, with a heating pad, water bowl to soak in, the works for keeping a pet snake. Deceit was placed in, and gravitated to a fake tree, climbing up and wrapping around the fake branches.
The other Sides filtered into the common room.
"Great goodness! What a wonderful snake!" Roman exclaimed. "Beautiful and brave! Much like myself."
Logan smiled at the snake. "A sophisticated pet. It truly ties the space together."
"Don'tcha mean sophissssticated!" Patton grinned.
And Logan's smile was gone as he rolled his eyes, grabbed a book and plopped on the couch.
And finally Virgil, who saw the snake and recognized him immediately. He said nothing and sat in one of his bean bag chairs.
Virgil waited until the other sides left before he opened the tank and took out the snake. He carried it, not so delicately, to the entrance to the Dark Sides' space. "I don't know what your plan is, but get out of here."
Deceit finally shifted back, and rolled his eyes. "Oh come now Virgil. I don't always have such bad intentions." His smirk was sly.
Virgil saw something in his eyes. Something distant. "Why did you come over here then?" He questioned.
"It wasn't because I missed you, if that's what you're insuating." Deceit hissed out. A lie, of course. As was his next statement. "I don't see the appeal of this place, not a bit."
"So you won't be back?" Virgil pushed, arms crossed. He was acting tough, but Deceit could see the anxiousness trembling through him. Being friends for several years, you tend to learn these things.
But Deceit, while he could definitely strong arm the embodiment of anxiety, doesn't. Instead he nods. "Of course. What reason do I have to return?" And he stepped back into his own domain.
Deceit looked around the grimy, unlit, almost damp area that the Dark Sides inhabited. A place that didn't feel like home. He made a face as he heard Remus in the other room, making obscene noises. He sighed and got a rag, cleaning off a space on the wall, revealing the yellow color it had once been before the filth built up.
He placed an old photo, of the young Dark Sides. Virgil in his old, black jacket. Remus in his simple black, regal outfit with a green stash, and Deceit, wearing a yellow button up with a sinister black coat, of course wearing his bowler hat. A small family.
And he smiled, genuinely, for the first time in a long time.
