The next morning when Sam awoke, it was like a lightbulb had gone off. He would need Cas to help, but it shouldn’t be a problem, as it was a “Dean issue” and they had a “more profound bond”. Knowing Dean would be hungover, he assembled a cup of water, two Advil pills, and began to brew coffee. He found Dean passed out on the bathroom floor, with the distinct smell of puke.
Shaking him lightly, he whispered “Dean, wake up,” Until he did.
“Dammit Sammy, how much did I drink last night, jesus,” He moaned as he woke up.
“Too much,” He responded, handing the glass of water and pills to him, “Here, take these and drink this… All of it. I’ll brew some coffee while you shower,”
Taking the pills from Sam’s handed he mumbled out a thank you. As Sam walked away, he smiled to himself, thinking of how his plan was almost sure fire to work. As he brewed the coffee he called out to Cas, “Cas, uh it’s me. Dean’s been having problems and uh, when you get a free moment, I guess, I need your help helping Dean,”
Not a minute later Castiel was there. “What’s wrong with Dean?” Cas asked.
“We, uh, just did a ghost hunt and he’s not takin it too well. Ever since Bobby went rogue he’s been having problems getting rid of ghosts, but I’m more concerned about his increasingly alarming drinking habits he’s been having. I fell asleep before he was anywhere near done, but this morning I counted at least ten bottles,” Sam said.
“That is rather alarming, what are we going to do about it, Sam?” He questioned.
“Well, I think that’s where you come in. What if you took him up to The Roadhouse with Ellen, Ash, and Jo and he could talk to all them, Ellen especially. I mean, she’s the next closest thing to our mom….” He trailed off.
“That’s a good idea, Sam. I can figure a time to steal him away and do that,” Castiel responded, pondering.
“Ok, thanks, Cas. I appreciate it,” Sam responded.
***
Dean finished packing up Baby and hopped in. He was meeting up with Cas for an emergency. Cas hadn’t said much, but Dean could tell it was urgent.
As he drove, he poured himself into his music. He sang his lungs out to Sister Christian and Carry On Wayward Son. There was this chronic pressure in his chest, no, his heart and he was ready to explode and breakdown. He couldn’t take it - For all his life his constant had been family, but the only person he had left was Sammy, whom he loved very much, but he felt responsible for Jo, Ellen, his dad, everyone’s loved deaths.
When he arrived at the warehouse Castiel told him to meet him in, something seemed vaguely familiar. It was hard to place, but there was definitely something.
“Cas, buddy, are you hear?” He called out, knife in hand.
“Over here,” He heard Castiel’s voice responded.
When he found Cas, he was hiding in a corner. Come this way he said to Dean. By the time he realized there was no threat or emergency, it was too late; Cas had already opened the door to Heaven.
“Where are we going, Cas!?” Dean questioned.
“You’ll see,” He responded.
They fell through the door into a garden, and that’s when Dean realized where they were. Cas walked over to a bench and sat down, motioning for Dean to sit down near him.
“Why are we here?” Dean asked.
“Sam and I have been worrying about you. Don’t bother telling me your fine because I know you’re not just by sitting near you. You’re hurting, you think that everyone you are close to have died because of you, and that’s irrational and completely untrue. Death is a natural part of life, Dean. It’s nothing supernatural, like your line of work. Yes, people who hunt die sooner, but they knew that before they committed to the job. So, this is like an intervention. You’re safe here, Dean, and we have places to be,” Cas said, getting up.
If Dean knew what to say, he would’ve, but in all honesty, Castiel had left him speechless. The words hit him, they hit him exactly where all of this pressure had built up. He felt the tears welling up and starting to slide down his face. He looked up to see a concerned Castiel, but he couldn’t stop it. He was now letting tears fall in a steady stream. Castiel walked back to the crying Dean Winchester, still sitting on the bench and shaking, and hugged him. Hugged him tight, held him the way he did when he gripped him tight and raised him from perdition. He felt his pain, his internal screams of agony, he felt the true Dean Winchester in those moments.
When he was recomposed, they got up, Dean following Castiel’s lead, clutching his hand as if his life depended on it. Cas expertly navigated his way through the winding roads until they ended up at the Roadhouse.
“This is for you. The people inside are excited to see you. I’ll be back in a bit… Enjoy yourself, Dean Winchester,” Castiel said. And with that he bid him adieu.
Dean walked in the door and saw them all - Ash, Jo, Bobby, and Ellen.
“Dean!” Jo cried out, running to him and hugging him.
Dean embraced her tightly, remembering the old times. Her smile was still as bright and when he looked down, he saw her side looked normal. It didn’t look torn apart by Hellhounds. She was still the same old Jo, still could put up one hell of a fight in darts and nearly beat him.
Ellen and Bobby stayed by the bar, watching the three play and reminisce. They chuckled as Ash and Dean made the same old bets and Jo as she got more and more competitive. They sipped idly on their beers, not that they could get drunk anyways, but habit is habit and what good is a bar if you can’t drink?
After several rounds of playing darts, Dean approached the two older people quietly. His excitement was dying down and he was worn out from sleep of deprivation. Ellen could tell just in his demeanor that he was in need of a beer and a motherly figure. She went behind the counter and grabbed his favorite brew, cracked it open, and asked him what was troubling his mind.
“Everything. I can’t hunt the way I used to… They’re more human, it’s hard to put ghosts out anymore,” He said, glancing at Bobby, “And that’s not even mentioning how I feel personally responsible for everyone’s death in this room,” He said sighing, and looking down at his beer.
“Firstly, I’m up here, Dean. Eye contact, buddy. Secondly, wake up. We all knew going into this line of work we were gonna end up here. You have just been the survivor to carry on our legacy, our family business. You’re a talented hunter, Dean. You should pride yourself in that, not put yourself down for not dying like the rest of us! Wake the hell up, Winchester,” She finished.
“Thanks Ellen… I, uh needed that real bad,” He responded.
“Anytime, Dean. Now, let’s stop this sulking. I bet you can’t beat me in darts still,” She laughed.
“Bet you still think so anyways,” He said.
After Ellen successfully won three rounds of darts, Dean noticed Castiel standing in the doorway talking quietly to Jo. He knew his time was up, but he had to see Bobby. He’s avoided him this whole time, but he needed to talk to him. He padded across the room towards him and began shakily, “Hey, Bobby. I know there’s no way to apologize-”
“Oh shut the hell up and come here, son,” Bobby interrupted. Pulling Dean into a hug he said, “I need to thank you for that. What you did wasn’t only the right thing, but the best thing. I was going crazy, Dean. You saved me and I’m here now because of you and I can only thank you for that. Now, you’re little angel friend is telling me you gotta go back, but I promise you we all are here for you. Go,”
As Dean and Cas walked out, Dean noticed that constant pressure in his chest had been lifted. He looked up into the heavenly sky and smiled. It was going to be okay, I’m okay, Dean thought.
“Hey, listen man. I owe you a huge thank you, Cas. You don’t know how much I needed this and I can’t put it into words how thankful I am for you doing this for me. They had all been haunting my thoughts. I would close my eyes and see Jo being torn apart or the look in Bobby’s eyes when I sent his soul away,” Dean said, shaking his head.
“There’s no need to thank me, Dean. From what I’ve learned about humanity, that’s what friends are for,” Castiel responded, “Besides, it was your brother’s idea after all,”
As they left Heaven, Dean knew he had been haunted by the ghosts of his past, but the past was over along with that part of his life.
