Wee teaser of A.N.G.E.L., the Robocop AU
Dean's weak leg crumpled and he stumbled to his knees, fishing for his gun as he did. Goddamn stress. Had to hit now? He rolled to his back, aiming the gun up and forward.
Whatever had knocked him back moved slowly. Not a huge shape from what he could tell. Man-sized. But careful. Pinpricks of blue were all he could see of the shadowy form.
Dean cocked the gun and barked, "Police! Hands up!"
"Citizen," the deep voice droned. "Lower your weapon. You are not to be harmed."
Dean frowned. That voice sounded a bit more familiar. He didn't comply, though, keeping his gun up. "I said, police."
Out of the gloom, his assailant stepped forward. He certainly was human. Deep blue eyes. Shadows of stubble on his jaw. Dressed bizarrely in an old suit and overcoat.
The recognition, however, hurt worse than Dean's injured leg. "Cas?" he whispered, his gun falling. No. No, not Cas. Not his Castiel. Couldn't be.
The blue eyes swung his way, bright and otherworldy. "State your name, Citizen."
Not believing his eyes, Dean scrambled to his feet, favoring his left leg. It throbbed as though remembering the accident that took the man who stood impossibly in front of him. "Cas," he rasped. "Cas, it's me. Dean. Remember?"
The head tilt. The squint. So familiar. But nothing registered in the man's sight. "Citizen Dean. State your surname."
Dean swallowed. "Winchester. Dean Winchester. You know that." He collected his gun before he stepped forward, gripping Castiel's jacket. He could feel a heartbeat. Somewhere in there. He breathed out in shaky burst, feeling tears burn. "Jesus Christ. They told me you died. Cas, they let me bury an empty coffin!"
"Dean Winchester. Formerly of the New Chicago Police Department." Castiel firmly pulled his hand away. "Dean Winchester. You are wanted for impersonating a peace officer."
"Huh?" Formerly, what? Doing what? Dean blinked rapidly. "Wait, what the hell are you talking about? Cas, what are you doing?"
"By the power vested in me by the New Chicago Police Department, I am placing you under arrest." He grabbed Dean's wrist, snapping a pair of cuffs on as he did. "Come along quietly."
Startled, Dean didn't fight. He stared at the thick cuffs on his wrists before looking up. Dead eyes. No life in them. Not the life he knew, at any rate. "Cas, what happened to you?"
Castiel tilted his head again. "I am called A.N.G.E.L. You are under arrest, Citizen. Do not resist or I shall use deadly force."
Dean had no chance to respond before Castiel was yanking him forward, pulling Dean's gun away as he did. The cold blue eyes flickered once toward him before he tugged again, drawing Dean way from the old shipyard.
That blank, dead look. Like watching Castiel die a second time.