The Winchester Way Part 25 (finale)
Summary: In dealing with the destructive aftermath, the remaining Council Members make a difficult and harsh decision, and set their sights on the future of The Way.
Characters: Dean x Reader, Sam, Bobby, Cas, Garth, Mentioned: Walter, Melody, Kyle, Charlie, Benny
Warnings: MAJOR ANGST, Mentions of past assault/non-con, Fluff (yup!), Smut (unprotected sex)
Word Count: 3,067
A/N: Here it is, the final installment of The Winchester Way! I had a hard time finishing it and I think a lot of that was a subconscious hesitation to let it go. This story grew into something I never imagined. Seriously, I initially planned it to go a completely different way and it ended up growing into its own direction and story. Thank you to everyone who has supported this fic and patiently awaited each part as I struggled to write. I am very proud of this story.
*See the end of work for additional A/N*
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Dean helped Sam down into a rickety, worn chair in the old, abandoned cabin nestled in the woods a short hike from the Bunker. The cabin had belonged to Elijah Winchester and was where The Way was originally founded and operated before the construction of the current Bunker facility. The brothers came to the cabin often in their youth, playing at being warriors and finding much-needed respite from the constant activity housed within the Bunker walls.
Dean found an old first aid kit, still hidden away in one of the cabinets, and wordlessly passed it to Sam, letting him tend to his wounds as Dean paced the small cabin. The Bunker facility was greatly damaged but luckily would only take several people and a few months to repair. The bigger issue was the great loss they suffered - the many, many people that had died with the release of all the creatures housed within the dungeon.
The burden of Leadership weighed heavily on Dean as he considered the actions that needed to be taken: Hunters would need to be sent out to kill and dispose of the escaped creatures; the Bunker would need to be repaired and cleaned of all the blood, gore, and bodies; and then there was John…and Sam. Dean knew any survivors would demand an explanation and justice. John and Sam would be brought forth before the Council - or what was left of it - that much Dean was certain.
The door to the cabin burst open, revealing Bobby. Behind him followed Walter, Melody, and Kyle. Dean hurried over, helping everyone into the cabin and getting them settled. Sam silently passed him the first aid kit which he handed to Bobby.
"Are there any other survivors?" Dean asked, choking slightly on his words.
Bobby let out a tired sigh as he shook his head. "Not that I saw."
Dean's heart clenched and an image of Y/N popped into his mind. He wondered if John had killed her, ready to blame it on the creatures. No one would be the wiser, and he certainly wouldn't put it past his father to do such a thing.
"I'm going back," Dean announced, grabbing his machete and making for the door.
"What?" Sam protested, rising from his seat with a wince, "Dean…you can't-"
"I can and I will!" Dean growled, spinning on his brother with a warning glare, causing Sam to shrink back from his brother's ire. Dean turned back to the door with a huff, throwing it wide, and taking a step before freezing in his tracks at the sound and sight of movement in the trees just beyond the cabin. He tightened his grip on the machete, trying to decide if he would barricade the survivors within the cabin or go forth and face the threat.
"Dean!"
Dean heard the familiar voice of his Angel friend calling out to him before seeing Cas break through the trees and brush, having Charlie, Garth, and Y/N with him.
"Cas?" Dean rushed towards the small group, ushering them inside the now cramped cabin and securing the door behind them, "Is there anyone else?"
"I'm afraid not," Cas stated, making his way around the room and healing the wounds of the injured before coming to face Dean once more, "You should know, your father didn't make it."
John was dead. His father was dead. A surge of sadness, regret, and relief welled up within Dean, but he buried it down, knowing now was not the time to allow himself to get emotional.
"How?" Dean sternly inquired.
"That damned hook-and-chain zombie that killed my Uncle," Y/N responded with a hiss, before turning a threatening glare on Sam, "You and your father turned Rufus into one of those things and he killed him. John died protecting me from that monstrosity."
"Rufus?" Dean asked in shock, looking to Sam for confirmation. Sam simply dropped his head in shame, unable to bear the judgment from his brother.
Dean turned back to the group, squaring his shoulders protectively as he stood in front of his brother as if to shield him from the accusing glares being sent his way, "Sam wasn't himself," Dean protested firmly, "He was made soulless against his will. Anything that happened while he was like that cannot be held against him."
"I was aware of my actions," Sam chimed in with a meek tone, "Being soulless just made me not care."
"Did you care when everyone died because of your actions?" Y/N spat, inching closer to Sam as her tone grew more vicious, "Did you care when John locked away Dean? Did you care when you raped me?!" she screeched. Dean put up his hands, holding Y/N back as she attempted to lean over Dean's shoulder to get closer to Sam. Although Sam was significantly larger than everyone in the room, he shrank away from Y/N's accusations.
"I do now," he whispered, ashamed of himself as the guilt he felt multiplied and twisted his insides painfully.
"I agree with Y/N," Bobby added, coming to stand beside her, "He was aware of everything. He needs to face the Council for his actions."
"No-" Dean began before he was stopped by Sam's hand on his shoulder.
Sam stepped forward to face Y/N and Bobby, "He's right. John and I are responsible for so much that happened within those walls. For the pain and suffering. I deserve to face the consequences of my actions."
"Sam, no," Dean pleaded with his brother. If it were anyone else, Dean would be quick to follow the tenants of The Way, to make the offender face justice. But this was Sam. He wasn't himself. He couldn't let him go down for everything…could he?
"Y/N, Garth, you and myself are the only remaining Elites and Council members," Bobby explained to Dean, "We need to collectively decide not only Sam's fate but the future of The Way."
Dean stood silent, his body nearly shaking from his growing anger as he stared down each of the other Council members defiantly. His eyes locked with Bobby's last, a long stare-off and silent communication before Dean's shoulder's slumped. He let out a defeated sigh before turning to face his brother. He didn't like it, but he knew all other members of the Council were determined.
"Sam," Dean said his brothers name apologetically and Sam gave him a small, reassuring smile in return. I understand.
"Sam Winchester," Bobby spoke loud enough for all to hear, "You stand accused of breaking the tenants of The Way."
"Hunters do not kill other Hunters or cause them harm through action or inaction," Garth stated.
"Act with compassion and empathy towards all creatures," Y/N spat the words in disdain.
"See what is right and fair," Dean continued reluctantly, "In the behavior exhibited by others, and uphold the righteousness and the moral disposition to do good," he concluded with a heavy-hearted sigh.
"Usually, you'd be brought to face the Gauntlet for your crimes," Bobby explained, "But seeing as the Bunker and our resources are defunct, the only option that remains-"
"Is exile," Sam breathed out, knowing the laws inside and out. He dropped his head defeatedly, fighting with all he had to not break down or plead for mercy. He knew what he had done and in his mind, exile was generous. He met the eyes of each person in the room, seeing the determination and hatred in their eyes. He was nothing more than a dangerous outsider, an opponent, to them. He couldn't speak. He only nodded, turning to grab his weapon from the table and heading towards the cabin door, shoulders slumped and head down, "For what it's worth," he said, looking at his brother, "I'm sorry."
Without another word, Sam opened the door and closed it gently behind him. He took a deep breath of the forest air, trying to calm himself until he was alone and further away.
"This is beyond fucked up," Dean said after Sam had left the small cabin.
"It's also The Way, the laws we live by. As our Leader, you should be setting that example." Bobby pressed.
"I'm not your Leader. I haven't even completed the Trials-"
"I think you've more than proven yourself, Dean," Garth said with a humorless chuckle.
"I agree," Y/N and Bobby added in turn.
"Due to recent circumstances, the Council agrees to forgo the Trials. In tradition with The Way of Elijah Winchester and the ideals and traditions we live by, we name you, Dean Winchester, official Winchester representative on the Council and the new Leader of The Way."
Bobby completed his short speech by raising his right fist and tapping it against his chest in honor and recognition. Y/N and Garth followed the gesture.
Dean faced the group, mimicking their gesture, "I accept the role as Leader and Protector of The Way and promise to uphold the Tenants until my dying breath," he responded with the ceremonial line, feeling the weight of everything multiplying as it settled atop his shoulders with everything else.
Dean was pleasantly surprised that his new position - and the requirements it imposed upon him - were met with relative ease. In the beginning, he found it somewhat unnerving how everyone came to him for advice and decisions. His initial reaction was to direct them to his father, and then he would quickly remind himself of his position and take necessary action. In the months since the disaster, he found it came easier to him. With every instance, he made decisions and gave advice, using the tenants of The Way to guide him. Those who survived and those who returned to the Bunker in the wake of the carnage talked amongst themselves of how Dean was shaping up to be one of the greatest Leaders of The Way since Elijah Winchester himself.
In those months, Dean found himself confiding in and turning to, Y/N for her thoughts and advice when needed. Not only was she now a skilled and experienced Hunter and member of The Way, but she was also a fellow survivor, a fellow Elite, and his bride-to-be. After the initial clean-up and rebuilding of the damage to the Bunker, Bobby had come to Dean to press the importance of tradition - the Leader must have a wife. With Dean being the only Winchester remaining in The Way, he needed to ensure the future of The Way, as well as his line.
The pairing of himself and Y/N was something he had hoped for, but he didn't expect it to be so arranged and political in nature. He wouldn't admit it outwardly, but he longed for real love. For the kind of love his mother and father had shared before everything went dark. He was certainly fond of Y/N and he knew it was mutual. But it wasn't love. Not yet at least. With Bobby pressing the issue, and Dean determined to uphold traditions, he hoped that love would eventually blossom between them. But the foundations - friendship, trust, attraction - were all there, which made his nerves calm slightly as he prepared himself for the afternoon's ceremonies.
The wedding was the first big affair to be held in the aftermath of great loss and every available Hunter walked the halls of the Bunker in anticipation of the joyous event, which would be followed up by the naming of two new Elite families. Recent events left holes in the Council. The remaining members agreed and talked to the families they wished to name - The Bradburys and The LaFittes - who accepted without hesitation.
Dean sat at one of the many tables filling the room, Y/N sat at his side, the Elite families filling out the rest of their table. He sipped on his glass of whiskey, taking in the joviality around him. In the time since the destruction, all remaining Hunters banded together to rebuild the Bunker and The Way. Although he still carried the burden of the loss of his family, the exile of his brother, the loss of so many lives, Dean felt a moment of happiness and for the first time in a long time, looked forward to what the future might hold.
"Care to retire?" Dean's attention was brought to his blushing bride beside him, beckoning him away with a hint of a smirk. Dean nodded, bidding his farewell to the others for the night, attempting to ignore the woots and hollers that followed them as they made their way to Dean's chambers.
Y/N turned to Dean, beginning to disrobe before he could even close the door.
"Eager much?" he teased with a smirk as he approached her, stopping her movements. He took a deep breath, feeling his nerves get the better of him. Sex was always easy for Dean. He took it and enjoyed it whenever possible. But this was different. For the first time in his life, it wasn't just sex.
He forced his hands to steady as he took over her actions, sliding her sleeves down and letting her dress pool around her feet.
"You're so beautiful," he breathed out in awe. When she smiled, he returned the sentiment, leaning in to capture her lips once more. She responded eagerly, wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning into his touch. Dean hummed at the contact, feeling his hunger grow. He had wanted her since he laid eyes on her. Initially, he wanted only to claim and own her innocence, but that had been taken from her. Now, he only wanted to make her feel safe and good and to connect with her.
Once they were both bare, he laid hem down on the bed, the two of them content for the moment with kissing and roaming hands. As Dean gazed down at her beneath him, he could see the worry and hesitation in her eyes.
"What's wrong?" he asked in nearly a whisper, afraid to pop the bubble they found themselves in.
"A-are you going to be rough with me?" she asked, her voice wavering slightly.
"Do you want me to be?" he smirked.
"It doesn't matter what I think," she said, tearing her eyes from him.
Dean tilted her face back to meet his eyes, "It matters," he stated, "More than you realize."
"I," she swallowed hard, careful to choose her words, "I know marriage was necessary. And I know I was the only one who could-"
"Y/N," Dean stopped her, careful to keep his tone gentle, "I am very fond of you. I know I've never been kind or really shown much affection. But I need you to know this is different," he brushed the hair back from her face, looking at her in adoration, "I hope in time you can learn to love me." he admitted.
She stared at him for several long moments in silence, letting his words swirl in her mind before she gave a minute nod and leaned up to capture his lips once more. With renewed passion, he took his time to explore her body, learn what she liked and wanted, even if she didn't know it herself. He had brought her to climax twice before he even considered entering her.
He notched himself at her entrance, gazing into her eyes, "You ready?"
She nodded, bringing his lips to hers once more as he slowly filled her. When he could press no further, he paused, allowing both of them to adjust to the sensations. She felt incredible, more warm and wet and tight than anyone he'd ever experienced before.
He kissed her shoulder sweetly before he started to move, withdrawing slowly and pressing back in just as slow, his eyes locked on her face and her reactions. She moaned loudly, her hands gripping his shoulders tight, holding him to her, their skin sliding against one another as his pace slowly grew, stoking the fires within her.
Her experience with Benny was sweet, caring, slow, and tender. But something about Dean - the way he moved, the way his muscles rippled beneath her hands, the way she could feel restraint and passion fluttering within him - it was different from anything she had experienced or even fathomed.
"Dean," his name rolled off her tongue in a drawn-out moan, her legs lifting against his sides reflexively, allowing him to thrust deeper. He groaned at the sound, his face dropping to the crook of her neck as he intentionally and agonizingly drew out their pleasure. When her orgasm finally washed over her, the strength of it making her body quake, Dean fell over the edge behind her, grunting profanities and sweet nothings into her neck.
When he could move again, he flopped to his back, pulling her to rest across his chest. His fingers trailed over her skin as he stared at the ceiling. It was a little awkward. He had never stuck around long after the deed, always quick to redress and be on his way or to leave his conquest wherever they lay. It was all new, and not entirely unpleasant he admitted to himself. The feel of her against his side, the euphoria that still washed through his veins.
As she fell asleep, her soft snores filling the room, Dean looked down at her peaceful form. He had a wife, and most likely a child soon. His family was gone, but he was working towards a new one, one of his own. At that moment, he swore he'd be a better husband, a better Leader, a better man than his father. He'd protect his family - and The Way - with his life.
Hundreds of yards away, a dark shadow loomed under the moonlight, his dark and narrowed eyes fixed on the Bunker in the distance. His mind flashed with images of the building, its occupants, its history, before returning to the memories that haunted him. Memories of blood, monsters, carnage…and betrayal.
A low growl from his side drew his attention from the building in the distance and he sighed.
"Alright," Sam said, patting the head of the Hellhound beside him. He turned his black eyes back on the building, a wicked smirk adorning his lips, "Time to go home."
A/N #2: I have planned a sequel series called TWW: Sam’s Revenge. Way back in Part 10, I received a comment from someone who said they were looking forward to seeing Sam’s side of things and how he dealt with that because Sam’s feelings and reactions always seem to be brushed over. I agree. But his story was not something that could simply be a few extra chapters. The initial story is told, and now it’s time for Sam’s side. Please let me know if you would like to be tagged in the new series, as TWW tags are being dissolved. FOREVERS WILL BE TAGGED IN THE NEW SERIES!
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