Chapter Text
Chapter 4: My Wayward Son
Jack stood back listening to the adults talk about this new kid that Claire had brought home. She hadn’t mentioned anything to him about any one. He knew a month or so ago she had run into a new-ish hunter, and helped him fight off some werewolves. He couldn’t remember the kids name or anything else about him. He hadn’t realized Claire had invited him back to Jody’s.
Dinner was nearly done. They were just waiting in Dean for the milk for the mashed potatoes. Jody was keeping everything warm in the oven. Alex was on her way over. Kaia had texted that they would be home soon too.
Most of the crew had migrated to the little dining/living room. Jody and Donna sat at the table with beers in hand. Sam stood with an arm around Eileen, nursing his drink. Castiel stood a little ways away from Sam and Eileen.
“Well, I hope he can find closure,” Sam said, setting his drink aside. He signed for Eileen’s sake.
Sam was getting pretty good at signing. They could now have completely silent conversations that Dean often got lost trying to follow. Jack was picking things up faster than Dean. He wasn’t up to Sam’s level.
“Who are we talking about?” Jack asked, singing sloppily as he spoke.
“Claire’s new friend, his name is Ben,” Jody said.
“Oh,” Jack said.
The door opened before he could ponder that thought. Alex entered the house. She paused as she saw Jack and the others. She greeted everyone with a smile apologizing for being late. She had morning class and exam. She went to sleep after because she had an overnight shift.
“So how are classes going,” Donna asked.
“Long and pointless at this point. I can’t wait to graduate in May,,” Alex replied.
“Then you’ll be a nurse?” Jack asked.
“I basically am already, but I will have the paper that says I am,” Alex laughed.
“Good for you,” Sam said smiling at her.
“Thanks, it’s been a long tough road, but I do enjoy it. The ER is my calling,” Alex said.
“Good, we need all the healthcare workers we can get,” Jody said.
Everyone knew she was so happy Alex was leading a normal life. Well as normal as she could. She still helped Claire from time to time with research. For the most part, Alex had settled down. She was making a life for herself.
“So where’s Claire? Isn’t she the one who was like the guys are coming I’m home get your butt over here,” Alex asked looking around for the blonde girl.
“Kaia and Ben dragged her to the mall with a promise to be back by dinner which is technically not ready yet,” Jody said.
“She will probably use that to her advantage when she runs in late,” Alex said.
“Oh most likely, and her phone is probably dead,” Jody replied. Alex laughed, nodding her head.
Jack sat there wondering if the kid he had met at the mall had been Claire’s new friend. Was that the same Ben he had met earlier? Jody had mentioned that Claire was at the mall. Part of him hoped he was the same person. Chances were slim, this was real life not a romantic comedy.
Still, he couldn’t get Ben out of his head. He had been thinking about him since they collided with one another. He had offered to buy him food as a way to stay talking with him a bit longer. Something about the other boy just drew him in. He wanted to get to know him more. He had mentally smacked himself for not getting his number or social media info. Maybe this was going to be his second chance to get his information. Maybe even join him on a hunt or two.
He didn’t have much time to ponder that as Claire and Kaia ran in greeting the others with smiled and hugs. Jack did a double take as he saw Ben was indeed the same boy he had met earlier. Ben however looked almost angry.
“Guys, I want you to meet the newest addition to Jody’s home of Wayward Hunters, Ben Braeden,” Claire said introducing him.
Dean entered the kitchen next pausing as he Claire spoke. Sam and Castiel looked shocked at Ben as well. Dean dropped the bags in his hands starting Ben, who whirled around to face the elder Winchester.
Silence fell as everyone looked at Ben. He stood there looking at Dean. Dean was looking at him like a deer caught in the headlight.
“Are you ok?” Kaia asked him, confused.
That seemed to snap something in Ben. He stalked up to Dean angrily with his jaw clenched. He seemed to deliberate over his next action. Before anyone could react he sucker punched Dean before he stormed out.
“Ben!” Claire gasped out in shock. She took off after him.
—Wayward Son—
Claire took off out the door after Ben. That look Ben had. He knew Dean. Dean must’ve done something to him. Honestly, who in the hunting world hadn’t the Winchesters pissed off?
She found Ben sitting on the curb fuming. He was glaring at the Impala. It almost seemed like he was debating throwing rocks at the car. His shoulders hunched over as he sat there. Anger rolling off him in waves. She joined him. He didn’t take his eyes off the car.
“I used to dream about learning to drive in this car. I wanted to go on hunts and be just like him,” Ben said simply.
Claire sat there looking at the car too. She tilted her head as it clicked into place. “Your dad who left…”
“Dean fucking Winchester,” Ben spat venomously.
“I didn’t know he had a kid,” Claire said.
“Step-dad, I mean he was basically my dad, but I think he was my biological father. Mom just never wanted to admit it,” Ben replied.
“I honestly didn’t know,” Claire said.
It suddenly made sense why his mannerisms were familiar. He even looked a little like Dean. Claire couldn’t believe she hadn’t put two and two together.
“Yeah, I know,” Ben said. He sighed as his shoulders slumped. He looked away from her. “I did not expect to see him here.”
“Sorry, I wanted to surprise you with friends coming to visit. More hunters for you to network with,” Claire said.
Ben started laughing at that. The anger was replaced for the moment.
“Yeah, I know now that it was a stupid idea,” Claire laughed.
She leaned over on Ben’s shoulder. He rested his head on hers.
“Sorry, I just…I knew it was inevitable running into him now that I’m hunting, but I didn’t expect it yet. I imagined that moment a hundred times,” Ben said softly.
“It’s ok, I should’ve said something,” Claire said softly.
“When I saw that stupid car I knew it was him,” Ben said bitterly.
—Wayward Son—
Dean grunted as he straightened himself up, rubbing his jaw. Ben had a mean right hook. Something he had not expected. Castiel was by his side in a second. He held a hand up stopping the angel from helping him.
Claire glanced at Dean before taking off after Ben. From what he had gathered earlier the two were besties according to Jody. He had practically been welcomed to the family.
“Probably deserved that,” Dean grunted.
“Not the worst greeting we’ve had,” Sam replied.
“You’ve got some explaining to do,” Dean said looking at Castiel.
“Look,” Castiel started.
“We had a deal Cas, what gives,” Dean said.
“You’re the stepdad who abandoned him,” Jody said slowly.
Dean looked up at Jody and Donna who both fleets frowning at him. He sighed nodding his head. There was no way around the truth.
“It’s not what you think,” Dean said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Things were different. Lisa and I had broken up. Them knowing me put them both in danger. I didn’t know what else to do. Lisa didn’t deserve all that danger. Ben deserved a normal childhood.”
“So you wiped her memories,” Jody asked.
“It wasn’t my finest moment,” Dean replied, “his memories were supposed to be gone too.”
“About that,” Castiel said.
Dean held up a hand to the Angel. Castiel’s face fell. He looked away from the hunter.
“We will talk later,” Dean grunted. He didn’t want to do this in front of the others. “I should go talk to the kid.”
Dean exited the house trying to ignore the look of hurt and guilt on Castiel’s face. He would deal with that later. Right now Ben was priority.
Ben and Claire were sitting on the curb talking. Dean approached them slowly.
“When I saw that stupid car I knew it was him,” Ben said bitterly.
“Stupid car?” Dean asked, offended.
Ben stiffened, his jaw clenching once more. Claire turned jumping up to face Dean. She glanced down at Ben who hadn’t moved.
“Stand down Billie Eilish,” Dean said, his words holding no real heat.
“You first,” Claire said.
“I came to talk,” Dean said, putting his hands up.
“It’s ok,” Ben said, waving a hand at her.
“If I recall you wanted to learn to drive her,” Dean said walking up to the pair.
“In another lifetime maybe,” Ben said, not moving from his spot on the curb.
“You have some explaining to do kid, you’re not supposed to remember a thing,” Dean said as he sat down on the curb a little ways away from Ben.
“You were supposed to stay, coward,” Ben spat angrily.
Claire backed away from the two. This was a moment between them. It seemed personal. Ben gave her a nod and she left shooting Dean a look that said behave.
Dean sat on the curb looking at his car. Ben sat beside him seething. He didn't blame the kid either. Ben was right, he had been a coward back then. Maybe he still was. He had taken the easy way out.
“Yeah, what I did was cowardly, but I wanted to protect you and your mom. Whether we were together or not, as long as she knew about me and the supernatural you guys were in danger,” Dean said.
Ben scoffed at that. He looked away from Dean. He seemed to be choosing his next words carefully. Dean waited for him to talk. Ben no doubt had a lot on his mind. Ten years of pent up anger it seemed.
“What good did that do? Some demon with faulty information came and took her,” Ben said softly.
“What?” Dean asked, grabbing Ben’s shoulder. He turned to the younger boy to look at him. “Where is she?”
“Why do you care? You left us for that Angel,” Ben spat. He jerked away from Dean.
“It’s not like that,” Dean said.
“So you’re not in love with that Angel?” Ben asked.
“His name is Castiel and I…was it that obvious back then?” Dean asked, looking down at the ground.
“Oh yeah, mom knew, before you had him erase her memories,” Ben said bitterly.
“Look I was deep in denial back then about who I was and what I wanted out of life. I made a poor choice because I was scared,” Dean said.
“Don’t go acting like you cared,” Ben said turning away from the hunter once more.
“I did-I do care,” Dean said, “your mom will always hold a special place, but I do care very deeply for Cas. I care about you too. It’s why I left. I wanted you guys to have a shot at a normal life. Being involved with Sam and me is a target on your back. You were just a kid. I made a tough decision.”
“Yeah? Just up and leave your family to run around with an Angel,” Ben said.
“Cas can handle himself, and trust me it’s been a long road to get to where we are today,” Dean said, “it’s only been recently that we uh…that I finally admitted to myself how I felt about him. Now enough of that, what happened to your mom.”
“She’s gone and it’s your fault,” Ben said angrily. He jumped up pacing away from Dean.
Dean stood and followed him. He stepped in front of the boy. He saw his arm twitch. He frowned at Ben.
“You got that last one cause I let you,” Dean said, referencing the punch from earlier.
“I know, but I’m not that same defenseless kid you left behind,” Ben said, his eyes hardening. “I’ve got a black belt. I’ve fought vengeful spirits, and taken down a pagan god. That was all before mom disappeared.”
“A pagan god? On your own?” Dean asked.
“Mostly, I had a friend in high school, but mostly I was on my own. It seemed like the supernatural followed us wherever we went,” Ben said.
“I am sorry,” Dean said simply.
There is nothing else he could say. No excuse would change what he had done. It had been a desperate attempt to keep them away from becoming hunters. He didn’t want that for Lisa or Ben. It seemed it had all been futile. Here stood a kid robbed of his mother because of him.
“That doesn’t change anything,” Ben shouted.
“I know, but I can’t change the things I did,” Dean said remorsefully.
“You’re not supposed to apologize,” Ben snapped angrily.
“I know,” Dean agreed.
“You’re an asshole,” Ben said, the anger in his voice dissipating.
“You are correct,” Dean said.
“This wasn’t supposed to happen. We were supposed to live a normal life. We got away. Then…then…” Ben trailed off. His anger was gone now. It was replaced with sorrow and sadness. Tears threatened to fall.
“Ben,” Dean said.
“I don’t forgive you,” Ben spat.
“I didn't ask you to,” Dean replied.
Ben bit his lip and turned away from Dean. Sadness now rolled off the young man. He could imagine the rage he had felt. Dean had been so filled with rage for so long.
Angry at John for turning him into a soldier. John spent years neglecting him and Sam until they were old enough to hunt. After that he beat the hunter lifestyle into him. Dean shielded Sam from that.
Angry at Mary for leaving them to endure a grieving father. It wasn’t like she had done it on purpose, but it felt like it at times. Even when she had come back it was like she wasn’t there.
Angry at God for the games he played with them. Chuck had manipulated him and Sam for years. Putting them through one apocalypse after another. Changing the story when he was bored.
Angry at himself for letting John push him around. Early on it was clear John was homophobic. Dean never understood his feelings towards men either. Not that he was emotionally there for women either. At least he didn’t get sneered at for that. He wasn't put down for looking at girls tanning on the beach like he was when he got caught checking out the male lifeguard.
Dean had been angry for a long time. It wasn’t until recently did he realize how much time he had wasted being angry. He had pushed so many people away. People who only wanted to help him and love him. People like Ben and Lisa.
Dean took a step closer to Ben again. He placed a hand on his shoulder. Ben whirled around grabbing his wrist. His face was void of emotion.
“It’s all your fault,” Ben said his voice small.
“Yeah, I’m sure it is,” Dean agreed.
That broke the dam. Tears started flowing freely down Ben’s face. Dean pulled the kid close into a hug. Ben clung to him as he started sobbing. Dean just held on for the ride. Ben just needed to feel his feelings.
All the practice he had with Jack prepared him for a moment like this. In the year since they had defeated Chuck, they had had ups and downs. Jack was maturing and learning how to feel his feelings. Something Dean was learning right beside him. At times they had been at odds, others they had found a common ground. It was all new to both of them. Dean being a parent and Jack being an actual son. The parenting books Castiel had bought didn’t hurt either. He had skimmed a few of them.
Dean stood there letting Ben cry it out, while he himself felt like crying. He had betrayed this poor child and let him down. He had failed his job at protecting him. He felt that regret deeply.
—Wayward Son—
Castiel made his way out to the Impala. Ben had since returned to the house and gone to his room. He didn’t even look at Castiel or Sam. Dean hadn’t come inside. Dinner was tense.
Dean was leaning against the Impala, his arms crossed over his chest. Dean’s gaze was up at the sky. His eyes were hardened in a way Castiel had not seen in awhile.
Castiel walked up to the hunter without saying a word. Dean didn’t move or acknowledge him. Castiel leaned against the car next to him.
“Dean—”
Dean held up a hand to Castiel silencing him. Castiel stood there confused. He wasn’t sure how to broach this subject.
“Dean, I’m sorry, I should have been honest,” Castiel said stepping up to the hunter.
“So start, what happened?” Dean asked giving him a cold look.
Castiel’s shoulders slumped, he hasn’t been on this end of Dean’s anger in a long time. “I was still recovering. Wiping Lisa’s memories took a lot of my energy. I needed a few minutes to recover.”
“And Ben smooth talked you,” Dean sighed, his shoulder slumping now.
“Yeah, he told me he’d play the part and let you leave. He only wanted to protect his mother,” Castiel replied.
Dean sighed, hanging his head. He beckoned the angel closer. Once Castiel stepped closer he grabbed him by his trench coat belt and pulled him close.
“I’m not really mad, more like I’m disappointed. I wish you had told me, or something. I don’t know,” Dean sighed. He rested his forehead against Castiel. “I mean we can’t change the past really. All we can do is move forward.”
“I’m sorry Dean,” Castiel said softly.
“I know,” Dean replied, leaning in and kissing Castiel softly.
Castiel knew he wasn’t forgiven just yet. Dean was processing this and needed time. He wasn’t mad, which was a good thing. It seemed the more Dean parented Jack the more he learned how to self regulate. It seemed having a kid had mellowed the hunter out, in a good way.
Castiel turned his head aside. “Dean—“
“Don’t, I don’t want to talk,” Dean whispered.
“But—“ Castiel started.
Dean pulled the Angel close once more. He kissed him again. His hands slid to Castiel’s hips.
“Dean-” Castiel said.
“Shhh,” Dean said against his lips. He held the Angel close. As irritated as he was with Castiel, Castiel was his person. He helped him regulate.
—Wayward Son—
The next morning Ben was up early, before sun rise. He had his things packed. He had talked with Donna last and she had given him a location and another name connected to the name he had.
Ben made his way to the kitchen to get some food. He was sure Jodi would forgive him. He needed to get out of this house before Dean tried talking to him again.
“Morning sunshine,” Claire said, dropping her bag next to his.
“No,” Ben hissed at her.
“Yes,” Kaia said from his other side.
“I can do this on my own,” Ben said.
“We already told you, you aren’t doing it alone,” Claire said firmly.
“What’s going on?”
The three looked up as Jack entered the kitchen. He was yawning and looked like he had just woken up.
“Going on a hunt, wanna come?” Claire asked.
“A hunt? I’ll have to ask Dean and Cas—“ Jack startled.
“No one is going but me, this is my hunt,” Ben hissed.
“Don’t worry about Cas and Dean, you can text them,” Claire said.
“You’re not listening to me,” Ben groaned.
“No you’re not listening to us, you are not going alone. You have people who want to help you,” Claire said, annoyed. She jabbed Ben’s shoulder. “Who's gonna be there if…” she trails off.
“You don’t have to go alone Ben, we are family now,” Kaia said.
“Friend a of Claire are friends of mine,” Jack said.
“You barely even know me,” Ben said, looking Jack up and down.
Footsteps sounded down the hallway. Ben yanked Jack down as Claire and Kaia ducked as well. Dean passed the kitchen on his way to the bathroom.
Jack opened his mouth. Ben slapped a hand over his mouth as Dean entered the bathroom. Once Dean was in the bathroom Ben jumped up and grabbed his things. He bolted out the door. The other three followed him.
“Benjamin Braeden, you are not going anywhere alone,” Claire said.
“Fine if you want to come, come, but not a fucking word to them,” Ben snapped. He held up keys to Claire’s car. “You drive?” He asked.
“Fucking asshole,” Claire said smiling. She looked to Kaia who had grabbed their bags.
Jack watched the three.
“Come on Jack, live a little, time to take the training wheels off, come hunt with big sis Claire,” Claire laughed, grabbing his hand and dragging him to the car.
Jack slid into the back seat of the car with Ben. He hadn’t spoken much to Ben since he had knocked him over in the food court.
“Stop staring at me,” Ben grumbled wadding his jacket up as he leaned agaisnt the window. He closed his eyes hoping to get some more sleep. “Kansas is our destination Claire,” he said.
—Wayward Son—
Dean woke to Castiel nudging him. He swatted at the Angel. Castiel’s nudging became more insistent.
“Five more minutes, too early,” Dean grumbled.
“Jack is gone,” Castiel said.
Dean sat up straight. “What?”
“Along with Claire, Kaia, and Ben,” Castiel said simply.
“Son of a bitch,” Dean said. He got out of bed pulling his jeans on. “How far are they? Do you think he left with them? Claire probably talked him into it.”
“Unsure, Sam is trying to track Jack’s phone but it’s new and we never set him up to our phones,” Castiel said worried.
“Any idea where they were going?” Dean asked as he stormed out of the room.
Jody, Donna, Sam, and Eileen were at the kitchen table.
“Their adults Dean,” Jody said sensing his anger.
“Not Jack, he’s not an adult. He’s a kid, he’s barely—“ Dean starts.
“He’s mature for his age and you know it,” Sam said.
“Where the fuck are they going? We have to follow them,” Dean said.
“This is Ben’s hunt,” Donna said.
“Where are they going,” Dean repeated.
Donna sighed and looked away. “He’s tracking a demon who took his mom, I got some info for him and he’s probably heading there now.”
“Name. Place. Now,” Dean said going full papa bear. He was gonna protect Jack and Ben at all costs. Claire and Kaia too, he didn’t need any of those kids getting hurt.
“Kansas, some demon using the name Adam Milligan, or Michael as a first name sometime?” Donna said.
Dean’s heart stopped as he looked to Sam and Castiel.