Work Text:
I lied. I told him everything was okay and I could handle it myself. Maybe it was the years of independence talking, but I truly didn't believe it would end like this. I didn't think I'd be lying in the middle of a field of wildflowers begging for Billie to just take me. I knew I was losing a lot of blood. The usual internal warmth of my body slowly turned cold as dark spots clouded my vision.
Eventually, I stopped counting the seconds between my breaths and began focusing on the grey clouds gathering overhead. I always loved the rain. Perhaps my grand exit would be accompanied by thunder. How beautiful.
My heart pounded, desperately trying to fill quickly emptying veins, but to no avail. Life force eventually ends, and mine was grinding to a halt.
When I left, I saw the concern in Dean's eyes. He didn't actually believe me, and he was right to be skeptical, but he swallowed, nodded, and let me be on my way. He knew how hard life had been lately. He understood the need to prove oneself after a million shit-shows. To feel even a little bit in charge of one's life. I loved him for that and for a billion other reasons.
Dean wasn't an easy man to love, but it was worth every midnight quarrel. Every selfless apology. Ever spark-filled kiss. He was infuriating at times, but he always had everyone's best interests in mind. And he loved more fiercely than anyone else I knew. Family meant everything to him, and if he considered someone family, it wasn't something to be taken lightly. He didn't give that title to just anyone. They had to earn it.
I was surprised he didn't follow me out here or send Cas to watch out for me. If Cas were here, he would have stepped in a long time ago, before the bleeding out began.
Before I was begging for someone to save me or end me.
"Dean?"
Another ragged breath.
"Dean...p-please..."
"Oh honey. Dean can't save you now."
The beautiful, sweet voice broke the quiet of the meadow, and my eyes followed the sound of the voice.
"Billie."
She knelt beside me, her hand gently sweeping hairs away from my face, clammy with sweat. Her smile was bittersweet, almost sad.
"Shh. Everything's going to be okay. Just take my hand and the pain will end."
Another cough.
"D...Dean..."
"Dean will be fine."
I did not agree with her. Dean was never fine after losing someone he loved. Never.
I shook my head. "No."
Billie almost frowned. "Honey. You will not survive this without divine intervention, and darling, it better come quick for you to have any chance."
"Step away from her, Billie."
The Reaper rolled her eyes and stood up, a half smirk on her lips. "Castiel. Should have known." She looked down at me. "Till next time, Y/n."
I didn't feel Cas pick me up. I didn't know when he shouted for Gabriel. Just suddenly the archangel was there, eyes blazing.
"You're going to be alright, kid." Gabriel rested a hand on my cheek, and a burning shot through my body, like every cell was on fire. I think I screamed.
Then Dean was there, holding me, practically rocking back and forth.
"Damn it, baby, don't ever do that again. You hear me? Not ever."
I clung to him, breathing in the scent I knew as Dean. "Okay," I mumbled. And I meant it.