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Dean remembered it as though it were yesterday. He was eighteen years old, and his father decided it was time for him to see what it meant to be a witch.
That day would end up being one of the most horrific days in his life.
It was no secret that his father had started to lose his grasp on sanity after his mother died. She had been the family's anchor, the calm in the eye of the storm. Where John had been the witch, swirling his magic in chaotic winds, Mary had been his familiar, the focus that kept him centered.
When Dean turned sixteen and presented as a witch, he wasn’t sure if his dad was proud or disappointed. Either way, it started one of the most intense training regimes he’d ever imagined. Memorizing spells as soon as he woke up. Sigil writing from lunch until dinner. Practicing how to use his abilities from dinner until bedtime. It was almost as though he was being prepared for a life in the military, not the life of a witch.
And it all led up to that fateful day.
“Boy!” John had shouted, snapping his fingers and pointing at the ground next to him. “Come here. I’m only gonna do this once; then it’s on you.”
Dean had done as he was told. And he watched as his father cast the same spell several times, each one failing. John cursed at the sky before angrily turning to Dean.
“Repeat after me, boy: Magia incarnata, ostende te mihi.”
“Magia incarnata, ostende te mihi.” The Latin had flowed from his tongue effortlessly. Even before he presented as a witch, his mother had insisted he start learning it.
John scoffed, staring at Dean. “Watch.” He drew a sigil with his finger, then made Dean repeat it. Once he was satisfied, he nodded. “Cast it.”
“Magia incarnata, ostende te mihi.” Dean recited as he repeated the pattern in the air. Within a few moments, a raven started flying toward him.
As the bird started to swoop in, John stepped between them. He held his hand up and recited his own spell. “Magia incarnata, ego te ad me alligo.” A bright yellow glow rushed through his veins traveling quickly through his body to illuminate his hand. The raven attempted to stop and escape, but it was too late. “Magia incarnata, ego te ad me alligo!” John repeated. The bird screeched, a heartwrenching sound as it started to crumple in pain.
“Dad!” Dean pleaded. “Dad, stop! You’re going to kill it!”
“That ain’t my problem. It can accept the bond, or it can die!” John curled his hand into a fist, and the bird collapsed to the ground, twitching.
Terrified, Dean rushed at his father, interrupting his spell. “You can’t kill it!”
“Who’s gonna stop me, boy? I need a familiar. It ain’t that hard for a birdbrain to accept the bond!” John started whispering under his breath. Dean knew what was coming and easily dodged the punch his father swung at him. “Dammit, Dean! I need it!”
“Is that how you bonded, Mom? Did you force it on her?” Dean evaded an energy bolt from his father before scooping the bird up in his arms and rushing into the woods.
That was the last time he had seen his father.
…
Seven years later, Dean sat at his workbench. He was reading a tome his Uncle Bobby had lent him. It was one he had studied before, and flipping through the pages felt like revisiting an old friend. As he took notes, the ruffle of feathers and the familiar clicks of talons caused him to look to his side. “Hey, Cas.”
The raven bobbed its head in response.
“Have a good flight?”
Cas stretched out his wings and flapped them, indicating his happiness.
“Glad to hear it. Did you catch something to eat, or do you want me to make you something?”
“Ca-caw!”
“Rabbit okay?”
“Caw!”
Dean chuckled before placing his notes in the book, marking his spot before closing it. He extended out his arm to the raven. “Anything exciting to share?”
Cas quickly walked up Dean’s arm before stopping to perch on his shoulder. He started preening Dean’s hair, cooing and clucking as he tugged on it.
“I showered today, Cas. Jeez. You don’t need to clean me whenever you come back from a flight.”
A dejected squawk sounded next to Dean’s ear.
“Fine. You’re lucky I’m fond of you, Cas. I don’t let just anyone play with my hair.” Together they entered the kitchen, and Dean went right for the fridge. “Don’t think I’m gonna let you off the hook for my question.”
Cas’ replied with what sounded like a throaty chuckle. If a bird could chuckle.
“Did you meet a pretty girl raven? Or a boy raven? You know I don’t judge.” Dean pulled out the aforementioned rabbit and carried it over to the counter. “It would explain why you’re always gone for so long. Wooing them is probably hard work, huh?”
A sharp clip caused Dean to jump and cry out.
“Dammit, Cas! What was that for?”
“Caw!”
“You don’t get to yell at me! Not while I’m sitting here making your dinner.”
Cas hopped down from Dean’s shoulder and landed on the counter. He snatched a piece of rabbit that Dean had chopped and quickly swallowed it down before staring at Dean, almost as if daring him to say something.
“That doesn’t scare me, Cas. I’ve known you for how long now?” Dean tried to appear stern, but he could feel how his lips started to curl up in a smile. He knew his facade was failing. “Come on, you spoiled, feathery asshole. Let me finish prepping. You have to share that with me.”
Before returning to his perch on Dean’s shoulder, Cas stole another piece of rabbit.
“Rude.”
The raven made his chuckle sound again.
“I’m glad one of us thinks you’re funny.”
Cas playfully nipped at Dean’s ear, much gentler than before.
“Yeah, yeah, Buddy.” Dean scooped up the chopped rabbit and dumped it into a pot on the stove. He grabbed a piece and offered it up to Cas, who took it and happily clicked as he ate it. Dean shook his head, his smile growing broader. Sure, Cas may be a raven, but he was also the closest thing to a best friend that Dean had.
And Dean wouldn’t give it up for anything in the world.
“So, when we’re done eating, you want to join me while I work on a few things? My stock is running low on a few items, and I have a couple custom orders.”
The croak and caws from the raven on his shoulder gave Dean all the information he needed to know.
…
Dean’s cell phone rang, the tune of Walking on Sunshine carrying through his shop. That only meant one person was calling.
“Charlie. What’s up?”
“Oh good, you’re okay.”
“Hello to you too.” Dean hit the speakerphone button and set the phone on the table next to him. “Of course, I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Are you telling me that Bobby didn’t get a hold of you?”
“Uh…”
Charlie scoffed. “Dean, check your call log. Or maybe your texts. I’m sure the old man figured out how to use that.”
“Hold your horses, Red.” Dean did as she suggested, seeing that he missed two calls. He switched to his text messages and found several from his Uncle Bobby. “I’ve got a couple texts telling me to call him. What’s up, Charlie?”
“I told Sam he can’t leave my side, and Michael is nagging Adam to not leave his sight.”
“Charlie… Why are my brothers on lockdown?” Dean started to carefully put his spell components away. For Charlie, Sam’s witch, and Michael, Adam’s familiar, to put their feet down and not let them out of sight? It could only mean one thing. Dean pinched the bridge of his nose. “He can’t be here.”
“Missouri had a vision and had Jody confirm it.” Charlie swallowed. “While John isn’t in town, he’s lurking around the other towns, asking about you and your brothers.”
Dean pinched the bridge of his nose. “Would you be against taking Sam to Bobby’s? You can call Eileen, and she can help you guilt him into going. Between his witch and his girlfriend, he can’t say no. And Adam and Michael…”
“Bobby already asked the same thing. Michael is making sure Adam gets there safe and sound. Sam and I are going to head over, but he asked me to get ahold of you first. You know, since you wouldn’t answer your phone.”
“I didn’t hear it go off! I was asleep when he called!”
“Okay, fine. You know what’s going on now. Bring Cas, come over to Bobby’s, and we’ll make sure your father doesn’t come near the three of you.”
“Cas isn’t here…”
Even though Charlie went silent, Dean could hear the gears in her brain turning, the spring tightening before— “DEAN!”
“He always goes for a flight as soon as he wakes up! And I didn’t know…” Dean dragged his hand down his face. “I need to find him.”
“You could call him, bind him to you.”
“I can’t. I won’t do that to him.” Dean worried his bottom lip. “I need to find Cas. I can’t have my father try and finish the job.”
“Dean, you at least need to give Cas that option.”
Dean shook his head. “I don’t know what he wants, Charlie. Or did you forget he doesn’t shift to a human form? Not once in the past seven years! I didn’t even know his name until Sam shifted into dog form for the first time!”
“You two are idiots. Go find Cas, then get your ass to Bobby’s. We’ll figure out this stupid dance once both of you are safe.” The phone disconnected. Dean wasn’t even going to be able to argue.
“Fuck.” Dean rushed around the shop, grabbing a few things he would need to protect himself and Cas from his father. He wouldn’t put it past John to find Cas, realize that he’s the same familiar from all those years ago, and try to finish the binding.
He threw the things he gathered in his bag before switching the sign for his shop to closed and locking the door. Dean needed to find Cas. And he needed to find him fast.
…
Dean stood in the middle of the clearing. He felt vulnerable. He felt exposed. But this would be the best place to call for Cas. He hated the spell, he hated the words, he hated everything that the phrase stood for. But without them, he wouldn’t have his best friend.
Just as he had all those years ago, Dean held up his hand and started drawing a sigil in the air with his finger. “Magia incarnata, ostende te mihi.” He waited as patiently as he could, listening to the sounds of the area around him. “Cas, please?” Dean held his hand back up. “Magia incarnata, ostende te mihi.”
“It ain’t comin’, boy.”
Dean froze at the voice calling from behind him. He took a deep breath, trying to keep his tone steady. “What did you do?
“Nothin’ yet.” The soft sound of footsteps drew closer, and Dean fought to not turn around. He wasn’t ready to face his father. He didn’t think he ever would be. “You think that crow has any loyalty to you?”
“Raven. He’s a raven.”
“It’s a fucking birdbrain.’ John stepped in front of Dean, his arms crossed over his chest. “You know why it ain’t respondin’ to you, don’t you?”
“You did something to him.”
John shook his head. “I couldn’t find him. He probably felt my call, recognized my magic, and fled.”
“Good.”
That was clearly not the answer John was expecting. “Good? Boy, you’re out here all alone. And, as far as I can tell, you don’t have a bound familiar, which, that’s fuckin’ pathetic. You stole one out from me, and you couldn’t even finish the job.”
“Because I’m not you. I would never force a bond on a familiar that doesn’t want it. It would have to be his choice. I love and respect him too much to make him do something that he wasn’t comfortable with.” Dean weighed out the consequences and squared his shoulders before spitting out his following sentence. “I’m not a monster."
“You ungrateful—” John swung a fist, and Dean closed his eyes, bracing for impact. But it never came. “Who the fuck are you?”
Dean opened his eyes and looked to his side. The most beautiful man he had ever seen was standing next to him, his father’s fist encased in his hand. He was glaring at John, and damn if that look didn’t send a shiver down his spine. “I am your worst nightmare.” The man twisted John’s arm, causing John to crumple to the ground, calling out in pain. “I am the reason you have no sons.” He continued twisting John’s arm, and Dean could hear the sickening crunch of the bones breaking. “And I am repaying a kindness that your son— my witch —showed me all those years ago.
“Cas?” Dean looked between the man and his father on the ground. “Cas!?”
“We’ll continue this conversation later, Dean. Sheriff Mills is on her way. Your father is in clear violation of the terms of his release.”
A few moments later, Jody pulled up with her partner— and familiar — Sheriff Hanscum in tow. “Howdy, John.”
“Fuck off, Jody. Arrest this prick. He broke my arm!”
“Pretty sure he’s a familiar protecting his witch. It’s considered self-defense.” She put the metal cuffs away and cast an immobilization spell. Once it was complete and Donna started hauling John to the sheriff’s jeep, she turned to Dean. “Your choice if you want to come down to the station. We can file the charges against him without you being there.”
Dean shook his head and looked at Cas. “Nah, Jodes. I’ve got a few things to figure out.”
“You two do that.” She smiled softly. “I’ll call Sam and Adam. Let them know we got John.” She nodded. “I’ll see you two around.”
Once they had driven off, leaving Cas and Dean alone, Cas spoke up before Dean could.
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what, Cas? Cause if anyone needs to apologize, it’s me.”
Cas tilted his head to the side. If there was any doubt that the man in front of him was the Raven he had shared his life with for the past seven years, it was gone. “I’m not sure why you need to apologize.”
“You shifted…” Cas scoffed, and Dean held up a finger. “You’ve never shifted before. I assumed—”
“You are more important to me than being in form, Dean.” Cas closed the small distance between them. While Cas had been able to get closer while in his Raven form, this felt so much more intimate, so… perfect. “I couldn’t let the man I love come to harm.”
That caught Dean’s attention. “You love me?”
“Just like you love me. I heard you, Dean.” He rested his hand on Dean’s cheek and smiled. “I don’t think you know how hard it was for me to not touch you like this.”
“Why…?” The question hung in the air, but Dean knew he didn’t have to finish it.
“I didn’t think you could love me the way I love you. You may not have realized it, but we’ve been bonded for a long time, Dean. I gave myself to you years ago.”
Dean nuzzled into Cas’ hand, savoring the touch. “But John said…”
“John wouldn’t know a profound bond if it bit him in the ass.” Cas smiled, and God, Dean couldn’t get enough of it. “I’m sorry it took this happening for me to shift. It started as me being afraid to shift. Then it was the kindness you showed me while I was in form, mending my wing, making sure I ate. I guess I enjoyed how much you doted on me in form; I was afraid it would stop if I switched.”
“Dude, Cas…” Dean closed his eyes and shook his head. “I understand, but you have to know—”
“I know, Dean.” Cas brought his other hand to Dean’s cheek and pulled him in for a kiss. He pulled back, and Dean wanted nothing more than to pull Cas back. As though Cas could read his mind, he smiled. “I know.” He reclaimed Dean’s lips, securing and confirming their bond.