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After the Winchesters defeated Chuck, Jack became everything. Well, technically he’s god, with the capital g. So, he didn’t go home with them. The bunker was quiet when they got home. Missing the boy, their son, already. And Ca-
“So, are you gonna tell me what happened?” Sam started. Dean just sighed. “Dean, he’s also my friend. We need to talk about it, eventually.” he added, softly.
“Tomorrow.” Dean whispered, then walked to his room.
Sam is concerned about him, he sees how Cas' death (?) deeply affected him. He knows he’s probably gonna drown himself in alcohol.
Dean dropped his bag on the foot of his bed and let himself fall on the mattress. He’s trying not to close his eyes, because he doesn’t want to see that wretched scenario in his head. The distorted banging on the door, Cas in front of him, and the growing black goo behind him. Everything's so blurry; only the angel in front of him is the only one he can see clearly.
I love you.
The words echoed in his head, letting his tears flow, like how those words and feelings flow out of his friend. Regret washes over him as he weeps quietly in his pillow.
First morning without the other guys in the bunker comes. It’s quiet and lonely, even with Sam’s big presence.
Dean went straight to the kitchen and was about to drink alcohol, when Sam snatched it in his hand and replaced it with hot coffee.
“Too early for that, and I need you sober when you talk to me.” Sam said, looked like he went for a run with Miracle. Dean looked at him, then to his coffee. “Dean,” Sam sighed.
“I know, I know. Sit down.” Dean said, then took a sip on his coffee.
Sam sat on the table across Dean and took a sip. “Okay, what did I tell you about it?” Dean sighed.
“You said that he saved your life, how?” he replied. Dean looked at his brother, then to his coffee. God, why is this so hard?
“Yeah, he did.” Dean said. “He summoned the Empty, then it took Billy, who was chasing us,” he added.
Sam’s eyebrows show confusion. “Wait, he summoned the Empty? How?”
“I’m getting there. Cas made a deal with the Empty to save Jack,” Dean said, looking at his brother’s ‘he did what’ face. “That if he ever felt happy or felt happiness, the Entity will take him.” he added, looking down; eyes watering. Sam looked at him with worry.
“Dean, what happened back there?” Sam asked softly, “When Lucifer called you and pretended to be Cas, you ran desperately and opened the door without hesitation.”
Before Dean could answer the question, there’s a knock on the door. Pulling a confused face from the brothers. They walked out of the kitchen and went towards the door, holding their guns. Sam went upstairs and held the handle with his free hand and opened it.
“Hey- whoa. Y’all alright?” The Sam in a man bun asked (basically, the AU Sam)
“What are you doing here?” Dean asked, lowering his gun.
“We may or may not have dreamt about our world.” AU Dean said.
“So, you have a dream about your universe, so what?” Dean replied.
“We think it’s still out there,” AU Sam said, “Our world.” AU Dean continued.
“Didn’t Chuck destroy it?” Sam asked.
The AU brothers told them everything they saw in the dream, plus, they never have the same dream. They’ve decided that they’ll find a spell that, hopefully, opens a rift into their world. A spell, because they do not want to disturb Jack. “For he is everything”. They don’t have any angels around, especially archangels. But, Sam found an alternative to archangel/angel grace containing a similar amount of power, but not the same, so there’s no guarantee that’ll work, but it's worth a try.
AU Sam and Dean stayed at the bunker for at least a week, while they’re collecting ingredients to whatever spell they’re working on. It became a good distraction and reason to not talk about it. Once it was all complete, they didn’t waste time and they got started. Setting down a bowl in the library table with a bunch of stuff around it. Dean looked at his brother, who’s focused on what he’s doing, then smiled slightly.
“What?” Sam notices.
“Samwitch.” Dean teased, smiling. Sam rolled his eyes, then scoffed.
AU Dean noticed the carved names and initials on the table and traced it with his hands. AU Sam notices, then does the same.
“Castiel. Is it the young boy back at the armory where you saved us?”
AU Dean asked. Dean's eyes sprang at the other Dean, then immediately looked away.
“No, the one in a trench coat.” Sam said, not looking away on what he’s doing, then realized something.
“Wait, how did you know his name?” Sam asked.
“It’s carved in here.” AU Sam said, then Sam looked at where their hands were placed. It’s not there before, Sam knows that. He looked at Dean who still looked pained every time he heard his name, he needed to know what happened, but right now, they need to get these guys home.
Sam sighed, he then put the last ingredient and said something in Latin. The rest of the boys looked at Sam’s space to see if there’s any rift open, but nothing. Yet.
The room shakes lightly, then they hear a sizzling sound. One side of the library glows, and a glowing golden stripe appears. The AU boys grabbed their bags and looked at the others, while holding guns in their free hand.
“Thank you, again.” AU Dean said.
“Yes, thank you.” AU Sam added, then they faced the rift.
They went through the rift and disappeared, except, the rift doesn’t.
“Uh, Sam? Is that thing supposed to be blue or I’m tripping?”
“Um, I don’t know.”
The blue rift started to glow, like ‘I’ll make you blind’ kind of glow. They covered their eyes with their arms, then groaned when they landed on a grassy land. They slowly opened their eyes to adjust to the sunlight.
“What the hell?” said Dean. “Where are we?” he added, then showed a confused look.
Sam looked around while removing dirt in his clothes. “Dean, is it just me or we’re in Sioux Falls?”
“Yeah, weird. What are we doing here?”
Sam walked towards a trash can with newspaper on it. 2008. His eyebrows turned from confused to annoyed.
“Dean,” then lifted the newspaper on his brother’s face, “we’re in 2008.” Sam said.
“Great, we just finished fighting and saving and now we’re in the past. Just what we need.” Dean said, sarcastically.
The brothers agreed that they’ll go to Bobby’s, because they’re sure he’s alive at this time. While walking to Bobby’s, Sam remembered something. He scoffed at the memory, gaining Dean’s attention.
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing, it’s just that, 2008?” Sam replied, “It’s the time when I’m making bad, I mean really bad, decisions.”
Dean looked at him confused.
“Demon blood? Ruby?” Sam asks.
“Right.” Dean replied, side-eyeing his brother. (And, probably, his decisions at the time.)
They’ve reached Bobby’s home, their home, and they’re hearing chattering.
God, this is like the time Zach zapped me in the future, except, we’re in the past. Dean thought.
They heard a muffled voice, “Well then, tell me what else it could’ve been.” the voice inside said, sounds like Sam
“Look, all I know is I was not groped by an angel” Another voice said, this one definitely is Dean.
“Okay. Look, Dean. Why do you think this “Castiel” would lie to you about it?”
“Maybe, some kind of demon. Demons lie!” They continued arguing.
“You gotta be shitting me.” Dean said, crouching and sticking his head a little outside Bobby’s window (the one that Balthazar threw them against, that leads to them finding out their life is a TV Show)
“A demon who’s immune to salt rounds, and devil’s trap, and Ruby’s knife? Dean, Lilith is scared of that thing.” The muffled argument continued.
“Yeah, well. It’s not a demon.” Sam whispered, crouching with Dean.
“You two chuckleheads wanna keep arguing religion or you wanna come take a look at this” Bobby’s voice echoed. The brothers looked at each other, exchanging smiles, hearing their father’s voice.
“Apparently, you’re a regular guy that’s important to the man upstairs.” Young Sam said, pulling a disgusted face from the older Sam.
“Yeah, right.”
“Then, what does he mean?” Young Dean asked,
“What does what mean?” Bobby asked.
“He seemed confused after we talked.” Past Dean asked.
“Confused how?” Past Sam asked.
“I don’t know, he just disappeared.”
The other Sam and Dean outside looked confused too, “I don’t remember this part of the conversation, do you?” Sam asked.
“No. At least, I don’t think so.” Dean answered.
They didn’t hear the rest of the conversation, just the slam of the books and Bobby’s, “Start reading.”
They panicked when past Sam opened the other door; Sam forgot he’s about to buy pie at that time. Past Sam heard shuffling in the bushes and went to check (because he’s Sam).
The older Winchesters ran unconsciously towards the opposite direction, to where past Sam is.
“Hey! Stop!” somebody stopped them. The Winchesters are frozen and facing their old position. Past Sam appeared, looking confused.
“Dean?” past Sam said, obvious confusion on his voice.
“Their spying on us.” past Dean answered.
“No,” past Sam said, “Dean.” he added, pointing directly at the older Dean.
“Hiya, Sammy,” he greeted. “Aww, Sam, you look like a baby.” the older Dean said, earning an eye roll from his little brother.
They went inside (more like forced) and the older Winchesters are tested on all the tests they know, to make sure they weren’t demons or any monster. Sam is lost in thought while being tested and Dean notices.
“Hey, you alright? What’s up?” he asked.
They sat on the couch, while the “other” Sam and Dean are on the opposite side and as usual, Bobby’s at his chair.
“Nothing, it’s just that, I don’t remember this.” Sam replied
“Meaning what?”
“We’re not in the past. I mean, technically, we are.”
“But in a different world,” Dean realizes. “That's why we don’t remember.”
“Wait, what? Alternate universe exists?” past Sam asked, then a faint flap of wings is heard.
Dean's eyes shines as he heard it. “Cas,” he whispered but past Dean heard it.
“Yes, it does.” Cas’ voice came from the kitchen, walking towards the two set of Winchesters.
Past Sam pulled his gun and pointed it at the angel, which past Dean stopped, putting his hands on his brother’s shoulder.
“These two are from another universe.” he added, looking at Sam, then to Dean.
This Cas is much younger looking, his hair is pointing everywhere and his voice is similar to their Cas, but no emotions.
I miss his voice.
Dean looked at him fondly, then smiled a little, “Hi, Cas...” he said softly, almost like a whisper.
I miss him. My Cas
“I should tell Zachariah about this. I think he caused this.” past Cas said.
Dean sighed then looked away. Past Sam looked pretty amused and about to offer his hand on him when Sam interrupted.
“Sam...” Sam said shaking his head, giving the other him a warning. He remembered Cas calling him ‘the boy with the demon blood.' “No, I don’t think Zach caused this. So, don’t call him.” Sam said looking at the young Cas.
“Yeah, It’s us. Samwitch here did some spells to bring the hippie version of us back in their world, since they’ve been living in our world ever since Chuck destroyed their home. Then, suddenly the rift or gate turned blue, which is originally yellow gold, and started to glow.” Dean explained. “Then, the next thing we know, we’re here. In a different world and in the past.” he added.
“Chuck, the prophet?” past Cas asked, Dean scoffed.
“Prophet, my ass. I bet he’s writing stories about you, right now. Calling it ‘The Winchester Gospel'" Dean said, sarcastically.
Past Sam, Dean, and Bobby looked at him with a shocked and confused face.
“Yes, there’s supposed to be a gospel with that name, but my brothers and sisters said there’s no such thing.” past Cas said.
“So, you don’t know the book "Supernatural" by Carver Edlund slash Chuck Shurley?” Sam asked, and the past them shook their heads.
“The what?” Bobby asked; Sam looked at him surprised, like you don’t know? Dean then slapped his brother’s arm using the back of his hand, because he realized something.
“Dude! What?” Sam reacted.
“They don’t know, because he isn’t ‘everything’ anymore. Right? That means he doesn’t have the control over these universes.” Dean answered, excited.
“So, what? The universes have been restored? By Jack?” Sam asked; only the future AU brothers are talking while the people inside listens to their crazy ass conversation.
“I mean, it’s possible.” Dean shrugged. “Should we pray to him?” he added, seemed unsure.
Sam nodded and was about to close his eyes when past Cas talked, “Jack? I don’t think there’s an angel with that name.” Sam looked at Dean, then shrugged.
Dean sighed and lifted his eyes to past Cas, then to the past Sam and Dean, “He’s our kid,” he said, then looked at past Cas, “Our son.”
The room went quiet, and the past Winchesters is trying to process the information.
“So, he’s an angel or?” Bobby asked.
“He’s a Nephilim. Well, was.” Sam answered.
Cas looked at him with a frown and said, “But that’s an abo-”
"Uh-uh. What do you think a son would feel, if he heard his father talked like that about him?” Dean interrupted.
There it is, the shocked face. “Are you saying I am the father of this Nephilim?” The angel asked.
“Not in blood, no. But he picked you as his.” Sam said, “His real- no. His biological father is Lucifer.”
Sam explains everything in detail. Dean adding information every now and then, but mostly Sam, because he is no good in words. After the explaining, many asked questions, some answered and some unanswered, and few little arguments. They told them about Chuck becoming human and Jack being God. Sam only said that Dean came back to them without Cas, when most of the living things on Earth was gone, saying that Dean said that the Empty took him, but that’s it.
Bobby told the future brothers to stay at least a couple of days, until they find a solution. Dean went out to buy some things, and pie (of course), leaving Sam, past Sam, Dean, Bobby and Cas. When Sam heard the Impala’s engine fade, he looked outside, the team past AU notices except Dean.
“What are you doing?” past Cas asked.
“Making sure Dean’s not here.” Sam answered, past Bobby’s about to ask a question when past Dean went first.
“Sam, no, not you. Long-hair Sam, how exactly did Cas died? Because it’s full of holes, you explained what the Empty is or this Entity is but how did you summon it?”
“Trust me, I've been trying to get some answers from him.” Sam sighed heavily, sitting down. “Dean, he’s the one most affected of this death. I mean, he died a lot of times, like us. But this is different. Every time I want to talk about what happened back there, he’s so…. pained.” Sam said in his concerned voice.
“Yes, he is full of regret.” past Cas said.
“Okay, then let’s set it aside. One more question,” past Dean said, “Why did he look at Cas,” he paused, pointing at past Cas and not looking away at the floor, “with very soft eyes. And don’t tell me it’s because he’s gone or something, because it’s different.”
Sam looked at him with confusion, what do you mean soft eyes? He and Cas exchanges that look every time they met…..oh.
“What?” past Sam asked, noticing the older one's realization.
“Dean said that if Cas ever felt happy, the Entity will take him. You also said that he’s full of regret, right?” Sam asked past Cas, he nodded.
“I can even hear his thoughts, he’s loud.” Cas added.
“What does it say?” asked Sam, hopeful.
“That he misses his voice, that he misses him. He said,” he paused. “I miss him, my Cas.” Sam sighed looking concerned.
“What’s up with your Dean and Cas, are they...together together?” past Dean asked, with a raised eyebrow, Sam didn’t answer, but he knows and he’s right. The room went quiet for a couple of minutes, then there’s a knock, Bobby went to open it.
“Cas?!” he said, gaining the attention of the boys.
Castiel, the angel of Thursday, standing in front of Bobby’s house. Wearing his worn, long trench coat and suit with his blue tie. Cas looked at the familiar faces in front of him, except, there’s two Sam? Cas showed a confused face then ask, “Sam?”
The long-haired Sam pushed the others aside and grabbed Cas in his arms, squeezing him. Cas hugged back and asked, “What’s going on here?”
“I’ll tell you inside, come on.” Sam said. Cas went inside and looked at the younger version of him, tilting his head with a frown.
“That’s the 2008 version of you.” Sam said. “2008? The time where Dean stabbed me at the barn?” Cas said.
Earning a laugh from Sam. “Yes, it is.”
Sam told Cas what happened and how they got here and Cas told them that Bobby’s house is the nearest place he knows, so he knocked. After they finished talking, they heard the Impala. Cas is fidgeting and Sam noticed. Dean went inside holding bags of food and other stuff, he stopped at the kitchen and saw Cas at the couch. His Cas.
“Hello, Dean.” Cas said in his usual tone, while standing up.
“Hi…” Dean whispered and left the bags at the table, then hugged Cas softly. “H-how?” he said when he pulled away, leaving his hand on Cas’ shoulders. He can’t help but smile a little.
“We don’t know either.” Sam said behind them, Dean looked at Sam then to Cas again.
“Good to have you back, buddy.” Dean said, tapping Cas’ right shoulder.
Dean is making some pie while Sam is setting up the beer with past Dean and Sam. Cas is talking to past Cas, and they look the same but so different. Cas is leaning back the couch while past him is standing like a statue. Dean kept checking up on Cas, glancing at him every moment he gets. He’s scared that if he looked away for too long, he will disappear, again.
Cas noticed this and slightly finds it annoying, “Dean, I’m not going anywhere.” He said, rolling his eyes.
“You don’t know that.” Dean replied and continued doing it, while handing him his drink. The others looked at the two of them, like they’re watching a drama.
“You’re insufferable.” Cas sighed, holding the drink.
“Is that why you love me so much?” Dean said, smiling wide. Then, went back to the kitchen, while the others followed him with their eyes, both amused and shocked.
“Yeah,” Cas said. “why do I love you so much?” he added, hiding a smile.
“I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me, Castiel?” Dean said, still smirking. He's leaning back on the sink, then crossed his arms on his chest, looking at Cas.
“I believe I already told you that, Dean Winchester.” Cas said, then turned his head to Dean’s direction, also smiling. “Perhaps, you already forgotten.”
The past guys and Sam are invested in this conversation, while past Dean looked confused but quiet.
Dean's demeanor changed. “It’s hard to forget,” he said in serious tone. “Don’t say things like that when you’re leaving.” He added looking at Cas’ piercing eyes.
“I’m sorry.” He replied looking away and at his drink.
“Just don’t do that kind of stunt again.” Dean said, then went back to baking.
“So, are you two... together?” past Dean asked.
“Dean…” past Sam warned.
“Just curious.”
“No-” Cas said at the same time as Dean.
“Well, not yet.” Dean shrugged.
Cas’ eyes widen along with the others. Cas can’t help the smile growing on his face.
“Not yet?” Cas asked.
“I mean, we did some dates before but we’re not really dating. You know what I mean?” Dean explained pulling the pie out of the microwave. Cas’ huffed a little laughed causing the guys to looked at him shocked, except past Cas who looked at him confused.
“I saw a diner with pies as their best sellers and burgers with bacons inside once, do you want to go there when we get back?” Cas replied while walking towards Dean.
Dean looked at Cas, then back to Sam.
“Sam, you and Eileen should go on a date too. Just not on the same place, alright?”
“Yeah, alright.” Sam huffed.
“Who’s Eileen?” past Sam asked Sam.
“My girlfriend.”
“So, me and Cas on a different universe is together? I mean dating?” Past Dean asked Dean.
“Damn right they are.” Bobby said, earning a laugh from Dean.
“If you remove the ‘universe’ term, we’re basically in the past.” Cas said. “Except everything we’ve said or do in here won’t affect the future, our present.”
“That being said,” Sam said looking at past Sam, kind of like warning him. The 'you better not keep up that demon blood diet of yours, Sam' type of look. Past Sam getting conscious as he gets the message, while past Dean looks at him weird.
“Wait, you said it won’t affect anything in our side, right?” Sam asked Cas, changing the topic. “That means we can, somehow, spoil them?” Cas and Dean looked at him with blank face, then it clicked. They can. If they can prevent Lucifer from coming out the cage, Sam won’t be soulless.
Because of this, they decided to share their past to their past selves. They’ve talked about the dos and the don’ts and past Sam’s cure for the demon blood. At first past Cas finds it hard to believe but Dean and Cas assured him that it's really what happened.
“But we need to be careful." Sam warned. "Since, there’s no Chuck to revive anybody.”