Castiel and other alt Dean

[tiredofurinating]

Castiel had been wondering how to navigate that another version of Dean lived all by himself in the woods, but close by. His chance came when Lucy informed him that the other Ruby and Sam wanted to get married privately. They had told no one else. Of course Cas considered himself a friend by extension and offered his service in person to officiate for them. The two of them seemed to like that.

As for Dean, he offered to be the one to inform him when Lucy and he were talking. The cabin in the woods was easy to find when he pictured it in his mind; logs were neatly staked on the side of the structure, the long blades of grass swayed in the breeze, and inside where a fire crackled was the familiar face. Cas willed himself to cross into that space.

"Hello, Dean," his voice neither echos nor does it not carry his presence inside the cabin. "I hope this isn't as awkward for you as it is for me." He looks around the space but touches nothing to warrant Dean lashing out at him. What was it that people say sometimes? Oh yes, this was 'starting from square one again.'

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[tiredofurinating]

When of the things that Cas fell in love with was her ability to see the best in people.

Undoubtedly, Dean will always be hot tea as long as he remains unattached. It would cause a stir in town if it got out there is a third Dean as well. Dean is very popular with the out of reach mystique. A Dean that dresses well would also be very popular. There isn't an argument left in Sam to deny Dean to the wedding with Ruby. He's fought with himself the last few days on why he couldn't approach Dean in the first place; he's convinced himself that Dean would rather never talk to him again. Its clear now that none of that is true. It means a lot that to him Dean would like to come to the wedding. Almost as if he'd been holding his breath for so long, he breathes in and out again; his shoulders visibly relax as he sees he'd been so wrong.

The uncertainty of what to say in return fades from his core after a moment. He moves his hand to fish out an almost blank, almond stock card save for his handwriting from his back pocket. It had been always at the back of his mind to invite Dean if something could only help him. "You should probably take this too." Written on the card in Sam's scribble, made slightly worse by lack of practice for years, was a homemade wedding invitation. The who, the where and the when were written on the card. It wasn't professional by any means, but the intention was clear: Sam had thought about Dean all along. Dean was the only one invited.

[donttrustmyself]

It would cause quite a stir. Of course, the third Dean (Richester) is very different from either of the two Deans that Charming Acres residents know so he might not be quite as popular with everyone, but undoubtedly there would still be enough interest to cause a stir.

Dean doesn't know what to say to Sam. He can't deny that sometimes he looks at Sam and all he can see are the atrocities that Lucifer used him to commit. However, he knows that Sam wasn't in control, would never do any of those things, and is now his brother entirely. Knowing all of those things, Dean would never choose to be completely estranged from Sam. He just doesn't know how to repair all of the damage and trauma that the last several years have inflicted upon them. With time they can fix this as long as they're both willing to extend a second (or billionth) chance. This is Dean extending a hand, and maybe he should have done a better job of that before now. The way Sam relaxes visibly is helpful; it lets Dean know that he made the right choice in not making this an argument.

Dean takes the invitation, brow furrowing as he looks over it. He nods after a moment and sticks it in his jacket pocket. He clears his throat a moment then speaks, "Thanks." He hesitates, clearly unsure where the conversation goes from here. "So...uh...any particular reason you decided to get married now?" He doesn't think anything has changed in Ruby's ability to get pregnant, but quite frankly he hasn't kept up and he knows the other Sam and Ruby have twins; he sees them running around here occasionally. .

[tiredofurinating]

It stands to reason that Dean is a leader in their community and that reputation carries to other versions in terms trustworthiness.

Neither Sam nor Dean had their Lucifer possess Nick for majority of the time on their Earth; it stands to reason that Sam be the face of Lucifer for them forevermore. Only time can repair the damage that is at all salvageable. Neither of them will ask her to but it stands to reason Lucy will need to stick her nose into their business more. Second and third and fourth chances will flow from there. Sam also has Ruby to reinforce that he shouldn't leave things to stay the way they are with Dean. Ruby will continue to be a support. The brothers will have to figure out the rest themselves.

Sam sways his weight from one leg to the other, trying not to appear uncomfortable. There is self doubt in that sole invite could be a million times better, but he gives himself grace in that more would be too much. His attention snaps back to reality with Dean asking why now. A fonder expression swept over his features. "You weren't there when I asked her to marry me outside of a dingy motel-bar parking lot. Its one of the few things I remember with clarity some days. The true is I didn't want to wait any longer to make good on my promise. We've– rather she waited long enough." Nothing has changed as far as Ruby having babies does. The other version of themselves only shows how happy they can be with each other.

[donttrustmyself]

Oh sweet summer child. Dean's appeal in this town (or in others) has very little to do with trustworthiness and more to do with hotness. It's only once they get to know him that they realize there's more to him.

Fair enough, but Dean is trying to remember (and should remember) that Sam was the face of his little brother for a lot longer than he was Lucifer. Fortunately for them, Lucy is very good at sticking her nose where it doesn't belong. Ultimately, it is up to the brothers to take those chances and nudges so they can repair their relationship. It will likely always be different from the other brothers' relationship, but that isn't a bad thing.

Dean is so deeply uncomfortable that he doesn't notice much that Sam is also uncomfortable. "Right. Before the pit." He nods a bit. "She told me about that near the beginning when she told me she was going to stay with you and try to reach you." It was years later when she gave up out of fear for her own life as well as fear for Sam if he was still in there and saw Lucifer kill her. Dean won't ask about the babies because he knows babies aren't in the picture for him either anymore and he understands how you can make peace with that sort of thing.

[tiredofurinating]

For what little it helps, Sam has not worn white since then. He's only confided to Ruby that can't stomach wearing on too much white as the horrors flash in his head when he tries to avoid that feeling. What it boils down to feel he represents Lucifer again. Lucy will absolutely help provide more opportunities for them to mend things. If Sam wished for anything, it was only that they could talk half as easily as they used to. Things didn't have to be the same as before.

It doesn't matter anyway. Clearly the two of them are pushing it down as best as possible. "Yeah." The pit. The plan that had backfired the moment he choose it was best to do it alone (without Ruby). He takes a deep breath, shaking his head one time. "I'm glad you let her stay with your camp when she couldn't. There are only bits and pieces there I saw and she didn't deserve that treatment. I hadn't yet figured out how to break past the barrier to reach her, and I'm still not sure I know how." Little does he know one time he did reach out and touch her face, a single tear and a smile streaming down. Part of his peace made with living without children is a life spent making it up to Ruby to the end of his days.

[donttrustmyself]

Ruby can't handle white either. Her dress will be red. It's good because Dean doesn't know if he could handle seeing Sam wear white. Lucifer visited far too many horrors on them in that suit. To be clear, the issue isn't that Dean interacts with Sam and sees Lucifer; it's very obvious that Sam is not Lucifer because Lucifer was never that good an actor. It's that Dean has problems looking at Sam because he knows he failed him in every possible way. Lucy believes with time that the boys will get there and she refuses to accept any other reality.

"It wasn't a hard decision. She did everything that I should have." Stay with him, Dean means. At the same time, he is very aware that Lucifer probably would have killed him eventually. Dean's brow furrows a little while Sam talks about reaching past that barrier. "If I remember right, there was another you there at the same time there was another me. I've seen enough sci fi movies that I'm guessing that had something to do with disrupting something or some shit like that."

[tiredofurinating]

Sam will think and always has thought red is a good color on Ruby. It certainly would signify all the hardships they've gotten through to reach this point in his mind. He'll think she's beautiful no matter what color she decides upon. They have a long road ahead of them to come to any sort of closure. Lucifer had twisted the promise he made to Sam or found loopholes and everyday Sam lives with that regret. Lucy is both nosy but a very good friend.

He lets Dean's meaning about Ruby staying close to him/Lucifer sink in. Slowly, he shakes his head once in disagreement. He frowns as a silent indication that he believes Dean was where he was meant to be. No one else would have or could have up stepped up in the same way for the people that remained. "Still, thank you." He means about Ruby. "No one else would have stuck up for her." He only seen the other version of himself for a split second before an angel returned him to their dimension. The memory was felt more like a dream that reality. What he knew beyond that had come secondhand from Ruby. Ruby had been honest about him about everything. He was only relieved that the events changed the fate of the world. "My understanding of what happened is the same. We- Seems like it all lead here. I heard about Jack." And everything that lead to the Earth they stand on being the one of the last ones standing. It's a lot to take in even now.

[donttrustmyself]

As far as Ruby is concerned, Sam isn't responsible for anything Lucifer did. Sam's only failing was not realizing that Lucifer would twist any deal made. It's a conversation they will have over and over most likely for the rest of their lives.

Dean nods at Sam's thanks. He could tell him that it was nothing, but it hadn't been. No one had wanted to stick by Ruby when she'd shown up in his camp. For weeks, even after she'd recovered, Dean had insisted she stay in his cabin or near him for fear that someone within the camp would try to take her out (it's probably one thing that had led to the hate/grief sex between them that had persisted sporadically until the younger version of Sam had shown up). "Yeah, I'm still not sure how many angels were responsible for the whole time switch thing." It had done the job, providing a catalyst that had broken through to Dean and Sam.

After a moment, Dean speaks again. "You like it here?" he gestures to the town around them.

[tiredofurinating]

True. There isn't ever any real closure to what Lucifer did to them, only affirmations through conversations that they can continue to live together through it.

He hadn't needed to be there to understand how much Dean had to stick up for Ruby in some way. Had a strange demon he didn't come to town and he'd been there, he'd have something to say or do about it too. It isn't a smile but an appreciative expression that casts over his features that mirrors the faintest one. He would repeat it for the rest of his life to Ruby if needed as there wasn't anything to pardon or forgive for her time with Dean when he was thought to be as good as gone. It didn't change how he felt about her either. Nor did it did with Dean. They stood where they last stood when he had said yes to Lucifer. He had a lot to catch up on as well as make up for.

He nods affirmly, always the burning question in his mind how angel's in this timeline changed the course they had been through. At the same time, he knew better than the disrupt the balance too much by speaking to the alternate version of himself.

Sam considers his reply carefully. "You could talk to Castiel." He clears his throat. "There's a lot I don't know about this place either." But if anyone might know, he would say it is a safe bet it would be an angel among the few left standing.

He half turns in the direction of Dean's gesture around them. The town had been jarring when he first arrived. Empty, though lights (electricity) stood on everywhere. There had soon been the welcoming face of Lucy to explain what was going on. Had it not been for Ruby by his side during their first couple of days, it would have been too much to take in alone. He breathes deeply to come out of his thoughts. "I'm adjusting. There's worse place to be." Though a part of him wonders if the town can ever feel like home. It feels too easy, like he's cheated his punishment for saying 'yes' all those years ago. The only thing worthy of focusing on is that he can finally fulfill his promise to Ruby and say yes to her.

[donttrustmyself]

They all did what they needed to do to survive. There's no need or desire to play the blame game.

Dean's other self hadn't listened quite as well to that advice, but it had worked out in the end. Dean sometimes wonders if it had worked out the way the angels had intended or if they'd rebelled, however unconsciously, again. Dean purses his lips, considering Sam's suggestion of talking to Castiel about this town. He's gathered some information from the various residents. "Apparently, it used to be this bizarro demon 1950s compound situation, which explains a lot." Including the influx of classic cars which means that Dean has a great deal of work should he want it. Seventy-five-year-old cars, no matter how well taken care of, need attention. It also happens to be something that Dean loves doing. He's fixed a few cars for people in trade for things. He's considered, at Lucy's prodding, opening up a mechanic's shop. No one has really taken up the current shop in town. "A bunch of people cleared out after they came to their senses. Lucy wasn't one of them." His tone of voice says he's judging her sanity on that front. "But they've got a stash of goods to rival most preppers, houses aren't owned by anyone and everything is still hooked up to utilities so..." he gestures with one hand like all of the supernatural and alternate timeline people make sense. In a way, he supposes it does.

Dean nods in agreement with Sam's comment. He is adjusting as well. "Seems too good to be true. Like someone is going to yank the rug out from underneath us at any minute."

[tiredofurinating]

No doubt there will be some unanswered questions going forward. Sam sees Dean's reaction and opts to let Dean figure out for himself what he wants to do from there. Castiel would talk to him should he come around Lucy's or pray out his name even in thought. "Some things never seem to change, but that's what I heard, too," he muses hesitantly. These days he stood back and talked to people less. He knew a handful in town still saw him as Lucifer and it stood to reason the story had traveled around. It was good at least Dean could talk to them without a strange look (not that he ever blamed folk). Rather than talking to people for information, it had been Lucy to talk his ear off about what happened to the town. The old mechanic shop would be a good place for Dean to take over. Lucy had mentioned that she brought it up, but Sam only had seen the building remain empty and dusty in passing as the indication Dean hadn't yet decided to. "Everyone seems happy with the town." The ones that survived, he means. It is a touchy subject and he treads carefully between phrasing it as a question or a statement. Sam fills in the what Dean means in passing is that the town is satisfactory to those that moved him. He feels himself partly sigh in relief that the few that made it can have something decent again. "I don't know about that. This town has some upsides, don't you think? Food grows on the outskirts of town, and there's plumping again." Part of that is to stand up for Lucy, but mostly to see where Dean stands currently. "In a few more years, this place could really be something." It's harder for him to be hopeful and optimistic but he tries not to be a downer whenever he remembers. The world doesn't need two.

"It's like coming back from war. You never get used to it, but I think you play along the best you can..." It sounds like a question more than a statement. He, too, hasn't any answers or solutions beyond agreeing in his own way.

[donttrustmyself]

Sam and Ruby have their own share of gossip about them, but because they're a couple, the gossip is different. Lucy likes people; she likes socializing and entertaining. She likes helping people. Because she knows the other Sam, Ruby, and Dean, she wants to help this version of them find, if not happiness, at least contentment in this life. She thinks that Charming Acres can be their second chance. It's been her second chance in any case. Dean nods in response because everyone does seem happy in this town. However, there's enough normal strife and tribulation to assure Dean that it isn't some sort of enchantment or possession or any other weird magic thing making people happy. "Oh, it's definitely got it's advantages. I didn't realize how much I missed hot showers until I moved into my place here." In all honesty, the cabin Dean lives in is fancier than he really needs, but he supposes it was meant to be someone's vacation getaway. Which makes Dean's brow furrow, "where are you and Ruby living? In town? Or somewhere on the outskirts?" Somewhere remote the way he does. He can't imagine Ruby being someone's neighbor, but he's not sure he ever really knew her before. "As long as the place doesn't grow so big that I end up with neighbors."

Dean purses his lips and nods a little at Sam's assessment of this life. He knows that Sam has changed because of what they went through; he's not sure anyone could go through all of that and not change. "At least we're not sleeping in bathtubs instead of real beds." He pauses and casts Sam a side glance. "You're not sleeping in the bathtub, are you?"

[tiredofurinating]

Lucy will be in the lives for a long time, if not forever. Someone like her has easily wormed her way into the hearts, lives and threads of family of those in town. Sam, at least, finds her actions harmless and something to thank her later for.

Surely that is something both of them looked into separately when they heard about the town's history. As far as Sam could decipher, the magic hadn't contaminated the water. The people that remained or found a home in town were happy to have free will again. It's been a long time since he heard Dean talk about something that made him happy. Sam nods thoughtfully. But he has to block out the urge to apologize for that. That's a whole other beast he will have to live with on his own. "Yeah, actually that's one thing I can't argue with." He noticed when he came in that the luxuries were still fairly sparse on the counter but the place was fully furnished. "You have a great place here. Did Lucy..." he doesn't finish that sentence. Whatever reason Dean ended up moving in to it is great. Sam quietly alludes that he believes his brother deserves it. His place has fewer comforts (square footage), but at the end of the day, he was was happy Ruby took charge in deciding where it was. There was a proper kitchen, a bedroom-living room and a bathroom in a smaller cabin on the opposite end from this one. It was heated by a wood stove. Sam had no complaints of all the blankets had gathered to decorate. Sam tilted his head back to the door. "Other side of... the outskirts of town. It's a twenty five minute walk from the center. The path is overgrown in some areas. Ruby found it." He smiles fondly at how clever his soon to be wife is. Ruby said something similar to wishing their cabin stays remote. "You might have to get involved in the town politics if it does. Get them to build outwards in another direction." He had said something similar to Ruby, too.

Lucifer had absolutely ensured that the annoying creature comforts that his human host needed were luxurious. Sam scraps his teeth over his lip, trying not to think back. He felt a pang of guilt at least that bathtubs were substitutes for beds, knowing better than to say anything. Instead he nods. He shakes his at the question. "No, um, Ruby would never. It's a comfortable place we have. Our cabin." The worst for them had been the hard floor made barrly any better by a thin blanket the first couple of nights. But they had each other to distract from that. "Lucy saw that we got a mattress. I assume she did the same for you." His way of asking that the tub isn't still a thing with Dean.

[donttrustmyself]

Dean is glad that Sam doesn't apologize. At some point, he has to stop apologizing for everything Lucifer did (and for his part in allowing Lucifer the opportunity) and focus on living what's left of his life. Dean is just trying not to do more harm in his own life. "Yeah. When I first got here, I was in some standard apartment. It was fine but Lucy called it a transitional placement." He rolls his eyes a little to show he's not sure he believes it. "She brought coffee and pie over one day, talked to me a little then the next day brought me keys and drove me out to the cabin. I tried to argue with her and tell it was too much; the apartment was fine. You can imagine how that went." Lucy doesn't argue. She simply smiles, nods then does what she wants anyway. You can go along with it or you can get bulldozed in the process. Dean frowned at Sam's suggestion. "No thanks. I'll let Lucy fight those battles." You couldn't pay him to get involved in politics. He'd end up moving further out into the woods in a tent if necessary.

Dean nods a little at Sam's reassurance that he's not sleeping in bathtubs. Most nights, Dean sleeps in bed as well unless he's just not sleeping at all, and he still has those nights. "That's good," he says after a moment. Whether Sam believes it or not, Dean believes that Sam deserves comfort and good things in life. Yeah, it took him a long time to forgive Sam for saying yes to Lucifer. Still, in the end, he'd just been glad that he no longer lived in a world without his baby brother, even if his relationship and feelings toward his baby brother is complicated. "Yeah, practically brand new with some sort of brand new fancy protective cover on it. Clean sheets, blankets. She set me up." He has always assumed that Cas had something to do with that.

[tiredofurinating]

He agrees with more of a look in his eye than a nod. "Sounds like it all worked out anyway. Last I heard the apartment has a waitlist now." Lucy has a way of knowing what people need and some part of Sam still wonders if she is clairvoyant in her intuition. The fact Lucy moved Dean to the cabin worked out to delay the housing problem for a tiny amount of time.

Sam isn't surprised when Dean shoots down the idea and shrugs a shoulder. "Right, pretend I said nothing at all..." There's an awkward pause before Sam opens his mouth again. "Glad you're comfortable, man."

The talk of sleeping is bathtubs is a little bit concerning. "You aren't either, right? Sleeping in a tub?" It's odd enough of an idea that he has to ask the question back. Having a sleepless night is another story. He expects they both have those and won't ask about that. If Dean asked, Sam would eventually tell his brother Ruby helped him a lot to come to terms with ordinary life again. Everyday Lucifer was more behind him. Sam sought to mend things with Ruby as a way to make up for being gone so long. Doing good for the community, like politics, had been a suggestion Lucy gave him and he'd been considering. He resisted the urge to inform Dean that the cover was waterproof. Lucy had also given Ruby one for their mattress. "This place. Sounds like you really like it here. You deserve it."