THE BROKEN LOOK IN his brother's eyes was enough to make Dean stop in his tracks, his heart breaking and tears starting to pool in his eyes. The thought of Sam actually going through with this deal makes Dean's gut twist uncomfortably, and he sends a quick prayer up to Cas - wherever he was. Cas appears next to Dean instantly and sees how the younger Winchester is barely standing.
"Sam," Cas says, his usually harsh voice now soft. "There's no need for you to go through with this deal."
"You two will die if I don't," Sam says, his voice breaking. "I have to. I won't let you die again."
"You're going to die, Sam!" Dean yells. "How do you think we're going to cope when you die for this?!"
"All I care is that you two live."
"Sammy..."
"I love you, Dean. And I'm sorry this is how it ends."
Dean manages watery smile. "Love you too, Sammy."
"Cas, don't let anyone bring me back."
Cas flinches. "You can't ask me to do that."
"I'm not asking."
"Sam..."
"I love you, Cas. More than you think."
"I love you too, Sam."
Sam smiles at the two males in front of him one last time. The next second pain rockets through him and a yell tears itself from his throat. He sees Cas holding his brother back, and he sees the tears that are running down both faces. A pain in the centre of Sam's chest makes him clutch it desperately, trying to make it stop, and a whimper escapes him.
Dean watches helplessly as a bright red light flies from Sam's body, and a small cry escapes him when Sam hits the floor like a sack of flour. It is then that the iron arms are removed from around him and help him stumble towards his dead brother. Dean falls to his knees and holds his brother to his chest. Cas crouches next to the brothers, laying his hand on Sam's forehead and closing his eyes. Cas' eyes fly open suddenly and Dean jumps at the sudden movement.
"He's not dead," Cas growls.
Dean frowns. "What are you talking about?"
"He's a demon."
"Crowley! You son of a bitch!"
Sam's eyes fly open and he sucks in a deep breath, a coughing fit hitting him full force. Dean cringes at the black eyes and Cas narrows his eyes at his demonic boyfriend. Sam blinks and his eyes turn back to hazel, widening when they see Cas and Dean kneeling over him. He jerks away from them and looks around wildly, shock and confusion covering his face.
"Dean, what the hell happened?" Sam asks slowly. "I'm meant to be dead!"
"You tell us, Sam," Dean almost growls. "You're a demon."
"What?!"
"Proof."
Dean throws Sam the demon blade and the latter catches it. He slices his arm and lets out a yelp, dropping the knife and clutching his arm. Dean sees the pained and terrified look in his brother's eyes, and knows that Sam didn't add the 'become a demon after I die' part into the deal. He looks at Cas and sees the exact same expression on his face.
"You know what you have to do, Dean," Sam says, holding the knife out. "I'm a monster now. If this is the only way I'm going to live, then I don't want to live - I don't want to be a demon, Dean."
Dean flinches. "Sam, I can't."
"I know. That's why I am."
Sam drives the knife into his heart and a piercing screech leaves the hunter's mouth. Cas catches Sam and lowers him to the ground, his tears landing on Sam's pale face, and sobs wracking his body. Dean stares at the body in his angel's arms and knows that Sam isn't coming back this time. He picks up the demon blade and drives it into his heart.
•
A cry escapes Sam's mouth and he jolts into a sitting position, tears streaming down his face and his heart going a million miles an hour. The angel and hunter beside him in the bed stir, and instantly notice that their boyfriend is crying. Cas pulls the hunter back down onto the bed and holds him close, Dean moving closer to his little brother.
"Same nightmare?" Dean mumbles sleepily.
Sam trembles. "You killed yourself after I killed myself..."
Cas shushes the younger Winchester. "I stopped you, Sam. It's alright. We're all fine."
A knock sounds and the door opens to reveal Adam. "You okay, Sam?"
"I will be," Sam says.
"It was the nightmare again. If you need someone else to talk to, Samandriel and me are here, Sam."
"Thanks, Adam."
"Come on, babe," Samandriel says. "Let our brother's sleep."
