The tallest buildings and the largest of mountains were pale in comparison to the gravitationally crushing tension that settled over the quartet gathered in the kitchen. The silence set everyone on edge, the empty seat at the table a blatant reminder of the one they'd lost.
Dean, turned over a blade in his hand, and decisively spoke up, "If she can do it, we'd find a way to bring her back afterwards-"
"It's too dangerous, Dean." Cas said outright, his cloudy blue eyes brewing a storm of thinking. Behind his statuesque composure of steel, the one thought at the forefront of the hurricane was confounded by how Dean could possibly think of such a thing.
The blade sitting in his palm seemingly mocked him, the initials L.W. assuring him that what he was thinking was completely justified.
Dean stabbed the knife into the table with such swiftness that caused the one seated in the corner to flinch in their seat at the suddenness. "You said that she was the only solution-"
"Yeah, at the moment, Dean!" Sam said, in agreeance with Castiel. "We're talking about a kid's life here!"
"And I'm talking about Lily's life!" Dean exclaimed, shoving himself out of his seat. He breathed heavily through his nose, hand tearing through his hair as he attempted to calm himself down. It just wasn't right. "We've died, we came back. She shouldn't have gone out like this. Sam, she was 15!"
"I know!" Sam replied, before taking a breathe. "I know, Dean, but Lily wouldn't have wanted this to happen. She wouldn't have wanted us to argue-"
Dean advanced forward with his every word, "Well she didn't want to die either! She didn't ask for this! Not for any of it! And if we just take the smallest chance-"
Cas intercepted his path, a look of determination dead set upon his face.
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"No." He said. "She's not strong enough. Just because she has abilities now does not mean she's now a soldier at your command."
A sharp edge in his voice sent a reminder of his own past experience as an angel. His voice gave no chance for argument, it was his final word.
Behind him, the hooded figure curled up within corner had enough. Her shoulders shook as liquid pearls trailed down from her tired inky brown eyes. The droplets of tears were wiped away by her hand as she stood shakily, stepping forward catching all's attention.
"It's ok, Cas."
They'd forgotten she was there, listening to the entire debate. Listening to them discuss how she had the ability to trade her own life for her best friend's.
Their eyes softened at the sight of the red eyed 14 year old, bundled up in a hoodie as to hopefully hide away the despair within her.
"I'll do it. If it means bringing Lily back, I can do it." She said.
Sam seemed to be ready to speak, but Cleo already knew he was going to try to talk her out of it.
"I don't think I'll ever feel right or okay, knowing that she's not here. Alive and breathing. I don't think I could ever live without her." Cleo said, a small Mona Lisa smile quirking onto her lips. "I'm an angel, now, or at least sort of one. That means I have a better chance of surviving anyways. And if not, well..." Her head lowered, voice trailing off.
There was a moment of silence.
Cleo looked back up, her lips quirking up and tears rolling down. "I've been meaning to catch up on some sleep."
