The Last Bullet

10) Hunted

"Before Dad died he, he told me something — something about you," Dean said, sipping his beer. He stared at everything but Sam.

"What?" Sam demanded. "Dean, what did he tell you?"

"He said that he wanted me to watch out for you, to take care of you," Dean said, and Percy frowned. He had a feeling John had known more than he'd let on.

"He told you that a million times," Sam sighed.

"No, this time was different," Dean said. "He said that I had to save you."

"Save me from what?" Sam questioned.

"He said that I'd have to save you, that nothing else mattered; and that if I couldn't, I'd..."

"You'd what, Dean?"

"That I'd have to kill you," Dean frowned. Oh yeah, John had definitely known something they didn't. "He said that I might have to kill you, Sammy." Percy frowned. No one should have to kill someone they loved.

"Kill me?" Sam asked quietly. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know."

"I mean, he must have had some kind of reason for saying it, right? Did he know the demon's plans for me? Am I supposed to go Darkside or something? What else did he say, Dean?"

"Nothing, that's it, I swear," Dean said.

"How could you not have told me this?" Sam demanded, and Percy suddenly felt very, very awkward. He wished he could sit out this conversation in the car. He was learning how to calm down arguments, and he could always join in on a normal conversation, but the emotional ones, the ones that were private and important to the two of them... Percy couldn't do anything during those moments.

"Because it was Dad, and he begged me not to," Dean said.

"Who cares?!" Sam cried, and Percy grimaced. "Take some responsibility for yourself, Dean! You had no right to keep this from me!"

"You think I wanted this?" Dean scowled. "Huh? I wish to Zeus he'd never opened his mouth. Then I wouldn't have to walk around with this screaming in my head all day."

Sam, fuming, turned and took a few steps away from Dean, "We've just got to figure out what's going on, then, what the hell all this means."

"We do?" Dean said softly. "I've been thinking about this, I think we should just lay low. You know? At least for a while. It'd be safer. And that way I can make sure —"

"What?" Sam interrupted. "That I don't turn evil? That I don't turn into some kind of killer?"

"He never said that," Percy whispered, noticing the pained look on Dean's face.

"Jeez, if you're not careful you will have to waste me one day, guys," Sam hissed.

"I never said that!" Dean snapped. "Damnit, Sam, this whole thing is spinning out of control. All right? You're immune to some weirdo demon virus, and I don't even know what the Hades anymore. And you're pissed at me, I get it. That's fine, I deserve it. But we lay low until we figure out our next move, okay?"

"Forget it," Sam said.

"Sam, please, man," Dean practically begged, and Percy's heart melted. "Hey, please. Just give me some time. Give me some time to think, okay? I'm begging you here, please. Please."

Sam nodded reluctantly.

***

Percy couldn't sleep. He sat up in his and Dean's bed, his boyfriend's arms wrapped loosely around his waist.