daylight_darknight: (Team Free Will)
[personal profile] daylight_darknight
Like Chuck said, endings are hard. But unbelievably, it's done!!! Final word count 20,216.

Title: Practically Human 19/19
Characters: Castiel, Bobby, Dean
Rating: PG-13 for swearing and a little violence and disturbing stuff in later chapters
Genre: Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Drama
Word Count: 20,216
Spoilers: Up to the end of season 5
Summary: Some things are a lot easier to deal with when the world is ending.
AN: This takes place in a slight AU where season 5 ends almost the exact same way except Castiel's powers are never restored and Bobby is still in a wheelchair. While Dean goes off to keep his promise to his brother, Castiel ends up left behind at Bobby's as he tries to adjust to his new life as a human.

Chapter 19

It had been six days since Castiel had last heard from Dean.

After his eleventh unanswered call, the former angel, with the help of Bobby, tracked down the phone number of Lisa Braeden. Lisa had been both surprised and glad to hear from him. Apparently, she’d long been curious about Dean’s late night phone calls. She told him that Dean had left suddenly on the very same day Castiel and Bobby had gone on their hunt. He’d said he needed to go on a short trip to take care of some business and promised to be back in a few days. Lisa believed he’d keep his word, but was still worried. Apparently, there’d been an unsettling look of fixed resolve on his face.

At first, Bobby had claimed Dean just needed some time to himself, that he was still coping with the loss of his brother, but after a couple of days, Bobby had admitted that considering this was Dean they were talking about, it was entirely possible the idjit had gone off to do something momentously stupid.

When Castiel had determined that more than a ‘few’ days had passed, he’d insisted they go out in search of Dean to which Bobby had simply replied, “Where?” They had no idea where Dean had headed and the former hunter was very good at keeping himself hidden if need be.

But Castiel had grown even more determined to head out and search the more the days passed, which was why he was now upstairs in his room packing his few belongings into an old duffle bag and wishing Bobby had gotten around to teaching him how to drive. He wasn’t sure if he’d be able to find Dean, but he planned to try. After all, he had a lot of experience in hopeless searches.

While emptying his closet, his attention was drawn to the beige trenchcoat hanging at the back. Taking it out, he held it up and gazed at it in the fading daylight noting the frayed seams and the blood stained sleeves he’d never gotten around to cleaning. There’d been no reason to wear the coat recently. It was inappropriate for summer weather and ever since he’d become human he’d admittedly found the coat cumbersome and restricting. Yet, it had been a part of who he’d been and he was reluctant to let it go. After much deliberation, he decided to leave it behind.

It was as he was putting the coat away that he heard the faint, but familiar rumbling sound coming from outside. It took him a moment to place it, and while it grew closer, he wondered why something so common as the noise of a car engine could incite such feelings of fondness and longing. Then the sound fell into place in his memory and he raced to the window.

The Impala was just pulling up in front of the house, sunlight glinting off the edges of its black paint.

Castiel almost fell down the stairs in his haste to get outside. His surroundings, including a confused Bobby, passed by in a blur until he stood on the front porch gazing down at the familiar car.

The driver side door opened and out emerged Dean Winchester. There were purple bruises and bloody scrapes covering one side of his face and he limped slightly on his left leg, but he looked surprisingly content with a fresh glimmer in his soul that hadn’t been there when he’d left four months ago.

His face lit up with a grin when he spotted Castiel. “Hey, Cas. Long time no see.”

Blaming it on some human instinct, Castiel quickly drew near the former hunter and wrapped both arms around him holding tight. Dean tensed a moment as if startled; then wrapped his arm around Castiel too, his grip just as strong.

When they finally let go, Dean straightened his back and cleared his throat as if trying to regain some sense of dignity. “Yeah,” he mumbled gruffly, “I guess I missed you too.”

But Castiel, who’d originally been reluctant to let go, found his joy at seeing Dean pushed aside by anger at his mysterious absence. “Where have you been?” he demanded.

“Took a trip to Disneyland,” Dean joked weakly. “Trust me. The Magic Kingdom really isn’t as magical as they’d like you to believe.”

Castiel’s glare remained unwavering and Dean cringed.

“Ok, so I went on a little hunt which proved to be not so little. Things got a bit chaotic. Phone got smashed. I know I should have called. I’m sorry.”

Castiel’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Really sorry,” Dean insisted sincerely. “For well… a lot of things.”

“You went on a hunt?” Castiel questioned brow furrowed.

“I came across this article in the paper about some mysterious deaths in Arkansas. I knew something was up so I went to check it out.”

“But I thought you weren’t planning to hunt anymore.”

“People were dying and well...” Dean’s lips twisted up in a warm smile as he placed a hand on the former angel’s shoulder. “I seem to recall someone reminding me recently about how important people are.”

Castiel felt the urge to hug Dean again, but was distracted by an enraged yell from the direction of the house.

“You’d better have a damn fine explanation for where you’ve been!”

They both turned to see Bobby on the porch glaring lividly down at Dean. Castiel observed as Dean swallowed nervously and opened his mouth to defend himself, but then suddenly, Bobby’s eyes grew wide, his gaze moving to something behind them. Castiel quickly spun around realizing he’d been so distracted by Dean’s arrival he’d completely missed the fact there’d been someone else in the Impala.

It was Sam.

Not a changeling or a shapeshifter. Not Lucifer or some demon wearing Sam’s body. It was simply Sam, the same familiar soul, ragged along the edges, but pure.

“Wow. Jeez, Cas,” The younger Winchester said his gaze alighting on the former angel once he’d exited the car and slammed shut the door. His eyebrows were raised as he looked him over. “You look different, good, but different.”

And then, Castiel was hugging Sam just as hard as he’d hugged Dean.

Afterwards, Sam left a hand on his shoulder smiling as he said, “I’m glad you’re okay.”

Castiel’s lips rose in a rare smile of his own. “I’m glad you’re alive.”

Sam winced seeming vaguely embarrassed. “Yeah, about that…”

“Dean, please tell me you weren’t stupid enough to actually get your brother out of hell,” Bobby called out his expression shifting between anger, hope, and disbelief.

“You really think I’d try something that stupid,” responded Dean, affronted.

There were suddenly three pointed gazes directed at him.

He rolled his eyes. “Okay, so maybe I might, but I didn’t. He didn’t need my help.”

“But it’s really…” Bobby’s voice went from angry to choked.

“It’s me,” said Sam.

Bobby turned to Castiel his eyes seeking reassurance and confirmation. The former angel gave a brief nod.

It took less than a second for Sam and Bobby to meet up at the bottom of the ramp where Sam had to bend over almost double to hug the old hunter.

“Damn it, boys,” Bobby said hoarsely, wiping at his eyes. “You really need to stop doing this to me.”

Sam let out a chuckle. “I promise we’ll try not to die anymore.”

“And if we do,” added Dean, “we’ll leave a note saying when we’ll be back, so you don’t have to worry.”

“Very funny,” grumbled Bobby and turning, waved at them to follow. “Get your asses inside and you can explain what happened over some beer.”

They gathered inside the kitchen and soon all had a bottle of cheap beer in their hands. Leaning against the kitchen counter slowly sipping his, Castiel kept shifting his eyes between the two brothers finding it hard to believe they were actually there. Sam sat at the table across from Bobby his gaze often drifting back to Castiel as if still astonished by the changes in him while Dean remained standing close to his brother as if he was afraid he’d disappear.

“Well,” said Bobby once they were settled.

“It was God,” Sam said after a deep breath then he shrugged. “Well, as near as I can figure. One minute, I was on my way to hell. The next, I was back on Earth and Lucifer-free.”

Castiel found his gaze drawn upward as he felt something twist painfully in his chest. He couldn’t decide whether it was hope or anger.

Meanwhile, Dean was shaking his head at his brother. “What the ginormous ignoramus forgot to mention is that was months ago. He somehow got the idiotic idea in his head that we were better off without him, so he went off to hunt on his own.”

Sam looked down at his feet avoiding Bobby’s gaze.

“Then how’d you find out?” Bobby asked Dean while still glaring at Sam.

Dean explained about the hunt he’d gone on between swallows of his beer. “Didn’t take me long to realize someone else was investigating the same thing as me. Imagine my surprise when I found out who it was.”

“It wasn’t exactly easy finishing the hunt when he spent most of the time chewing me out,” added the younger Winchester.

“But it’s all worked out now, pretty much. Though we could use a little help with something…” Dean cast a hopeful look in Bobby’s direction.

“Let me guess,” Bobby said as he leaned back in his chair. “You’re on the trail of something nasty and you need my help with research, again.”

Sam grinned sheepishly. “How’d you guess?”

“Come on then, let’s move this little conference into the library.”

Bobby wheeled his way into the other room with Dean walking behind him, but when Castiel moved to follow, Sam stopped him with a hand on his arm.

“I just wanted to thank you.”

“For what?”

“For looking after theses guys,” explained Sam pointing over his shoulder to the pair in the library.

“I didn’t do anything,” Castiel insisted.

“Trust me,” Sam replied with a knowing smile. “You did lots.” And he went into the library after the others.

Still puzzled, Castiel gazed after him, the bottle of beer frozen in his hand. He recalled all the times he’d tried and failed to help Dean and Bobby. All he’d been able to offer were a few limited words and a pair of hands with none of the strength they once possessed. As a human, he’d been nothing but a burden to them trying to navigate his new limitations with stumbling steps that had brought him to the depths and back. He knew he had Dean and Bobby to thank for keeping him sane after everything he’d lost, during his acclimatisation, during the pangs of confinement he still felt. But had he aided them too?

He gazed into the study where Bobby was trying to direct Dean in retrieving a book from the top of a high shelf. The expression on Bobby’s face was one of exasperation, but there seemed to be a grin hidden in the corners of his mouth and in his eyes. Dean was acting deliberately obtuse taking an unreasonably long time to locate the book as he pointed from one to another while Sam looked on chuckling and shaking his head.

Castiel had been human, or as close as he could be, for over four months now, but there was still much he had yet to comprehend.

Suddenly noticing the former angel’s absence, Dean glanced over. “Get in here, featherbrain,” he called out. “We need you.”

Broken from his tangled thoughts, Castiel placed his unfinished beer on the kitchen counter and went to join his friends.


The End



AN#1: Love and hugs to everyone who commented, especially to those who hung on through all the angst and managed to comment on every chapter. You people are amazing!! I tried to reply to all the comments but I couldn't keep up with you. Love also to the people who read all the way through but didn't comment because I know commenting isn't always easy.

AN#2: So, sequel? I wasn't able to get anywhere near all my ideas into this fic and I kind of hinted at some stuff that I never got around to elaborating on. I probably could have added more to this story but writing phone conversation after phone conversation isn't easy and neither is keeping Castiel and Dean separate and I really wanted them to both get back on their feet before meeting up again. So, I definitely need a sequel. Just don't expect it very soon. It will be in a slightly different format. I'm thinking six very large parts released one at a time. (And I can't believe I'm planning to write something this long) The plot in very general terms will be Castiel, Sam and Dean on the road together trying to track down some nasty creatures.

(no subject)

Date: 2011-06-23 01:58 pm (UTC)
jadekirk: (Default)
From: [personal profile] jadekirk
I read this entire thing in one go. I love it and would love a sequel. :D

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-25 12:33 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mizra.livejournal.com
"Sam let out a chuckle. “I promise we’ll try not to die anymore.”
“And if we do,” added Dean, “we’ll leave a note saying when we’ll be back, so you don’t have to worry.”


Practically every season leaves this calling card, anyway. You just wrote what would be canon, anyhow. XD

Honey, it was great. Worth the angst and crying at work and the pain. Our boys are together —all of them— and happy. Each has a purpose and I would so be looking forward to seeing the three of them on hunts together. It would literally be MY PERFECT SEASON for a show.

Because, dude, really, you write canonically. More so than perhaps Gamble and Kripke take into account. I think it's safe to say that you write what we all want to see happen in season 6. So, thank you for that.

*hugs*

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-25 01:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dark-austral.livejournal.com
YAY for reunions!! I must say Sam's appearence was a suprised but a happy one :) The gang wouldn't be complete. Also, the image of Cas barreling down the stairs is just cute :)

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-25 01:32 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] just-ruth.livejournal.com
I finished reading all of this. What a wonderful story! Thank you! I think you've caught poor Castiel at his most vulnerable - and most resilient.

Thank you again!

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-25 01:58 am (UTC)
ramblin_rosie: (Default)
From: [personal profile] ramblin_rosie
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!
Nicely done! Thanks for sharing. :)

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-25 02:08 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jennytork.livejournal.com
SEQUEL TO BE POSTED NOW< KTHANKYOUPLEASE....

(((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))) This was FANTASTIC!!!

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-25 03:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] laurie-ky.livejournal.com
I love that Cas was going to leave, just do the wandering Kung-Fu kind of thing, and that he sees his old coat as the symbol of who he was, not who he is now.

Dean needs a kiss kick in the keister because, hello, worst excuse ever for not calling. Dean, phones existed before cell phones, and you know darn well that Bobby would have accepted a collect call. There's more to that story, but we know Dean likes to box up his feelings and move on. I hope in the sequel (yay, \o/ sequel)that Cas can get him to really explain why he didn't contact them.

The story of Sam and Dean meeting up during a hunt would be a story all in itself.

And I'd love to be a bug on the wall and overhear exactly what changes Sam sees in Cas, although Dean hasn't seen him either for a while, but they've talked every night, well except for the last eleven days, so Dean is in tune more with the changes Cas has been coping with.

And Cas hugging them both was sweet. And very human, and I'm glad he didn't hold back. Although, give him more time to hang out with his role models and he too will probably avoid hugs and chic-flic moments.

I enjoyed the story. Thanks for writing it.

Laurie

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-25 04:07 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mulder200.livejournal.com
AH! What a great ending!

Everyone back together and doing what they do best. Hunting things and saving people.

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-25 08:39 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kimna.livejournal.com
Honest to goodness, I made inarticulate happy noises when Dean said his first line to Cas in the story that wasn't through a cell phone! He's there! In the flesh! And there's hugging!! Everything I've been waiting for.

Then, I literally yelled "WHAT" at my monitor when I read those three words, "It was Sam." Omigawd, WHAT? It was so sudden and unexpected and jeez- what was Dean's initial reaction? xD But I'm glad with Cas and his ability to perceive souls, Sam didn't have to jump through any hoops of tests and just get to be hugged the crap out of.

I love that Sam's back. That certainly clears up most of Dean's problems and then some. And there was Sam and Cas's little moment. Really touching how Sam's sincere thanks makes Cas start to recognize his self-worth. 'Course, being Castiel, it's lovable how clueless he can be to that.

Happy endings makes me ridiculously happy. I mean, I'm grinning and everything. A far cry from the chest-aching angstness and "Oh, boys" for the majority of the story, but that's a testament to your skill as an author to put readers through the ringer like that. Willingly. While enjoying ourselves. xD

I had a blast reading and commenting. It's kind of a new thing I'm trying out- doing both- 'cause usually I just lurk. Safe to say I'll be patiently waiting for whatever you have planned for Sam, Dean, and Cas in the sequel. Road-tripping and hunting nasty creatures! General terms or not, how awesome will that be? Whenever it comes, I'll be there.

Thanks so much for writing and sharing! Keep up the great work as always. :D

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-26 05:17 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] half-vulcan.livejournal.com
This was really great. I finally finished. I have been 300 emails deep for 2 weeks since NJ Con. As fast as I read 50 more come in and I don;t want to miss anything so I keep plodding along.

As far as a sequel I say YES PLEASE! Now that the gang is back together I would love to see what possibilities lay ahead.

Again, great story!

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-26 11:41 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rocks-not-dead.livejournal.com
OMG. This chapter made me haaappy. And I totally needed that just now.

Loved the whole story and the sequel sounds awesome. :D So, I'll be waiting patiently and looking forwards to it.

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-26 09:08 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] alkthoniel.livejournal.com
This was just so full of win and awesome, I don't know where to begin! Your characters are spot on and you've got everything from angst to humour. Perfect! Can't wait for the sequel!

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-29 09:53 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] stickers83.livejournal.com
I just got done reading 1-19 and it was absolutely wonderful! Awesome job- really :) I can not wait for a sequel!!! Thanks so much for sharing.

(no subject)

Date: 2010-08-06 08:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] measri.livejournal.com
I really enjoyed this story. :) It was great to see Castiel and Bobby develop a friendship, with Bobby getting Cas over some pretty rough patches. I thought you did a terrific job showing Cas' depression and slow acceptance of his humanity. Becoming a hunter and saving people was a great way for him to have a purpose again.

And the nightly calls with Dean was not only a terrific structure to the story, but a great way to keep Dean and Cas involved in each others' lives. They really helped bolster each other when they needed it most.

I have to admit I thought you were building up to Dean showing up at Bobby's to become Cas' hunting partner - not Cas being his partner because that's Sam's position, but Dean being Cas' partner and showing him the ropes - totally different. Thus, Sam's reappearance in the last chapter was a suprise...but a pleasant one.

I'm so glad you're planning a sequel. The three of them on a road trip - it can't get better than that! Thanks for sharing.

(no subject)

Date: 2011-02-02 01:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] erisinia.livejournal.com
SEEEEEEEQQQQUUUUUUEEEEL!!

Okay. I'm good now.

This was a really awesome story. It isn't mealy-mouthed, but neither does it go out of its way to make angst. If you follow me.

I love this interpretation of Human!Cas--he may not be a hippie, but he is a hugger, which is kind of adorable. And I love the idea that he helped Dean and Bobby by needing their help when Sam wasn't there--like you emphasized with Bobby, they both are constitutionally predisposed to fester without someone to look after. D'awwwww.

(no subject)

Date: 2011-04-20 10:45 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jolinar-rosha.livejournal.com
a beautiful, heart-wrenching story - and the ending just made me flail for joy. This is probably the best story featuring a human Castiel that I've read.

And a sequel would be just awesome.

(no subject)

Date: 2011-05-24 08:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] flatlanderjr.livejournal.com
This is wonderful. I've been avoiding reading this, but now I don't know why. I prefer Castiel with power stories to Castiel as a human stories (which makes no sense, seeing as how I've written a Castiel as a human story). Despite my ridiculous reservations, I loved this. The scene where Bobby catches Castiel hurting himself was the best scene emotionally and really tore at me. It's a fascinating thing to do think about: what does it really mean for an angel to be stuck in a human body? You explored the answer to this question satisfactorily. Also, in the series, Castiel never really got a chance to recover from the events of season five; it was nice to see what could have happened if he'd had been forced to slow down. It was good to see him, Bobby and Dean and working together to move on.

I'm afraid that I'm not completely happy with Sam's re-introduction in the last chapter. I'm glad he has a soul, and I like that Dean found him first and knew about his return before Bobby and Castiel--the way it should be--but I just feel the scene happens too quickly. I wish there was more drama :).

(no subject)

Date: 2011-05-25 02:52 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] daylightfire.livejournal.com
Thanks so much for your lovely review. :)

I actually agree with about the return of Sam in the last chapter. I kind of regret putting that in now. It didn't really go with the rest of the story. I guess I just really wanted him back, but didn't want to go into detail because so many 'Sam returns' stories had already been written and because I didn't want to take away too much from the Castiel and Dean stuff. I'm hoping to explore his return more in the sequel if I ever get around to writing it. I started the first chapter, but then life got in the way and I haven't gotten back to it yet.

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