Summary: This is an AU where you and Dean have been separated by a terrible curse for over two years. The gang is mostly back together. This is part five in a multi-part series.5Please respect copyright.PENANAJvD3h8eYmk
Characters: AU!Dean x Reader, AU!Sam, AU!Cas, AU!Gadreel, AU!Arthur, AU!Cain, AU!John, AU!Crowley, AU!Jess, AU!Abbadon, AU!Rowena, AU!Kevin, AU!Metatron (mentioned)
Word Count: 2505
Warnings: none, canon typical angst
A/N: This is partly inspired by one of my favorite childhood movies Ladyhawke, though I’m taking it in a different direction. This will be a multi-part series.5Please respect copyright.PENANA1h6B803tle
The morning after you find Ketch; he, Gadreel, Cas, and you set out on the journey back to the Winchester Stronghold. You’re thankful to be the falcon during the day and quick to go to sleep at night. The less you have to face Ketch the easier it is for you to suppress the guilt. You and Gadreel tent together, leaving Ketch with Cas. The bright and happy Ketch you found in the monastery never surfaces and a week later you finally arrive home. You quickly pass off your horse, striding into the stronghold in search of King John. During your meeting with John, you learn Dean is still out on his trek to bring in Cain. After the meeting you rush to find Charlie; you haven’t seen her in months. Your life lately has been nothing but a series of missions. You enter the aviary and find her still sitting at her desk. She’s frowning when she looks up.
“Charlie?”
She looks up at you breaking into a smile.
“Y/N!”
Charlie jumps up, rushing over to you and pulling you into a hug.
“Ugh, grip Charlie,” you rest your hands on her arms pulling back to look at her. “Have you been training?”
“Maybe. Why? Am I stronger?”
“Yes,” you laugh. “Hey, what were you frowning about just now?”
“I got word a few days ago to expect Kevin.”
“What?! When?”
“Well that’s the thing, he should have been here today. I’ve sent choughs out to all my contacts and no one has seen or heard from him since yesterday.”
“Where was the last place he was seen?”
“Lawrence Hollow, about a day’s ride from here.”
You turn, walking out of the aviary with Charlie right behind you.
“Send a bird to the contact that saw him last, tell them I’ll be there within a day.”
“Of course, Y/N.”
You immediately go to John. After explaining the situation to him and offering your assistance he agrees.
“I want to leave as soon as possible.”
“And who do you want with you?” he asks giving you a pointed look.
You, huff.
“I think it’s best we keep this small, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Then just me and Cas.”
“Alright,” he says rising from his seat.
You stand with him and he pulls you into a hug.
“Be careful,” he whispers into your hair.
“Always.”
You leave his chambers in search of Cas. You find him sitting on the floor in his room with Jess.
“Hey, Cas. Sorry to interrupt, but I need to talk to you,” you say making your way inside.
“Sure,” he says standing.
Jess stands too, giving you a quick smile.
“Would you excuse us?” you smile back at her.
“Of course, we can talk later. I need to find Sam anyway,” Jess says leaving the room.
“What did you need to discuss?” Cas tilts his head slightly watching you.
“I know we just got back,” you start. “But I need your help.”
“What’s going on?” Cas asks ushering you to the chairs beside his bed.
“It’s Kevin, he was expected to arrive here today, but he hasn’t shown up. I’m going to find him. The last time Charlie heard from him he was a day’s ride from here, so I’m going to start there. John prefers I bring someone along and I’d like it to be you. What’d you say? Will you help me?”
“Of course, Y/N. When do we need to leave?”
“It’s too late to head out now. So, first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Very well.”
“Thanks, Cas.”
The next morning just after the sun rises you set off once again. You’re hoping your falcon eyes will help you locate Kevin quickly. It’s been over two years since you’ve seen him. The day the King’s Procession left Castle Winchester for the Royal Monastery. A few days later you and Dean were cursed and not a single person from John’s inner circle has been back since.
—-
Dean’s POV
“I can’t believe you let her go!” I slam my fist on the table.
“Let her? You’ve met Y/N, right?” my father looks at me incredulously.
I just arrived at the stronghold with Cain to find Y/N gone again on a mission to find Kevin.
“When did she leave?” I growl at my father.
“A few hours ago, I made her take someone with her.”
I run my fingers through my hair. I know he’s right; Y/N’s as stubborn as me. It’s one of the things I love about her, but it also drives me crazy.
“Who’d she take?” I ask with more edge in my voice than I intend.
“Cas.”
I release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding in.
“I’m going after her and I’ll help them find Kevin.”
“Dean, the more of our people out on the road, the more suspicious it looks. We need to keep a low profile, especially when we’re so close to executing our plan.”
“So, I just sit here and wait? No, no way. You don’t want me on the road, fine. I’ll travel tonight as the wolf. I’ll hide during the day, but I’m going,” I say storming out of the room.
A few hours later I sneak out of the grounds and into the surrounding forest. I carry only a small pack that I can wear as the wolf. A little before dusk I stop, stripping down and packing my clothes away. I wait for the pain and once the change is complete I set off again. I’ve been running for hours when I hear something overhead, it sounds like a bat flying only louder and slower. A moment later I burst from the trees into a clearing just as a huge figure lands in front of me.
“Hello, dog,” Crowley says, his green eyes glowing.
I stand waiting for him to continue.
“Right, you can’t speak, well I just wanted to make sure you still remember I exist,” he growls.
I roll my eyes.
“I saw that!”
I bark at him impatiently.
“Fine, just hurry up already. I’m tired of waiting.”
He flaps his wings, urging the air to chase itself in circles around me, as he lifts into the sky. I watch him for a moment then I’m running again.
—-
Cas set up camp just before dusk so you would have somewhere to change. He packed light, taking only one horse and one tent to share. You’re just outside of Lawrence Hollow. Searching for Kevin at night is not ideal, they’re usually more Peacekeepers around then, but you have no other choice. He’s yawning when you emerge.
“Let’s move; the sooner we find him, the sooner we can sleep.”
You climb onto Cas’ horse, he adjusts himself behind you and you ride silently towards town. Cas is usually quiet, but you can tell this silence is something more.
“Cas, it’s not your fault,” you say quietly. “You just trusted someone you shouldn’t have. I think it’s safe to say we’ve all been there.”
“That’s kind of you to say, but I should have been more vigilant.”
You don’t know how to respond so you stay silent. The sound of the horses’ hooves on the dirt road and noisy crickets fills the silence. Just then you crest a hill and Lawrence Hollow comes into view.
You were really hoping to avoid conflict in your search. You and Cas split up to canvas the town, but no one you speak to has seen him. You can blame your frustration, but watching the “Peacekeeper” harassing everyone he passes on the street causes your anger to grow. When he hits a woman trying to make her way around him you snap. You march over to him, shoving him against the wall of the building. You jerk your head signaling the woman to move on.
“What the hell?” he asks looking down at you.
He sneers as he takes you in. Without a word, he backhands you across the face.
“I was hoping you’d do that,” you say wiping the blood from your lip.
Your sword is free and before he can grab his own, you swing until it jolts into his body with a sickening, squishy crunch. You wretch your sword free, pushing him to the ground with your foot, as his eyes roll back. At that moment Cas runs over to you.
“Y/N, we need to go,” he grips your arm pulling you away from the scene. “Was that really necessary?” he asks climbing onto his horse.
“Yes,” you say indignantly. “Looks like Kevin didn’t stay here long. Did we miss him on the road? We need to retrace our steps.”
You reach your makeshift campsite, pack up, and quickly set back on the road.
—-
Dean’s POV
I run all night and I’m sure I’ve cut Y/N’s lead in half; moving through the trees allows me to cut across places where the road winds and meanders. I stop; my ears and nose picking up the scents and sounds of someone nearby. I crouch, stalking slowly through the underbrush. Finally, I see what my nose and ears sensed. A figure shifting and curling up against a moss-covered, fallen tree. I move closer sniffing the air, focusing on the smells when I step on a twig with a crack. The figure jolts upright.
“Who’s there,” Kevin calls out.
I move out of the shadows, hoping I don’t look too intimidating.
Kevin freezes. I drop down, rolling onto my side. Confusion flashes across his face followed by calm.
“Dean?”
I pop up and lope over to him.
“Oh, thank god. For a second I thought I was dinner,” he laughs. “How did you find me?”
I sit watching him.
“Right. This is weird.”
A few hours later, Kevin is sleeping as I keep watch. I hear horse hooves on the road. My hackles rise and I nudge Kevin. He startles awake, I flatten my ears hoping to keep him quiet. I move through the trees closer to the road when I smell her. I break into a run, skidding to a halt when I reach the road. She and Cas are galloping in my direction, stopping short when they see me.
In an instant she’s off the horse, kneeling to circle her arms around my neck.
“I’ve missed you my sweet.”
I rub my face against her.
I lead Kevin out to the road, get him on the horse and we make our way back. We take it slow, so it’s noon when we finally arrive.
That afternoon everyone is gathered in the King’s meeting chamber. A long oval table takes up most of the room. Ten chairs surround the table, one for each member of the Knight’s Guard, with the King’s seat at the head. Each Knight’s Guard member lays their sword in front of them before sitting down. The falcon is perched on the back of her chair. I lay her sword in front of her and she cries at me. I place my sword in front of me, taking my seat between her and my father. Chairs line the walls where the King’s Council, Charlie, and Kevin sit; Crowley’s seat remains empty.
The table is a replica of the one still back at the castle. As everyone gets settled the spots where Benny and Meg would be sitting gape at me like an open wound. My jaw clenches at the thought of them; not knowing what happened to them is worse than knowing if they really were dead. My father knocks on the table and the entire room quiets.
“Now that the remaining members are back together,” my father’s gaze flicks to the empty chairs, “it’s time to discuss our plan of attack.”
All eyes are on my father as he continues.
“With our reassembled Knight’s Guard, the refugee army, and Cas’ freedom fighters we have enough numbers to mount an attack on Metatron. But we still need an advantage and we may have found it. I’d like to give the room to Charlie and Kevin.”
Charlie swallows hard, standing and pulling Kevin along with her.
“Kevin and I have been working with Rowena the last few months. She’s still under Metatron’s control, but she’s found a few loopholes and with Kevin’s help we have a plan to undo some of the curses.”
“I’m not powerful enough to fully undo the curse,” Kevin interjects. “Even with Charlie, but we are going to be able to unravel some of it.”
“Our timeline is important. We have to attack in three days,” Charlie continues.
The room breaks out in murmurs as Charlie continues giving the overall plan. My father assigns groups from the garrison and the freedom fighters for each Knight’s Guard to lead. After the meeting, I hang back with Sam, Cas, and my father. The falcon stays perched on her seat while Abbadon lingers at the door.
“Charlie and Kevin are going to get everything for the spell prepared,” my father begins. “I need each of you to prepare your squadrons from the garrison and make sure the rest are doing the same. I don’t need to remind you time is of the essence. We leave in one day.”
He strides out of the room, taking Abbadon along with him as he goes.
“One day?” I ask looking at Sam and Cas.
“I need to find Jessica,” Cas starts to leave.
“I’ll go with you,” Sam says following him out.
I hold out my arm for the falcon.
“What’d you say, sweetheart? Should we go round up our troops?”
She swoops to my arm in answer and we set off to work.
—-
Dean’s squadron and yours, which includes Charlie and Kevin, set out earlier than the rest to begin base camp preparations. Just before dusk, the remaining groups arrive at the encampment. Each group is responsible for setting up a part of it.
The rest of the evening is spent in John’s tent as the Knight’s Guard finalizes battle plans.
The next morning you wake to stroke the furry wolf beside you.
“Good morning, my sweet,” you whisper.
The wolf chuffs. You stretch before the pain takes hold. Once you have your wings, you lift into the sky looking down on the encampment. You spot Charlie and Kevin leaving, heading into the woods. You swoop down to them, perching on the branch of a nearby tree. Charlie is on your horse, her face breaks into a huge smile when she spots you.
“Y/N!” Charlie cries.
The three of you make your way deeper into the forest. Charlie and Kevin need a quiet place to implement the spell; you’re there to act as protection. And, if all goes according to plan, you’ll be ready to move at a moment’s notice.
A few hours later Charlie and Kevin are deep in a trance. Trepidation snakes through you and goosebumps break out over your skin as the sky starts to change and the sounds of battle make their way through the forest.
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