[Detroit!AU: dreaming]

[stilljustandrew]

In the dream he's sitting on the ground, in deep fragrant grass, leaning back against the hood of a car. There's another presence there, a shoulder a few inches from his, close and reassuring; there's a cold bottle of beer by his hand, resting in a slight depression in the earth.

And the night sky overhead is jeweled thickly with stars, more than he's ever seen before.

Comments

[gavemea_45]

"It's the only place he can't reach."

The voice is quiet, the words soft, as though the speaker doesn't want to disturb the night around them. Beside Andrew, Sam Winchester tips his head back, looking up at the bright sparks of light above them.

"You're safe here, for a while anyway."

[stilljustandrew]

He turns at the sound of Sam's voice, without surprise, to study his upturned profile.

It's Sam. Not Lucifer. He doesn't question how he knows that.

"Thanks," he murmurs. "It's been bad."

[gavemea_45]

"I know."

A tremor runs through his frame, there and gone.

"I know," he says again, and finally lowers his gaze from the sky to look at Andrew. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Andrew."

Grief haunts his glance, counterpart to the agonized helplessness that threads tightly through and beneath his words.

"It's my fault. You wouldn't be here if it weren't for me."

[stilljustandrew]

"It's not your fault." Andrew shakes his head. "You told me to stay away. I didn't listen."

[gavemea_45]

"Yeah, well, it's not like I listened either," he says, dryly. "So there's that."

[stilljustandrew]

Andrew's gaze drops.

"Can we not argue about whose fault it is?" he says, low. "Please? I just, I ..."

He swallows.

"I don't know what to do."

[gavemea_45]

"Hey." He shifts position, turning sideways so that he's facing Andrew more directly, one leg half-tucked under him and the other knee drawn up slightly so that his foot is braced flat against the ground for support.

"Andrew. Hey. C'mon. Look at me."

[stilljustandrew]

He looks up, without hesitation.

[gavemea_45]

Sam's eyes are dark with worry and something more besides, but the gaze that meets Andrew's is steady... and unmistakably his own.

"I can't tell you what to do. Either choice sucks. But I can tell you this--"

He reaches out, fumbling a little as he grabs for Andrew's hand, but his grip is strong and sure.

"--hold on. Just keep holding on as long as you can. They're coming for you, Andrew. I swear they are. Help is on the way."

[stilljustandrew]

He clings to Sam's hand like a lifeline, desperately.

"I'm trying," he whispers. "I am, I did, but -- but tomorrow --"

[gavemea_45]

Sam squeezes his fingers.

"You're doing great," he tells him. "You are. Just hold on a little longer. They're gonna get you out."

[stilljustandrew]

"Sam, I'm scared."

It's a plea, and a confession.

"I don't want her to take me."

[gavemea_45]

"I know." Soft as the breath of the light breeze that ruffles the grass around them. Sam swallows. "I'm not gonna lie to you; it's pretty horrible. She's horrible."

"But they can get her out of you, if -- if that happens. They can exorcise her."

[stilljustandrew]

"Only if they know she's there. And they're not, she, she'll --"



(Outside of the dream, Andrew whimpers in his sleep.)

[gavemea_45]

"Hey, hey--"

Sam squeezes his hand tighter, then shifts position so that he can put his other arm across Andrew's shoulders. He lets go of Andrew's hand and points up at the sky.

"Look."

[stilljustandrew]

Andrew blinks hard, and follows Sam's pointing finger.

[gavemea_45]

The stars sparkle and gleam above them, diamond chips scattered brightly across the black. There's no moon, or else it hasn't risen yet; it's easy to see this constellation, that planet, the softly glowing streak of the Milky Way, all the glory of the heavens above them.

Quietly, Sam murmurs,

"She can't reach that. Neither can he, no matter how hard he tries. Remember that, okay?"

A beat, and a deep breath. Sam's still looking at the sky when he adds,

"They'll know. And if she's got you, they'll get her out. And there're ways to keep her from ever getting back in."

[stilljustandrew]

She can't reach that.

Andrew breathes out,

(above all shadows rides the sun, and stars forever dwell)

and leans unconsciously into Sam's arm.

"I'm still scared." Soft. "I don't know if I can do this much longer."

[gavemea_45]

His grip tightens just slightly, protective and reassuring.

"You won't have to. They're coming."

[stilljustandrew]

"If they don't get here in time --"

He looks back up at the stars, and his mouth trembles.

"Tomorrow it's over. One way or another, it's over."

[gavemea_45]

"No, it's not."

Flat, determined, and absolutely stubborn.

"Don't say that."

[stilljustandrew]

"I want it to be over."

Reflected starlight gleams on the added dampness in his eyes, for a moment, before he shuts them.

"Please. I want it to be over."

[gavemea_45]

"Andrew--"

Agony is revealed in his tone before Sam snatches himself back under control. A shudder runs through him.

"--it will be," he says, finally. "Soon. I promise. Just... hold on a little longer, okay, man? Give them time to get to you."

[stilljustandrew]

He's still.

And then, unsteadily, he nods.

"I'll try."

[gavemea_45]

A shivering breath of relief escapes him. Sam looks back up at the sky.

"Thanks."

There's a beat or two of silence, and then--



"One thing that might help." He's still not looking at Andrew. "If you wanted to try it."