Strings Attached

Chapter 64

"Why?"

"Because that's how you should be," Hendrickson replies. "You don't know how many people I've killed in my time, just to watch their family and friends' reactions, and you are the first person do ever do it right. Everyone else goes weeping into someone's arms. No one realizes that that's not what you're supposed to do! You are the only person I have ever met who took it as the inevitable. Everyone dies at some point, so you might as well say goodbye to them now!

"But then you had to meet Dean. Him moving to Sioux Falls was never part of the plan, and it couldn't have gone worse. I mean, seriously, Castiel. You were doing amazing. You didn't have friends, your family ended in blood. And then you let Dean run away with your heart and whatever other pansy stuff you want to throw in there. And now you've got friends, too, and you love your brothers again. You can't do that, Castiel! I thought you, of all people, would understand this. Something always happens to them. Starting, of course, with today."

"What do you mean?" Castiel asks.

"Who's your favorite brother?" Hendrickson asks, ignoring the question.
"I don't have a favorite brother," Castiel replies without hesitation.

Hendrickson sighs and holds up the gun, aiming it at Castiel's chest. "I have three bullets in here, and though I don't think I'll need more than that, I do have more." To emphasize this, he reaches into his pocket to show another one. "So I will ask you again. Who is your favorite brother?"

"Um..." Castiel has to think about this. He loves all his brothers, and his sister as well. Though he will admit that he loves them at slightly different amounts, he can't pick a single favorite. He has two. How is he supposed to choose?

"I think we can all agree that I am his favorite brother," Gabriel announces.

"What the hell are you doing?" Sam hisses.

"I don't know yet," Gabriel responds in a whisper, but it carries in the dead silence of the room. "Probably something stupid."

"Are you?" Hendrickson asks. "Or Lucifer? The competition is definitely you two, I'll give you that much. But this question is for Castiel and Castiel alone. So, Castiel, who's your favorite?"

Castiel wishes he didn't have to pick. This is by far the hardest decision he's ever been faced with, and his only escape would be the other side of the gun. His mind is full of flashbacks, from their childhood to now, of the boys. Lucifer, the protector that also loved to have fun. Gabriel, his best friend for the first four years of his life, the one who made him laugh all the time. How does he choose?

"Come on, Castiel. We don't have all day."

Castiel takes another moment to think before answering at last.

"Lucifer."

Hendrickson nods slowly. "Yes. That works," he approves. "Now choose."

"What do you mean, choose? I just chose."

"No, not them," Hendrickson replies as if it's obvious. "Lucifer or Dean? One person dies tonight. Your choice. Who do I shoot? Your favorite brother, or your lover?"

Castiel's eyes widen as the importance of this choice hits him. He's saving a life tonight, and he's taking one, too. How is he supposed to do this? This is a choice he could never make. He doesn't care what's on the line for him. He is not choosing.

"No," Castiel says softly. "Neither."

"Ooh, sorry. Not a choice here. Who am I shooting? Lucifer or Dean?"

"You can't — you can't make me choose," Castiel stammers. He's given up trying to sound composed. He's not. Not at all.

"Really? Because I'm the one with the gun here, remember?" Hendrickson waves it around before returning it to its previous position; aimed at Castiel's heart. "Make your choice."