Archive of Our Own ^beta

Death was close by. Oldest of Winchester brothers could feel it almost breathing down his spine. He had been roaming around this empty town, he once called home, for hours it seemed. Left alone in a dark mist. No sound around. Even his thoughts felt quiet.

"Hello Dean," a voice said behind him. A man pale and thin as a skeleton, dressed in a dark business suit and a long black topcoat over it. And in his hand a steel-tipped cane. The Angel of Death was here.
Shivers went down Dean's spine as he watched the pale man come closer.
"You are here to reap me, right?" Dean asked taking a few steps back. He knew running wouldn't change a thing as Death would catch up with him in no time.
"You really think you are that important," Death let out a grunt. He was tired of these games the Winchester brothers played with him. "I'm old, Dean. Very old. So I invite you to contemplate how insignificant I find you." Pale man stared him down "I have millions of reapers who would love to reap you. But somehow you have always gotten away." Pale man now stood one feet apart from Dean "you cannot cheat death forever, Dean."

This was it. His road had come to an end. Dean had lost so much and no matter how scared of death he was, he was also scared of living. Everything he once knew and loved was gone.
"I want to offer you something," Death said, his cold breath making Dean shiver. The Angel of Death was tired of Winchesters wrapping him around their fingers and the world needed a balance "I can bring back your dear family and in return you join me"
"You mean," Dean couldn't catch a breath "die?"
"Not exactly, " Death walked past Dean deeper in the mist. As a puppy Dean followed him "i will let you roam free in this world," Death continued "and when the time comes you will be the one reaping then."
"You want me to kill my family?" Dean asked with confusion in his tone.
"No, they will die how they deserve and by their choices. I cannot promise them a long life but if they choose right, they might live till old age" Death glared at Dean. This, for him, was the best way to restore the balance Winchesters broke.
"Do you really expect me to accept your offer?" Dean asked a bit annoyed. To reap his family? That must have been a joke. But to get them back? He did want that.
"It's up to you. Offer wont be available for long. After it expires you return to this broken world all alone" the man just knew how to push Dean's buttons. He knew Winchester couldn't live without his family. He glared at Dean "I will let you think about it. But remember, the offer isn't up for long" he disappeared into the mist, leaving Dean alone.

Dean kept roaming around the streets. Playing his conversation with Death over and over again. Maybe, just maybe this wasnt that bad of a deal. He thought to himself. At least he would get to hug Sammy again. And maybe they could have a few more years together.

Winchester had tried everything he could have imagined to bring his brother back, but no demon, no creature would even try to bargain with him. He had killed more monsters in the past two month than he ever did in years with Sam.

"Okay, okay," Dean yelled into the mist "I accept your offer!"
It stayed quiet for a while, then mist was gone and Dean was standing in front of a house. Lawrence, Kansas. He was back home. What was he doing here?
Sun was shining, people were laughing. Everything seemed normal once again. But where's Sam? They did have a deal. Would Death really stand him up? What kind of joke this was.
Dean unsure of what was happening slowly walked into the house. It was just as he remembered. It smelled like.. pie. It smelled like home.

"John!" Woman called from the kitchen. Dean recognized the voice. It was his mother. He ran to the kitchen. He couldn't believe that his family was alive and well. Winchester walked closer to the woman as his eyes caught a picture. It was his family, near a lake house, Sam, John and Mary. He wasn't in the picture and he couldnt remember the time that picture was taken.
On the counter he saw another picture. Same three people without him.

"Mom.." Dean said unsure of how she would react. But she didn't react at all.
John walked into the kitchen walked right past Dean like he wasn't there.
"Smells amazing," John said as he kissed his wife "Sam's gonna be back soon. Said his exam went well."
They smiled, both seemed so happy and full of life.

Dean took look around and he couldnt find any traces of him being in their life.
And it hit him. It hit him hard as a buss.
When the time comes, he will reap his family. And they won't even know who he is.
He never existed.
When the time comes, he will reap a family that used to be his.