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[ Great, Sam knows about Croatoan, which means Cas won't have to waste any more time explaining. Great, he and the younger Sam are both immune, which means they won't have to worry about spreading the virus to them if they are infected. But also what the fuck because how are they immune, how is anyone who isn't a demon or an angel immune, and if Sam hadn't said yes to Lucifer, if he had been his cognizant self when the virus hit, would his immunity alone have saved the world? It's a fucked up thought, and Cas only looks startled (broken, crushed) for a moment before the reality of Dean slumping against his side sets in and takes his full attention. ]

Dean? ...Dean!

[ With Dean unconscious on his shoulder, Cas checks for a pulse. He's alive, breathing, warm and pulse still strong enough, but that doesn't make Dean's collapse any less terrifying. But there's only so much any of them could do out here with first aid kit instead of crash cart. He presses pads of gauze against the hole in Dean's back under his shirt, and holds it there as he carries Dean the short distance it takes to get them both thrown into the back seat of Sam's car, orders followed. His leg aches like it's on fire, but his concern is fully on Dean as he pushes Dean's back against the car seat and props his feet up against the opposite end, as best he's able in the cramped area. Cas looks up at the older Sam in the rearview, because while the younger has given them valuable information, this isn't something a fourteen year old should be responsible for, not when there's a grown adult with the same blood available. ]

Have you ever given him a transfusion before?

[ Dean needs blood after the amount he's lost, and apparently Sam's blood is a cure. Two birds, if they can manage it. ]

[Sam's head feels like a swivel the way he looks at his younger self and then the rearview mirror as he tears them out of the wasteland and back towards town.]

A transfusion?

[A little breathy, a little what the fuck is happening.]

No, but I.. will that work?

[He looks to Sam next to him, because apparently he knows way more than he should. Like, in theory they could probably jerry rig something together. What do you really need, some needles and a length of hose? Is there a YouTube video on field transfusions? What about bloodtypes?

That isn't the usual way Sam's gone about acquiring the properties in blood and he can't help but wonder if drinking it would be like drinking demon blood is to him. Similar maybe. Which means maybe the concept is transitive and applicable..]

Will that work? Or do they drink it?

[Everyone's voices are a bit tinny, a bit faraway. Sam's pretty sure it's because his blood's rushing so hard in his ears; Cas and Dean are sitting bloody in the back seat, and the words in his head just keep looping over and over, all self-battering and viciously angry: you did this. His hands knead each other, so hard the skin reddens, but Sam's words at least get him to refocus for a moment through his haze of overwhelmed panic.

There are no memories that accompany facts: he just recollects some stream of consciousness, some... other time and place. Maybe it's because he'd went back home for a moment. Maybe it's because the spell isn't quite as strong as they'd all hoped. Either way, he breathes out shakily and looks away, feeling unclean — dirtied by his own body, in a way he's never understood but always felt, deep down.]

... As long as the blood is in the body, it doesn't matter how it gets there.

[ He's only vaguely aware of Cas stuffing him into the backseat, propping his feet up. There's voices around; it's Sam, Sam, and Cas talking, but they're muffled, like they're talking in another room and Dean's head is under a pillow.

There's movement, Dean recognizes he's in a car, but it's not his.

Thank God. ]

What's...this about blood, now?

[ It's sort of slurred, more like wassissboutbludnow, but, you know.

At least he's awake? ]

[ Of all the things the Winchester brothers have suffered through together, it's honestly amazing they've never had to give one another a field transfusion before. The luxury of hospitals isn't something Cas is accustomed to. It doesn't even occur to him as an option. Really, with the potential spread of the virus, taking either of them to a hospital right now isn't an option, anyway.

As for blood types, Cas would happily give his blood to Dean instead, but they're incompatible, unlike the Winchester brothers, which Cas only knows because it's one more way in a list of ways he failed to fill the void Sam left in Dean after Sam was gone. Cas looks up from Dean to stare pointedly at the elder Sam in the rearview. ]

Sam's going to give you a transfusion.

[ There, Cas decided for Sam. No take-backsies. The younger Sam says work, and that's Dean's best chance of coming through both the wound in his back and Croatoan, if Sammy is right, if Lucifer isn't lying. Cas doesn't let himself think about it. He pushes Dean's chest firmly down, in case he got it in his head that he'd like to move at all, and redirects his attention to Dean again. ]

We're almost there. Stay awake.

[Sam is going to give you a blood transfusion.

It is not a question.

Okay, Sam thinks. I'll just. Figure that out, then. Can't be hard, right? They did it in Mad Max. And in theory he knows how to do it, but it needs specialist equipment..

Shit, okay man, get it together and figure it out.

His thoughts are racing, foot on the gas, roaring back towards Dean's cabin. It isn't a long journey but it's longer than he'd like. They'll screech onto the property and he pulls right up to the front door before turning to Sammy and gripping his shoulder.]

Sam listen to me, go into the house but leave your clothes at the door. Get dressed as fast as you can and then get the big medical box, understand? We can't bring anything with blood inside.

[It will be hard not to cross contaminate but everything they've got is in that big box and they have to try to contain this. It's a little cruel to work triage out here in the yard but what other choice do they have? ]

And Cas--he needs help too.

[ Dean groans, because he's not the only one with problems, here. He might be bleeding out but Dean is pretty 100% they both got infected, they weren't...

They weren't thinking. But it's the end, isn't it? Dean knows his future back home, he'd not only experienced but but he'd gotten the distinct pleasure of seeing it, too, and it's...simple fact that Lucifer wins. That's it, Game Over. No consolation prize, no riding off into the sunset.

He'd do it again, go after Cas, bring him back.

The car stops and Dean is wavering on a precipice between sleep and wakefulness, though Cas' hand on his chest is something that tethers him to the present, because Dean is Dean and of course he's trying to sit up.

He vaguely registers little Sammy running off, and he grops to cover Cas' hand, fingers stiff with dried blood. ]

We made a helluva mess, [ he slurs, then laughs, coughing mid chuckle. Don't mind the blood on his lips or the way his eyes are red rimmed. Move quick, Sam One and Two. ]

[ It wasn't only the end of the world back home; they all know this world's creator is dead and her creation is winding down. The precautions Sam is taking are meaningless in the long run. But still, there's hope. Still humanity in the form of Sam Winchester perseveres, and Cas can't argue with Sam's optimism; not if it gives all of them just a little more time to enjoy their final days or weeks together.

He doesn't argue with Dean's assessment, only watches through the car window as Sam barks orders and his younger self rushes to comply, both too well-practiced at the roles of following and leading through a crisis. He feels Dean's hand cover his and it brings his attention back down to where Dean is smiling, and coughing blood, and it strikes Cas cold, like ice injected through him. It may already be too late for Dean, and what is he supposed to do then, without him? Try to take care of his brothers when he can hardly manage himself, all while the world falls around them? The hopeless sensation is crushing, and Cas wishes, desperately that there were anyone left to pray to. He squeezes Dean's fingers. ]

I'm sorry.

[ He doesn't know what else to say other than to blame himself for ruining this and leading Dean right back to the slaughter their world always intended for him. When Sam arrives back at the side of the car, Cas looks up at him, eyes red-rimmed and hollow, without any more frantic orders to give. ]

You don't need to apologize.

[Sammy says it firmly, walking the medical box to Sam before he turns to look at Cas, his gaze downcast and shaded with guilt. He looks more like his older, defeated self more than ever, stepping back in some invisible soldier's line, waiting for the next order. His voice quivers, but he forces himself to say:]

It's my fault this happened.

[If the two of them die, their deaths on on Sam's hands, just like all the people who must have perished because of him in the future.]

[ Cas looks up at Sammy, and it's crushing to see the darkness in his eyes there, the guilt, as Dean's blood covers Cas's hands. ]

It's not your fault, Sam.

[ It's Castiel's fault, all of this, in so many ways, but he's not going to make things more strained than he already has. Lying to the youngest Winchester is the least Cas can do for him, and it's a terrible thought, and Cas pushes a little harder down against Dean's chest, squeezing his fingers, keeping his back firmly pinned to the bandages and the backseat. ]

It's your blood that will stop this virus.

[ At least they can do that much, if it works like Sammy said it would. Cas looks down at Dean again to make sure he's still conscious and lets Sam handle... however they're going to do that. ]

[It's all like a bad car crash running in slow motion.

Sam gets out of the car and opens the passenger side door to get a good look. He doesn't want to move them too much but also.. they're in the back of a car and it's tight quarters.

So work with him, here, and they might all get lucky. When Sammy gets back with the heavy, hulking box of supplies he'll come and help bring it down into the yard to tear through it looking for anything that can help. He pulls more bandages and tosses them to Cas before spreading all their stuff out to get a good look. He needs syringes or a transfusion kit or.. fuck just something sharp and sterile and some hosepipe at this point but there's nothing.

Absolutely fucking nothing.

They're running out of time and all he's got is a small decanting of holy oil and a and a knife and-

-and the words as long as the blood is in the body, it doesn't matter how it gets there.

Sam grimaces as he thinks before shaking himself and willing his numb hands into action. The bottle is half full of holy oil, siphoned off of Dean's supply. About 300ml (A coke can's worth) in a 1000ml bottle. He pulls the knife from his belt and clenches his fist several times before cutting his wrist and placing it to the mouth of the container. It's a disgusting cocktail but it's gonna work. It has to.]

Okay new plan.

[With his back to his brother and friend (friend? friend)]

Holy oil is purifying, right? It can heal.. mix it with my blood and you've basically got a holy vaccine.

[He wants to (is going to) fill the rest of the bottle which is.. mmm a lot of blood. But he's a big guy, he can take it, and leaves just enough room to cap and shake the two ingredients together before forcing the tincture on the wounded. Bottom's up, guys.]

It's nobody's fault. Playing the blame game is a waste of time. [ And it's exhausting, Dean and Cas both are running on fumes, there's blood on his chin, and Dean is losing all of his goddamn sense. ]

Cas... [ He croaks, flashing a crooked smile, patting the angel's blood crusted fingers. ]

This is kinky, but I can't move.

[ Dean is pretty immobile under Cas' hand, and while he doesn't make a move to knock it away (no, he's gripping it tight like it's his path to salvation), he does shift under it a little, like he does mean to sit up, only to be kept in place by an insistent angel.

Kinkyyyy.

It makes him laugh, causing little pink, blood tinged bubbles to pop on his lips. That should be alarming, but he's lost too much blood to care, and he just licks it off, closing and opening his eyes slowly, steadily, like he's trying to focus. Dean feels lightheaded and giddy, like he's smoked some of Cas' good kush. ]

Holy vaccine. [ he echoes, tracing his fingers over Cas', light, playful, eyes too bright and wide. ] Sounds like a rock band. We should form a rock band.

[Sam very nearly speaks out, objects to what Cas says. But the comment about his blood leaves him quieted. The truth is, he has no idea why his blood is important. He doesn't know the details — has no memory of Yellow Eyes, or the horrific tale the demon had weaved for him, all proven horribly true. Okay. Guilt and blame later, then.

Making a face at Dean holds priority, even if Sam's terrified his brother's about to die any minute; you're grievously hurt, and that's gonna be your potential last words? He's honestly not even surprised; it may be the very least surprising thing, and as he crouches down next to his brother and Cas, he hushes Dean.]

Talk when you're not hurt and covered in blood, jerk.

[He looks back at Sam, anxious.]

I can give you some of mine, too. If you need it. I can do it.

[He doesn't mind bleeding for family, whether it's his fault or not. Whatever's wrong with his blood, it's useful right now. Just give the word, and he'll cut his skin, too. Bleed a cure. Be something better for a second.]

[ Dean isn't generally a happy drunk, but he is a very happy pothead and apparently bloodloss is having a similar effect. It's as terrifying as it is heartbreaking, and as Sammy crouches beside and chides him, all Cas can do is pray anyway, to anyone, that Dean isn't going to die like this in front of him. ]

It's fine.

[ Cas says in Sammy's general direction as he takes the bottle from Sam with a deep frown. That's a lot of blood, Sam, fuck, don't leave Cas to look after you too? He's still got his own leg to worry about, after all of this.

Holy oil is a clever idea. It has a multitude of uses, including purification rituals, but Cas has never seen it used like this. He doesn't know if it'll work, how much either of them has to drink, or how long it will take to take effect if it does work, but between the amount of time already past since their exposure and Dean's blood loss, there's no time to question it. He untwines his fingers from Dean's, presses extra gauze against Dean's back, and uses his shoulder to lift Dean just enough so that he won't choke on the... blood and oil mixture. God. ]

You be Robert Plant, and I'll be your band's groupie. Drink.

[ He doesn't give Dean room to argue about it, just presses the open bottle to Dean's mouth. Down the hatch. ]

[ Dean isn't really paying much attention to what's going on around him anymore, he's too close to losing consciousness to really hear or see clearly -- which is probably a good thing, because if he actually saw what's being put into that cocktail, he'd likely flip out. ]

The autumn moon lights my way.

[ He flashes a too wide smile up at Cas, shifting against the angel and parting his lips and immediately gagging, because it's fucking foul, and it tastes like warm liquid copper. ]

Eugh--what--

[ He'd protest more, but Cas isn't really letting him get a word out edgewise, and he swallows a few times as it's practically dumped down his throat before he finally gurgles and pushes it away.

Gross. ]

[Sam watches. Carefully and critically, leaning into the back with his arm braced against the roof of the Lincoln. There isn't room for him back there and Cas-

-thank God for Castiel. Focused and in control and guiding Dean despite his own injury.

Sam doesn't think he can hear prayers anymore, but if he can there's a loud, desperate one in Sam's heart, laced with fear and heavy, jagged anxiety.]

A little more, Dean. It's gonna heal you.

[He thinks. He hopes. What Dean can't drink is for Castiel but they can always make more. Please let this work. Please let this work. Please let this work.]

[Sammy watches with a sort of faraway look in his eyes, hands hanging at his sides, expression grim. His heart beat quickens; something about watching this, seeing someone ushering blood into someone else's mouth, it — scares him. He bites the inside of his cheek and tastes pennies, tastes something nectar-sweet that stales into something bitter and rotten. He blinks back to awareness, unsure where he'd even really gone; it's not like there are memories to fall back into.

He (Sammy? Or — an older, sadder Sam, buried under layers of a creaking spell?) says, softly:]

Cas. You, too.

[ It's a sickening, guilt-ridden process, but if it kills the virus, keeps this place safe, and keeps Dean alive, it's worth it. Dean drinks, and they'll probably all hear about it later, but for the moment, it's a small blessing that Dean doesn't have the wherewithal to argue and waste time.

Eventually, Dean argues his distaste (which, fair), and the younger Sam directs Cas to drink also. Without hesitation, Cas brings the cup of oil and blood mixture to his lips, though he can't help looking between the Sams with resigned concern: at the older who's weakening himself by giving his own tainted blood, at the younger who knows more about Croatoan than he should at any age. But what other choice do they have? Cas throws the rest of the mixture back, lets it slide warm down his throat without tasting it, like taking a shot, and the nauseous churn of his stomach isn't new to the drink; this whole day has been a continuous nightmare. ]

[ Oh, God. Dean would have so much to say about all of this if he had his wits about him. It's lucky for everyone that he doesn't, because he does what he's told for the most part. It's awful, in Dean's humble opinion, and it burns in his stomach, in the heartburn way, not the good way, and spreads through his veins like wildfire. It isn't fun, feeling a deadly virus burn out of you by virtue of your brothers sinful blood and purifying holy oil, but it's probably better than getting capped by said brother when you turn into a mindless walking corpse.

So.

Compromise.

Doesn't mean he won't bitch about it later, in great detail, though with Cas here it's probably him that'll get the bulk of the earful, though Sam should certainly expect a rant at some point in the near future.

Providing this works, though it seems to be. ]

Feel like I'm on fire. [ He groans, clutching at his stomach, head tipping back with a whine. Fuck, ow. ] Son of a bitch.

[Sam bites his lip as he watches, and lets the quiet settle for a moment. There's a little, bitter hope that the blood works — bitter only because he knows there's something concerningly wrong with it. If it can heal someone, though... it's something good. Something positive. He hopes, anyway. (But some little voice says you're all messed up on the inside, and he's not sure if it's about the blood, or about his soul, or what-)]

... How... do you feel?

[Would the virus have changed them by now? Influenced their words or thoughts?

Dean's kind of hard to use as a reference; he's delirious with injury, and all... Maybe they should... call on a particular angel, instead of letting those injuries simmer on Dean's health. Prayer, right? They'd just need to pray.]

...Weird. Hot.

[ Like he's running a massive fever, truthfully. Hot and cold flashes through him, the rising temperature of his body burning the bad shit away. He's still bleeding though, so that's sort of an annoying problem. They could use some help, and he shifts a little against where he's laying on Cas, groaning with the effort. ]

Uhh... 'other' Cas-- if you're listening? We could use an assist.

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