The Mark Left Behind

INT. BUNKER - KITCHEN - NIGHT

The bunker is quiet, lit only by a few dim lamps. The silence is absolute, except for the heavy, rhythmic thud of a knife on wood.

DEAN is standing at the counter, making a sandwich in the dead of night, his shoulders tense and his movements automatic. He looks exhausted, the kind of deep-tired that goes into the bones.

He blinks heavily, then sets the knife down. He stares at his sandwich, eyes glazing over for a second before his chin drops to his chest. He's out cold, standing up, his forehead resting against the edge of the cabinets.

From the dark hallway, CASTIEL appears. He steps silently onto the linoleum, barefoot. He doesn't look like an angel on a mission; his trench coat is missing, replaced by an old flannel that's definitely too big for him.

Castiel doesn't say a word. He just moves across the room with a tender, almost reverent look on his face. He comes to a stop right in front of Dean. He reaches out, gently lifting the limp, slightly grease-stained hand of the hunter.

With intense focus, Castiel leans in and presses a lingering, deliberate kiss to the inside of Dean's wrist. A faint, bioluminescent blue glow flashes for a split second, sinking directly into Dean's skin, leaving behind a subtle, glowing Enochian brand.

Dean stirs slightly in his sleep, sighing, but doesn't wake up. Castiel takes Dean's other hand and repeats the gesture. This time, a warm, golden spark leaves a matching mark on the other wrist.

Castiel steps back, looking at his sleeping partner with absolute, quiet adoration. He reaches up and brushes a piece of hair out of Dean's face.

CASTIEL

(Whispering, purely for his own peace of mind)

Mine.

Dean mumbles something incoherent in his sleep, his hand twitching against the counter, and finally wakes up with a violent jolt.

DEAN

Whoa. Whoa, okay.

Dean rubs his eyes and blinks rapidly, looking around the kitchen, confused.

CASTIEL

(Calmly)

You fell asleep.

DEAN

Yeah, I... I know I fell asleep. I just - never mind.

Dean shakes his head, grabs his plate, and walks out of the kitchen, rubbing the back of his neck as he heads for his room. He's totally oblivious to the faint, glowing aura slowly fading from his wrists.

Castiel stands frozen in the middle of the kitchen, watching Dean walk away.

Suddenly, a cough sounds from the doorway.

SAM is leaning against the threshold. He's holding a thick, leather-bound Men of Letters tome and a lukewarm mug of coffee. He looks from Castiel to the empty kitchen, his eyebrows raised.

SAM

(Deadpan)

You know he's going to notice those, right?

CASTIEL

(Looking totally innocent)

Notice what? I don't know what you are talking about.

SAM

The Enochian glow-in-the-dark tattoos on his pulse points, Cas. Pretty sure he'll ask about them.

CASTIEL

They are not tattoos, Sam. It is a protective signature. An angelic binding of the highest order. It signifies that he is... off the market.

SAM

(Smirking, shaking his head)

"Off the market." Right. You marked him as yours, didn't you?

CASTIEL

(Firmly)

I protected him. And I made sure that if anything tries to take his soul, it has to go through me first. It is efficient.

SAM

Efficient. Right. Because the whole "dying for him" thing wasn't clear enough?

CASTIEL

(Dead serious)

Evidently, it was not. He still drinks bad beer and jumps into fistfights with vampires without consulting me. He needed a more permanent reminder.

SAM

(Chuckles softly)

And you did it while he was passed out on a meatloaf sandwich. That's, uh, very romantic, Cas.

CASTIEL

(Crossing his arms defensively)

It was highly effective. He didn't even flinch.

SAM

Yeah, well, good luck explaining that when he wakes up tomorrow and tries to figure out why he can suddenly read your mind and why his wrists are humming like a microwave.

Sam gives Castiel a knowing, exasperated look, takes a sip of his coffee, and walks away down the hallway.

Castiel stays standing in the kitchen alone, looking down at his own hands before a small, fond, and distinctly smug little smile takes over his face.

INT. BUNKER - KITCHEN - NEXT MORNING

Bright morning light streams through the high grates. The smell of burning toast fills the room.

DEAN is standing by the toaster, frowning heavily. He is wearing a grey t-shirt. He goes to scratch his jaw, and a bright blue flash sparks across his wrist. He freezes. He blinks, then looks at his arm. The skin looks totally normal now.

SAM sits at the table, casually reading something on the laptop. He watches Dean over the top of the screen with an amused smirk.

DEAN

(Squinting at his arm)

Hey, Sammy? You seeing things today?

SAM

(Innocently)

Like what, Dean?

DEAN

Like... light bulbs popping under my skin. I swear my wrist just buzzed. Like a joy buzzer.

SAM

Huh. Must be tired. Did you sleep okay?

DEAN

Yeah, actually. Best sleep in years. Didn't even dream about Hell hounds. But my arms feel... warm. Like I'm wearing heated sleeves.

CASTIEL walks into the kitchen. He is fully dressed in his trench coat now, looking stoic and expressionless. He walks right past Dean to the coffee maker.

As Cas passes, Dean's wrists flare up with a bright, beautiful golden light. It casts a glow right up onto Dean's face.

Dean drops his toast. He stares at his own hands in absolute shock.

DEAN

What the hell?! Sam! Look! I'm glowing! Am I radioactive? Did that ghoul bite do this?

SAM

(Bifling a laugh)

I don't think it's radiation, Dean.

DEAN

Cas! Look at this! Help me out here, man. My veins are turning into neon signs.

Castiel turns around slowly, holding a mug. He looks at Dean's glowing wrists, then looks Dean dead in the eye. His face is completely blank.

CASTIEL

I see nothing unusual.

DEAN

Are you blind?! It's flashing! It's literally matching your heartbeat, Cas, I can feel it!

CASTIEL

(Taking a calm sip of coffee)

You are hallucinating. It is likely a lack of electrolytes.

DEAN

(Panicking, grabbing Sam's shoulder)

Sam, tell me you see this. Tell me I haven't finally cracked.

Sam looks at Dean's glowing arms, then looks at Cas, who is giving Sam a terrifyingly intense "do not say a word" stare.

SAM

(Leaning back, enjoying this too much)

Honestly, Dean? Looks fine to me. Maybe you just need some juice.

DEAN

(Looking between them, terrified)

You guys are messing with me. I'm glowing like a glow-stick at a rave!

Dean storms out of the kitchen to find a mirror, his wrists pulsing a vibrant, protective blue with every step he takes.

Sam bursts out laughing. Cas just takes another calm sip of his coffee, looking highly satisfied.

INT. BUNKER - LIBRARY - LATER THAT AFTERNOON

SAM sits at the main table, surrounded by open lore books. He is holding a highlighter, but he isn't reading. He is just watching DEAN pacing the floor.

Dean has duct tape wrapped tightly around both of his wrists to hide the glow. Every few seconds, a faint blue spark shoots out from under the gray tape.

DEAN

(Pacing, agitated)

It's a curse. It's got to be a witch. I'm telling you, Sam, my arms feel like they're plugged into a wall outlet.

SAM

(Smirking, spinning his pen)

Right. A witch. A witch who broke into the bunker, bypassed all our warding, just to give you neon bracelets.

DEAN

Don't mock the jewelry, Sam! It's vibrating! And every time Cas walks into the room, it feels like a shot of espresso goes straight to my chest.

SAM

(Raising an eyebrow)

Oh, really? Every time Cas gets close?

DEAN

Yes! It's like a proximity alarm! What, you think it's funny? I'm the one ticking like a bomb here!

SAM

I just think it's interesting. You always talk about your "profound bond" with him. Maybe your souls are finally syncing up. Like Bluetooth.

DEAN

(Glaring)

Shut up, Sam. It's not Bluetooth. It's dark magic.

CASTIEL walks into the library, carrying a grocery bag.

The moment Cas steps into the room, the duct tape on Dean's wrists completely ignites with a blinding, bright golden light. The tape snaps and melts right off, falling to the floor. Dean's bare wrists are glowing so bright they cast shadows on the wall.

DEAN

(Yelling, jumping back)

Son of a bitch! See?! See what I mean?!

SAM

(Snorting, covering his mouth)

Wow. High-definition Bluetooth.

CASTIEL

(Setting the bag down, perfectly calm)

Dean. You should not wrap adhesive tape around an angelic seal. It disrupts the spiritual circulation.

DEAN

(Freezing, his eyes widening)

...What did you just say?

Sam covers his face with his hands, shaking with silent laughter.

INT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

The atmosphere is dark, dusty, and tense. Dean and Sam are clearing corners with their shotguns raised.

Suddenly, a VAMPIRE lunges from the shadows, knocking Sam into a stack of wooden crates. Sam drops his gun and struggles to keep the vampire's fangs away from his throat.

DEAN

Sam!

Dean drops his weapon and sprints forward, pulling his machete. But a SECOND VAMPIRE tackles Dean from the side. They smash into the concrete floor. The vampire pins Dean down, wrapping both hands around Dean's throat, squeezing hard.

VAMPIRE 2

(Snarls, baring fangs)

Gotcha.

Dean chokes, his hands flying up to grip the vampire's wrists.

The moment Dean's hands touch the vampire, the Enochian marks on Dean's wrists flare with absolute fury. A blinding, pure white light erupts from Dean's skin.

The vampire screams in agony. The holy light burns through the monster's hands, turning its flesh to ash. The light surges up the vampire's arms and directly into its chest.

With a loud BOOM, the vampire explodes into a cloud of black dust and smoke, completely vaporized.

Dean falls back, gasping for air, staring at his hands. The glowing marks are pulsing a furious, protective red, humming loud enough to vibrate the loose gravel on the floor.

Across the room, Sam kicks his vampire off, grabs his machete, and takes off its head. He stands up, panting, and looks over at Dean.

SAM

(Eyes wide)

Holy crap, Dean. You just smited a guy.

DEAN

(Gasping, staring at his palms)

I... I didn't do that.

The air in the warehouse grows heavy. With a loud rustle of invisible wings, CASTIEL appears out of thin air, landing right in front of Dean. Cas looks wild, his eyes glowing bright blue, his angel blade drawn and ready to kill.

CASTIEL

(Booming voice)

Who touched him?!

Cas looks around the room fiercely, ready to tear a demon apart, before realizing the danger is already completely gone. He looks down at Dean, his breathing slowing down.

Dean stays on the floor, looking up at Cas. The furious red glow on Dean's wrists instantly softens, melting back into a warm, calm, golden hum.

INT. BUNKER - DEAN'S BEDROOM - LATER

Dean sits on the edge of his bed, his head down. His sleeves are rolled up. The marks on his wrists are still visible, glowing faintly in the dim room, like embers in a fireplace.

The door creaks open. Castiel steps inside, looking guilty.

CASTIEL

Dean. I came to apologize.

Dean doesn't look up immediately. He just stares at his wrists.

DEAN

You marked me, Cas.

CASTIEL

(Softly)

Yes.

DEAN

While I was asleep. On a sandwich.

CASTIEL

You were defenseless. Not from monsters, but from your own exhaustion. I see the weight you carry every day, Dean. I wanted to give you a shield that you could never lose. A part of my own grace to watch over you when I cannot.

Dean finally looks up. There is no anger in his eyes. Just a deep, overwhelming vulnerability.

DEAN

Sam said... Sam said you marked me as yours. Like I'm off the market.

Castiel steps closer, his boots heavy on the floor. He stops right in front of Dean. He doesn't look away.

CASTIEL

You are mine, Dean. Just as I am yours. I belong to you. I thought the mark would make that clear to the rest of the universe.

Dean lets out a shaky breath. He stands up, closing the distance between them. He raises his right hand, looking at the glowing Enochian script pulsed against his skin.

DEAN

(Voice dropping to a whisper)

It doesn't buzz anymore. It just feels... warm.

CASTIEL

Because you are no longer fighting it. It has accepted you. And you have accepted it.

Dean looks from his wrist up to Cas's blue eyes. Slowly, a genuine, soft smile breaks across his face. He reaches out and grips Cas's shoulder, his glowing fingers sinking into the trench coat.

DEAN

Next time, man... just ask. You don't gotta wait until I'm drooling on the counter.

CASTIEL

(A tiny smile appearing)

Duly noted.

Outside the cracked bedroom door, Sam walks past, sees them standing close, smiles to himself, and keeps walking.

INT. WOODS - NIGHT (A FEW WEEKS LATER)

Rain pours down. DEAN is wrestling a massive, snarling WEREWOLF in the mud. The monster bared its fangs, lunging straight for Dean's throat.

The moment the beast's claws grip Dean's arms, the Enochian marks on his wrists flare a blinding, aggressive blue. An invisible concussive shockwave of angelic force erupts from the symbols, blasting the werewolf backward through the air until it crashes violently into a tree, dead.

Dean stands up, wiping mud off his face, completely uninjured. He looks down at his glowing wrists and smiles.

DEAN

(Yelling into the trees)

Thanks for the assist, Cas!

From the shadows, CASTIEL steps out, his eyes glowing faintly. He offers a rare, proud smile.

CASTIEL

You are welcome, Dean.

[MONTAGE - TIME SKIP]

Fast cuts of old lore books turning.

Close up on Dean alone in the bunker library at 3:00 AM, desperately translating ancient Enochian texts. His finger traces a line of text that translates to: "The Sovereign Angelic Seal. A blood-and-grace binding of singular ownership. Once fully accepted by the vessel, no cosmic parasite, reaper, or entity of the dark can claim what belongs exclusively to the Seraph."

Dean looks at his wrists, realizing the true gravity of the mark. It means he belongs to Castiel, soul and all and nothing else can ever touch him.

INT. BUNKER - CORRIDOR - NIGHT ("DESPAIR")

The bunker is cast in harsh shadows. The air is freezing. The slamming thuds of DEATH (BILLIE) echo down the hall as she knocks down their defense wardings.

Dean and Castiel sprint into the small concrete storage room. Cas slams the door shut, instantly slicing his hand open to paint a blood sigil on the door.

The door shakes violently. Billie is right outside.

DEAN

(Spiraling, panicking)

It didn't work. The warding isn't going to hold her. Cas, everyone is gone. Sam, Jack... everyone. I brought us right into a trap.

CASTIEL

(Calm, deeply at peace)

Dean. Listen to me. There is one thing Billie fears. One entity strong enough to stop her. The Empty.

DEAN

The Empty? Cas, what are you talking about?

CASTIEL

I made a deal to save Jack. The deal was that when I experienced a moment of true happiness, the Empty would come and take me forever. I never knew what that happiness would look like... because the one thing I wanted was something I knew I couldn't have.

Dean freezes, his heart pounding. The marks on his wrists begin to thrum with a warm, desperate golden heat.

CASTIEL

(Tears welling in his eyes)

But happiness isn't in the having, Dean. It's in the being. It's in just saying it. Ever since I pulled you out of Hell, you changed me. Because you cared, I cared. You are the most selfless, loving human being I will ever know.

The door behind them begins to splinter. Black ooze starts leaking through the walls the portal to the Empty is tearing open, summoned by Cas's shifting energy.

CASTIEL

(Smiling softly through his tears)

I love you, Dean.

In the original timeline, Dean would have panicked and begged Cas not to do it. But Dean knows the lore now. He knows exactly what his wrists mean.

DEAN

(Voice thick with emotion, stepping forward)

Cas...

Dean doesn't step back. Instead, he reaches out, his glowing wrists illuminating the dark room. He firmly grabs the lapels of Castiel's trench coat and pulls the angel straight into him, smashing their lips together in a fierce, deeply romantic, and undeniable kiss.

The moment their lips meet, a massive explosion of brilliant, blinding white and golden light erupts from Dean's marks, filling the entire room.

The door completely explodes inward. Billie steps through the smoke, her scythe raised but the holy light hitting the room is blinding.

At the exact same time, a massive mass of sentient black slime the Shadow of the Empty bursts through the wall to drag Castiel away.

But the Sovereign Mark on Dean's wrists violently rejects them both. Because Dean belongs permanently and exclusively to Castiel, the magic of the mark views the Empty and Billie as hostile invaders trying to steal the Seraph's permanent vessel.

The golden light forms a massive, swirling vortex.

BILLIE

(Screaming in agony as the holy light burns her)

No! This isn't how it ends!

The Entity of the Empty shrieks in a terrible cosmic pitch as the vortex traps it. The light binds Billie and the Empty together in a crushing gravitational pull. With a violent SNAP, the vortex collapses, forcefully sucking Billie and the Empty back into the void, sealing the rift instantly and completely.

The bunker goes dead silent.

The smoke clears. The danger is entirely gone.

Dean slowly breaks the kiss, panting heavily. He keeps his hands tightly gripped on Cas's lapels, anchoring him. Cas's eyes are wide, completely shocked, his breath hitched. He looks around the empty room, then down at Dean.

CASTIEL

(Whispering, breathless)

Dean... the Empty. It didn't take me. It couldn't.

DEAN

(Leaning his forehead against Cas's, a tear slipping down his cheek)

Damn right it couldn't. I did my homework, you idiot. You put your mark on me. You made me yours, remember?

CASTIEL

(Still dazed, his hands coming up to rest on Dean's waist)

The Sovereign Seal... it overrides the cosmic contract. It counts us as one entity.

DEAN

(Letting out a choked, wet laugh)

Yeah. No cosmic sludge gets to take what's mine. You're stuck with me, Cas.