THEN

Dean blinked as a third member of the supernatural joined him and Crowley in the room and it wasn't the Angel he expected. No, it was Death. Eyes locked on Dean's as he scanned the room and frowned slightly at the demon king. Dean pushed himself off his bed and stood, nodding in greeting, not really sure what to say if say anything.

"Dean," the horseman had never sounded so pleased and disappointed at the same time, or really ever. At least not that Dean had seen, not that he could claim to know Death. "I would like to have a private conversation." Was the simple statement, and a wave of his hand later they were along the door closed to his room.

"It is time for you to make a choice young Knight," Dean's eyes flashed black then green and he locked his knees to stay standing. He knew life had changed but to have Death here. Nothing good ever came from their visits.

"What choice?" he demanded and black filled green, a chuckle and the green was back. Shining brighter than before and Dean could swear that Death looked pleased.

"The choice that comes with the mark of course," was the unhelpful answer he was given.

"Got a cliff note version?"

"Do you not feel it?" Dean shivered at the question, he knew what he meant, the demonic form that was twisting around inside his soul. He had carried it for years, but it had been repressed and forgotten. Now it was active and squirming its way further and further into his soul. Or whatever was left of it.

"Of course I do, what is the choice?"

"A fresh start, no memory of your life, you can sink into the Mark and just be as the Mark demands." Dean had to admit that it was tempting, to have all his worry and cares just disappear, but that also meant that he would never have known any of his family or friends.

"Or?"

"The second offer is that of control, you have shown that you have the will to control the Blade and Mark. For this I can give unending control, but you will remember every second of every day." Dean doesn't let the man finish his final word before he nods and steps forward.

"Control," his words final and Death smiles brightly at him, he touches Dean's shoulder and the squirming feeling of the demonic part slowed and started to fade into the background. "thank fuck!"

"Death," came a playful tone.

"What?"

"Thank Death."

"Oh, right thanks man, I gue-" he cut himself off as the man disappeared from view and Crowley blinked back in.

"Ready to howl?" and Dean smirked at him, blade forming in his hand.

"Not with you." his arm swung but the King was already gone from sight and Dean felt a little more at ease. Now he had to find Sam.

END (for now?)