"The New... Normal."

Lucien's consciousness returned slowly, like swimming upward through murky water.

Before his eyes even opened, he felt them - emotions, not his own, washing over him in waves so intense they almost had color and texture.

Worry. Fear - not of him, but for him. Confusion. Curiosity. Protectiveness. Love.

These sensations crashed into his awareness with such force that he gasped, eyes flying open to find his mother's face inches from his own.

"Lucien?" Kate's voice broke with relief as her hand brushed his forehead. "Baby, can you hear me?"

He nodded, overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of her concern.

It was like standing next to a bonfire - warm, fierce, and all-consuming.

Behind her stood his father, John, whose emotions felt completely different - a storm of protective determination mixed with something darker, more complicated.

"Mom," he managed, his voice raspy. "I'm okay."

As his vision cleared, he became aware of others in the room. Two young men - Sam and Dean, his half-brothers - watched with expressions that mirrored their emotions: Dean's protective instinct sharp as a knife, Sam's concern tinged with scholarly curiosity.

An older Black woman - Missouri, he somehow knew - stood nearby, her compassion flowing like a gentle stream. Beside her, a gruff-looking man in a trucker cap - Bobby - radiated a similar concern, though more guarded.

And then-

"LULU!" Adam's voice pierced the tension as he launched himself toward the couch where Lucien lay. "You're okay!"

Kate caught Adam before he could tackle his brother. "Careful, honey. Lucien needs space."

As Lucien struggled to sit up, something whispered in his mind - not a voice exactly, more like knowledge unfolding.

They had seen.

Parts of his conversation with Death, fragments of the revelation - but not everything.

Not his past life. That remained hidden, protected by the Force itself.

Relief washed through him, followed immediately by anxiety. What exactly had they seen?

"How are you feeling, child?" Missouri asked.

"I'm... okay," Lucien said carefully. "Different, but okay."

John paced at the edge of the room, thought to himself. 'Is he even human anymore? What does this mean for-'

"John Winchester," Missouri interrupted sharply, "we've had this conversation before."

John stopped pacing, turning to face her with a frown- he never liked how easily she could read his mind.

Missouri planted her hands on her hips. "Vampires, werewolves, ghosts - they're all different races of human. The supernatural added to humanity, but in a malicious manner. And even then nor all of them evil."

"I know that, but-"

"Being human is a state of being, a set of attributes," she continued, undeterred. "It's an attribute of humans that when bitten by a werewolf, they transform. If that wasn't part of being human, then humans would naturally be immune. But we're not. We don't have that attribute as a species."

She stepped closer to John, voice softening slightly. "Would you call me not human because I'm psychic? Lucien is human, blessed with powerful psychic abilities that transformed into something more."

John's jaw tightened. "I know that, Missouri. I'm just trying to figure out what we do now."

"We keep him safe," Dean stated flatly, speaking for the first time. "That's what we do."

Sam nodded, adding thoughtfully, "And help him understand what's happening to him."

Adam wiggled free from Kate's grasp and bounded to the couch, climbing up beside Lucien. "Did you really make the Force real? Like in the movies?" His eyes were wide with wonder. "That's so awesome! My brother is like a superhero!"

The room fell silent, everyone clearly having the same question but hesitant to ask it so directly.

Lucien hesitated, then nodded slowly.

"Can you move stuff with your mind?" Adam continued excitedly. "Can you make a lightsaber? Can I be a Jedi too?"

"I don't know yet," Lucien admitted, feeling overwhelmed. "Probably not, and... maybe?"

Dean's lips quirked into a small smile despite the gravity of the situation. Sam watched the interaction thoughtfully, his analytical mind clearly working behind his eyes.

"What exactly do you know about... this Force?" Bobby asked, breaking his silence.

All of them having the same question in their minds, not treating Lucien as a kid right now, but someone who knows far more than them of the matter because of what they have seen.

Lucien took a deep breath, organizing the knowledge that seemed to have appeared in his mind. "Death called me the Father of the Force and the Chosen One," he began, feeling strange saying those words aloud.

He knew that they saw him talk to Death, and knew he could just chalk it up to knowing it instinctively- which is true anyway.

He was too tired to beat around the bush.

"The Force is... energy. Life. It connects everything."

He paused, trying to articulate what he somehow knew. "There's a Light Side and a Dark Side. The Light Side is fueled by love, protection, peace. The Dark Side comes from passion, anger, fear."

"Is it like good and evil?" Dean asked, thinking of the movies.

Lucien shook his head. "Not exactly. The Dark Side isn't evil, not like in the movies, but it is destructive by nature. Dangerous if you can't control it."

"And you control both?" John asked, his voice carefully neutral.

"No," Lucien admitted. "Not yet. Maybe not for a long time. Death said others might be able to use the Force too, but rarely, and they'd only be able to use one side. No one else will be able to handle both Light and Dark together."

"So what can you actually do right now?" Sam asked, cutting to the practical heart of the matter.

Lucien frowned. How much should he reveal? Is hiding even practical right now? He needs help, he's new to this, newer to this than anything.

Hiding things needs to serve a purpose, and be a benefit, and right now it isn't.

"I'm not sure." He stated, deciding to answer truthfully. "I can feel emotions. Sense things. Maybe move objects, but I haven't tried."

"So basically you're saying you're a Jedi, Lulu?" Dean asked, a hint of teasing entering his voice. Trying to lighten the mood.

Everything is just so tense right now- not good for the kid.

'If he's anything like Sammy, then this should annoy the hell out of him,'

Lucien processed the question for a moment, "Only Adam gets to call me that," he replied, annoyed.

Dean's smile widened. "How about Lu then?"

Lucien sighed. "That's... a bit better."

"We should buy every Star Wars comic and book we can find," Sam suggested suddenly. "If Lucien created the Force based on Star Wars, understanding the source material might help us understand what he can do."

Bobby nodded slowly. "Makes sense. Most supernatural phenomena in our world have some basis in lore. This is just... newer lore."

"There's a bigger issue here," John said, his voice grave. "Lucien can't have a normal life now."

The words fell heavy in the room. Kate's eyes filled with unshed tears as everything sank in.

"I thought I was protecting you by keeping you separate from hunting," John continued, looking at Kate. "I was wrong."

"What exactly are you suggesting?" Kate asked, her voice tight.

"You need to learn how to protect yourselves," John answered. "All of you."

Kate wrapped her arms around herself. "So we just abandon our lives? Our home? Lucien and Adam's school?"

"Mom," Lucien said quietly. "I think Dad's right."

All eyes turned to him.

"When I was... talking to Death," he continued carefully, "he said others would sense what I've become. That some would try to use me, others might try to destroy me."

Kate made a small, pained sound.

"I- I can't abandon my son," she said finally, looking at John with tears in her eyes. "But what about Adam? Shouldn't he at least be able to get a normal life?"

"I'm not leaving Lulu!" Adam declared fiercely, grabbing Lucien's arm. "He's my brother!"

"This isn't what you wanted for them," Dean said to John, a hint of accusation in his voice. "It's why you kept them separate."

"I didn't have all the information," John replied tersely. "Now I do."

"So we just drag them into this life?" Sam asked. "Like we were?"

"They're already in it," John said. "The question is whether they face it prepared or not."

Missouri, who had been watching silently, stepped forward. "Family stays together during crisis," she said gently. "That's how you survive."

"My place has room," Bobby offered unexpectedly. "It's warded, safe. They can stay while learning the basics."

A heavy silence fell as Kate weighed her options. Lucien could feel her anguish, her desperate desire for normalcy warring with her need to protect her children.

"I won't pretend I'm happy about this," she finally said, "but my family stays together. I can't seperate my boys."

John nodded, relief visible in the slight relaxation of his shoulders. "We'll start with basic protection. Salt lines, symbols, how to recognize threats. Then move on to more advanced skills."

As the adults continued discussing logistics, Lucien found Sam watching him intently.

"You okay?" Sam asked quietly, moving closer.

Lucien shrugged. "I didn't mean for this to happen. Now everyone's lives are changing because of me."

'But I don't feel bad about it. Now that I again am who I was before, and am living this new life, this is the best thing that could've happened with those two psychos holding the strings.'

"Family adapts," Sam replied. "That's what we do." He hesitated, then added, "Though I'm still getting used to the idea that I have two more brothers."

"Me too," Lucien admitted. "I mean, about having more brothers- especially older ones. I was the oldest moments before. Dad mentioned you sometimes, but..."

"But not as brothers," Sam finished with a wry smile. "Yeah, we're gonna have figure everything out eventually."

Across the room, Dean had pulled Adam aside and knelt to his height.

"So kid, there are three rules to being a Winchester," he was saying with exaggerated seriousness. "Protect your family, know how to use salt, and never touch my cassette tapes."

Adam frowned. "But I'm a Milligan!"

"Not anymore, squirt," Dean replied, ruffling his hair. "You're a Winchester now. Like it or not, you're stuck with us."

Adam considered this, then asked, "Do Winchesters get to learn how to be superheroes?"

Dean was silent for a moment before he shrugged to himself and nodded.

Hunters, Heroes, Monsters, bad guys- close enough.

"Eventually," Dean said. "But first you learn how to hide from monsters."

"We should leave soon," John announced. "Bobby, you head back and get your place ready. The rest of us will stop by Kate's house to pack essentials, then meet you there."

"I'll come with you," Missouri said to Kate. "Help you sort what you'll need."

As everyone began preparing to leave, Lucien tried standing. His legs felt wobbly but held his weight. The world seemed different now - sharper, more vibrant, as if he was seeing an additional layer of reality.

"Careful there," Dean said, suddenly beside him with a steadying hand on his shoulder. "You've been out of commission for a while."

"Thanks," Lucien said, surprised by the gesture.

Dean shrugged. "That's what big brothers are for, right?"

Lucien was silent for a moment. He never had any siblings in his past life- he was an only child.

Now here, he had three, and he could already feel the protectiveness of them towards him.

"Right," he managed to reply.

-----------------------

The drive back to Windom was tense. John led in the Impala with Dean and Sam, while Missouri drove her own car- Kate's still at the hospital - with, Kate, Lucien, and Adam. Bobby had already departed for South Dakota in his own vehicle.

"Your home has been good to you," Missouri said to Kate as they approached the familiar neighborhood. "But home isn't a place, it's the people you love."

Kate nodded silently, tears streaming down her face.

In the backseat, Adam had fallen asleep against Lucien's shoulder, exhausted by the emotional day.

Lucien stared out the window, watching his childhood neighborhood with new eyes. Had it always been this vulnerable? This exposed?

"You're sensing differently now," Missouri observed, catching his eye in the rearview mirror. "Your abilities give you new perspectives."

"It's overwhelming," Lucien admitted.

"You'll learn to filter," she assured him. "The mind adapts to new senses, just like it would to suddenly being able to hear or see after a lifetime without."

When they pulled into the driveway, John was already waiting, his posture alert as he scanned the surroundings.

"Pack quickly," he instructed as they entered the house. "Essentials only. We need to be on the road within an hour."

Kate moved through the house in a daze, gathering clothes and important documents. Dean helped Adam select his favorite toys and books, while Sam assisted Kate with practical considerations.

Lucien stood in his bedroom doorway, suddenly uncertain.

What did he need from this childish life? He wasn't a child, not really.

He was also the whole time thinking of all the threats in this world, and what lay ahead.

"Feeling lost?" John asked, appearing behind him.

Lucien nodded.

John sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know something about leaving a life behind," he said quietly. "Take what matters most. The rest is just stuff."

Lucien entered his room, looking around at the Star Wars posters, the bookshelf of novels, the collection of rocks he and Adam had gathered from various parks.

His fingers traced the glow-in-the-dark stars on his ceiling - arranged in actual constellations because he'd insisted on accuracy.

He pulled out his backpack and filled it with clothes, his favorite books, and a few treasured possessions - a fossil he'd found on a camping trip, a Swiss Army knife his John had given him, a family photo in a simple frame.

As he zipped the bag closed, a strange sensation prickled at the back of his neck. He turned toward the window, suddenly certain they were being watched.

The Force whispered warnings in his mind, a subtle pressure urging caution. Outside, in the darkness beyond the streetlights, something waited.

Something with yellow eyes.

Lucien froze, unsure if what he sensed was real or imagination.

"Lu? You ready?" Dean called from the hallway.

The presence vanished - or retreated - as quickly as it had appeared.

'Did I- did I imagine that because of- of paranoia?' he thought to himself as cold sweat appeared on his back. 'If I... If I wasn't. What can I do about it?' 

"Yeah," Lucien answered, deciding to keep it to himself - no way Azazel would move so soon - shaking off the uneasy feeling. "I'm ready."

-----------------------

Bobby Singer's house was unlike anything Kate or her sons had ever seen.

Books covered every available surface, interspersed with weapons, strange artifacts, and protective symbols.

The kitchen smelled of whiskey and old books, with hints of gunpowder and herbs.

"It ain't much," Bobby said gruffly as he showed them around, "but it's safe. Warded against most everything nasty."

"Thank you for this," Kate said, still looking shell-shocked.

"Got two spare rooms upstairs," Bobby continued. "Figured Kate and Adam can take one, Lucien the other. John and the boys can bunk in the study when they're here."

Lucien staying alone in case his powers attack the room when asleep unsaid, but heard by those experienced with the supernatural.

"When we're here?" Sam asked.

John's expression was grim. "We still have hunts to finish. People depending on us."

"You're leaving?" Kate asked, alarm clear in her voice.

"Just temporarily," John assured her. "We'll be back in a few days. Bobby will teach you the basics while we're gone."

Dean knelt beside Adam, who was looking increasingly distressed. "Hey, buddy. Remember those three rules I told you?"

Adam nodded solemnly.

"Well, here's rule number four: Winchesters always come back." Dean glanced up at Lucien. "Always."

---------------------

Later that night, after Kate had finally gotten Adam to sleep, the adults gathered in Bobby's kitchen.

Sam had spread out several Star Wars comics and a technical manual he'd found at a gas station on their way.

"So according to this," he said, pointing to a diagram, "the Force allows telekinesis, enhanced perception, limited precognition-"

"We don't know if it works exactly like in the movies," John interrupted.

"It does to an extent, but doesn't also to another," Lucien said quietly from the doorway. He hadn't been invited to this conversation but had sensed it happening. "It's... rawer. Newer. Less defined."

"You should be in bed," Kate said automatically.

Lucien ignored this. "I can feel it, but controlling it is different. It's like... learning to use a muscle you didn't know you had."

"Can you show us?" Dean asked.

Everyone turned to look at him.

"What?" Dean shrugged. "We're all thinking it."

Lucien hesitated, then focused on a pencil lying on Bobby's desk. He reached out with his mind, trying to connect with the Force as he somehow knew he should.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then the pencil trembled slightly before rolling about an inch.

Lucien exhaled sharply, surprised by how much effort that small movement had required.

"That's a start," Bobby said, sounding more impressed than Lucien had expected.

"The Force is still settling into reality," Lucien explained, repeating what Death had told him. "And I'm still learning how to use it."

"We'll figure it out together," Sam said, closing the comic book. "One step at a time."

John stood, decision made. "Bobby will start your training tomorrow. Basic protections first, then weapons handling for Kate."

"Weapons?" Kate repeated, looking alarmed.

"Just basics," Bobby assured her. "Shotgun, silver knife, how to load salt rounds."

Kate looked like she might protest, then glanced at Lucien and nodded reluctantly.

"Dean, Sam and I will return to the hunt in Blackwater Ridge, check if we didn't miss anything, then head back," John continued. "Should take three days, maybe four."

"What about school?" Kate asked suddenly. "Adam's education-"

"I know some hunter families that homeschool," Bobby offered. "Got materials I can get you started with."

The reality of their new life seemed to hit Kate all at once.

Lucien felt her despair spike before she carefully controlled her expression.

"We'll make this work," she said, more to herself than anyone else.

As the conversation continued, Lucien slipped away, climbing the creaking stairs to the small bedroom Bobby had given him.

The room was sparse - a twin bed, a dresser, a small desk - but felt oddly safe despite its unfamiliarity.

He sat cross-legged on the bed, trying to process everything that had happened.

In less than two days, his entire existence had transformed.

He remembered who he truly was.

He'd created a fundamental force of nature, met the embodiment of Death, discovered two half-brothers he'd never met, and left behind the only home he'd ever known in this life.

A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. The door opened to reveal Sam, holding a stack of books.

"Thought you might want these," he said, setting them on the desk. "Star Wars novels, comics, technical guides - everything I could find at the gas stations and that one bookstore we passed."

"Thanks," Lucien said, genuinely touched by the gesture.

Sam lingered, clearly wanting to say something more.

"What is it?" Lucien prompted.

"This life," Sam said carefully. "It's not what I would have chosen for anyone, especially not a kid."

Lucien shrugged. "I don't think we get to fully choose our destinies. But it is ours, so we live with them and make the best of it."

Sam's eyebrows rose. "That's pretty philosophical for a nine-year-old."

"I'm mature for my age," Lucien replied, the irony of the statement not lost on him given his hidden past life.

It is good that he can chalk anything up now to the Force helping him, maturing him.

"Yeah, I can see that." Sam hesitated again. "Listen, if you ever need to talk... about any of this... I'm here, okay? I... know what it's like to feel different."

Before Lucien could respond, another figure appeared in the doorway - Dean, leaning casually against the frame.

"Sammy giving you the heart-to-heart talk already?" he asked with a smirk. "Must be a record."

Sam rolled his eyes. "Just trying to help."

"Uh-huh." Dean entered the room, examining the books Sam had brought. "Comic books and sci-fi novels. Real helpful research materials there, school boy."

"It's a starting point," Sam defended.

Dean picked up one of the comics, flipping through it. "So, Lu, you really think you can learn to do all this Jedi mind trick stuff?"

"Some of it, maybe," Lucien answered honestly. "I don't know yet."

Dean nodded, "Well, whatever happens, you've got us now." His expression turned serious. "And despite what you might think after finding out about... all this... we protect our own."

The simple declaration carried weight beyond the words themselves. Lucien felt the truth of it in the Force - Dean Winchester meant exactly what he said.

"Thanks," Lucien said quietly.

An awkward silence fell, broken by the sound of small feet pattering down the hallway.

"Lulu?" Adam's sleepy voice called. "Where are you?"

"In here, Adam," Lucien answered.

Adam appeared in the doorway, clutching his dinosaur plush. His eyes widened at seeing Sam and Dean.

"What are you guys doing?" he asked suspiciously.

"Just talking," Sam assured him.

"About Jedi stuff," Dean added with a wink.

Adam's face lit up. "Can I be a Jedi too?"

The three older brothers exchanged glances. 

"Maybe someday," Lucien said carefully. "But it's complicated."

"Everything's complicated now," Adam grumbled, climbing onto Lucien's bed uninvited. "Mom's sad. We left home. Dean says there's monsters."

"Yeah, it's a lot," Dean acknowledged, surprising Lucien with his gentleness toward Adam. "But you know what? You've got three big brothers to look out for you now."

Adam considered this, then asked, "Do you guys check for monsters under the bed too? Lulu always does."

"Every night," Sam confirmed with a small smile.

"Even better," Dean added, "we teach you how to fight them."

Adam's eyes widened. "Really?"

"When you're older," Sam clarified quickly.

"But for now," Dean continued, "how about we check this room for monsters so you can go back to sleep?"

As Dean made a show of checking under the bed and in the closet, Lucien caught Sam watching the scene with an unreadable expression.

"He's good with kids," Sam said quietly.

"All clear," Dean announced as he stood up. "No monsters allowed in Bobby Singer's house. They know better."

Adam yawned widely. "Can I sleep with Lulu tonight? The new house is scary."

"Sure," Lucien agreed immediately, recognizing his brother's need for comfort.

As Sam and Dean said their goodnights and left the room, Lucien made space for Adam on the narrow bed. The younger boy curled against him, clutching his dinosaur.

"Lulu?" Adam whispered in the darkness. "Are we gonna be okay?"

Lucien stared at the ceiling.

"Yeah," he finally answered. "Different, but okay."

Adam seemed satisfied with this answer, his breathing soon evening out in sleep.

Lucien himself didn't for a long time, as his mind continued to race, and plan.

Plan and plan and plan for hours.

He knew, he should- no needed to always be one step ahead.

Always.

------------------------

(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all liked the chapter.

It was quite difficult for me to write this chapter, so hope it turned out good.

I personally think it did. I think everyone was feeling the same awkwardness I was feeling when writing the chapter, which fits with how weird everything is right now for them.

Well, I hope to see you all later,

Bye!)