Chapter Text
Castiel wasn't vain, not at all, but he was still glad that the servant girl didn't pull aside the curtains around Castiel's bed when she came to wake him.
He had slept poorly to say the least and was now properly exhausted. Even though it was early enough in the morning, Castiel was already feeling sweat beading on his brow and the sheet under his back cling to him uncomfortably. He could hear the swift swish of the servant setting the table and Castiel felt like he should at least make an effort at being civil even if he probably was far from presentable. He quickly changed out of his sweaty shirt into a new one, glad that he had listened to the court stylist for once and had packed far too many clothes.
"Good morning," Castiel said and the servant gave a start. He saw her nostrils flare which Castiel took as a sign that his "natural scent" was coming through again. The servant girl was staring, the kettle she was holding hovering centimeters above the table top.
"Good morning," she finally said and put down the kettle. "Prince Dean has asked me to set the table for your… morning feast." Castiel smiled up at her and nodded.
"Thank you very much," he said, "I will quickly refresh myself and then partake."
"Your husband will be joining you shortly," the servant girl told him and then she left the room before Castiel could verbalize his surprise. He wondered if he should make the effort to get washed. He pulled his bag of toiletries out of his suitcase and walked to the connecting bathroom. He tried to rub off the worst of the sweat and humidity, then he set about getting his hair into shape. He undid his braids and combed his hair out. If it continued to be hot then he'd rather have his hair away from his neck, so he quickly braided and pinned his hair to the back of his head. He heard the door open just when he was squinting at himself in the mirror, hoping that he looked alright, even though he was wearing little more than his underwear and a thin, loose shirt over it. It was too warm for the morning gown.
Dean was bending over the table, looking into the pots containing Castiel's breakfast. Dean turned his head towards him and smiled.
"Good morning!" he called, very cheerfully. Castiel sat on his chair and tried not to be too grouchy about his tiredness.
"Good morning, Dean," he said. Dean studied him for an extended moment, but whatever conclusions he had reached he kept to himself. Castiel was too tired to worry about it and focused on the food instead. On the tray were different kinds of fruit and another bowl of porridge, but also some soup and small hard buns that smelled spicy. It was a slightly weird combination but Castiel wasn't picky.
"Do you also want some?" Castiel asked when Dean didn't do anything but watch. "Or some tea or coffee? I think there's both."
"I'm still digesting the last meal, but I'd be happy to take some coffee," Dean said, but made no move to grab one of the two cups. Castiel chewed the dry spicy bread, observing Dean with a raised eyebrow.
"Are you waiting to be served?" Castiel asked, "Am I expected to serve you?"
"Uh… Sorry, I'm just used to being waited on during morning coffee when out of the house," Dean said sheepishly and reached out to grab the kettle. Castiel continued to eat his breakfast, keeping his eyes on Dean, who poured coffee for himself and for Castiel, then he drank that silently, the tips of his ears red.
"People at home have tried to gather information on how I might be expected to behave at your court. If I am expected to serve you, you'll have to tell me," Castiel told him. Dean fidgeted with his cup but eventually he shrugged.
"I spent most of the time away from court and am not exactly the right person to ask about how we're to behave."
"But you know enough to expect me to serve you coffee," Castiel observed and Dean winced at that. "No need to be embarrassed about it, Dean."
"No… Actually I was… uhm… Waiting to see what you would do," Dean confessed. "During feasts, the family circle's highest alpha starts the event, while it's the highest-ranking omega who usually serves coffee to family or guests. At court we have servants of course, so I don't know… It's your coffee and I'm your guest."
"So this isn't a married couple scenario, but a guest and host one?" Castiel wanted to clarify and Dean shrugged again.
"No… I mean… Sort of?" Dean asked and then he frown at Castiel when he laughed at him. "Come on, dude. I'm trying to figure out how to navigate this scenario. It's not like we usually have this breakfast thing."
"I was actually surprised that you would come here for breakfast," Castiel said, studying Dean who was apparently more than ready for the day. He was already properly dressed (or as dressed as a Naga could be, Castiel couldn't quite judge their state of undress yet).
"I wanted to see you and not leave you alone for too long because you're a stranger here," Dean explained, drinking his coffee without stirring milk or sugar into it. Castiel definitely needed some sugar to get a proper start into the day. "You do look kinda…" Dean made a vague gesture with his hands and pursed his lips. It was likely that he was looking for a kind way to say "like crap".
"I didn't sleep well," Castiel confessed. Dean's eyes travelled to the sleeping section but Castiel raised his hand before he could come to wrong conclusions. "The bed was fine. I often don't sleep well when away from home. I'll get used to my new bed swiftly once we're at the capital." Dean didn't look convinced but eventually he nodded. "Do you think I'm presentable enough to go outside?" Slowly a smile crept up on Dean's face, then he adopted an exaggeratedly thoughtful expression, rubbing his chin with his hands and looking Castiel up and down. Castiel lifted an eyebrow at him and then he shoveled some porridge in his mouth. He didn't miss how Dean tensed at that, his fingers slipping down his chin and his eyes widening slightly. He regained his composure very quickly, but Castiel knew that frequent eating meant getting ready for mating for a Naga couple.
"You're teasing me," Dean said gruffly.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm merely enjoying my breakfast."
"Yeah. I know why the servant girl didn't stay in here to wait on us. You smelling like that and eating? It's downright filthy," Dean said with a laugh and when Castiel frowned at him he poked his tongue out at him.
"So I should take a proper bath," Castiel concluded with a small smile. He enjoyed the casual, flirtatious exchange and it apparently did wonders to his mood.
"You don't stink. But you're just very obviously omega," Dean said.
"Maybe you're mistaking my sweat for omega scent," Castiel teased and Dean rolled his eyes at him. "But very well. I will make sure to wash before going out in public." He continued eating while Dean drank two cups of coffee and, after being pestered, took a very small bite of one of the buns.
"I have to appreciate your hospitality, I suppose," Dean said after swallowing, then he patted his stomach. "Even if it costs me."
"Dean, that was one bite. Surely, you're not going to keel over because of it," Castiel commented and Dean laughed at that. "But you don't have to. You can just tell me no if you don't want to do something I suggest." Dean lifted his eyebrow.
"I thought you were the boss of me?"
"Because I'm an omega?" Castiel asked and Dean nodded. "Don't think I forgot the face you made when I pretended to order you around."
"What can I say? I'm all alpha," Dean said with a shrug and Castiel laughed at him. "Though I assume that doesn't mean anything good for you angels."
"Not necessarily, no," Castiel said with a small grin. "Though I know it means good things for you Naga, so you can show me what being all alpha means." Dean burst out laughing. Castiel lifted his coffee to his lips to hide his smile. Castiel finally understood what Gabriel had meant when he claimed that flirting wasn't a chore you had to suffer through if talking with unmarried alphas. It was actually surprisingly enjoyable.
Even though Castiel would have preferred for their journey to continue he didn't protest when Dean offered to show him around the village. He saw John and Mary through a wide open door, lying on benches on what looked like a winter garden. There seemingly was just enough of a gap in the trees overhead that rays of light managed to pierce down and illuminated the glass covered porch.
"My parents are always lazy this early in the morning when they're travelling," Dean said when Castiel made to wish them a good morning. "You'll see enough of them once we're back in the capital." Castiel followed his husband out into the open square, finding it to be friendlier looking in the day time. Rays of light illuminated the mosaic floor, making it sparkle and shine. He followed Dean, walking at his hip again because he didn't want to accidentally stumble over his tail while looking around. They walked down what Castiel assumed to be the main road but the further away from the square they got, the denser the vegetation around them became. The air was heavy with humidity and warmth. Even though it wasn't raining now, all the leaves that grew between the low buildings dripped, just as the ropes and bridge-like formations arching above their heads did. Dean guided Castiel into a tunnel and Castiel momentarily enjoyed the shade.
"I'm glad that I can show you around Hagar. It might not be a big town, but I don't think we'll stop again on the rest of the journey. But pretty much everything until the capital is villages like this one, so you're not really missing out on the Winchester experience," Dean said and waved at Naga who poked their head out of open doors to shout a greeting at Dean. Castiel was glad that Dean was distracted, otherwise he might have noticed the sour expression flitting over Castiel's face.
"Is the capital the same? Built into a forest?" They got out of the tunnel and found themselves on another big square. These squares reminded Castiel of the big, domed market hall back at home. There seemed to be houses circling the square and more tunnels leading away from it. The sky was invisible through the leaves. With a sinking heart Castiel realized that he probably couldn't live like this; unable to see the sky, unable to feel the wind rustling through his wings.
"No," Dean finally said and Castiel lifted his head to look up at him. "The capital was built a bit elevated, on a grassy plain. The old part of town is still inside the forest, but not the palace." Castiel breathed in relief. Dean bent down lightly to be closer to Castiel's face, studying him with concern.
"You seem… upset," Dean said and Castiel shook his head.
"I'm glad to hear it," he told him and Dean looked at him in confusion. " I like being able to see the sky." Dean seemed surprised by that and lifted his head to the verdant canopy overhead.
"Oh," he muttered, then he looked back down at Castiel. "You're alright, though? It'll be some more time before we're out of the forest."
"Of course," Castiel assured him and while there remained a small crease on Dean's forehead, he nodded eventually and they continued on their way.
More Naga were out and about than yesterday and Castiel had to avoid bumping into others more than once. It had been easier to be noticed with an umbrella. He stepped out of the way when two younger Naga passed Dean in the street, gracefully weaving around the other Naga, chasing each other. It was odd for Castiel to watch them run, if it could even be called that. But he had watched for one second too long and had to swiftly back away. His heels hit Dean's (he hoped it was Dean's) tail and he stumbled backwards over it and landed in a bunch of empty crates next to a shop.
"Shit, Castiel! Are you alright?" Castiel huffed at the already dulling pain all across his backside. Dean bent down and grabbed Castiel at the hips to put him back on his feet. Castiel took a sharp breath of surprise. Dean's palms were warm when they pressed against his hips, which was such a weird place for someone to hold him, but it was far from disagreeable.
"I'm fine," Castiel told him. "How about you? I think I stepped on you." Dean shook his head and withdrew his hands. He was slow to raise to his full height, almost as if he wanted to provide a barrier between Castiel and the other Naga. Past Dean's body he could see that the noise of the crash had drawn the looks of a couple of Naga, who were poking their torsos and heads out of shops and had stopped to watch in the street. Castiel knew how to appreciate the care and he felt embarrassment bubble up at this graceless display. But he squashed it down.
"You just stumbled over it. Weird feeling actually," Dean said with a toothy grin. "Your feet are so small. No wonder you're easily pushed off them." Castiel didn't reply and Dean bent over him again, his nose close to Castiel's forehead. "You're sure you okay? We can go back if you'd prefer." To some extent Cas would prefer that, but Dean had been so excited to show him around Hagar, Castiel didn't have the heart to deny him this.
"It's alright. But maybe I should walk closer to you so that I'm not being run over."
"Sure," Dean said and put his hand on Castiel's shoulder, pulling him close to his body until Castiel could feel the warmth of his scales. Castiel could see the Naga on the street studying the two of them, but there was no open hostility. Gordon's words still rang in Castiel's head. He wasn't welcome here and it was clear that Naga didn't have the same rules of hospitality, so Castiel half expected to be ambushed whenever a Naga frowned down at him. But Dean's presence was a comfort. He took him quietly and slowly through the sizeable town, made up of a network of squares and interconnecting tunnels. The houses looked all pretty much the same, even though they were decorated and painted differently and the vegetation around them gave them varying shapes. There were many open doors now, allowing glimpses into the antechambers. They seemed to get less elaborate as they moved on, the forest becoming denser and pushing against the man-made structures more fiercely.
"This is the old part of town. They've mostly made it an artisan district since most of the workshops are also here," Dean explained. Castiel backed into the wet tunnel wall when he and Dean let another Naga pass. It was now properly humid and he guessed that they were reaching midday. "You can buy some things if you want!" Dean said cheerfully and when he was turned away Castiel quickly wiped the sweat off his face with the bottom of his shirt and tried to tug the loose hair back into his hairdo. He did have to look at least partially dignified because he was here in Naga land to represent all of angelkind. Dripping with sweat and hair in disarray was hardly a good look on him. Castiel heaved a sigh and then followed his husband. Dean looked completely at ease with this humidity. Even his hair continued to look perfectly styled. Castiel looked down his body to his scales. They did look slightly wet though, shining brightly in the dulled sunlight. Dean came to a stop in front of a building. There was a wide opening leading into a tiled hall as well as a high up counter piled with sparkling boxes, clay pots and other trinkets. That probably was the storefront and Castiel could see the underside of a Naga's throat as she leant out of the window to greet Dean.
"Hello your majesty! Good to know you're finally coming home," she said and Castiel watched her golden jewelry that rested on her collarbones and dipped down in golden chains to her bosom. She wore a partially transparent gown fastened with golden brooches at her shoulders.
"Duty calls," Dean said with an exaggeratedly drawn out sigh.
"Oh I heard! Treaty with the fowl? Seems a shame to have you off the mating bazar!" she joked and Dean laughed at that. "And where's your mate? Didn't you take her?" Dean pointed down at Castiel and the Naga woman looked at him in confusion. Then she leant over her counter and spotted Castiel.
"By the great serpent. She's tiny! Her head doesn't even reach the counter!"
"I'm actually tall among my kind," Castiel replied flatly and the Naga woman gave a start, hitting her head on the top of the shop window, making the windpipes and glass decorations tinkle.
"Ruffle my tail feathers!" she hissed, rubbing her head, then she disappeared inside the shop. Castiel shot Dean a worried look, but Dean only grinned down at him. The woman came back and handed something that looked like a wooden stool down to Castiel. "There you go." Castiel took it and put it on the ground to step up on it. The stool brought him about to the height of Dean's chest and allowed him to actually look at the counter.
"Thank you," he said and the Naga woman waved at him. "Call if you find anything you like." With that she disappeared into the interior of the store, tending to another customer. Dean didn't move away from Castiel even though Castiel's wings occasionally brushed Dean's chest when they moved to look at things. Castiel should probably focus on the items before him, but his mind was stuck on the fact that Dean was close to him now and didn't jump away every single time Castiel got into his extensive personal space bubble. Of course, he still occasionally kept his distance but it didn't come across as dismissive anymore. It was almost like trying to tame a shy animal and getting it to the point where it allowed you to pet it. Castiel huffed a laugh.
"What?" Dean asked and Castiel took one of the boxes into his hands. It had a mosaic top, showing a small image of a serpent (which wasn't all that surprising) made out of tiny shards of glass.
"I was simply thinking about how you don't seem to mind that much that my wings are touching you." Dean tensed and his expression turned from relaxed to alarmed. "I'm glad, Dean." His husband breathed out evenly, some of the tension leaving him and then he bumped his fist into Castiel's shoulder gently.
"You had me worried there for a second that I was overstepping because I wanted to keep you in view," Dean said and Castiel shook his head at him, smiling. Then he turned back to the items. The craftsman's ship was wonderful.
"Do you want that box?"
"I was just thinking how it would be good to hold my hairpins and ribbons," Castiel mused, turned it around in his hands. "But I only have angelic pounds with me. I don't think they'd be of much use here."
"Don't be foolish. I'm paying for you of course!" Dean said and took the box out of Castiel's hand. He went inside to hold the box to the Naga woman and coins exchanged their hands before Castiel had time to get a word in. It was slightly weird to have an alpha pay for him, but considering that he had no Naga money, it was a necessity.
Castiel returned the stool and then he followed Dean through the street. They didn't really linger anywhere, but Castiel did notice the lamps that hung everywhere. They were made of glass, colorful shards fixed together or intricately woven metal with colored glass in the gaps.
"They're mostly decorative, because we don't actually need them," Dean explained when Castiel asked about it. "but Hagar is famous for its lamps and lanterns. We all like how they throw sparks of light on the wall and floors."
"Hey, princess!" Castiel and Dean came to a stop, finding Gordon leaning against the wall of a shop with what looked like a pipe in hand. Dean put his hand on Castiel's shoulder and gently but insistently put him behind his body. Gordon noticed however and even though he glared at Castiel he then begrudgingly inclined his upper body downwards in what must have counted as a bow. Castiel of course had to return the sign of respect (however unwilling Gordon was to bow to him) and nodded at him.
"So, Dean, the guys and I are going to have drinks and play cards over at Roy's place tonight after patrol. You in?" Castiel decided that he didn't have to listen in to this conversation and instead steered towards the closest shop. They sold lamps too, but also what looked to be lanterns. Castiel didn't think it wise to go into the shop without Dean in case the Naga inside reacted negatively to his presence. He couldn't quite see the counter but the lanterns were still visible. They were an orb of glass around which thick robes were wrapped and then attached to a long stick. It was starting to frustrate him how everything was so high up and he was sure that this was what he had to deal with in the future. Maybe he'd have to carry a small ladder around everywhere. That would probably look ridiculous.
It wasn't long before Dean was back at his side, seeming irritated.
"Are you meeting up with Gordon?" Castiel asked and Dean shook his head.
"We'll be leaving Hagar before nightfall as far as I know," Dean said, "and I'm in no mood for his bitching." Castiel looked up at Dean, who was now fiddling with the things on the counter. He seemed agitated but trying to seem collected.
"Why does he call you princess?" Castiel wanted to know, "this is not like people not knowing what I identify as because I'm a male omega." He looked around if there was a root or something he could step on. There was only Dean's tail. Castiel looked down at it.
"No, Gordon's just a dick," Dean grumbled, "he's been doing it ever since we were on patrol together. Thought a prince was too soft and pampered to make it out there. And he's not the only one, though I could convince most people that I know what I'm doing."
"Are you disappointed that you were called back to court?" Castiel asked and saw Dean take a deep breath and exhaling it on a silent sigh. There was a measure of unhappiness in his expression that Castiel could understand. Their union was good for the future of their countries, but it demanded personal sacrifice of both. The unfinished business back at home grated on Castiel even though he knew that Michael would do a wonderful job as Anna's advisor.
"Maybe?" Dean said and shook his head, "but hey!" Dean exclaimed and his expression quickly shifted to a big, toothy grin. "I got a husband now and I doubt I'll have to go a 100 percent domestic for you."
"Definitely not. You don't strike me like a house husband," Castiel said and then his eyes were again drawn to the counter, next the floor. He knew he shouldn't.
"Nah, but- what are you doing?" Dean asked when he saw Castiel lift his foot. A second later Castiel was standing on Dean's tail and Dean's mouth snapped shut, his expression wide-eyed. Castiel could see the counter now and selected one of the lanterns to buy. He was quick to get the attention of the vendor. The Naga shot Dean a confused look but she took the Naga dollars Castiel handed her for the lantern. Castiel got back down on the ground, looking his lantern over with pleasure. Dean however gave a whole-body shudder that started at his head and rippled through him to the fluffy end of his tail.
"Fuck," Dean hissed, then he looked at the wet imprints of Castiel's soles on his tail. "You can't just step on me!" He seemed more flustered than angry about Castiel's impertinence so Castiel took the end of his skirt to wipe at the scales. They were warm and apart from the wetness Castiel had brought to it, Dean's tail seemed to be actually mostly dry.
"I apologize," he said and Dean made a grimace, his mouth twitching as if he wanted to say something. He shot his tail another glance, then he was apparently ready to continue on. "You angels seriously need a talk about personal boundaries."
"Does no one ever touch your tail? Not your family or your friends?" Castiel asked and Dean frowned down at him.
"Of course they do, but you're misusing my tail. It's not furniture…!"
"Angels help each other up all the time," Castiel said calmly. "If I needed to reach something that was too far up then I could climb on one of my siblings or they gave me leg-up."
"A leg-up," Dean repeated, sounding unimpressed. "I feel like you're bullshitting me, Castiel."
"I actually am not," Castiel insisted. "You don't have legs so I can't show you how it's done. And considering how you are about my feet touching any part of you I can't make you do it either." Dean seemed to still be skeptical about what Castiel was telling him, but he apparently decided to let it drop.
They went through another connecting tunnel and reached a square that echoed with the sounds of children screaming. Castiel wiped his hand over his face again. It was properly hot now. Light was streaming through the foliage. There was a big building opposite them and small Naga were tossing a ball around.
"It's the school. They're on midday break now," Dean explained, when he guided Castiel around the square. There didn't seem to be any shops anymore, rather more houses that were all connected. The children seemed to notice Dean and Castiel because they started calling to Dean. Castiel saw Dean's expression change from already cheerful to delighted. He gave Castiel's shoulder a squeeze and then he hurried over to the kids who instantly started tugging at him. Castiel was surprised to see how apparently everyone knew who Dean was.
"Prince Dean! Who's that?" one of the children shouted and Castiel saw them point at him. Castiel sent a look to Dean but Dean motioned for him to come closer, his face still open and inviting. So Castiel stepped closer to them and suddenly found himself surrounded by a dozen children. Other than what he'd come to learn of adult Naga, the children didn't seem to care a bit about personal space. The children were a great deal smaller than Dean but they clearly tried to stand up tall, keeping as much of their bodies off the ground as possible, though some clearly wobbled whenever they tried. Most of the children were Castiel's height, some shorter.
"What a surprise to see Naga who don't tower above me," Castiel said and looked up at Dean, grinning at him.
"This is Castiel of Winchester. He's my…" Dean looked at Castiel, his expression suddenly shy. "He's my omega."
"Woah! Your omega!!" The children talked excitedly amongst themselves for a while.
"You picked a weird one," one kid said and looked Castiel all over. "Where is her tail?"
"Yeah and what's with the feathers??!" another shouted.
"Castiel is a boy," Dean corrected which got him incredulous whispers.
"I'm an angel," Castiel explained which got him wide-eyed stares. One of the kids looked at Dean with a confused and almost disappointed expression.
"I thought angels were super big! But your omega is so small! Is that because he's an omega?" The kid turned to Cas. "Are omega angels small?" Before Castiel could answer another kid spoke up excitedly:
"The stories of the war always sounded like you were super strong giants! Why did we almost lose against small people?" Dean had to laugh at that.
"Maybe we're not as big as you are, but we are still strong." The children shrieked and demanded him to prove it.
"Woah! No, certainly not! He's not a circus animal!" Dean said, nipping Castiel's thoughts about lifting the stone bench not far away in the bud. "And Castiel is an omega, not a soldier."
"Awww, you're not fun Prince Dean," one of the children grumbled and the others agreed loudly. Castiel looked up at his husband with a lifted eyebrow.
"Physical strength in omega and alpha angels is basically the same," he informed him but the kids had already found a new topic to latch on:
"If you two are mates, then why is there no mark on Castiel?"
"How will you have babies if Castiel looks so weird?"
"Weird…?" Castiel repeated with a small frown.
"We have a political arrangement. Maybe you can ask your family about it or your teachers. His family and my family rule our respective countries. In order for us to be friends they sent Castiel so that we can become a family."
"That's boring," one of the Naga said.
"Maybe, but that's how expanding family circles works," Dean told them and the kids seemed to accept that. The kids were still lingering, asking questions and poking at Castiel's feathers and legs until the school bell rang and they had to go back in.
"Sorry about them," Dean said with a laugh, when Castiel combed his hand through his wings to straighten his feathers. "They don't really know yet how to keep their hands to themselves."
"That's alright. I'm glad that they were so open about my presence here," Castiel said and then he rolled his shoulders, shaking out his wings and holding them spread for a moment to let some air hit his back. It was still far too hot for Castiel's liking. Dean made a small sound of surprise, even though Castiel was careful not to hit Dean with his wings. When Castiel turned around slightly to look at him, Dean was looking right back at him, his eyes widened. Dean's eyes flitted over Castiel's wings but Castiel didn't have the time to feel self-conscious of how bad they looked in this humid weather, because Dean lifted his hand to point towards the tunnel leading away from the square.
"Should we go back? I think we probably move on soon," Dean suggested and Castiel agreed. He folded his wings and followed Dean back through this maze of squares and tunnels.
After Castiel had a quick lunch of bread and fruit while sitting on the platform of his and Deans' wagon, the party of Naga was ready to move on. Castiel wanted to spend as much time as possible outside of the wagon, which felt like a furnace to him.
"We can walk after the wagon, you know? We don't have to go inside," Dean said, appearing at Castiel's side. Dean's eyes dropped from Castiel's sweat dripping face to his legs. Castiel had taken his skirt off, sitting on the wagon in nothing but linen shorts and a top that was a bit of fabric covering his chest and strings that went around his neck and back. It was actually his summer pajamas but Dean didn't have to know that. Dean's eyes travelled over his thighs, his knees, following the movement of Castiel's toes when he wiggled them.
"Sure," Castiel said, "I don't mind walking." Dean snapped out of his trance when Castiel got up to put on his shoes.
"You're not so fond of the heat, are you?" Dean asked with a small laugh when Castiel wiped his face yet again.
"It's not the heat. I dislike the humidity," Castiel told him. "Everything is wet."
"The capital isn't that bad. You'll see," Dean assured him, following the wagon once the company moved and Castiel was still sitting on the platform, tying his shoes. Dean waved at the Naga they passed.
"You're loved by everyone, aren't you?"
"I sure hope so, because I'm awesome," Dean assured him with a cheeky grin and Castiel rolled his eyes fondly. "I've worked hard at proving and making a name for myself. So it's good to see that not everyone thinks I'm a soft-bellied princeling."
"Well, Metatron certainly didn't think that," Castiel assured him and Dean looked actually pleased at that. Alphas…
They walked for hours. The forest seemed never ending, a mass of shifting greens and animal calls. Castiel and Dean mostly walked in silence, having both fallen slightly behind of their wagon, but still not at the very back of the caravan. Castiel breathed a sigh in relief when the air finally became tolerable again. The light faded, the sounds echoing through the darkening forests just off the path changed. A soft spray of rain quickly stopped again, fog rising, making the path before Castiel hazy.
He was starting to feel like he was in one of those tunnels back in Hagar. The darker it got the more he felt like the forest was closing in on him. It was a strange feeling that started to press on his chest. Dean slithered silently beside him, as agile on this road of packed dirt as he had been on the pavement. Castiel's wished the wagon was closer now because he had foolishly left his lantern there and now it was getting dark very fast.
"Are you alright?" Castiel almost jumped when Dean suddenly spoke and Castiel looked up at him, seeing his husband tower above him. He was holding a spear inside his hand now, with a sharp gleaming tip. When had he got that one? Castiel didn't even have his angel sword which was back in the wagon, together with his normal clothes and the holster. How foolish was he to walk around in a pajama and no weapon in strange lands? "Castiel… Your scent is off," Dean said and Castiel wanted to answer, but there was a loud noise far too close and he looked into the forest, seeing something dash away, it's eyes gleaming when it looked back to the path. "And you're acting skittish as well." Castiel took a few deep breaths, letting the fragrant, warm air stream into his lungs.
"It's alright," he said. "It's alright. Just the dark." Dean was silent for a moment.
"Yes. It's just the night. Nothing to be afraid of," he assured him gently. In theory Castiel knew that. But there were rustles everywhere and not a single source of light. Next to him and all around was the slow slide of scales on the ground. A heavy dragging sound. Nearby there was now the gurgling of water.
"Just ponds," Dean said when Castiel stared in the direction of the sound of water, seeing nothing but darkness, hearing nothing but the roar of some animal. "Hang on." And Dean was gone from his side. Castiel thought about standing still and waiting, but in the end he started down at his feet, watching the ground and trying not to let his eyes stray. A light appeared in his field of vision and there was Dean, with Castiel's new lantern and a soft smile on his face. Castiel took it from him, sending a grateful look Dean's way.
For a while Castiel was comforted by his light, but it was getting steadily darker until Castiel really only saw vague shapes outside the small circle of light his lantern provided. When he swung his lantern around in the direction of yet another suspicious sound he saw blinking eyes and the reflection of the light on a body of water close by, just behind a thin line of trees. There were weird shapes gliding through the foliage and into the water. It looked like serpents. There was a weird scent in the air, something unfamiliar, something rotting.
"What's this smell?" he heard himself say.
"Just the marshes. Nothing to worry about," Dean assured him. Marshes…! Castiel looked away from the water, up into the trees where there were no stars. But his lantern's light reflected off the trees and leaves weirdly. There were decorations added to the trees lining the road. They were probably colorful in daylight. They looked like teeth in the darkness.
There were things that came for angels. Form the water. From the marshes. Long bodies gliding almost noiselessly, maybe just a scrap of scales on the ground. Twisted monsters, rotten, that slip into you, fill you. Drag you under and drown you. A void with teeth.
"Castiel!"
Castiel had dropped the lantern. He needed air now, light. There was a tree close by with low hanging branches. He jumped up, grabbing hold of the branch and pulling himself up. He moved up and up, through the wet foliage slapping against his face and the branches scratching red welts into his skin. He climbed blindly, up.
Until finally! He broke through the tree top.
It was silent.
A breeze of fresh air ruffled his hair and his feathers. A light spray of rain felt cool on his face. There was still light in the sky, the sun setting behind the tree covered hills. It was beautiful to watch. There was green everywhere, dipped into the hues of the setting sun, mist rising above the tree tops. In the distance a hill rose out of the forest. Was that the capital of Winchester?
There was a rustle below Castiel and a moment later Dean emerged from the leaves, much to Castiel's surprise.
"How…," he started, watching Dean pick a leaf out of his hair. "How did you get up here?"
"I climbed, obviously," Dean said, watching Castiel with a raised eyebrow. "The trees here are sturdy enough. The hard branches of the treetops are good enough for a Naga to rest in." Castiel continued to look at him in surprise.
"Castiel… What's wrong? You worried me there, buddy." Castiel let his head drop. Now that he was able to clear his head, his actions seemed foolish.
"We angels don't like the darkness."
"Yeah, I figured a while ago."
"Legend says that we used to be creatures of light. Radiant beings, light as air, filled with energy. But we were weak in the absence of light. Darkness can drag us down."
"That's all very poetic but there's nothing scary about the night," Dean assured him, "or the darkness." Castiel studied him with a frown. Dean wasn't mocking him, his expression was genuine worry.
"Maybe not for you, because you can see what's out there…" Castiel said. Dean was silent but after a while he nodded.
"Alright. I don't quite get it yet, but I'll make sure there'll always be plenty of light for you," Dean promised, "we can go to the wagon now, keep the light burning until the sun rises again." Castiel looked past his husband at the red sky. Soon the light would be gone too, replaced with the moon and stars. "Do you wanna come down?" Castiel nodded.
"I'm sorry for my embarrassing behavior," he said but Dean made a dismissive gesture with his hand.
"It's okay, seriously. I would have freaked too. Just come down once you're ready," Dean told him, then he disappeared under the foliage. Castiel didn't linger long, climbing down as well. He took the last bit with a jump, landing safely on his two feet. Dean was there, looking down at him with an encouraging smile. Castiel felt… something in his chest expand and then unclench. He stepped up to Dean and then wrapped his arms around his tail, pressing his face against his scales.
"Thank you," he said and Dean slowly relaxed after instantly tensing following Castiel's hug. Dean patted Castiel's head, allowing Castiel to keep holding him for a while longer, enjoying Dean's scent, the warmth of his scales. He finally stepped away and picked up his lantern. It was still shining brightly and a quick inspection showed that it hadn't suffered Castiel's earlier careless treatment. When he rose it to look at Dean, his husband's entire face was red. Right, personal space.
"Uh… You're welcome," Dean finally said after a couple of false starts. It took a moment for Dean to collect himself, but when he did they quickly caught up with their wagon and climbed inside. Dean carefully made sure that the door was locked and nothing could get into the wagon. Uncaring about the dirt he might drag into his wagon, Dean left Castiel sitting on the small bench by the entrance and went to light the small oil lamp. Castiel was reluctant to extinguish the flame of his lantern, but in the end he did, placing it down on the floor. Castiel slipped out of his shoes and went to Dean when he waved at him. Castiel had expected Dean to get clean now, but Dean stayed right where he was, lying down enough to be at eyelevel with Castiel once he sat down. Castiel got comfortable, pulling up a thin blanket over his lap, all under Dean's watchful eyes.
"Next stop, the capital," Dean said with a grin. "There'll be light there. I promise." Castiel nodded.
"Thank you," he said and watched Dean pull a book and a small satchel out of the boxes behind him. He wasn't in his bed, instead sitting on a blanket right next to Castiel. If he reached out he could put his hand on Dean's tail. He hesitated, but in the end he reached out enough to lightly touch the warm scales with his knuckles. It felt good. He felt… taken care of. It was peculiar but if Castiel was being honest with himself? It was a wonderful feeling.