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Benny turned to Dean. “You really don’t hear that, brother?”
“No, I don’t,” Dean insisted. “Look, dude, you are hearing things, I’ve told you that how often?”
Castiel came to stand by the sink Benny had asked him to come with him to investigate. The homeowner had been confused by the appearance of three plumbers, but when she was reassured that there would be no extra charge, she had no problem with it. At his last few jobs, Benny had heard what he described as the most beautiful singing he could imagine through the pipes. Castiel had heard it on his last couple jobs, too. He was glad he was here, as he hadn’t mentioned hearing the singing to either Benny or Dean. “No, Dean, he’s right. I hear it, too.” He hummed a bit before joining in the song for a few bars, just to be sure that he and Benny were hearing the same music.
“That’s it!” Benny breathed a sigh of relief. “Glad to know I’m not crazy.”
“Not convinced.” Dean crossed his arms. “Where the hell would this alleged singing be coming from? Nah, more likely, the two of you are messing with me. Ha, ha, nice one.”
“We’re not messing with you,” Benny insisted. He frowned and turned to stare at the sink, then up at Castiel. “Did you hear that?”
“That little voice saying ‘shit’?” Castiel confirmed. “Right before the singing stopped?”
“Exactly.” Benny looked at the sink. “Hello?” There was no answer. “Whoever you are, I don’t wanna hurt you or anything, I just wanna know who you are?”
There was a long pause, and then, “Tonight. Campbell light house. I’m sorry if you had other plans tonight, but…”
Castiel was sure he’d had other plans that night, but he couldn’t remember them. That caused him concern. Whatever they were couldn’t be too important to avoid this meeting, but it bothered him that he couldn’t remember what they were.
Castiel was nervous as he and Benny approached the lighthouse. They could hear the singing as they walked up the lane, much stronger, and with being able to hear it better Castiel could feel the compulsion in it. No wonder he couldn’t remember what his plans for the evening had been before the invitation out here.
Benny started up the lane to the lighthouse, but Castiel turned and headed the other way, down toward the sea. Benny turned and stared. “He said meet at the lighthouse, where you goin’, Angel?”
“The voice belongs to a siren. He’ll be in the water.” Castiel kept going, with Benny jogging to catch up.
Down on the beach, they ran into an unexpected sight. Dean was there, a gun aimed at them. “Look, guys, you’re my best friends, and it’s gonna kill me if you make me do this. Not sure what your plan is for things, but if it involves hurting Sammy, there’s no way I’m letting you go through with it.”
“Sammy? Is that the voice?” Castiel squinted, head tilting as he stared at Dean. “You heard the singing?”
“No, but I knew what it had to be as soon as I realized you both heard it.” Dean looked between them. “Not sure how good your lore is on sirens, but unless the siren wants it, people don’t hear them singing. Most sirens use it to lure prey, but Sammy, he’s… he refuses to hunt humans. He spends most of his time in full fish form, only hunts fish, mostly eats vegetables anyway. Dude’s kinda creepy about how much he loves seaweed…” Dean shook his head quickly. “Not the point. Point is, you’re not hurting my brother. If that means I shoot you, you get shot.”
“Why could we hear it?” Benny asked. “You can put the gun away, Dean, ain’t nobody gonna hurt you or Sammy.”
“I’m lonely.” Sam, Castiel assumed, came out of the water. “Subconscious desire for someone who could love me to hear me and come to me appears to be good enough for you to hear, which is why Dean is being absolutely ridiculous here. If you’d intended to hurt me, you wouldn’t have heard me.”
“They may not hurt you physically, but…” Dean trailed off as Sam shot him an unamused glare. “Fine. I’m headed back down. You take your stupid chance.” He dove and as he did, Castiel noticed his legs fusing into a tail. Huh. That explained that.
“The hell’s a siren doing working as a plumber on land?” Benny asked before Castiel could. “You know what, never mind, I can ask him later. I’m guessing you didn’t mean to get us both? How do you want to do this?”
“I, uh… sirens are polyamorous.” Sam ducked his head. “If you two make me, I’ll make a choice after a couple dates. Of course, that assumes both of you are interested. I don’t want to assume anything. This wasn’t exactly a plan of mine.”
“I’m in,” Castiel said immediately, stepping toward Sam. “No choice necessary, unless Benny insists. Benny?”
It took a moment, but Benny nodded his head. “Don’t see that it can hurt to try, long as you understand if I decide I can’t do this and step away from it. All right?”
“Sounds good to me.” Sam took both of their hands and leaned down, pressing a kiss to each forehead in turn. “Thank you for coming, both of you.”