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At the very least, Sam believed everything would be fine. They were able to reclaim Eileen and Cas after defeating Chuck. Rowena was the Queen of Hell, whereas Jack was in command of Heaven.
The bunker scenario, on the other hand, was currently tough. Dean and Cas were the perpetrators, Sam was well aware. When Cas returned from the Empty, probably because of his older brother, Dean was back to his former self. Sam was relieved because, unlike the previous times Cas had departed, Dean was acting strangely. Dean's fury and sadness had always been manageable for Sam, but things had altered with the angel's death. Dean didn't talk much, didn't eat much, and only left his room when absolutely necessary. And it was largely for the purpose of purchasing fresh liquor. Sam tried to divert his attention with a hunt, but he soon gave up. His brother was too careless, and a vampire came close to killing him. As a result, Sam prohibited him from engaging in any active hunting activity. Dean even consented to go to treatment, and it appeared that he was on his way to recovery, so Sam gave him some leeway. Then his brother vanished, only to suddenly reappearance in the bunker with Cas.
This occurred around five weeks ago. When Cas returned, Dean performed a complete 180. At first, he appeared to be cheerful; his appetite restored, and his alcohol intake dramatically dropped. Dean's unusual behavior only lasted a few days before returning to another strange behavior. He didn't seem to be able to be alone in the room with the angel. When they were all together, Sam's brother hardly ever glanced at Cas or even spoke to him. Dean's limits were acknowledged by the angel, who seemed unconcerned. That was also unusual. He never hesitated to invade Dean's personal space. And they both refused to speak to Sam, claiming that "everything is good."
"What's going on in your head, big guy?"
Eileen asked as she entered their room, two coffee mugs in hand. Sam had just gotten out of the shower after his morning run. It was a little after 7:00 a.m. Because he could smell pancakes and bacon, Dean had to be awake, too.
"It's about Dean and Cas."
Sam responded while also attempting to sign. His ASL skills had improved, but he still had a long way to go. Sam drank from one of the cups that Eileen had given him.
"These two guys really need to get their act together." Eileen stated. A grin appeared on Sam's face. He didn't mind at all that Eileen could read him like an open book.
"Normally, Cas would drive Dean to the point of collapse, but now..." With a shake of his head, Sam expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation.
"Well, I think I've got an idea," she said.
He couldn't possibly love her any more than he did already.
Dean was humming 'Ramble on' while cooking pancakes. After seven hours of sleep, he awoke to find Sam in the shower and Eileen cooking coffee in the kitchen. He decided to make breakfast for everyone, and as the pancakes and bacon cooked, he sliced the strawberries he had bought the day before at the shop. Dean couldn't believe he had purchased them. Because these red fruits looked so sweet and juicy, he had to put them in his basket. He probably wouldn't mind if Sam taunted him.
When Dean finished setting the table with dishes, cutlery, and glasses, Cas walked into the kitchen.
"Dean, good morning." He remarked this as he walked over to the coffee machine. As Dean finished setting the dinner, the angel leaned on the kitchen counter.
"Hey," the hunter is all he manages to say. Dean immediately became fully aware of himself.
Dean's only wish was to communicate with his best friend, but he didn't know how after Cas' confession. Asking the angel what he meant at the time would have been the wisest thing to do. It would either solve some problems or create more depending on the answer, which terrified Dean. Cas was one of his closest friends, and he didn't want to lose him. He'd be absolutely devastated if he lost Cas again.
"Good morning, lovebirds!" Sam announced w hen he walked into the kitchen, Eileen followed him.
"Aw, shit!" Dean cursed loudly.
Sam's mischievous entry caused Dean to cut himself. It wasn't a deep wound, despite the fact that it bled heavily.
Before he could react, Cas appeared in front of him and touched his hand. He felt Cas' grace flow through his body as he looked up into the angel's blue, sparkling eyes. Dean, if he wasn't already red, was now blushing like a schoolgirl.
"What's wrong, Dean? Your face is flushed, and your heart rate is quite rapid." Cas inquired as he tried to take Dean's temperature. Dean took a step back, almost knocking one of the pans off the stove.
"I guess I'm all right. I just need to use the restroom."
He spun around and ran out of the kitchen, oblivious to the food cooking on the burner.
Eileen couldn't stop smiling. It was all worth it, even if a piece of bacon was charred and one pancake was beyond repair. Eileen was able to see a wonderful moment of Dean Winchester panicked because Sam addressed to them as "lovebirds". Later, she had to ask whether her partner had done it on purpose. They had already determined to gently coax Dean out of the closet. They would have to be more straightforward if this did not succeed. For a long time, these two had been dancing around each other.
When Dean returned, they were already halfway through their meal. Eileen could tell how hard he was trying to avoid making eye contact with Cas and his ears were still red. He took a seat and began eating silently. Cas stayed at the kitchen counter, keeping an eye on Dean.
"Are you serious, Sammy? You still eat these flavorless oats after I made you a lovely breakfast?" Dean said when he took a look at Sam’s bowl.
"To begin with, the bacon is burned. Second, oats are not bland if you know how to cook with them.
Finally, I added the strawberries you bought," Sam said, pointing to his brother. " I was about to ask you what possessed you while shopping yesterday."
"I was just thinking about my little baby brother, who is growing and needs his vitamins." Dean smiled.
"Thank you, jerk, for your consideration and effort."
"You're welcome, bitch."
During their conversation, Eileen kept an eye on Cas. The angel's genuine smile could be seen in his lovely eyes, despite his best efforts to disguise it beneath the mug. She made the decision that it was time to put their plan into action. Sam was kicked beneath the table by her. Fortunately, he was able to comprehend the message.
"Hey Dean, I need a favor from you." he began.
"Sure, what do you need?" Dean questioned.
"A case is located only a couple hours away. A body with odd injuries has been discovered, definitely the consequence of a spell. I'd investigate on my own, but Eileen and I are planning a trip to Michigan to seek for a nest. Other hunters are either too far away or too preoccupied. So, what are your thoughts on the subject?" Sam elaborated.
"Are you sure I can go hunting again?" Dean asked.
From the corner of Eileen's eyes, Cas could be seen squinting. Nobody had told the angel about Dean's pain after his death. Due to Sam, Dean was the single owner of this task.
"Of course, just take Cas with you." Sam responded. Dean looked at his brother, wide-eyed.
"Only if Cas wishes to attend. Are you okay with it, buddy?"
Dean finally brought his gaze to the angel.
"Let’s go on a hunting trip." Cas responded.
Dean blushed as Eileen smiled and winked at him when she crossed her eyes with him.
Oh, she was going to enjoy herself.
After an hour of preparation, Dean and Cas were seated in the Impala. He couldn't understand why the hunter appreciated these road trips at the start of their friendship. At the time, Castiel thought it was a waste of time. But now he understands. He relished the opportunity to see the world pass him by slowly. When he was in the shotgun seat of the Impala, he preferred to look at the left side. In his favorite car, Dean always appeared calm and assured. Dean should be more often able to be like this, Castiel wished. Even Dean's joking and lighthearted demeanor was commonly a charade. Dean could only be himself inside the Impala.
The hunter became aware that Cas was staring at him.
"Hey, how's it going? I'm sorry you have to babysit me."
"There's nothing wrong with me. Can I ask you a question, Dean?"
"Sure."
"You mentioned something about being allowed to hunt during breakfast. Now you're telling me I'm supposed to babysit you. So, what does this imply?"
Cas could tell Dean was thinking because he didn't react straight away.
He finally revealed, "I was a little reckless during a hunt, and Sam believed I needed a break."
"What happened?" Cas was interested to know more.
"In essence, a vampire tried to shackle me to a rebar. Sammy said I lacked a fighting spirit." Dean responded.
All Castiel dared to say was, "I'm glad nothing happened." When Sam saw his brother on the verge of death, Castiel knew precisely what Sam had thought back then. The older hunter had always been suicidal, especially after the death of someone he loved. Dean was in grief, as Sam informed Castiel. Dean only mentioned Castiel rescuing him, not his confession, he learned.
In some ways, loving Dean was a burden. Right now, Castiel felt compelled to scream at his best friend. He was curious if his sacrifice meant nothing to Dean. He had only ever desired for the hunter to enjoy a happy life, that Dean realized he was not the weapon John Winchester or Chuck had attempted to create. Castiel had failed him. Even if his feelings aren't returned, the angel will continue to show Dean that he is deserving of love. And Castiel would respect Dean's personal space because he knew if he didn't, Dean would toss him out. Cas was also aware that the hunter would eventually tire of him, or that the angel would mess things up.
In the future, Cas will have to cope with this. For the time being, the angel planned to cherish each and every minute with Dean.
The rest of the journey was spent in silence.
"Hello, we're Agents from the FBI, and we'd want to meet with the Sheriff. Is she in the room?" Dean said to the deputy at the reception.
"Sure, Sheriff Laghari is in her office," the deputy responded by pointing behind him to a door.
Dean thanked the deputy and went to the office, followed by Cas. He knocked at the door, and after being admitted, they went into the room.
"Sheriff Laghari, my name is Special Agent Ackles, and this is my partner, Special Agent Collins. We'd like to discuss Roberto Messina's case." He showed her his badge, and out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Cas doing the same. He remembered their first case, where they pretended to be agents. Cas had evolved significantly since then. He was now executing it with confidence and competence, like a pro. It was scorching hot. Dean had to fight off visions of Cas in just his trench coat, looking so confident. He needed a cold shower as soon as they arrived at the motel, and not just because of the long drive.
'Agents, it's a pleasure to meet you. The FBI's interest in this is surprising." They shook each other's hands.
"We were close and had a little time on our hands. Isn't the murder also strange?" Cas argued his point.
"Indeed, it is. So, I'm assuming you read the report. We were debating whether to close it because we didn't have anything. We were also diligent, as you can see from the report." The Sheriff reacted with a doubtful expression on her face.
"We noticed that you went above and beyond the call of duty. Though, having an outsider look things over is only useful on such occasions. You know, new perspectives and stuff like that. It won't hurt at the very least."
Dean attempted to soothe her, and she appeared to relax a little. She leaned back in her chair.
"You might be right. You are free to do as you like. I will not obstruct you in any way. Do you have any special requests?" Laghari inquired.
"First and foremost, we require access to the evidence as well as the body." Cas responded.
"The body is still in the morgue; merely show them your identity and they will let you do your work. I'll inform them that you're coming. We didn't have any proof because there was none at all. Only a killed man and some photographs of the crime scene, which are provided in the report."
"Do you have any ideas who might have done this?" Dean had approached her with the question.
"No, we don't know who could have done that. We spoke with persons in his near proximity, as well as his ex-husband, and each offered a convincing alibi." She made a reply.
"Okay, thank you for your aid. We're probably going to the morgue now. Please let them know we're on the way." Cas said as he stood up.
After they had said their goodbyes, Dean followed the angel.
"He was unmistakably put to death by a spell. We are, unfortunately, too late. Apart from that, I have no idea what type it was. The enchantment is almost gone."
Cas muttered this as he bent over the body, practically touching it with his face. Dean didn't even give the body a second glance. Instead, he fixed his focus on Cas' back, which he found much more appealing. They were lucky to be alone, and Cas was busy investigating. The cold shower was long overdue. Dean needed to straighten up because he was acting like an adolescent.
"Is it really necessary for you to smell that corpse, Cas? It's disgusting."
Dean muttered. Cas straightened himself up and turned to face the hunter.
"I'm not smelling, Dean, I'm..."
"Yeah sure. Stop attempting to explain it to me. It's something I'll never be able to fully understand. It just looks strange, and this one is particularly off."
Dean cut off the angel, who narrowed his eyes and leaned to the side. Cas looked like he was about to say something but didn't.
Dean took a look at the death certificate. The cause of death could not be determined by the coroner. All of his organs had liquefied, and his brain had turned to coal.
"We've reached a fork in the road."
Dean put the report back on the table.
"I agree. Let's call it quits for the day. I noticed a diner when we arrived."
"After all of this, I don't think I'm going to eat anything."
Dean made a gesture toward the table in front of him.
"You haven't eaten anything since breakfast, Dean. Don't think I didn't notice you'd lost a few pounds."
With a solemn expression on his face, Cas stated.
"All right, Mum."
Dean sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Dean."
Cas murmured to him, getting closer to him, in a deeper voice than normal. Dean felt like Cas towered over him, despite the fact that he was smaller than the hunter. Since Cas' return, they hadn't been this close to one other. Cas' fury, as well as his concern, could be seen in his eyes.
Dean wished to bridge this gap between them. But, to his embarrassment, his stomach began to growl. He felt even more humiliated when Cas smirked at him. Dean's nervousness dissipated.
"Well, that's enough of an answer."
Cas went away after slapping him on the shoulder. Dean took a few moments to collect his calm before going after him.
Thankfully, the diner offered takeout. If Dean was being entirely honest, he was hungry, fatigued, and suffering from a headache. So he threw himself on the bed, knowing that he wouldn't be getting out of bed for a long until he needed to pee or brush his teeth.
"Is everything all right with you?" Cas wondered aloud.
"Sure, it just had been a long day. I'm going to eat and then sleep, if that's okay with you." Dean confessed.
"Of course, I'm not bothered. I'll conduct some research while you relax. Maybe I'll be able to figure out what spell we're up against."
"Awesome." Dean took a breather before continuing.
"Are you doing it in the bunker or here?"
"It occurred to me that I could do it here. But if you don't like it, I can go. I also spotted some workstations in the lobby." Cas retaliates.
"Don't waste your time. Make yourself comfortable since I'm going to sleep like a bear tonight."
Around 1 a.m., Cas recognized Dean's error. After finishing his burger and making a quick trip to the bathroom, the hunter switched out the lights. Cas could hear him tossing and turning in his bed for nearly an hour from his table. He gradually dozed off, only to start again with excruciating groaning. Dean appeared to be having a nightmare, but the angel refused to wake him up. He had tried it once before, and it went horribly wrong. made an effort to focus on his research. gave up after an unpleasant moan from the bed. He advanced slowly towards his friend, whose body was painfully cramped. His hands were clawing at the blankets, and he frowned.Castiel wished he could do something to keep Dean safe from his nightmares. However, Cas wouldn't invade his personal space without his consent. No, Dean trusted him to be in the same room with him when he was at his most vulnerable, and the angel knew he could never betray Dean again. It still hurt Castiel to see him like this and not be able to help.
When Dean turned around and his hand dropped toward him from the bed, he was torn between sticking with Dean and returning to the notebook. Castiel grabbed it instinctively. Dean unconsciously reclaimed the grasp and clung to it tightly.
Castiel was unconcerned by Dean's calloused and sweaty skin. He was primarily concerned about Dean's reaction if he awoke. Later on, this was going to be an issue. Cas was merely rubbing his thumb along his knuckles at the time. Dean seemed to settle down as a result of it. His body relaxed and his breathing slowed. He rolled over onto his side, dragging Castiel along with him, who was now awkwardly dangling over the edge of the bed. It didn't worry him because of his grace. The angel unfolded one of his wings and drapes it over the sleeping man. If it meant the hunter could sleep soundly, Cas would stay here indefinitely.
The sun is already shining through the windows when Dean wakes up. He looks at the time: 8:48 a.m. He'd forgotten to set an alarm, and Cas had failed to wake him up. At the very least, he feels refreshed, so he stretched and looked for the angel. There was only him in the motel room. Dean checks his phone; there is no message from Cas. So he got up to go to the bathroom for a shower. Cas had yet to return when he was done. Dean frantically searched for a note or any clue as to where the angel had gone. Another glance at the clock revealed that it had been 38 minutes since he awoke. He felt a panic attack coming on as he tried to convince himself that Cas was just going outside for some fresh air. Cas was on his way back. Without a doubt. Probably. Maybe? Cas had been gone for 41 minutes. Dean must have made a major mistake. He was always going to make a mess. 42 minutes. He should breathe, but how?
Cas entered the room with a paper bag and two coffee cups as the doors opened. Dean could finally catch his breath.
"Are you all right, Dean?" Cas looked at him with concern and moved closer to the hunter.
"I'm fine, I'm just..." Dean was on the lookout for an answer. It would have been too embarrassing to tell him the truth.
Who loses their nerve just because they are abandoned without a single notification. Cas didn't have to keep telling him where he was going all the time.
"All right, I went to a nearby bakery to get some breakfast and coffee for you. It is the best in town, according to Google. I purchased cream cheese bagels as well as a Mississippi Mud Pie. Although I'm not sure why people are drawn to mud, even from the Mississippi, the customers there recommended it to me. There is no actual mud in it, according to my analysis, but they use high-quality ingredients. The same is true for the bagels and coffee. They are roasting their own beans. It smells very cozy over there. If we stay longer, you have to go there too. You will undoubtedly enjoy their pie selection."
Despite the fact that Dean didn't hear half of what Cas was saying to him, hearing his voice and seeing him calmed him down.
"Many thanks, Cas."
He sat down at the table, taking the food from the bag and a still-hot cup of coffee.
"I also visited the police station. I obtained the victim's address as well as the house keys. It is still classified as a crime scene." Cas informed him.
"Awesome. Let me finish my breakfast first, and then we can go there."
Dean was still nervous when they arrived at the house. Cas had observed him eating breakfast, and the angel appeared concerned, despite the fact that he said nothing.
"The victim died in the kitchen, according to the report. There was no indication of a break-in or a fight. Nothing was seen or heard by the neighbors. A friend found Roberto Messina in the morning because they were supposed to meet." Cas finally broke the silence.
"Let's begin with the house. We split up; you take the basement, and I go upstairs. Who needs a two-story house when there's only one person?" Dean questioned.
"He was previously married, but they divorced about a year ago. His ex-husband now lives in Canada, so he is out of the question." Cas responded.
"I'll bring the EMF reader just in case." We can talk to the neighbors and probably the friend later." Dean suggested as he stuffed his jacket into the car. Then he gave the angel a long look.
"Could you do me a favor, Cas?"
"Sure, what do you need?" Cas offered.
"Dude, it's nearly 80 degrees outside; leave the trench coat in the car."
"But I don't feel the heat and I can't sweat."
"I know, but it looks suspicious."
Castiel obeyed his request and placed the overcoat next to Dean's jacket in the trunk. Dean immediately regretted his proposal after Cas undressed. He could now see Cas' features that the trench coat had always covered up. He frequently forgot how hot the vessel had been built. The hunter's broad shoulders and narrow hips did the trick for Dean. At the same time, his mouth was dry, and he could drool. Dean followed Cas to the house like a duckling, his gaze wandering over the body before landing on the angel's butt.
They separated in accordance with Dean's plan. He discovered the master bedroom, a guest bedroom, a study, and the bathroom upstairs. He chose to start in the study room.
“Jackpot.” Dean said this as soon as he walked into the room. There was a purple candle, completely burned out, and a piece of paper on the table. It had words in a language he didn't understand on it. Dean wondered how it was possible that this was not mentioned in the police report. He'd at least try to translate it, even if it turned out to be unrelated to the murder. He went downstairs to find Cas, carrying the paper with him. The angel was standing in the living room, peering behind a cabinet.
"Hey, I think I discovered something." Dean made himself known.
"Wow, that was quick." Cas made a remark.
"Yeah, it's odd that the cops didn't seem to notice it." He made a wave with the piece of paper.
"Are you able to translate it?" Dean handed the paper to Cas. The angel carefully read it.
"This actually clarifies a lot. Did you come across a purple candle?"
"Yes, in the study. Is this the spell that killed Messina?"
"It appears to be a suicide because the spell only worked on the caster. And, if I understand correctly, this was not a quick death," the angel replied.
Dean was certain that the angel could not be wrong about the spell. Despite his occasional mockery of the angel's translation abilities, Dean knew deep down that Cas was a language expert.
"OK, I know less painful ways to commit suicide, so was this an accident?" Dean stated. This situation was making him increasingly uneasy. It was becoming too similar to his situation a few weeks ago. Cas raised an inquisitive brow, and Dean began to turn away from him.
"Or it was given to him on purpose. Messina does not appear to be our typical witch, so he may not have realized what he was doing. Maybe he just wanted a love spell or something." Dean had a feeling.
"Wait a minute, I believe I found something at the fridge's door."
They went to the kitchen together. Cas pulled a business card from the refrigerator and handed it to Dean. On the front was written, 'Mystery Box - where the magic begins.' On the backside was an address in a nearby town.
"Messina probably got the spell from there." Cas explained.
"We should definitely go there. It's the only lead we have at the moment." Dean concurred.
They arrived at the 'Mystery Box' 25 minutes later. It was a small shop on a side street with dusty windows, and the building could use some fresh paint. Cas spread his grace to see if the area was guarded or if any traps awaited them. There was no sign of any magical protection for the company. The angel, on the other hand, was acutely aware of Dean's presence. The hunter had been acting strangely since this morning, his heartbeat irregular, and he had been unusually quiet. Cas wanted to ask, but he knew that pushing the human would only make things worse.
"So, what's the plan?" Dean asked.
"I assumed we would question the owner as FBI agents." Cas replied. Dean paused for a moment before saying:
"Too obvious. Let's just tell them we're Messina fans and see what happens. If they try to flee, you'll catch them with your mojo."
He agreed with Dean that an interrogation is probably too obvious; however, Cas thought the new plan was ill-conceived. Because they didn't have time for another idea, the angel decided to follow Dean's lead.
They entered the shop together. The interior was spotless, and the air was thick with various scents. Even the angel struggled to name them all. A bell rang to signal their arrival. A white woman in her mid-forties emerged from the back office.
"A Karen, fantastic. Cas, be careful." Dean warned him in hushed tones. The angel became perplexed. He'd never heard of a creature known as 'Karen.' He always assumed it was just a name. Castiel couldn't, however, ask Dean for more information.
"Good day, my dear. How can I assist you?" Karen asked, smiling warmly.
"Good day, our friend Roberto Messina has sent us to you. You gave him a spell, I think. He said that it really helped him and recommended to us visiting you as well.” Dean responded with the same false smile Cas had seen on him whenever the hunter tried to charm someone.
"Oh, Mister Messina, I recall him. So the healing spell was effective. And, as a good friend, he wishes for the two of you to be well. I'm so glad to hear he found his way back to the right path," the woman exclaimed.
“Healing? He didn't mention an illness." Dean frowned as he wondered aloud. Cas became suspicious. He hadn't found any signs of illness, healed or not, when he examined the body.
“From one of the greatest sins the devil created. I noticed it on your aura the moment you walked into my shop. But don't worry, darling; we can cure your queerness." Castiel approached the woman and straightened up in front of her. His wings spread, casting a shadow on the wall behind the woman. Castiel was enraged because he could feel Dean freeze.
"First, there is no need to 'cure homosexuality,'" the angel said, making quotation marks with his fingers. "Second, your spell kills the caster in a very unpleasant way. I would advise you to turn yourself in for the murder of Roberto Messina.
Otherwise, I'll drag your ass to hell. I am friends with the Queen down there, so you will receive the best treatment there."
Castiel was so enraged that he didn't notice how the woman grabbed an object from under her desk and threw it. The angel didn't move an inch because he realized it wasn't going to hit him. Castiel noticed she wasn't after him when he heard the glass shatter. The object had to be cursed because it could throw Dean out the shop window onto the street.
Cas abandoned the woman who ran to the back of the shop, where there was most likely a backdoor. Castiel didn't care; his first priority was to heal his friend. Dean was unconscious, and deep cuts covered his entire body. Around the human, blood was already pooling. Castiel channeled his grace through Dean to heal him. The hunter opened his eyes when he was finished.
"Hey, angel!" Dean stated. Cas found this strange.
"Are you all right, Dean?"
"Of course, but are you?"
"I wasn't the one who flew out of the window."
"However, you fell from heaven. So, how bad was it?"
Something was clearly wrong.
After tracking down the vampire nest, Sam and Eileen stayed the night in a bed and breakfast. Cas requested a FaceTime call while they were watching TV. Sam sat down at the desk with Eileen with his notebook. Cas was already anticipating their arrival.
"Is everything all right, Cas? Have you finished the investigation?"
"We could, even though the culprit was able to flee. For the time being, I'm dealing with a different problem." Cas responded.
"All right, but maybe start at the beginning." Sam proposed. He noticed Dean wasn't there, so the problem was most likely related to him. Cas also appeared calm, so it's not a pressing matter right now.
"We discovered that the victim had been killed by a spell. We discovered the spell as well as the address to a witch shop in his home. It was apparently run by a homophobic witch. Dean stated that she is a 'Karen.' I'd never heard of it before."
When Cas used his hands to make quotation marks, Sam couldn't help but smile. Some things never changed.
"It is a social media expression. It describes a white woman who exhibits racist or homophobic behaviors." Sam elaborated.
"Yes, this seems appropriate. She apparently cast spells to 'cure queerness,'" again in quotation marks, "but it killed the caster. She ran away before we could ask any more questions or render her harmless. It was entirely my fault. I thought she was just missing me when she threw a cursed stone in my direction. She was aiming at Dean, and it hit him. If I hadn't been so angry, I would have caught it before the spell hit him." Cas informed them.
"How is Dean doing now?" Sam inquired.
"He is fine physically, but I am concerned about his mental health. I put him to sleep because he was acting strangely."
"What exactly do you mean by 'strangely'?"
Cas blushed and avoided making eye contact with the two hunters.
"At first, I thought the spell had messed with Dean's memories because he asked if it had hurt me when I fell from heaven, but - "
"Oh, Cas, please tell me Dean has started hitting on you!" Eileen cut the angel off. Until now, she was just watching Cas who signed perfectly synchronized while speaking. Sam's signing was still rocky, and he hoped Eileen understood him, especially since she only saw him from the side.
Cas blushes even more as he responds, "I am no expert on flirtation, but I guess so." But it's strange."
"What kind of strange? We require every detail." Eileen appears to be very excited about it, and Sam understands. After all, it was their plan that these jerks finally get their sh*t together.
“I've seen Dean flirting before, but this is completely different. He asked stupid questions and didn't look away from me even while we were driving. I had to force him to switch seats because I was afraid we would collide. He didn't even complain. But it only made matters worse because he began to touch me inappropriately.I put him to sleep because it was kind of distracting," he gulped. I don’t dare to wake him up."
"Is he still sleeping in the Impala, or did you carry him to your room?" Cas squinted at Eileen's innocent question.
"I'm not sure how this is relevant, but I carried him."
"And how about you - " Sam interrupted his girlfriend by gently slamming his elbow into her. She gave him a mock annoyance look. She was bound to complain about this later.
"Do you believe the stone was cursed with a love spell?" Sam questioned.
"That's exactly what I'm thinking. I'll write to Max and Alicia about it. Perhaps they have a counterspell. I'll drive us back to the bunker until I find a solution. Dean will be save there." The angel responded.
"That seems like a good plan to me. Keep the twins informed as they are likely to require additional information. Put me into cc, maybe we can help, too. We still have a nest to find, so we won't be in the bunker. I'll also send someone to find this Karen-witch. Be cautious." Sam stated.
"You as well. I'll see you later." Cas responded and then hung up.
Sam and Eileen exchanged glances before bursting into laughter they had been holding back during the call.
Cas woke Dean up at 7:00 a.m. The hunter stretched extensively.
"Dean, good morning. How are you feeling? " the angel asked.
"Great, just very hungry. We should probably visit the bakery you mentioned yesterday. Anyway, let's talk about what happened in the witch shop. Things are a little hazy. The witch escaped, didn't she?" Dean was curious.
'He appears to be back to normal,' Cas observed.
"She did, and Sam is sending someone to find her. I believe we're returning to the bunker. You should take it slowly because you were hit hard. I healed you, but you started acting strangely after that." Cas explained his concern.
"If you think so, then we will drive back. But, please, breakfast is still on the table." Dean is looking at Cas with big pleading green eyes hidden behind long lashes. Castiel responded before he could think about it:
"Sure, but don't overwork yourself or behave inappropriately."
Dean leaned in close to him, clearly disregarding any notions of 'personal space,' and whispered to him:
"I promise to be a good boy. So, hot stuff, you're coming to join me in the shower?"
Dean walked inside the bathroom without looking back, leaving the flustered angel behind. Things had certainly not returned to normal.
Castiel was behind the wheel of the Impala once more. Dean was excitedly staring at the Display inside the bakery. He placed an order for a BLT sandwich, blueberry pie, and coffee. Cas ordered a cream cheese bagel and coffee to keep up appearances.
"This place is pretty wonderful. We should definitely return with Sam and Eileen. No, no, Sam's on a health trip, and that's no fun. What do you think? Should we bring Jody and the girls with us?"
Dean was looking at him with his rare joyful smile. All he wanted was for his best friend to be as carefree and calm as he was right now more often. Dean blushed slightly as Castiel returned his smile.
Dean put his spoon into his pie and took a bite. He hummed so loudly that it sounded like a moan.
"It's such a pity, Cas, that you can't taste anything. We should take a full pie with us because it's so delicious."
"I'm fine and more than happy to see you enjoying yourself."
Castiel suddenly wished he hadn't said what he had. At the very least, flirting with someone who was under the influence of a love spell was unacceptable.
"Would you like to see me in other circumstances where I'm having fun?" Dean inquired, wriggling his brows. It took Cas some time to understand, and he's definitely stumbling over his words.
After Dean finished his breakfast, he went to the bathroom and Cas decided to buy a few more pieces of pie. The woman behind the counter smiled warmly at him.
"How are you, sweetheart? Are you new to town? I saw you here without your friend yesterday," she spoke after Castiel had paid for the pie.
"We came here for business and are now leaving. However, we intend to return for a vacation. It’s a beautiful town and your pies are very tasteful.” he told her.
“Awesome. I usually don't give out my phone number to customers, but here it is. If you come to town, give me a call and I'll show you around."
She handed him a bakery business card with a number handwritten on the back. Her smile vanished when she looked behind him. When Cas turned around, he saw Dean staring at the clerk. His expression could intimidate a demon.
"Can we leave right now?" Without glancing at Castiel, the hunter asked. The woman stared at them, her business card still in her hand. Dean quickly grabbed it and threw it away. Then he grabbed Cas' wrist and yanked him along. Fortunately, the angel reacted quickly enough to take the box of pies with him. Cas stopped Dean outside the shop before he could get into the car.
"What was that, Dean?" You were quite impolite."
"Then she shouldn't have flirted so shamelessly with you." Dean muttered.
He leaned at the car, his arms crossed in front of him, looking anywhere but not at Castiel.
"She's only been friendly. And even if she did flirt with me, I'm still baffled by your actions. It has never been an issue to you when someone is flirting with me. You even pushed me to participate."
"Well, things changed." Dean stated as he climbed into the car's passenger seat.
At this moment, the angel realized that Dean was jealous, probably a side effect of the love spell. Castiel needed to inform Max and Sam of the situation in order for them to discover a counterspell more quickly, but this had to wait until they returned to the bunker. For the time being, he needed to save Dean. And perhaps he had to protect some people from Dean. Cas didn't need any more of these scenarios. He climbed into the car and began driving.
They drove for about an hour into the countryside before Dean finally spoke up:
"I am sorry. I was rude to the girl and made a mistake. Now we can't go back there."
"I don't believe she will have a grudge against you, Dean. If we run into her again, just apologize." Cas answered.
"Yeah, I'll do that." Dean nods and peered out the window. There was a jet very close to the earth, thus an airport had to be somewhere nearby.
"Cas, we should fly to Europe someday." Dean stated this out of nowhere.
"This isn't going to be easy. We require some false passports, and I do not mean the bad kind. Also, keep in mind that you hate flying. Consider spending hours in a plane flying across the Atlantic. I could transport us to any location in an instant. It's also a lot better for the environment."
"I was just thinking about giving flying another go." Dean simply shrugged.
"Imagine being unable to poop for days on our first vacation together. Urgh."
"I'm confident that I can take care of it as well." Cas proposed.
"Ah, look at my angel looking after me."
Dean leaned in near enough to touch Castiel's shoulders.
"Well, I learned from the best."
Cas shifted his gaze away from the road and right into Dean's. They were closer to each other than they had been in the motel room. Dean had that lovely glow on his cheeks once more. Castiel was about to lose himself into green eyes when the hunter shifted his gaze back to the window.
"Shut up and look at the street." Dean whispered
When Castiel returned his gaze to the streets, he noticed that the man had just referred to him as "his angel."
'Be careful, it's not real, and it'll end soon,' he reminded himself. Dean's return to his old self, who solely sees the angel as a friend, was going to be painful.
All the flirting, future planning, and even jealousy had given him hope. Maybe he shouldn't have listened to Jack who had insisted that he was going to live with the Winchesters. He had to return to heaven sooner or later. Castiel knew that he is going to mess things up and Dean didn't want to see him ever again.
"Cas?"
"Yes?"
"Are you sometimes anxious?"
"Of course, but this is only human."
"Well, you're an angel. So what scares you?"
"Quite a few things. Prime numbers are really daunting to me."
"You're hilarious, haha. Anyway, I was under the impression that fears aren't really necessary."
"They safeguard us against harm."
"Or they prevent us from experiencing actual joy."
"What do you mean?"
The two of them exchanged stares. Dean was obviously trying to say something. He broke eye contact instead to turn on the radio.
"Forget anything I said. It's ridiculous."
The hunter closed his eyes and sat back in his seat.
"Hello, Sam. This is Max. How are you doing?"
"Fine, We've just completed a hunt. Please let me know if you have any updates on the spell."
"I have. Because I searched in the wrong way, it took me some time to figure it out. I tried calling Cas, but he didn't pick up the phone."
"Okay, I'm listening."
"First and foremost, your brother will be well. The magic will wear off. Second, your brother is not under any kind of love spell."
Sam could hear the smile on the witch' face.
Except for the music from the radio, the two friends spent the rest of the drive in pleasant silence. They were alone in the bunker because Sam and Eileen hadn't yet returned.
"How about a movie tonight, Cas?" Dean asked.
"Sounds nice to me."
That was the year's understatement. Castiel would spend the rest of his life with Dean, watching movies.
"Awesome. Let me just put my stuff in my room and prepare some dinner. Do you want anything?"
"I'd like to have a beer." Cas responded.
"Alright, a beer for my angel. See you in around ten minutes in the Dean Cave."
Before leaving for his room, Dean pointed finger guns at him. Cas looked down at his phone. He received phone calls from Sam and Max, as well as a voicemail from Sam. He listened to it. The love spell was apparently harmless and would wear off after a few days. Cas was going to miss this side of Dean if he was honest with himself. The angel didn't want to wake up because it felt like a dream coming true.
Cas proceeded to the Dean's Cave to wait. Dean entered the room with a tray full of goodies and two beers while the angel was flipping through Netflix. Instead of sitting in his usual seat on the couch, Dean sat down next to Cas, their legs touching.
"Hey, what are you doing?" asked the hunter.
"I was seeking for anything to watch." Cas examined the tray.
"There's only popcorn, M&Ms, and pie, Dean. This is not an appropriate meal."
"Bite me, Cas. Also, why do you believe it's your turn to choose the film? It is clearly my turn."
"It's my reward for saving you and driving all day yesterday."
"How about I offer you a better reward later, and you hand over the remote control right now?"
Cas kept the control out of Dean's reach while thinking about his remark. He hadn't expected the hunter to throw his entire body weight at the angel. Dean was on top of Cas when he fell. Castiel could count every imperfection on Dean's skin since his face was suddenly so near. Cas felt the hunter's body heat and his breath on his face. Dean's gaze moved back and forth between the angel's eyes and his mouth.
Cas wished for a split second to close the distance between them and kiss his best friend. Instead, the angel panicked and threw Dean to the ground. He got from the couch and moved the furniture between them. Dean sat motionless on the floor, his gaze locked on the carpet.
"Sorry." The hunter muttered.
"No, Dean. You made no mistakes. This is my -" Cas began to explain, but Dean cut him off:
"Yes, I made every mistake possible. I misinterpreted what you said to me right before you died. I thought that we could be together like -" he stumbled over his next word.
"Boyfriends." Dean was finally able to express himself.
"This isn't it, Dean - " Cas intended to say something else, but he was interrupted again.
"I understand that now, okay. Just, please, don't leave me again. I can't do this one more time. I promise that we can be best buddies again. No flirting, no jealousy and I respect your personal space. But please do not leave."
Dean eventually returned his gaze to Cas. His eyes were teary, and the hunter had never appeared so small and vulnerable as he did now. Seeing his dearest friend in this state crushed Castiel's heart. Cas made the decision to tell him the truth.
"Unless you ask me to, I will never leave you alone again. But right now, it is not the real you who is speaking and acting. A love spell was cast on you by the witch. It wears off on its own, according to Sam. Until then, we should maintain some separation. I'm not trying to take advantage of your current predicament."
"What exactly are you on about?" I'm not under any kind of love spell. I started hitting on you shortly after our meeting with the witch, which was probably horrible timing. And maybe I also went overboard with the flirting. To my excuse, I was nervous and I hit my head. However, that witch taught me something. I've been hiding from individuals like her and my father. I'm sure a younger me would have used her charm to 'heal himself.' But I don't want to be terrified of some ignorant homophobes. I'd like to tell everyone that I'm bisexual, and if they don't like it, screw. I wanted to be with you for years, but I respect you if you don't want this."
Cas was confused. People under a love spell weren't usually as self-aware as Dean was. And Dean wanted it before the Empty abducted him? No love magic could ever mess with memories. Sam stated that the love spell will end on its own, but he did not provide a time frame. Maybe the effect it had on Dean had worn off.
Dean stepped up while Castiel was thinking.
"I'm going to bed," he said.
Cas grabbed his wrist and turned him around, so they faced one other, without thinking. They stood close together, albeit not as close as they had been on the couch before.
"Dean, you asked about my fears. This is terrifying me right now. I'm worried you'll send me away one day. I'm scared I'm still in the Empty and am only dreaming. I'm afraid what you just said is due to this ridiculous spell. I'm worried the other shoe will drop, as it has so many times before. I'm at a loss on what to do. Nothing was misinterpreted by you. I want to be with you as well."
Dean pinched him.
"Ouch, what was this for?" Cas asked.
Dean leaned towards him until their foreheads touched.
"You are not dreaming, and you are not in the Empty. And please believe me, all the things I said, I wanted to tell you for years."
Dean took a breather.
"Remember what I said about being afraid? I'm just as terrified as you are, but I also want my happiness, and my happiness lies in you, angel. I -"
Cas kissed Dean before he can complete his sentence.
He was being kissed by Cas. He was giving Cas a kiss. Dean stepped closer to Cas until their bodies touched, and he felt the angel's warmth through his clothing. To intensify the kiss, he tilted his head. Cas got one hand in his hair and gently scratched his scalp at the same time. The thumb of the other fell on his hips, going under his shirt to rub across skin. Dean wrapped his arms over Cas' shoulders and let out a small moan. He could sense the angel's smile.
Dean had no idea how long it had been when that voice in his head returned in full force. He hadn't been anxious all day because there had been silence. It now called him a letdown and described him as nasty, again. Dean realized for the first time that the voice sounded like John's. He tried to keep a panic attack at bay so they could enjoy their time together, but Cas appeared to notice something and interrupted the kiss. The blue eyes were filled with worry. Cas gently brushed his cheek.
"Is everything in order? You're trembling." The angel inquired.
"I'm OK. We're doing fine." He made an attempt to reassure Cas.
Why was it so difficult to communicate about his feelings once more? Everything had been simple until now, and he was about to open his heart to Cas. He could hardly breathe at this point. Dean despised himself for it.
"Dean, you are not okay. I know you're thinking about something. Please let me know. Let me be here for you."
"It's just - " Dean was searching for words, because he wouldn't make a mistake. He couldn't absolutely mess it up.
"With you, everything is different. I've been with guys before, but I was usually drunk or - you know -" He simply shrugged.
"There is this voice in my head and it was quiet in these moments or I wasn't listening, I guess. " Dean went on.
"And I haven't been able to hear it since yesterday. I was flirting with you because of this. But it came back full force after you kissed me."
"Perhaps the love magic heightened your emotions and made you bold. It has most likely stopped working at this moment." Cas noted.
Dead deadpanned, "Awesome, fantastic timing."
"We'll figure things out. Talking about all of this is already a major step for you. Allow yourself to be patient with yourself and take this relationship at your own pace."
"Just keep it a secret from Sam. 'I told you so,' he'll say." Dean explains. Cas gave him a gentle smile.
"I guarantee it. So let's return to the couch and watch a movie. I even let you choose it."
Dean stuck his tongue out, and yet followed him to the couch. When Cas sat down, Dean frowned at the angel.
"Could you perhaps take a more comfortable seat, Cas? You look quite stiff." Dean mentioned.
"There's nothing wrong with the way I'm sitting." Dean sighed as Cas spoke.
"Just lie down a bit." The hunter demanded. Cas followed this order until Dean nodded his approval.
"You no longer have - "
Dean didn't let him finish his statement before laying down on the angel with half of his body.
"Just tell me you want to cuddle," Cas stated.
"Shut up. We're also going to see "Hateful Eight." "I've never seen it." Dean's cheeks were flushed as he stated this.
"Of course you pick a cowboy film." Dean was certain that he could hear Cas rolling his eyes as he retorted.
"Take it as a punishment for not letting me pick a movie earlier. It's also Tarantino, so it'll be awesome.”
Cuddling with Cas turned out to be distracting, at least physically. Even though there were a few too many clothing between them, being this close to the angel was like a dream come true. Cas had just brushed Dean's hair, and Dean could feel his breath on his skin.
On the other side, their current situation made him feel better. Sure, there was a small part of him that felt humiliated, but Dean chose to ignore it. He primarily felt safe and cherished. He couldn't recall ever feeling like this before. It made him very happy.
He turned around to face Cas because he wanted more. Dean moved in for a kiss after looking into Cas' blue eyes and seeing him smile. He didn't mind the uncomfortable angle at all. Cas must have felt his little uneasy because he shifted their positions until Dean lied on top of him. This was a huge improvement.
They kept kissing, entirely forgetting about the movie on TV. Dean reached under Cas' shirt with his hand. He felt well-defined muscles beneath the smooth skin. He broke the kiss because he was annoyed by the shirt. Dean stood up and threw his shirt on the ground after pulling it over his head. Cas beneath him was a sight he could become obsessed with. The angel's hair was a tangle, and his lips were swollen and wet.
"Please, Cas, remove your shirt." Dean begged. He didn't care if he sounded pathetic.
"Are you certain?" Cas inquired, and Dean responded with a nod.
"All fine, just remember this: If you ever feel uneasy, we'll stop."
Dean nodded once more. Dean gulped when Cas finally tossed his shirt aside. In front of him was pure perfection. Dean decided that worshiping Cas would be his new life goal.
He dove back into Cas's neck to kiss him (maybe he should leave a few hickeys there) and brushed his thumb over one of the angel's nipples. Dean shivered as Cas responded to his moves with a moan. To create some friction, the hunter moved his hips.
“Hey Cas, are you hiding your angel blade in your pants?”
Dean teased Cas by whispering in his ear. Instead of responding, Cas grabbed his chin and kissed him passionately. He finished by biting Dean's bottom lip.
"Dean Winchester, you're a brat." Cas replied, his eyes dark with lust, in a low voice.
Dean was completely lost. He had always thought that the angel was kind of clueless regarding sex. Yet, Cas seemed more like a sexpert. Dean needed to know where Cas' knowledge came from, but for now all he cared about was seeing what the angel could do to him. Or maybe Dean showed him what he was capable of. Cas' eyes widened and his pupils dilated as he began to open the angel's slacks.
“Hey, jerk, what - where is your shirt, Dean?” Sam greeted his brother when he entered the Dean Cave together with Eileen. Dean looked up from the couch, Cas following him shortly after.
"Really, on the couch, where we're all watching TV? That's disgusting." Sam accused them.
"Come on, Sammy, you've already made out with Eileen here." Dean replied.
"No, since we are decent people, we don't." Sam answered. Sam was probably lying because Eileen just giggled next to him.
“Sam, Eileen, it’s nice that you are back. I believe we can talk tomorrow. If you don't mind, we're moving stuff to the bedroom right now."
Cas rose up, Dean still on his lap.
Dean clung to him like a koala, arms around shoulders and legs around hips, surprised by his quick movement. His blood quickly began to flow from his dick to his cheeks. Well, not all the blood, but Cas' body hid this truth. Dean hides his face in Cas' neck. Cas clutched his ass to protect him from falling, further humiliating him.
Sam and Eileen pull away from the door frame as Cas approaches the other couple to allow them to pass. Eileen gave Dean a big smile and two thumbs up when he glanced up.
Cas carefully placed Dean on the bed. As the angel lied on top of him, the hunter peered at him with wide green eyes.
“I’m sorry, Dean.” Cas expressed regret.
"Why that?" Dean asked.
"I was so distracted that I didn't hear Sam and Eileen return. And we haven't yet discussed whether we want to make our relationship public." Cas responded.
“First, I didn’t hear them as well, and they didn’t let us know that they are coming back. Second, I am tired of hiding who I am. Let everyone know that Dean Winchester and Castiel, Angel of Thursday, are together.”
Dean gave Castiel a warm smile.
“I like that, us, being together.” Cas said and took Dean's hand in his, their fingers interlaced.
“I hope so, ‘cause you’re stuck with me. So, how about we keep going -" Dean was interrupted by a yawn.
"Everything you want can be continued tomorrow." For the time being, you should rest; it's been a long day."
“It hasn't bothered you before.” Dean retorted with a grin.
"I wasn't thinking straight before."
“Be honest, angel, you were thinking with your dick.”
Dean tries to fight down another yawn with moderate success.
"Dean, you're hilarious. I think I'll go now and leave you to sleep." Cas stated.
Dean whispered, "Stay," as the angel reached for the doorknob.
Castiel can understand what Dean just said thanks to his celestial hearing, but he wanted to be sure. Dean was seated on the bed with his knees to his chest and arms over his legs when he turned around.
"Did you say something?"
"Can you stay here for the night? I swear I'll be good." Dean spoke quietly, without looking at the angel.
Castiel knew how difficult it was for his boyfriend to ask for things. Cas would never refuse Dean anything because Dean always put others first. That was a promise, the angel made to himself.
"Of course. I just go into my room for a change and a book. You prepare for bed."
Dean raised his eyes in awe. His lips then formed a cocky smile.
"Yes, mum."
"Yes, mum." Cas growled.
"Daddy?" Dean's grin became wider.
"I was expecting you to be a good guy." Cas retorted. This game can only be played by two people, and Dean's scarlet cheeks and stammer indicate that Castiel has just won.
Dean ultimately lied down after some complaining and futile wooing, and Castiel sat next to him. Without any comment the hunter lied his head down into the angel's lab. Cas started stroking his hair. Dean seemed to enjoy it, so Castiel filed this information away.
It wasn't long before the man in his lap nodded off. Castiel spent the night content, with a book in one hand and soft hair in the other. There was nothing the angel wanted to do more right now, and there was nowhere in the cosmos where he wanted to be more. He sent a small prayer to Jack for allowing him to stay on Earth.
Dean felt something heavy and warm above him as he awoke. When he opened his eyes, all he saw was his blanket. Cas sat next to him, squinting at his phone and oblivious to the fact that Dean was awake. He recalled the events of the past evening. So it wasn't a dream.
His head had to have slipped from Cas' lap at some point during the night. He was now lying next to him, one arm across the angel's legs. Dean hugged him tighter. Suddenly, the odd sensation hovering above him disappeared.
"Good Morning, Dean." Cas greeted him warmly.
"Did you do anything with me while I was sleeping, Cas? I felt like an electric blanket was draped over me that suddenly vanished." Cas gazed at Dean with large blue eyes when he asked.
"My wings shouldn't be detectable in any manner." Cas was taken aback.
"Were those your wings? Why shouldn't I feel them, though? Is it bad?"
"My wings belong to my actual form, which a human body cannot grasp. When you see the wings' shadow, what do you think? It's essentially your brain's attempt to save itself from going insane. It bears no resemblance to the original.
I don't think we should be concerned, but I'll double-check later. So, how did you sleep last night?"
Cas made an effort to sidestep the subject, not even telling Dean why he cast his wings upon him. The hunter planned to look into this later, but for now he wanted to enjoy the peace.
"I was sleeping like a baby. I'm completely rested." He gave Cas a wink.
"How was your night? Hopefully not too boring." Dean questioned.
"I had a wonderful night as well. I kept an eye on you I finished my book. Claire invited me to an app called 'Kwazy Cupcakes' this morning, and I - "
"Please don't tell me that you downloaded it." Dean interrupted.
"Why should I not?" Donna is also a fan of this game. She is currently at level 423, while I have only recently achieved level 53. When do you think I'll be able to defeat her?" Cas asked.
"Knowing you, it'll be soon. But that’s not the point. You spend money on that trash because these games are meant to make you addicted."
Dean flipped around to face his boyfriend.
"Do you believe I am weak-willed?"
Be careful, Winchester, or your first fight may be over a smartphone game, Dean worried. Dean winced when Cas stared at him intently.
"You're not one of them. Play that game if it makes you happy, and don't listen to me. I am not a role model when it comes to addiction. All I care about is you." Dean explained. Suddenly, he felt a light kiss on his head.
"Hey, please don't overthink things, okay? I want you to let me know if you have any worries about me or us. I will always listen to you.” Cas whispered into Dean’s hair.
“The same goes for you, too. I might not be good at talking, but I think with you, I can -“ Dean was at a loss for words.
"Dean, you did a fantastic job yesterday evening and today as well. I understand that none of this is easy for you. But we've got time and each other's backs, so we'll take care of it." Dean heaved a sigh of relief when Cas spoke.
"Well, look at us, we're having an emotional first day of our relationship." Dean chuckled lightly.
"Yes, we do." Dean could feel the angel smile into his hair when Cas replied.
"We should also physically deepen our relationship soon." Dean proposed.
"Well, Sam texted me to say that he and Eileen are leaving until dinner." Cas said with a slightly deeper tone. Dean felt a wonderful shudder run through his body.
“Awesome”
It turned out that the two of them were in perfect harmony in bed. Cas' lack of expertise was compensated for by his passion. Dean was just as keen to teach Cas as he was to understand what the angel enjoyed and how he reacted to Dean's actions. Cas was the dominating one, much to the hunter's joy.
They decided to get decent and get up after it was far past midday. Mostly, because Dean got hungry. He had to persuade Cas to join him in the shower, which took some convincing. At first, the stubborn angel didn't understand why this was so important to him. Cas realized the appeal once they were both naked in the shower. Nonetheless, he complained about the waste of water.
Dean was currently preparing dinner for himself, Sam, and Eileen. He had sent his brother a message earlier, so the couple was not eating elsewhere.
Dean wanted to express his thanks for the time they had given him and Cas alone. The angel was currently in the library since Cas liked the idea of expressing gratitude via action. Sam, the nerd, received a few new books, which must be cataloged and sorted into the library. Dean missed the angel, despite the fact that he was only a few rooms away. He could still sense him, as if he was wrapped in a lovely, warm blanket with Cas' scent.
Dean is so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't notice Sam entered the kitchen.
"Hey, Jerk."
Dean as won the verge of dropping the bowl in his hands.
Sam was tempted to splash holy water all over his sibling for a short second. Alternatively, throw silver at him. He couldn't recall the last time he had surprised Dean. There were only two scenarios in which his brother may be surprised. Dean was first under the influence of a spell or something similar. Second, he was astonished by a certain angel who was now present in their library. Dean was always aware of his surroundings and ready to fight in any other situation.
It now appears that a completely different person was in the kitchen. Dean's shoulders seemed to have lost all of their weight. Even as children, Sam was certain he had never seen his brother as carefree as he was now.
"Bitch, when did you start sneaking around like that?" Dean asked.
“I didn’t sneak on you, you were lost in your head.” Sam took a seat at the table, which had already been prepared for three people.
“What were you thinking anyway? Wait, I don’t want to know. Simply tell me about your day. No, that's also a horrible idea. Please don't give me any details; all I need to know is what furniture I need to burn down."
As Dean placed the salad bowl on the table, he made a bitch face at him. Sam looked at his brother, puzzled. Dean had never made salad before. After all, his brother could have been possessed. There had been strawberries at breakfast the day before yesterday.
"Shut, up. I made rabbit food to thank you.” Dean spoke as if he could read Sam's thoughts.
"All the adult stuff was kept in our bedroom and bathroom." So there's no need to set fire to anything." Dean went on.
"I thought you hated shower sex." Sam immediately regretted what he had just said.
"Having an angelic lover has some perks. Like superhuman power and boundless stamina." Dean replied cockily.
"All right, all right, I don't need any more information. So, you've come out of the closet and are now dating Cas?" Sam wanted to have Dean’s full consent before he conformed anything with the others. Max had written him throughout the day, asking how things were going.
“Yes, we are official dating.” Dean took a gulp from his beer and sat close to Sam.
"However, what do you mean by my coming out of the closet? I thought you already knew I'm bi?" Dean wondered.
“How? You only mentioned the girls you had, but never the boys. Because you were flirting with a man here and there, I always suspected it. But I was under the impression you were denying yourself."
Sam responded. He could see his older brother was attempting to recall anything, so he just stood there and waited for Dean.
"Alright, I may have kept that from practically everyone. But something from my time as a demon had to been mentioned by Crowley."
“Oh, please don’t tell me you slept with Crowley.”
Dean just shrugged.
“I was a demon back then. Had been quite the wild time. It was probably the first time I was unconcerned about my sexuality or how others saw me." Dean explained.
They sat at the table in silence for a few minutes while the lasagna baked in the oven and they drank beer.
"Didn't you keep it a secret because of Dad?" The silence was finally broken by Sam. Dean took a big breath before responding,
"Damn, I'm still a mess even after all these years that he's dead. Dad continues to have an influence on me. He'd only seen me once in high school with that boy, and he'd been furious."
"Did he -" Sam was unable to complete his question. Dean had often hinted at John hitting him, but he had never confirmed it.
"I don't want to talk about it," Dean responded after a few moments of staring at his beer.
"However, you should. No one would judge you since we are all here for you. You could also return to treatment." Sam said.
There was a significant pause between them. Even when Dean decided to speak again, he was preoccupied on the label on his bottle, not looking at his younger brother.
"I hate to say it, but you're right. They had been quite helpful. Although it had been hard, I felt much better afterward. And you know how bad I am at talking about feelings. Why was it so simple yesterday? I couldn't seem to stop."
"Well, it appears the spell you were under has come to an end."
"OK, what's the deal with that spell? Cas believed I was under the influence of a love spell. And while I've been there before, this was different."
"Eh, we lied to him a little. Sorry, we thought it would be funny. And we knew Cas would take care of you." Sam confessed.
Dean simply raises his eyebrows in anticipation of an explanation.
"Do you remember the jewel the witch tossed at you? It was incarnated with a charm for bravery. She must have thrown it with an attack spell. According to Max, the magic combined, and it made you basically fearless. It should have finished on its own, but Max wasn't sure when it would. He was implying that it should have lasted two or three days and that we kept you secure in the bunker. Just in case you do anything irresponsible. It appears that Max was mistaken, and the enchantment ended sooner." Sam clarified.
"Well, I guess it explains why I wanted to go on a plane." Sam had to snort when Dean said it.
“You on a plane?”
"Incredible, right? But of course that silly spell stopped at just the wrong time." Dean muttered.
"What exactly do you mean? What happened?" Sam wanted to know.
"Never mind. I'm going to phone Max and inform him that he was mistaken. He'd probably be interested in knowing that in the future. Think you could handle it, looking at the lasagna? Should be ready in five minutes.”
"Sure, but hold on. Dean? DEAN!” Sam yelled for his brother, but Dean had already exited the kitchen.
Eileen slid onto the chair directly across from Cas. The angel looked up from his laptop, where he was entering the new books into the bunker's data system.
'So, did the two of you have a good day?' She signed.
'Indeed. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated.' Cas responded by signing.
'Would you like to tell me about what happened today?' Eileen inquired, a wide grin on her face.
'I don't believe Dean will be pleased if I tell you about our sexual encounters.'
'You're a bore.' Eileen pouted. 'We are now the 'Date-a-Winchester-Club'. We must help one another.'
'I swear, you'll be the first person I turn to for advice on my relationship. And I'll be there for you, too.' With a pleasant smile on his face, Cas signed.
'It's a little unfair, especially considering I'm dating the less difficult brother.'
'I've known Dean for a long time and consider myself an expert in dealing with him.' Cas gave her a confident grin.
'That's true. You two have been dancing around for far too long. Everyone will be relieved that it's finally over.' Smugly, Eileen responded. Cas's smile faded away.
'So, our affections for each other are known to everyone?' Cas wondered.
'Essentially, Dean's emotions are the most visible. The way he stares at you says a lot. And the way he grieved after you were in the Empty? Dean has never been like this before, according to Sam. On the other hand, you are extremely cautious. Your emotions are only visible when you believe no one is paying attention to you.'
Eileen replied, observing the angel. Cas slumped back in his chair, his eyes melancholy and lost in his thoughts. Eileen feared that she said something wrong, but then Cas began to sign again.
'Dean indicated that he wasn't allowed to hunt, and I believe I know why. He clearly does not want to discuss what happened after I died. Did he at least inform Sam of my death?' The angel asked.
'All Sam knows is that you rescued Dean. However, you should speak with Sam.' Eileen made a suggestion and looked at the time.
'Dinner should be ready at this point. Let's go; I'm hungry.'
They went to the kitchen together, Eileen dragging the angel with her.
"Hey Dean, how are things going?"
"Hello Max. Everything is fine, I just want to tell you that you were wrong."
"Can you explain?"
"Well, the spell was just around 24 hours long."
"Impossible. What made you think it was over? After at least two or three days, it should be gone. That's why I recommended locking you up in the bunker."
"Dude, my anxiety came back full force last night."
"All right, so what happened before the magic ended?"
Dean took a long pause on the other end of the line.
"Cas and I, we, uhm, kissed."
It was now Max's turn to remain silent.
"Oh, Dean. It really hit you hard. You know, there's this legend that a true love kiss can cure any curse."