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"Dude, let's go!" Dean shouts over the roar of the car engine, thrumming his fingers on the steering wheel impatiently.
"Dude, chill out," Sam answers under his breath as he opens the back door of the car to toss his overnight bag in. "The convocation doesn't even begin for another four hours, Dean, it's not like we are running late."
"I know that, Sammy, but I want to get there early for the best spot AND there is no way I am sharing a room with your snoring ass again this year so we need to reserve rooms as soon as possible," Dean explains excitedly as he peels out of the driveway and turns the car east, headed out of town.
"You are way too excited about this, man. Don't get me wrong, I am too, this is an awesome experience. I get the feeling, though, that you aren't into it for the purity of the moment," Sam says, shooting a look at Dean from the corner of his eye.
The corners of Dean's lips turn up in a sly smile without taking his eyes off the road.
"You got me there, Sammy."
"Dean, this is an important event! The angels only allow us to observe as long as we respect the sacredness of it!"
"Yeah, yeah, you call it whatever you want, Sam. And I'll call it what it really is: Hot Girl Summer." The car roars louder as they speed faster down the highway, signs for the ocean leading them on.
~
Last year had been their first year attending the angels' convocation. Sure, they had heard about it for years; this magical ceremony of cleansing and unity between the angels, but had never lived close enough to an ocean to attend. Up until last year when Sam's job had relocated him to North Carolina, just thirty minutes away from the beach, and Dean had, of course, moved along with him. Sam had been reading about the ceremony for years, ever since the angels had fallen to earth when Sam and Dean were just children. Once a year, every year, the angels would congregate to whatever ocean was closest to where they resided, to participate in a ceremony to symbolically cleanse themselves and unify their bond. They would gather by the hundreds and thousands, shed the confines of their human clothing and release their wings from the Monadic plane where they usually remained hidden, and collectively sink into the cool water.
Sam was enthralled by the very idea of it from the moment he had read about the ceremony over fifteen years ago. As soon as the angels began to allow humans to observe, it had gone to the top of Sam's bucket list. After they had moved to the coast last year and were finally able to make the, now short, trip, Sam had spent nearly the entire weekend in a silent reverence. He watched the ceremony with a look of pure awe on his face, basking in the splendor of the angel's beauty and grace. Meanwhile, Dean was basking in…something else. Of course, he too saw the beauty in it; but Dean had never seen the appeal of religious ceremony of any kind. In all honesty, he had only come along in solidarity, because he knew what it meant to Sam. Of course he was respectful during the ceremony, he wasn't an asshole; but his thoughts on the entire event were a bit more…risqué. And so, from the moment they returned home from the trip last year, Dean had dubbed the experience a new yearly tradition henceforth known, in private, as: Hot Girl Summer.
~
"You're going to stop calling it that before we get to the beach, right?" Sam glared at him as they lifted their bags from the back seat and walked to their respective rooms in the hotel.
"Yes, Sam," Dean said with a roll of his eyes. "Meet you back out here in 20 minutes?" he asked and pushed through his hotel room door without waiting for a reply. He tossed his bag onto the bed with a soft thump and collapsed next to it with a content sigh. He was glad that they had come early enough to get proper rooms this year. They had found after last year that, with the late hour of the ceremony and the traffic trying to leave afterwards, it just made sense to stay the night; even if they didn't live very far away. This year, thankfully, they wouldn't be stuck with one room in a tiny, run down, motel. Jumping up, Dean took a few minutes to use the small bathroom and primp a bit in the mirror over the sink. Once he was satisfied, he patted his pockets to check for everything he needed and stepped out into the hallway once again. Less than a minute later, Sam joined him and they made their way out to the front of the building and decided together that they would walk. It was no more than a half mile from the hotel and Dean was hesitant to try parking Baby in the crowded public lot again this year. They spent the walk in relative silence. Sam, mentally preparing himself, and Dean, taking in the scenery that he often missed while being the one behind the wheel. They walked past small shops and beach cottages painted in soft pastels. This area was nowhere near as "touristy" as some of the other beaches along the coast, but the convocation had certainly brought in a lot more visitors than the town usually saw the rest of the year.
They reached the area where the event would take place and quickly realized that they were far from the only ones that had decided to get there early. The beach was filled with people sitting on blankets and pop up chairs, and angels wandering about, speaking softly to each other or simply watching the water quietly. Most angels wore a robe of some sort which made them easier to distinguish from a distance. Others wore everyday clothes and, from a distance, could be mistaken for a human. Up close, of course, the faint glow around their iris would give them away instantly.
"Do you want to find a spot to sit, or would you rather walk around for a little bit?" Sam asked, pointing toward the other end of the beach where carts had been set up with food, drinks, and, frankly tacky, souvenirs.
"I could go for a drink or two. We've got a good bit of time to kill," he responded with a shrug. He was sure as he started walking forward he heard, 'and whose fault is that' under Sam's breath but he decided to let it go.
"Why don't I stake us a spot before it gets too crowded, while you grab some drinks?" Sam suggested, gesturing vaguely to the beach around them.
"Sure, man. You're usual drink of choice?" Dean asked. Sam responded to the affirmative and Dean started making his way across the sand, careful to avoid stepping on anyone's blanket or towel spread out. He reached one of the carts that advertised beverages and stepped into line behind a group of twenty-somethings that were blatantly staring at a circle of, admittedly, attractive female angels nearby. The angels sipped on drinks of their own, unaware or uncaring of the ogling they were receiving. Dean knew that the angels didn't need the drinks, their grace sustained them, even while they inhabited human forms; but he also knew that many chose to eat and drink to fit in better with human habits.
As the line moved forward, a man fell into place behind Dean and Dean could see from the corner of his eye the man's hands twisting nervously around each other. The man was nearly as tall as Dean and had on a baggy set of cargo shorts and button down in a startlingly vibrant floral print. His eyes were hidden behind aviator lenses but Dean guessed him to be human based off of his anxious demeanor.
"First time here, man?" Dean asked in an attempt to distract the man from his nerves. The man jerked his head; seemingly surprised at being addressed.
"Uh, yes. First time at this beach anyways. I am usually off the coast of Iceland."
"Iceland? Wow. This place must be packed in comparison." Dean, of course, had never been to another convocation but he imagined the ones at some of the more remote locations had to be tiny next to this one. The man huffed something that sounded like a humorless laugh and nodded.
"Quite the understatement, actually. This all feels a little overwhelming," he said, his hands starting to twist once more. At that moment, they reach the front of the line and Dean is quick to place his and Sam's orders before turning back to the man behind him.
"Hey, me and my brother are sitting down the beach a little ways, you're welcome to join us. Unless you have friends here you're sitting with," he adds at the end so as not to pressure the nervous man. He can see the man's brow furrow slightly behind his glasses and Dean almost backsteps on his offer when the man opens his mouth to speak.
"Not friends exactly, so I suppose I could sit for a little while, just let me grab…" he trails off and gestures to the drink cart.
"Yeah, man, go for it. I'll just wait here," Dean points to the left of the cart with his elbow, since his hands are full.
Moments later they are walking along the beach, side by side, making small talk while Dean scans the area for Sam. It doesn't take long to find him, even in the crowd, his gigantic frame standing out amongst the averaged height people. Dean leads his new acquaintance to where Sam is standing and hands him his drink.
"Here ya go. This is…" Dean trails off, realizing that he hasn't even asked the man for his name yet. "Uhhhh…"
"Oh, um, you can call me Cas," the man fills in for him.
"Okay, Cas, this is my brother, Sam. Sam, this is Cas; I just met him at the drink cart," he explains to Sam before taking a large draw from his bottle. Sam shakes Cas' hand enthusiastically and asks him mostly the same questions that Dean had just a few minutes ago. (First time here? New to the area? Exciting isn't it?) Cas answers them all kindly, unbothered by their repetitiveness. They chat for a long while, most of the conversation between Dean and Sam, while Cas listens or adds something every so often. Finally, the sun begins to sink in the sky as they reach "golden hour", as Sam calls it. All around them angels begin to stand and move to the water, some already disrobing, while others wait til they reach the tide line. Sam stares on in wonderment as all around them, wings of all colors begin to materialize. Rich brown ones with freckles of black, white with streaks of red and bronze, more colors than imaginable, each beautiful and unique. Dean's eyes fall on one female angel in particular; her hair is flaming red, her wings a stunning, metallic color that aloud he would call beige, but in his mind calls champagne. She stands at the water's edge, looking for or waiting for someone, maybe.
Dean turns to glance at their new friend to see what he thinks of it all but the sight that greets him causes his jaw to nearly unhinge. Cas has removed his sunglasses and…everything else. His eyes, now visible, show the unmistakable glowing ring around the blue of his irises, and as Dean stares in bewilderment, Cas' wings spring into view. They are like no wings Dean has ever seen; black and iridescent, huge and looming over him. He tips his head back to take them all in and nearly topples over, leaning on Sam to catch himself.
"Dude, are you o….what the fuck," Sam says, his eyes widening to startling proportions as he too stares at Cas in shock. Cas hasn't yet noticed their gape of confusion. He appears to be steeling himself for the short walk to the water, taking a deep breath before straightening his shoulders and striding forward. He is one of the last to join the group of angels but once he does, they move into the water as a unit, going further and further until Dean sees the water come up to Cas' chin. The angels dive, disappearing under the waves, staying under longer than any human could comfortably stay. When they surface, they are further apart than they were when they went under; spread out further than Dean can see in either direction. Dean finds Cas easily in the crowd, his black wings sticking out amongst the more earth tones of his companions. His wings rise out of the water and open fully with a snap, catching the light, and sending prism filled droplets flying in every direction.
Dean is mesmerized. Unable to tear his gaze away, his purpose for coming to this event is long forgotten. He stares at Cas, watching his upturned face and closed eyes, until Sam starts to shake him.
"What?" Dean asks, snapping back to reality. Sam gives him a strange look.
"It's over," he gestures around to the emptying beach. "I asked if you were ready to head back to the hotel." And he is right, it is over and Dean is startled by the amount of time he has lost.
People and angels alike have begun gathering their belongings and leaving the beach. A few angels linger, conversing on the beach, and fewer still remain in the water. It must be hard, Dean thinks, to let go of that freedom. Of being able to release their wings, only to send them back a short time later. He wonders if that is what Cas is thinking of, as he stands waist deep in the water, staring at the sliver of sun that remains.
"Dean?" Sam calls, pulling him back into focus once again. Dean shakes his head slightly.
"Um, nah, you go on ahead, man. I think I'm going to wait for Cas." He makes a show of gathering the discarded clothes on the ground next to him and gives Sam a nonchalant shrug. A smirk plays at the corner of Sam's mouth before he answers.
"Sure, dude, see you in the morning. Have fun." And then he is gone, before Dean has the chance to ask what the hell that meant. Cas hasn't moved by the time Dean has turned back toward the water, and so he waits. And waits. And waits. He waits until they are the last two people left and the sun is long gone, replaced by the full, bright moon. He waits until he is sure that, by this point, Cas isn't coming out to avoid him. He considers leaving, placing Cas' clothes back on the sand, and walking to his room, but instead he walks to the water's edge and calls Cas' name softly; sure that Cas will hear him. And he does. He moves for the first time in over an hour, turning to meet Dean's eyes. He takes one last look at the calm sea before wading back toward land. Dean keeps his eyes trained on the faint glow of Cas' eyes, but he can feel a blush rise in his cheeks and he pleads to whoever or whatever may be listening that Cas can't see it in the dark. He can make out the shape of Cas' wings as he walks up the beach. They are large and dark in a way that should be scary but isn't, and to Dean's dismay, the next time his eyes blink, the wings are gone.
"I thought you were human," are the first words out of Dean's mouth and he mentally kicks himself because that is NOT what he wanted to say. Cas hangs his head a little and nods.
"I did catch on to that eventually. I'm sorry I deceived you, I found myself enjoying our time together and I thought it would change things if you knew." Dean understands, he isn't mad, and honestly, he probably would have acted differently around Cas if he had known.
"So, is Cas your real name then?" He teases. "Not very angelic, ya know." Cad smiles softly back at him.
"It's Castiel actually, I just prefer Cas."
"Why were you so nervous, Cas? You must have done this ceremony at least a dozen times."
"I have, but in a group of only about one hundred or so. The size of this gathering felt a bit daunting in comparison." His hands no longer twist but there is still a touch of something anxious in his eyes.
"Was it as bad as you thought it would be?" Dean asks.
"It wasn't bad at all. It was liberating, just in a perturbing kind of way. I miss them already…," his voice trails off quietly.
"Can't you bring them back out?" Dean asks, half from curiosity, half from his own desire to see them again.
"Yes, it is just sort of an unwritten rule with angels that we don't leave our wings out, outside of the ceremony anyways. I believe it has something to do with the comfort of humans," he explains with a shrug that is probably meant to be indifferent, but to Dean, just looks sad.
"Well," Dean starts, "we're the only ones here right now." Dean holds out his arms in a wide gesture and looks around.
Cas glances around them as if noticing for the first time that, yes, they are the only ones still on the beach. He closes his eyes for a brief moment before Dean feels a burst of something he can't quite put a name to and then Cas' wings are back. Dean tips his head back again to look at them. They are breathtaking and Dean finds himself at a loss for words. He is quiet for a moment before he realizes that Cas is shuffling slightly back and forth, his hands twisting together once more. Dean realizes that he is still holding Cas' clothes in his hands and flings them out towards Cas quickly.
"Fuck, I'm sorry. You're just standing there and I… and I was…I'm sorry." He snaps his mouth shut and rubs the bridge of his nose roughly. Cas holds his clothes but makes no immediate move to put them back on.
"Do you…are they…okay?" Cas finally asks, without bringing his gaze up.
"...okay? Jesus fuck, Cas. Your wings are fucking amazing. Seriously, man, the most badass looking wings I have ever seen." He sees the corner of Cas' mouth quirk up and finds himself once more staring into the soft glow of his eyes.
"Come on," Cas says, tossing his clothes back onto the sand, and runs back towards the water without further explanation.
"Dude, no way am I getting into the water. It might be summer but it's still fuckin' cold out there." He doesn't bring up the fact that he's a mediocre dog paddler at best. Cas turns and holds an arm out towards him.
"I'll keep you safe, please Dean." And how can he say no? He's known this man, this angel, for mere hours and all he wants to do is make him happy. And, yikes, Dean makes a mental note to freak out about that thought later. He looks down at his clothes and then glances around again nervously. In front of him, he sees Cas turn, giving him privacy, and he takes a deep breath, steeling himself before he pulls his clothes off and tosses them next to Cas' on the beach. He reaches out to where Cas' arm is still outstretched and grabs a hold, hoping and praying that Cas doesn't notice the slight tremor of his hand. Cas doesn't turn and look at him, something Dean is thankful for given his already heightened nerves.
'What the fuck am I doing?' Dean thinks to himself, 'just a casual, naked, moonlit stroll with a man you just met.' This sounds like the start to some pretty spicy Star Wars AU fanfic (that he definitely has NOT read or saved on his laptop).
"Where are we going?" He finally asks after they have waded out waist deep into the water.
"If I asked you to trust me, would you?" Cas asks, finally turning to look at Dean again. Dean's mind screams 'I just met you' and 'I don't trust anyone, aside from Sam', but his mouth says…
"Yes."
The smile on Cas's face is blinding and Dean can't bring himself to regret his decision even though his heart is threatening to jump out of his throat.
"Take a deep breath and close your eyes, okay?" Cas says, pulling them out to where Dean's feet are barely touching the bottom. Dean takes a few deep breaths, holds in the last one and nods before closing his eyes. And then…he is flying. Or, whatever the water version of flying is, he thinks. 'Swimming really, really fast' isn't quite doing it for him. He takes a risk and opens one eye slightly and sees Cas's wings pushing them through the water in the same kind of way he imagines they would through the air; graceful and strong. They push to the surface right as Dean is feeling like he can't hold his breath much longer and he takes a few deep gasps of air before shaking his head and looking around. They are in a small cove of some kind; one you probably wouldn't find unless you were looking for it. Trees surrounded them on three sides and Dean can see the glow of a house light far back into the tree line.
"Where are we?" Dean asks, paddling forward until he feels a shelf of rocks and sand.
"My brother lives just through those trees, I've spent a lot of time on this beach since I moved here to be closer to him," Cas explains, pointing to the light Dean noticed earlier. "It isn't the same as the beaches in my home that I left, but there is something about this one that feels…"
"Safe," Dean says, because it's the one word that comes to his mind when he looks around him at the trees and rocks that shelter them from the rest of the ocean. Cas nods, smiling at him shyly.
"We just met, why did you bring me to a place that means so much to you?" Dean wonders aloud, hoping that maybe he isn't the only one feeling this strange connection. Cas gives a half shrug and gazes out across the water.
"I think, maybe, you make me feel the same way," he answers. Safe.
Dean isn't really even aware that he is moving until he has Cas pushed up against the line of rocks and sand, with his hands buried in his wild and wet hair, kissing him firmly. Cas makes a noise against his lips and Dean thinks briefly that he should pull away before Cas's arms snake around his shoulders and pull him closer. Dean has never done this; not really. Maybe he has known for a long time that he feels the same way about men that he does about women but he hasn't ever had the nerve to announce it, let alone act on it. He wonders briefly if this is the moment where he is going to have that freak out that he thought about earlier. But he realizes at the last minute that what Cas said about him is also true about Cas. Dean feels safe. More safe than he has felt in a long time, if he is being honest with himself. So he allows himself to do something that he doesn't normally do when something good comes into his life. He holds onto it, as tightly as he possibly can.
One Year Later
"Morning, Sunshine," Dean mumbles, pressing a kiss to Cas's cheek as he reaches for the coffee press on the table beside Cas. Cas smiles warmly up at him and passes an empty cup into Dean's eager hands.
"Good morning, Dean. Are you still okay with leaving soon? I want to visit with Gabriel before the convocation starts."
"Yeah, just give me a few minutes to have my two cups and we can head out," Dean nods as he takes a large gulp from his mug.
"Is Sam riding there with us?" Cas asks, sliding a plate of toast in front of Dean. Dean shrugs and nibbles on the corner of the proffered toast.
"Yo, Moose! You comin' with us?" Dean shouts over his shoulder as Cas rolls his eyes fondly. Sam strolls into the kitchen looking far more awake than Dean feels at this hour.
"Yeah, man, if you guys don't care. I want to stop at that bookstore I told you about before we have to be down at the beach."
"Sounds good," Dean agrees and moves to fill his cup again.
"Want to leave in 30?" Sam asks. "I know you hate being late for…say, Cas, has Dean ever told you about Hot Girl Summer?" The grin on Sam's face is downright smug and Dean sputters, fighting the urge to hurl his mug at him. Cas raises a questioning eyebrow at Dean and rests his chin on his upturned hand.
"Why, no, he hasn't. Dean?" Cas blinks up at Dean with big, blue eyes and Dean feels heat rush to his cheeks.
"That's not…" Dean stammers and then shrugs. "What can I say? It got me you." And with that he pulls Cas in for a kiss, reveling in the feel of Cas's grin against his skin.
~Fin~