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Castiel sat on a stranded boat and strummed his guitar aimlessly, just playing what chords felt good in the moment and humming along. He liked it here, it was peaceful. Quiet. Back in Heaven, the angels were constantly chattering, giving updates on ongoing events, or just gossiping. He knew that losing this connection was what drove most fallen angels insane and made them beg to be welcomed back into the Heavenly Host, but Castiel truly relished the silence.
His momentary peace, however, was broken when his new brethren, a group of sirens, returned. They immediately scoffed at him.
“Caaastiel,” one of them—possibly her name was Olivia? Castiel wasn’t keen to learn their names and connect—drawled. “Your voice is still too deep. And what are you doing with that instrument? You’re never going to lure any sailors like this.”
The others snickered.
“I just can’t understand why they’d place you here. You’re neither beautiful nor melodic.” Alexander added—this one Castiel regretfully remembered. “You’ll just chase our prey away.”
“Good thing I don’t join you then.” Castiel replied, head held high, even though their words stung. He knew he was out of place here. Just as he had been back in Heaven. Defective, as Naomi had called him, before banishing him.
A few others joined them on the beach, still dripping with water and apparently just back from their hunt. Samandriel was with them. He had arrived just after Castiel but was already an accepted member of the new pack. He gave Castiel a shy smile which Castiel did not return. If Samandriel knew what was good for him, he’d soon shun Castiel as well. He didn’t want to drag Samandriel down with him, even if they used to be in the same garrison.
“How did it go?” A siren with long blonde hair asked him.
Samandriel shook his head in reply, looking down at the ground. A male siren from his group placed a hand on his shoulder.
”Even Samandriel’s angelic voice couldn’t lure him. Winchester must have made a pact with the demons. There is no way he can resist all of us.” The man reported.
Winchester. Castiel secretly smiled. He’d heard a lot of tales about Dean Winchester and his ship, the Saint Mary. Even up in Heaven they’d talked about him defying death countless times. One of God’s Chosen. What for, Castiel had not been privy to.
”Maybe Castiel could do it,” Samandriel suggested.
Everyone’s head turned in Castiel’s direction. He knew Samandriel probably meant to throw him a lifeline, but once again, the kid really should mind his own business.
One of the sirens started laughing and soon they were all giggling and mocking him. Castiel tried to shake it off as usual, but seeing Samandriel’s confused look somehow got to him.
”Maybe I could.” Castiel said neutrally, hiding the immediate regret he felt. If he didn’t succeed, they would just use this as another opportunity to make fun of him. But if he did, then what? He’d condemn a man to his death.
There was a reason why he stayed on his own even though sirens traveled in pack. Naomi knew just what she was doing when she’d condemned him to this fate.
”Prove it then.” He was immediately challenged.
”Yeah, prove it. Maybe it truly takes a defective siren such as you to lure someone like Winchester.” Another male siren added.
Defective. Castiel flinched. He just couldn’t escape the moniker. But that’s what he was, wasn’t he? A defective member of the Heavenly Host and now a defective siren. He got up from his perch on the boat and stretched his body languidly, as if this was the most casual task required of him. Lure Dean Winchester. One of God’s favorites.
Well, if anything, it would certainly piss them off up there if he screwed with their plans.
“Fine, but I’m gonna need a boat.” Castiel held up his guitar.
He was met with incredulous stares but before anyone could make a snarky comment, Samandriel spoke up. “That is ok. We can push you.” He looked around at the others hopefully. “Right?”
”Sure, whatever,” Sabine agreed. Castiel remembered her name because she was one of the few who had been welcoming when he was first sent here.
Castiel wasn’t sure if it was a good thing that they agreed so readily, because now he had no excuse to delay or avoid the whole thing. But he had brought this upon himself and now he had to see it through.
The sirens jumped into action, laying out their plans. Castiel was included every step of the way and he had to admit that it felt nice to be a part of something again. Even if they were essentially planning the death of a sailor.
They would bring his boat as close to Winchester’s ship as possible but then dive down deep and let Castiel row the rest of the way on his own. They suspected that Winchester had seen them coming before and did something to avoid their lure.
**
The very next day, the plan was set into motion. Castiel pretended to be lost at sea as he rowed his little dinghy towards the Saint Mary. He waved his arms and called for help until he could be sure that he had been noticed.
Then he picked up his guitar and started strumming.
On waves of love my heart is breaking
And stranger still my self control I can't rely on anymore
New tide, surprise, my world is changing
Within this frame an ocean swells behind this smile, I know it well
There was a commotion on board and Castiel could hear frantic shouts. Several men were trying to hold back another, but the single figure fought his way closer and closer to the railing.
Beneath a lover's moon I'm waiting
I am the pilot of the storm
Adrift in pleasure I may drown
I built this ship, it is my making
And furthermore my self control I can't rely on anymore
The man was breathtakingly beautiful. Castiel immediately knew who he was and something possessive stirred deep inside of him. That man was his and his alone. Castiel was the one who could lure him, the only one, and Dean Winchester would jump.
It didn’t escape Castiel’s notice that none of the other sailors were throwing themselves into the water. But that was fine. Winchester was the only one he wanted. The only one he needed.
I know why, I know why
Crazy on a ship of fools
Crazy on a ship of fools
Turn this boat around, back to my loving ground
With a mean looking right hook, Winchester fought off the last person holding him back and then he was locking eyes with Castiel, jumping off the Saint Mary and straight into the open seas without any hesitation. Castiel didn’t even have to finish his song.
He saw Winchester dive under water and was waiting for him to come back up so he could join him in his boat and Castiel could row away with his price.
Then Castiel’s mind cleared up. It seemed as if he had been under a spell as much as Dean Winchester had been. The other sirens had been waiting for their precious meal and would have snatched Dean up as soon as he went under. Fuck.
Not wasting any more time, Castiel discarded his guitar and jumped in after him, diving deep as fast as his legs would take him. Winchester was already caught by several greedy hands and the gaggle of sirens seemed to fight over him. Which was the only thing that had saved Castiel from arriving too late.
Winchester was struggling and fighting back, but he stopped as soon as he saw Castiel, opening his lips to call out for him and expelling his last air. Castiel cursed again and forcefully pushed his way in between his brethren.
”He is mine,” he yelled at them telepathically. He had not made use of his remaining angelic powers until now and most of the sirens scrambled back in shock. Castiel willed his wings back into existence and wrapped Dean up in them, cocooning him to keep him safe. He closed his mouth over his and breathed some air back into his lungs.
Winchester was quickly losing consciousness, but Castiel could feel the other man relax in his hold and go pliant against the feathers. Good. That would make this easier.
Castiel kept Dean close to his body, using his wings to make them one entity, one aerodynamic body that he could propel out of here. He gave a strong push with his legs to escape. The sirens closest to him tried to keep him back and not let him escape with their sought after meal, but instead of fighting back, Castiel just took a few scratches from their claws and focused on torpedoing out of there.
A blue light enveloped Dean in the cocoon and Castiel realized it was coming from him. The urgency to keep Dean alive had reactivated even more of his dormant angelic powers. Since it came instinctually, Castiel could fully focus on his speed and getting them as far away from the sirens as possible.
He was never more glad that he had explored the ocean on his own as he was now, because he knew how to get Dean to a small remote island that was uninhabited. He would go there some days when it all became too much and he just wanted to be completely at peace. None of the other sirens had ever bothered him here so he assumed the island wouldn’t be on their radar.
Once he could see the island’s shadow, Castiel started his ascent, hoping that his powers would keep Dean from getting sick. He knew humans had trouble surfacing too fast, but he couldn’t waste time. He had to get out of the waters before he might get spotted by pursuing sirens.
After breaking the surface, Castiel retreated his wings and let the waves wash them ashore. Dean Winchester was still unconscious, but Castiel could feel his heart beating close to his own chest. He dragged the man onto the sand and made sure he was breathing, moving his fingers lightly over the man’s face. He was so beautiful. Castiel was afraid to hurt him. What if his siren instincts took over and his claws came out?
But then, hadn’t he already acted against every instinct he should have had? Claiming the man was one thing, but Castiel had saved him. He didn’t drag him off so he alone could have his meal. More than anything, Castiel knew he had to keep Dean Winchester alive. He could never harm him.
Dean’s eyes started to flutter open and Castiel helped him onto his side once he coughed and retched up seawater as he regained consciousness.
“Easy, it’s ok.” Castiel soothed, keeping his hands on the other man.
“Wha... what happened?” Dean rasped.
”You… just washed up here.” Castiel lied. “I pulled you out.”
”Thank you.” Dean rolled over and Castiel knew he should let go, but he couldn’t keep his hands off of Dean. He still had a strong urge to shelter him and keep him just for himself.
“We should get off the beach.” Castiel decided. Just in case the sirens were on their trail.
”Why?” Dean frowned. “My ship. I’m sure they’re looking for me.” Dean cocked his head. “They must be. I… I remember… falling. No. Jumping overboard?”
”Why… why would you do that?” Castiel whispered, afraid Dean would quickly remember all of if and run away from him.
”Why indeed.” Dean’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t move. After taking a deep breath, Dean struggled to get up. Castiel’s hands were falling off him and Castiel fought all of his urges to allow Dean his space. “You’re right.” Dean agreed. “We best get off this sand.”
Castiel got up as well and led Dean deeper into the island, directing him to Castiel’s favorite place with a hand on the small of Dean’s back. Dean didn’t shake him off, so Castiel figured he could indulge himself by touching what was his.
”Have you been here long?” Dean asked.
”Couple days.” Castiel shrugged. “I was alone on a small ship.” Which was true enough. “It crashed.”
“So there’s other islands nearby?” Dean asked.
”No.” Castiel replied.
”You were out here by yourself? On a small ship?” Dean questioned.
Castiel felt it best to avoid this line of questioning. “There’s a fresh water spring ahead.” He mentioned instead, hoping to distract Dean. “You must be thirsty.”
Dean didn’t press on and allowed Castiel to lead him to the spring. Since he came here often enough, Castiel had crafted a hammock and hung it between two trees. It was the perfect place to lounge and work on his songs.
He didn’t regret saving Dean—it was the only course of action—but he regretted leaving his guitar behind.
Dean knelt next to the spring and refreshed himself. “How long have you been here, exactly?” He asked.
”I wouldn’t know.” Castiel replied.
”Long enough to craft a hammock.” Dean mumbled. “Where’s your shelter?”
”Shelter?” Castiel asked, cocking his head in confusion.
”Yeah.” Dean looked at him. “Where do you sleep?”
Castiel pointed at the hammock.
Dean snorted. “What is wrong with you? Do you not have a sense of self preservation? It’s not just wild animals, what if there’s a storm?”
Castiel shrugged, suddenly feeling small. Defective. There it was again. He wasn’t good at anything.
Dean sighed. “Come on, let’s build something.”
**
Dean lectured Castiel on how to construct a makeshift shelter near a rock formation—so they’d be naturally protected from one side, as Dean explained—using palm leaves and thick branches they found in the forest. Castiel’s fascination with the human only grew. He was so beautiful yet also resourceful and commanding. He could see why he was a captain of his own ship.
While Dean put the finishing touches on their shelter, Castiel collected fruits and berries he knew wouldn’t be poisonous to Dean. Dean accepted them gratefully, but when they were done with their meal, he looked longingly into the wilderness.
”Tomorrow we’ll set some traps and catch us something more substantial.” Dean promised.
Castiel didn’t necessarily need to nourish this new body yet—another leftover of his fading angelic powers—but he was curious about food nonetheless. It was a pleasure he hadn’t been able to partake in in his previous form. Though he was drawing a line at eating human flesh like his new brethren.
They settled down to sleep and Dean’s day caught up with him quickly. He was asleep within minutes. Castiel laid next to him, watching Dean’s chest rise and fall. He should try to find some rest as well. This body needed it. But he couldn’t stop admiring just yet. He’d never seen a more stunning creature in all his life. No wonder Dean was one of God’s favorites.
Castiel wasn’t sure how much time had passed when Dean’s peaceful slumber was suddenly interrupted by nightmares. He tossed and turned, whimpering in his sleep. Castiel didn’t think, he just reacted. He wrapped his wings around Dean once more, enveloping him safely in a soft cocoon of black feathers. Dean calmed down immediately. He rolled over, one hand reaching out and grasping Castiel’s shirt.
Castiel was afraid Dean would wake up, but he didn’t. Scooting a little closer, Castiel placed his own hand against Dean’s chest, feeling his heartbeat. Once it returned to a steady thumping, it was soothing and Castiel was able to join Dean in sleep.
**
The next morning, Castiel was woken up when he felt something stir against him. His brain quickly caught up and he immediately retracted the wings that were still wrapped around the both of them. When he opened his eyes, Dean’s were still closed, so he breathed a sigh of relief and scooted further away from the other man for good measure, even though it physically pained him.
It didn’t take long for Dean to open his eyes and they made their way to the freshwater spring together. Dean didn’t seem very talkative in the morning and that was fine with Castiel. He didn’t really know what to talk to the other man about, even if he was curious and wanted to know his life’s story. Maybe even figure out if he knew Heaven was watching him—and why.
He didn’t get the chance. Before they could even look for nourishment for Dean, voices reached them from the direction of the beach. Castiel paled and quickly stepped in front of him, ready to protect him against sirens. How had they found them so quickly?
”No wait.” Dean interjected, pushing his way around Castiel to stand in front of him instead. “That’s my crew.”
Castiel bristled, feeling the need to protect Dean. How had the humans found them so quickly? And why were they even looking? For all they knew their captain had drowned. “How?” He asked.
Dean held Castiel’s gaze for a moment, seemingly considering something, before he pulled an amulet out from under his shirt. It was glowing. How had Castiel not sensed that? His powers must be more depleted than he thought.
“It’s a tracker beacon. I can’t really explain it.” Dean shrugged and pulled on the chain, hiding the amulet against his skin again. The glow fainted. Curious. Castiel cocked his head.
Dean’s crew had reached them before he could ask more questions. They pulled their swords when they saw Castiel, but Dean held up his hands.
”Don’t.” Dean shook his head. “He saved me.”
A burly man stepped forward. “Well, I’m glad. Your brother almost made me walk the plank because I couldn’t hold you back.” He placed a hand on Dean’s shoulder and Castiel stiffened. “What the fuck, Dean?”
A whiff reached Castiel’s nose and he pushed Dean away from the man. “Vampire,” he hissed.
The other man’s shoulders squared up and his nostrils flared. “Siren.”
Swords were drawn again and Castiel spread out his wings, hiding Dean away behind them.
The pirates gasped and even the vampire’s sword faltered.
Castiel could feel Dean’s hands in his feathers just before Dean stepped around him and in between him and his crew again. “Ok, that’s enough.” He held out his hands. “Each one of you had ample opportunity to kill me and yet I’m still here. Now can we agree to not kill each other and go back on the Mary and maybe figure this all out?”
Dean’s crew lowered their weapons again immediately and Castiel frowned, still poised for a fight. He wasn’t ready to let Dean go off again.
”That includes you, too...” Dean paused. “Angel,” he added. He raised his eyebrow at Castiel.
With a sigh, Castiel’s wings drooped, but he didn’t put them away just yet. He could see that killing Dean’s crew to keep Dean all to himself on this island was not an option. Besides, the sirens were still out there. Letting Dean go without following seemed unfathomable. The pull to be around him and protect him was too strong.
Castiel gave a small nod. He would follow Dean.
**
“Naomi.” Chuck yelled for his most loyal fixer. She appeared in the white room immediately.
”My Lord.” She greeted him.
Chuck rolled his eyes. Flattery would do her no good now. He pointed at the screen to where Castiel was currently joining Dean in his cabin on board of the Saint Mary.” “How does this suddenly happen in every universe?”
”I… I don’t…” Naomi blanched. “I thought demoting him to siren would surely…”
“Well obviously it didn’t.” Chuck interrupted her. He waved his hand and the screen disappeared. “Ever since Castiel screwed up my favorite universe, he keeps ruining all of my others, too. I fucking hate him.”
”Maybe… maybe we could just dispose of him?” Naomi suggested.
”Don’t be stupid.” Chuck dismissed her. “Where would be the entertainment in this?” He wanted him to suffer. And he had to be alive for that. Well. This universe was clearly ruined. Time to set his eyes on another experiment. His squirrel world had provided him with a lot of temporary amusement. Maybe if he’d turn the Winchesters into mice and Castiel would be a starving cat. Then he’d give him back his consciousness after he feasted.
Yeah. Surely that would work.
Chuck snapped his fingers.