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The rain lashed against the windows of Castiel’s small cottage, the wind howling like a wounded animal as the storm raged outside.
Cas stood at the window, watching the waves crash against the rocky shoreline, his heart heavy with worry. He had seen storms like this before, but something about tonight felt different. Ominous. As if the sea itself was angry.
He was just about to turn away and head back to his books when something caught his eye—a flash of movement among the waves. At first, he thought it was a trick of the light, but then he saw it again. A figure, half-submerged in the water, being tossed about like a rag doll by the merciless waves.
Cas’s heart leapt into his throat. Without thinking, he grabbed his coat and ran out into the storm, the wind whipping at his clothes and the rain stinging his skin. He raced down the rocky path to the shore, his eyes never leaving the figure in the water.
When he reached the edge of the rocks, he plunged in without hesitation, the cold water biting at his skin. He fought against the waves, his muscles straining as he pushed forward. Finally, his hands closed around a limp form—a man, unconscious, his body battered and bruised.
“Hey!” Cas shouted over the roar of the storm, pulling the man’s head above water. “Hey, can you hear me?”
There was no response. The man’s eyes were closed, his lips blue with cold. Cas gritted his teeth, wrapping an arm around the man’s chest and kicking hard, dragging him back toward the shore. The waves fought against him, but Cas refused to let go. He wasn’t going to lose this stranger to the sea.
Once they were on the shore, Cas laid the man down on the sand, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps. The man was beautiful, even in his current state—dark hair plastered to his forehead, long lashes resting against his pale cheeks. His clothes were torn, his skin marred with cuts and bruises, and his breathing was shallow and labored.
Cas pressed two fingers to the man’s neck, feeling for a pulse. It was there, but faint. Too faint.
“Come on,” Cas muttered under his breath, his hands moving quickly as he tilted the man’s head back and checked his airway. “Stay with me.”
He began chest compressions, counting under his breath, his heart pounding with fear. “Please,” he whispered, almost a prayer. “Come on, breathe.”
After what felt like an eternity, the man’s chest suddenly heaved, and he coughed, sputtering up water. Cas let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, relief flooding through him.
“That’s it,” Cas murmured, gently rolling the man onto his side. “You’re okay. Just breathe.”
The man’s eyes fluttered open, unfocused and full of confusion. “Where… where am I?” he croaked, his voice rough and weak.
“You’re safe,” Cas replied, his tone soft but firm. “You’re on the shore, near my cottage. You washed up in the storm. I’m going to help you, okay?”
The man blinked, his brow furrowing as he tried to remember. “I… I don’t know how I got here,” he whispered, his voice thick with fear.
“That’s all right,” Cas soothed, placing a steadying hand on the man’s shoulder. “We’ll figure it out. But first, let’s get you out of this cold.”
Cas managed to get the man back to his cottage, his arm around his waist, supporting him with each step. The man leaned heavily on Cas, his body shivering violently from the cold, his legs weak and unsteady. Cas felt a protective surge in his chest—this man, whoever he was, needed help. And Cas was going to make sure he got it.
Inside, Cas guided the man to the couch, covering him with a thick blanket and moving quickly to stoke the fire. The man watched him with wide, wary eyes, his expression a mix of fear and confusion.
“What’s your name?” Cas asked gently, kneeling beside the couch.
The man hesitated, his brow furrowed in concentration. “Dean,” he finally answered, his voice barely more than a whisper. “I think… I think it’s Dean.”
Cas nodded, a soft smile tugging at his lips. “Dean. That’s a good name. I’m Castiel. I’m going to take care of you.”
Dean nodded slowly, his eyes drifting closed. “Cas… thank you,” he murmured, his voice fading as exhaustion took over. “For saving me.”
Cas’s heart clenched, and he gently brushed a strand of wet hair from Dean’s forehead. “You’re welcome,” he whispered. “Get some rest. You’re safe now.”
The days passed slowly as Dean recovered, his strength returning bit by bit. He was a mystery to Cas—his memory was patchy, his body bore the marks of a violent struggle, and yet there was something otherworldly about him, something that tugged at Cas’s soul. Dean seemed to know things about the ocean that no human could know, and there was a sadness in his eyes that spoke of loss and longing.
One night, as they sat by the fire, Dean turned to Cas, his expression serious. “Do you ever… feel like you don’t belong?” he asked quietly, his eyes searching Cas’s face.
Cas frowned, taken aback by the question. “I think we all feel that way sometimes,” he replied slowly. “Why do you ask?”
Dean sighed, looking down at his hands. “I don’t remember who I am, Cas. But I know… I know I don’t belong here. Not really.”
Cas’s chest tightened at the vulnerability in Dean’s voice. “Dean, you don’t have to have all the answers right now,” he said gently. “You’re safe here with me.”
Dean looked up, his eyes glassy with unshed tears. “What if I’m not meant to be safe?” he whispered, his voice trembling.
Cas reached out, taking Dean’s hand in his own. “I don’t believe that,” he said firmly. “You’re meant to be here. You’re meant to be loved.”
Dean’s breath hitched, and he looked away, his shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Cas’s heart broke at the sight, and he gently pulled Dean into his arms, holding him close.
“Shh,” Cas murmured, his hand stroking Dean’s hair. “It’s okay. You’re not alone. I’m here.”
Dean clung to Cas, his body shaking with emotion. “I’m scared, Cas,” he admitted, his voice muffled against Cas’s shoulder. “I don’t know who I am… or what I am.”
Cas held him tighter, his own eyes stinging with tears. “You’re Dean,” he whispered. “And that’s enough for me.”
Over time, Dean’s memory began to return in fragments—flashes of a life beneath the waves, a family lost to the depths, a longing that cut deeper than any wound. He was a merman cursed by a witch, his past a blur of pain and darkness.
Cas listened to every word, his heart aching with empathy. He didn’t care if Dean was a merman or a mystery—he cared about Dean, the person in front of him, the man he had grown to love.
One day, as they stood by the shore, Dean turned to Cas, his expression earnest. “I don’t know how long I’ll be able to stay,” he said quietly. “The sea… it’s calling me back. But I don’t want to leave you.”
Cas’s heart clenched, but he nodded. “I understand,” he replied, his voice steady. “But know this, Dean—you will always have a home with me. No matter where you go, no matter what you remember.”
Dean smiled, tears filling his eyes. “Thank you, Cas,” he whispered. “For everything.”
Cas reached out, pulling Dean into a tight embrace. “I love you, Dean,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “And I’m not afraid to say it.”
Dean’s breath caught, and he held Cas closer. “I love you too,” he whispered back. “More than I’ve ever loved anything.”
They stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the sea. No words were needed—just the steady beat of their hearts, the gentle crash of the waves, and the warmth of each other’s embrace. For a moment, everything felt right.
But as the light faded, a chill settled in the air. Dean shivered, the call of the ocean growing stronger in his mind, pulling at something deep within him. His body trembled against Cas’s, his breath hitching. “Cas… I don’t know how much longer I can fight it,” he whispered, fear and longing mingling in his voice.
Cas pulled back slightly, cupping Dean’s face with his hands, his eyes intense and filled with love. “Then don’t fight,” he replied softly. “But know that wherever you go, you are loved. By me.”
Dean’s eyes brimmed with tears. “I’ve never felt this way before,” he admitted, his voice breaking. “I’ve never felt… like I belonged somewhere. Until I met you.”
Cas’s heart ached, and he leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to Dean’s forehead. “And you always will, Dean,” he murmured softly. “You belong with me.”
Dean closed his eyes, a tear escaping down his cheek. “I’m scared,” he whispered. “What if I lose myself again? What if… what if the curse takes me?”
Cas’s grip tightened, his thumb gently brushing away Dean’s tear. “Then I’ll remind you,” he promised. “Every day, I’ll remind you who you are. Who we are.”
Dean let out a shaky breath, his heart swelling with love and fear. “Cas… I don’t deserve this,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “I don’t deserve you.”
Cas shook his head, his expression fierce and protective. “You deserve everything, Dean,” he said firmly, his voice raw with emotion. “And I’m not going to let you forget it.”
Dean’s eyes met Cas’s, filled with a mixture of hope and despair. “Promise me,” he whispered. “Promise me you won’t forget me.”
Cas’s gaze softened, and he leaned in, his lips brushing against Dean’s in a soft, lingering kiss. “I promise,” he whispered against Dean’s mouth. “I will never forget you. No matter what.”
Dean melted into the kiss, his heart pounding in his chest. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt a sense of peace, of belonging. He didn’t know what the future held, but he knew one thing for certain—he loved Cas, and he would hold onto that love, no matter where the tide took him.
But as their lips parted, Dean’s body tensed. A sudden, sharp pain shot through his chest, and his legs buckled beneath him. He gasped, collapsing against Cas’s chest, his breathing becoming labored.
“Dean!” Cas exclaimed, catching him before he could fall to the ground. Panic gripped his heart as he watched Dean’s face twist in pain. “Dean, what’s happening?”
Dean’s body convulsed again, and his legs shimmered, his skin rippling as it began to change. The curse—the curse was breaking.
Cas held Dean tightly, his mind racing as he realized what was happening. The man he loved was transforming, returning to his true form. But that meant…
Dean’s legs fused together, scales spreading across his skin, his human form disappearing as the long, powerful tail of a merman took shape. His gills flared open on the sides of his neck, desperately searching for water.
“Cas…” Dean gasped, his voice strangled with pain. “I—can’t—breathe…”
Cas’s heart pounded in his chest as he quickly realized what was happening. Dean was suffocating. Without water, his gills couldn’t function. Dean was dying in his arms.
“No, no, no. Dean, please. Stay with me.” Cas muttered, his voice trembling as he tightened his hold on Dean. He needed to get him into water—any water. The ocean was too far, but the bathtub—the bathtub would have to do.
With a surge of adrenaline, Cas lifted Dean into his arms, carrying him as gently but as quickly as he could to the bathroom. Dean’s gills fluttered desperately as he struggled to draw in air, his tail twitching weakly in Cas’s grasp.
“I’ve got you, Dean,” Cas whispered, his voice tight with worry. “Just hold on.”
Cas rushed into the bathroom, turning on the cold water as quickly as he could. He lowered Dean into the bathtub as the water began to fill, gently submerging his tail and scales. The moment the water touched his skin, Dean’s body seemed to relax, his gills fluttering more slowly as he began to take in the precious oxygen.
Dean let out a shaky breath, his eyes half-lidded with exhaustion. “Cas…” he murmured weakly. “Thank you…”
Cas knelt beside the bathtub, his hands cupping the water and pouring it over Dean’s tail, trying to keep him comfortable. “You’re okay,” Cas whispered, his heart aching with love and fear. “You’re going to be okay.”
But even as the water soothed Dean’s gills, Cas knew it wasn’t enough. The bathtub was too small, too shallow to sustain him for long. Dean needed the ocean. Cas’s chest tightened painfully at the thought, but he knew it was the only way to save him.
“Dean,” Cas said softly, his voice breaking. “You need to go back to the ocean.”
Dean’s tired eyes flickered to Cas, sadness and understanding mingling in his gaze. He knew it too. But the thought of leaving Cas after everything they had been through—it broke his heart.
“I don’t want to leave you." Dean whispered, his voice filled with emotion.
Cas swallowed hard, his eyes stinging with unshed tears. “If you stay here, you’ll die." he said gently, though his own heart felt like it was shattering. “I can’t lose you, Dean.”
Dean’s lips trembled, a tear slipping down his cheek. “I don’t want to say goodbye.”
Cas leaned forward, pressing his forehead against Dean’s, his heart heavy with love and sorrow. “It’s not goodbye,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “You’ll come back. I know you will.”
Dean’s breath hitched, and he looked up at Cas with tear-filled eyes. “I love you, Cas,” he whispered, his voice shaking. “I’ll always love you.”
Cas’s heart ached with the intensity of his feelings, and he kissed Dean’s forehead gently. “I love you too, Dean." he whispered, his voice breaking.
With a deep, steadying breath, Cas stood and lifted Dean once more, cradling him carefully as he carried him toward the shore. The ocean was calm now, the storm having passed, but the waves still lapped at the rocks, waiting to take Dean back.
Cas waded into the water, feeling the chill seep through his clothes, but he didn’t care. His only focus was on Dean. The water swirled around Dean’s tail, and his body relaxed even further as the ocean began to call him home.
Cas held him close for one last moment, his lips brushing against Dean’s temple. “I’ll see you again,” Cas whispered, his voice filled with certainty. “I know I will.”
Dean’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but he managed a small smile. “I’ll come back to you, Cas.”
With that, Cas slowly let go, watching as Dean’s tail flicked and carried him beneath the waves. Cas stood there, the water up to his chest, as Dean’s shimmering form disappeared into the depths.
The weight of the moment crashed over Cas, and he could no longer hold back his tears. His heart ached, his soul feeling empty without Dean by his side. The love they had found was now bound to the tides, carried by the ocean’s pull.
As the waves lapped against his legs, Cas whispered into the night, “I’ll wait for you, Dean.”
Weeks passed, but Cas never forgot Dean. The sea became both a source of comfort and pain, reminding him of the man he loved. Every storm, every whisper of the waves, brought memories of Dean’s laugh, his touch, and the way he made Cas feel alive.
Cas would walk along the shore every evening, searching the water for any sign of him. The sea became both his sanctuary and his torment, a constant reminder of the love he had lost.
It wasn’t until a stormy night—so much like the night they had first met—that everything changed again.
Cas found himself standing on the cliffs, staring out at the water. The wind whipped around him, and the air smelled of salt and rain. As his eyes scanned the horizon, something caught his attention—a flash of movement, a figure tossed by the waves, just like before.
Without hesitation, Cas sprinted down the path toward the shore, the same path he had run all those weeks ago. His breath caught in his throat as he saw it—Dean, his body battered and bruised, lying unconscious on the rocks.
But this time, Dean wasn’t a merman. He was human.
His heart leapt into his throat, and without thinking, Cas ran toward the shore, his feet slipping on the slick rocks as he raced toward the water. The storm raged around him, but he didn’t care. His only focus was on lifeless body of his love in the water.
“Dean!” Cas cried out, his voice cracking with disbelief and hope as he knelt beside him, carefully pulling him into his arms. Dean’s skin was pale and cold, his body limp, but he was alive. Cas could feel the faint rise and fall of his chest, the soft beat of his heart.
“Dean, please, my love." Cas whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. “Please wake up.”
Dean’s eyes fluttered open, and he let out a weak, raspy breath. “Cas…” he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I came back to you."
Cas’s heart swelled with overwhelming relief, and tears spilled down his cheeks as he held Dean closer. “You’re back,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “You came back to me, my love.”
Dean managed a weak smile, his hand reaching up to cup Cas’s cheek. “I told you… I’d always find you.”
Cas laughed softly through his tears, pressing a kiss to Dean’s forehead. “I never stopped waiting,” he whispered. “I never gave up.”
Carefully, Cas helped Dean to his feet, supporting him as they made their way back to the cottage. Once inside, Cas set Dean down by the fire, gently drying him off and tending to his wounds. Dean shivered slightly, but his eyes never left Cas, watching him with quiet affection.
When Dean was settled, wrapped in a warm blanket, he finally spoke. “I went to Rowena,” he whispered, his voice still weak but stronger than before. “A witch… a good one. She helped me become human again. For good.”
Cas’s heart skipped a beat as he stared at Dean, his breath catching in his throat. “You’re… you’re human?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Dean nodded, his eyes softening as he reached for Cas’s hand. “I’m staying this time, Cas. I’m not going back to the ocean. I’m staying… with you.”
Cas’s eyes filled with tears once more, but this time they were tears of joy. He leaned forward, capturing Dean’s lips in a deep, passionate kiss, his hands cupping Dean’s face as if he were afraid to let go.
When they finally pulled away, Cas rested his forehead against Dean’s, his heart racing with love and happiness. “I love you, Dean." Cas whispered, his voice full of emotion. "I missed you so much."
Dean smiled, his eyes shining with love. “I love you too, Cas. And I’m not going anywhere.”
That night, they fell asleep in each other’s arms, the storm raging outside, but inside, there was nothing but warmth and love. Dean had returned, and this time, they would be together for the rest of their lives.
The sea may have claimed Dean once, but fate had brought him back to where he truly belonged—in Cas’s arms.