I'm not one for author's notes but I'm really getting into this story. It starts off slowish, falls into action that then ends heavy in whump and fluff. I've loved writing it! I hope someone might like reading it!
Enjoy!
"I don't care if it's irrational, Jack. However, you are correct in saying so."
Cas and Jack were already knee deep in conversation when Sam learily walked into the kitchen shuffling his feet to the coffee maker.
"Sam, you did not sleep soundly last night." Cas informed him as the hunter fumbled with the coffee maker.
"You don't say." Sam's sass was apparent, even to the angel.
Jack chimed in his unnecessary opinion on the topic. "Contrary to popular belief alcohol does not actually help you sleep better, even though you feel more tired. In fact it-" Cas stifled the walking Google mid sentence with a glare. Jack cleared his voice and changed the subject. "Sam, I need your help."
"What." Sam was unamused. His brother was who knows where, the self inflicted hangover from the warm whiskey was not helping and now an overexcited Jack wanted his help with something. He wished it was something simple like if the newest remake of Macgyver was worth watching or if coffee is best enjoyed hot or iced. You know, simple, normal things they could enjoy a debate over coffee. With Dean missing for three days now the whole team was itching to find him and extract the archangel from their unofficial, beloved leader.
"I need help convincing Cas that he's crazy." Jack announced.
"I'm going to find Dean." Castiel announced himself.
"Yeah, Cas, we all are. As soon as we find a way to get Michael to leave his body and Rowena figures out her new location spell." Sam assured him and looked to Jack to see if that was enough to satisfy him.
"No, I'm going now. I can't wait any longer." Cas stated.
"That's all well and good but you have no idea where he is and what would you do to get Michael out?" Sam argued gently.
"I'll look everywhere and I'll think of something." Cas didn't waver.
"What? That doesn't make any sense Cas. You're not being rational."
Jack smiled and perked up. "That's what I said!"
"You can't stop me." Cas spoke gently but with a sense of firmness that made his words sound non-negotiable.
"I know I can't." Sam replied. Jack turned fast to look at Sam. He had agreed so easily. This look made Sam explain himself. "Look, so, I know…" He paused so to carefully choose his next words. "I know how you feel about, Dean." Cas' expression was always so difficult to read and from what Sam could tell this one was a brilliant and effortless poker face. "I'm right, right? You like Dean. Like a lot?" Sam questioned.
Jack's mouth hung open and he turned slowly to watch Cas reply.
After a few moments, which spoke volumes themselves, Cas finally replied with composure. "We share a more profound bond, true."
"That's not… God." Sam rolled his eyes and sipped more coffee. "Just say it Cas, you'll feel better. I. Love. Dean. Just try it."
Cas glared at Sam fully knowing the words but found it extremely difficult. "I...l-lo-uhh-ve…." He choked a little and before he could regain composure Jack's excitement cut in.
"DEAN! YOU LOVE DEAN!?! I KNEW IT!!" Jack bounced happily in his seat nearly spilling Sam's coffee everywhere. Sam smiled even though this was making his headache worse. Cas blushed slightly and stared down at his hands. Jack continued. "I knew it! I knew it! I thought I felt it but I thought I was just trying to imagine what I wanted for a family with actual parents that loved each other, but, wow! This is great!" He beamed smiles between them. "Oh sorry, Sam, no offense, you're more the Uncle type."
"That's fine with me, kiddo." Sam grinned and placed a hand on his 'nephew's' shoulder and patted him proudly. Then Sam continued the conversation. "See Cas, we all know. You two just have to figure it out."
There was silence while Castiel worked up the courage to reply. "Dean would never… he won't reciprocate my feelings and I've come to terms with that but that isn't going to keep me from saving him from Michael."
"Dude, you haven't even told him?! You don't know that for sure! Listen, if had a nickel for everytime I caught a hint that Dean might be Bi then I'd be able to by my own car."
"Bi?" Jack questioned.
Cas answered. "It's short for bisexual. It means the person is interested in romantic and potentially sexual relations with females and males."
"Oh. I thought everybody was like that. Why is there a term for 'normal'? And Cas, you technically don't have a gender."
This time Sam replied. "Actually, no, most people choose members of the opposite sex, mostly because that's just what they like but also sorta because that's the way the early Christians and other popular ancient religions said it was supposed to be. So it became what was considered 'normal' and socially acceptable. Also in order to preserve human life and further your family line a man needs to have sex with a woman to make babies at some point."
"So… is there a law against being in love with someone who is the same sex or even gender as you?" Jack asked so innocently.
Both Sam and Cas sighed jointly but Cas answered this tough question. "Well, yes and no. There are those who don't care either way whom others decide to spend their lives with. But then there are those who stand up and fight against it based on their incorrect interpretation of scripture found in the Old Testament. Do you know which one?" Cas tested Jack's biblical knowledge proudly, knowing he knew the answer.
"Is it...Leviticus... chapter eighteen verse twenty-two?"
"Yes." Cas agreed and smiled at his pupil.
"You shall not lie with another man as one lies with a female, it is repulsive." Jack quoted perfectly.
"Correct. The old King James version says: 'Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.'"
Sam added. "Another newer version actually says, 'Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin.' That version took a lot of liberties.
Jack was confused. "But in that same conversation God tells the people of Moses not to trim their beards or have sex with their mother in laws or to wear clothes made of two different materials woven together and how to drain blood from their live sacrifices that He demanded from them at time!"
"I know." Cas replied calmly.
Jack continued, undeterred. "The whole point of the Bible was to tell us that they don't need the stupid laws anymore now that Christ came. So why are these people stuck on that one scripture?" Jack stood up from the table, too frustrated to sit any longer. "They're not applying their own faith to the readings! Aren't they supposed to believe that God sent his only son to free them from sin and death and to be the ultimate sacrifice?!? Isn't a major part of being a Christian loving your neighbors as yourself?!?!? What are they thinking?!?!"
"Jack!" Sam spoke loudly to match Jack's level and motioned for him to come and sit down. "Jack, I know. I know it's frustrating. But Chuck, God, made it so that people have free will to do and think and believe whatever they want."
"Why did he do that?!" Jack was still fuming.
"Because, Jack, in order to truly love God it needs to be a choice. If he forced us to love him then love would have no meaning at all and life would have no purpose. If we can't make our own choices with free will then we might as well not live."
Jack replied calmly. "I see." His eyebrows were knit together but Sam could see the wheels turning.
Cas continued "Besides, if you read the actual Hebrew that went through many many versions that wasn't even written down till the late seventh century, way after God spoke this to Moses, it actually uses the less used Hebrew word for male that could mean a boy or a man."
Jack agreed. "So, don't rape little kids."
Cas went on. "Exactly, then the Hebrew word used, that roughly translates into English as 'lies with' or rather 'layings with' would be a better match, actually is associated with incest; having sexual relations with members of your own blood or legal family. And that would then match the rest of that chapter that goes into great detail about not sleeping with any of your sisters nor your father's or brothers' wife's."
"Don't women have a choice who they have sex with in the Bible?" Jack asked.
"No." Sam replied.
"Not really." Cas said at the same time. "Not in the Old Testament anyway."
"So… Let me get this straight… There's a bunch of people out there who use an outdated, outdated in more than one way, scripture, that God himself recalled later in the Bible, to force other people not to love who they want to love?"
"Yup." Sam took the last bitter sip of his coffee.
While Cas replied in monotone at the same time again. "That is correct."
"You guys… That's nuts! We gotta do something!" Jack exclaimed and both men just nodded their heads in agreement.
"The POINT is that Cas and Dean love each other but their both too scared to tell one another."
"Cas!" Jack turned to meet him square in the face looking very serious and eager to help. "Is it because of those people? The crazy ones that think they're upholding God's laws?! I'll go talk to them for you, I'll tell them to stop. Okay? Will you tell Dean, then? You have to!"
Cas gave a grateful smile at Jack's eagerness to help. "It is not that simple, Jack."
"Yeah, Jack, let's just focus on getting Dean back in one piece first, alright?" Sam added.
Jack deflated. "Oh-okay...but you'll tell him afterwards right?"
Cas titled his head and raised a single thick eyebrow to indicate Jack had crossed a small line. "We'll see, young man."
All three sighed as the lesson about homosexually had passed.
"I'm leaving this afternoon." Cas stated.
"I'll pack a bag of angel gear for you." Sam said supporting the idea. "I'll stay here and research something, anything, that might help. I'll ask Mom for help too. Jack, you up for some research?"
"Of course! Anything to help Dean!" He sat up straight and replied obediently.
Hey guys! I promise the action and whump starts in the next chapter! I had to get my point across to Jack.
Enjoy!