"So, ah, Dean, there's something we want to tell you."

The omega tensed, because no good conversation ever started with those words, and Sam looked ten kinds of nervous. Dean glanced at the apple pie he was eating. Something nagged at him, but didn't fit until he realised they had eaten his favourite meal and they were drinking his favourite beer too.

All his favourite things, almost as if the couple in front of him were trying to butter him up…

Dean then looked up and noticed Eileen hadn't touched her beer, but was discreetly only drinking water from the pitcher on the table. An odd buzzing feeling started right in the pit of his stomach, so he carefully put his fork down, and wiped his mouth with the napkin by his plate.

His brother looked worried, like he had done something so awful that Dean would never speak to him again. Like that could ever happen. It wasn't Sammy's fault, none of it was, but that didn't stop the headache starting to throb behind his eyes, or the tightness in his throat. A bit better than last time, but not by much.

Dean looked at Eileen, and he attempted his most sincere, warm smile. "How far along?" His hands trembled as he signed the words, but he managed, and he was proud of himself for it. He could be an adult; he could suck it up for his little brother and his mate.

Eileen looked beyond relieved. Did they really think that little of his mental stability? They really didn't give him enough credit. Sure the first time, they hadn't heard from him for three weeks, and he couldn't remember a large portion of those weeks, but that was five years ago. He'd grown a lot as a person since then. Well, he hoped he had.

"I'm due in September, about the middle, they think." Dean liked Eileen, she was good to Sam, and she kept him in line. Told him when he was working too much, took him on enough outings with the kids to break him out of the lawyer mould be crafted himself into. Dean saw her sneak a quick look to Sam, who nodded and smiled. Her hands shook around the signs, but she was a strong woman, Dean knew from experience. "But, um, they might come a little earlier, like last time."

Well, shit, he really couldn't handle that. So much for being an adult.

"Oh! Wow, twins again? Damn Sammy, you guys are pretty – pretty fertile, aint ya." Dean scratched the back of his head, and racked his brain for an excuse to leave early. He could feel his stomach churning, but the rest of him was numb. He was so happy for his family, but two sets of twins? Really? "I guess you've gotta make up for my barren ass." He hadn't meant to say it, but stuff just slipped out when he was upset. Couldn't really blame him.

Poor Sam and Eileen just stared at him, and Dean watched in horror as tears started trailing down the other omegas cheeks. Well fuck, he'd just gone and made a pregnant chick cry. Best night ever.

"I'm – I'm sorry." Dean stood, quickly rubbing his hand over the middle of his chest in a gesture of apology, over and over again. He stumbled backwards, grabbing his coat as he went. "I really am happy for you guys, I swear." Dean was close to the door, but it didn't look like either the alpha or omega at the table was going to stop him. They knew he just needed time to process, to cool off. "Thanks for dinner, I'll uh, I'll see you later." Dean opened the door and ran before he dug his grave even deeper. Why was he such an emotional fuck? Damn the universe for giving him everything an omega had, except for what he desperately wanted.

His hands were shaking when he tried to unlock the impala, but he wasn't drunk. Far from it, everything was vividly clear, startlingly bright in the darkness of the night.

Once he was in the car, his only baby, he calmed down some. Hearing the rumbling purr of her engine steadied him, and he was able to pull onto the motorway home without killing himself. As the red eyes of traffic tried to stare their way into his soul, Dean turned the radio to some random channel and hoped for distraction. Of course, the universe was never kind to Dean Winchester.

As the opening cords of a familiar song thrummed through the car, and vibrated their way into his aching heart, Dean was convincing himself that the universe was truly out to get him. He sang along with the words, breath hitching every few lines, and he knew he was done for when the chorus started.

"No, you can't always get what you want" Dean's chest ached under the strain of keeping himself together, but he could do it, he had to. "You can't always get what you want, you can't always get what you want, But if you try sometime you find, you get what you need." He would never get what he needed, and that thought was the last straw.

Dean only made it two miles before he had to pull over, his vision blurred by the tears threatening to spill. As the car idled to a stop, Dean put his head in his hands and drew in a racking sob. He didn't bother restraining himself; just let it all out in a shaking, chest heaving mess. He knew he was thinking like a child, but goddamnit, it just wasn't fair. All he wanted out of life was a mate and some kids, but he was destined to live alone. What self-respecting alpha would want a thirty five year old barren omega? He couldn't tie one down anyway; it wouldn't be fair to them. They deserved everything he couldn't give them. His throat felt as if it was going to close completely, and his eyes hurt like a mother fucker, but he had to get home. He had work in the morning, and really, it was one of the only things that kept him going some days, apart from Sam and his nephews, of course. He loved those kids, more than anything.

He gave them all the love he would never be able to give one of his own.


"Dude, it's been three months, please just hear me out." Sam was whining, and Dean hated it when his brother whined. He just imagined a giant puppy staring at him with those big brown eyes. Fuck.

It had only taken a few days for Dean to get a hold of himself and send Eileen an I'm sorry I'm a dick basket. Full of things he knew a pregnant omega would want, chocolate, pickles, peanut butter, buttery popcorn, all the good stuff.

Sam was currently convincing him to meet another one of his alpha workmates. Dean cringed when he thought of the last dickbag he'd been matched up with. Why Sam thought he would like the guy, Dean would never know.

"Sam, the last guy, what was his name – Zachariah? Yeah, no. The first thing he said to me was you'd have made nice pups, what a shame. What a fucking shame?" Dean heard Sam sigh, and he knew his brother was wearing a mighty bitch face.

"I know, I know, I'm sorry. He told me he didn't care, because he's divorced and has some kids, but I guess he lied." Dean had flat out refused to go on any other dates his brother set him up with, so he didn't know why he was trying again. "But this guy, dude, I just know you'll like him. You have so much in common, just trust me." Dean rolled his eyes.

"Then why the hell didn't you set him up with me before dick face?"

"Because he's only worked for the firm for a month." Well, ok, that made sense. But… he didn't want the night to be just another boring pity fest. If he could just go out with a nice guy without his shame being all out there, maybe that would be ok. Then he'd tell the guy it was nice, but no thanks.

"Ok, but don't tell him about, you know, I just want to have some fun, alright? That's the only condition." Sam sighed again, like Dean was being the hardest damn person to please, but finally agreed.

He was gonna have a nice, fun night with a guy, maybe get a quick kiss or two, then hightail it back to his sad, lonely apartment, with his sad, lonely life.

What was the worst that could happen?


Dean trailed his fingers up and down his cold beer, following the dripping streaks of condensation. He'd arrived early to get a good seat, somewhere secluded and quiet, because on a Friday night the Roadhouse was always pumping.

He looked around, and from the description Sam had given him of his date, he hadn't arrived. Ellen smiled at him from behind the bar, so he tipped his head in her direction. Thank Christ it was Jo's night off, or she'd have been all up in his business. Not something he needed whilst on a date.

Dean hoped the alpha he was meeting didn't have the wrong idea. Male omegas were rare, and alphas literally fought over the opportunity to mate with them. Not that that had ever happened to Dean, of course.

He sighed dejectedly as he formulated an excuse for the end of the night, if the alpha actually wanted to see him again, which might not actually even happen. He'd lost his ego a long time ago, around the same time he'd realised he'd no doubt be alone in life. Such were the cards he'd been dealt.

Sliding his fingers through the ring of water his glass had left on the table, he didn't notice the warm body standing next to him until it suddenly cleared its throat. He swallowed the startled yelp but couldn't hide his flinch of surprise. When he looked up, he was immediately aware of two things.

One, the alpha before him was fucking gorgeous. Like, seriously, it was as if someone had picked out every one of the things he found physically attractive in an alpha, and blended them into the guy before him.

God fucking dammit.

The second thing, of course, was the overwhelmingly enticing smell wafting towards him. How had he not noticed it before? Subtle hints of pine, a fresh forest after a heavy rain, and the mouth-watering aroma of melted honey. It was safety, home and everything he could possibly want. To be frank, it was pretty damn devastating.

The alpha shuffled awkwardly before him as Dean had his internal melt down, but he gathered himself quickly. He didn't want to look like a total dick in front of the guy. He stood, slapped on a smile that he hoped didn't look too forced and stuck out his hand.

"Uh, hi." Wow, smooth moves tonight. "I'm Dean." He watched nervously as the alpha looked down at his hand with a scrunched up frown across his brow. Finally, after Dean was sure he would start getting light headed from holding his breath, the alpha finally took his hand.

"It's nice to meet you, Dean." Holy fuck, that voice. "My name is Castiel." The alpha released the omegas hand, much to his disappointment, and smiled. "It's good to know the description Sam gave me was accurate." Dean thought about the description Sam had given him.

"So what's he look like?"

"Uh, kinda dishevelled? Dark hair, blue eyes, he'll probably turn up in a suit."

Dean, returning to his seat, blinked slowly at the alpha getting situated across from him, and tried to absorb as much as he could while he was otherwise occupied.

Dean was taller, but not by much. Because Castiel was an alpha, he seemed bigger than he actually was. It was a good defence mechanism, but it also just made Deans mouth water. The guy was in a dark blue suit, as Sam had said he would be, and for some reason that Dean couldn't fathom, his tie was on backwards. Dean's fingers itched to fix it, but he thought that would be a bit presumptuous for the start of a first date. The alpha was also wearing a tan overcoat, which he was in the process of taking off. It looked good on him; Dean doubted anyone else could make such a benign thing look so damn sexy. Dark, messy hair framed a lightly tanned, kind face. Bright blue eyes which undeniably caught Deans immediate attention, flashed back to hold Deans gaze.

The omega's breath stuttered and he quickly thought of a conversation starter. "Uh, um, so how did Sammy describe me?" Dean took a sip of his beer, which did absolutely nothing to quell his nerves. The alpha chuckled, and the sound had Deans heart stuttering like a scratched record.

"Well, I believe his exact words were tall, blonde and dressed like an eighties rock band tribute member." Dammit Sam, what the hell! His brother would definitely be hearing about that. He looked down at his jeans and tee shirt, covered by his lighter canvas jacket. There wasn't anything wrong with how he dressed. Castiel must have taken his silence for what it was, embarrassment. "But that – that doesn't mean I have a problem with how you dress." Was he – was he blushing?

Oh sweet Jesus on a cracker, Castiel was gonna kill him.

Dean bit his lip, and he couldn't help but notice the alphas eyes dart down to the flesh clutched between his teeth. The omega released his lips, licked them softly, just to be a tease, and smiled. "So, uh, Sam said you just joined his firm," Castiel nodded, and took a draw from his own beer, his hand shaking slightly. Dean momentarily lost his train of thought as he watched the alphas throat work. "What do you do, exactly?"

Castiel launched into detail about his job, which was apparently child defence cases, seriously, was the universe trying to kill him, but Dean wasn't really paying attention. He was trying to figure out how the hell he was going to say goodbye to the alpha at the end of the night.

It just got worse as the night went on, as Dean learnt just how much he liked the alpha. He actively ignored the mouth-watering scent that wafted towards him every time the alpha moved, either while describing an interesting case, or talking about his biggest love, apparently keeping bees.

"Yes, I know it sounds unusual, but they are the most pleasant little things to keep." Dean knew his mouth was open slightly, but what, he'd never actually known anyone that kept bees before. Sure he knew they made honey, and it tasted awesome, but that was as far as that thought process went.

"So, like, do you keep them at your house or…" Dean let the question trail off, because he really didn't know what he was asking. Castiel was just a huge bundle of contradictions, big tough alpha, keeping tiny little bees and representing children in the justice system. He really couldn't get more attractive to Dean if he tried.

"No no, I have a small plot just outside of town. My parents left me the land, but as it has no house on it, I have no use for it yet." Dean bit his lip, hard, trying to pummel down all the images that sprang to mind, building their home together on the little bit of land Castiel had, filling the house with –

"That's awesome, dude." Dean hoped Castiel hadn't picked up on the slight, traitorous, tremor in his tone, or the longing and sadness in his scent. Castiel was unlike any alpha he'd ever had the pleasure of meeting. No posturing, leering or judgmental looks, just a quiet, almost shy smile, and the most sincere eyes Dean had ever seen.

It broke his heart.

Castiel was talking animatedly about something his bees had recently done, but Dean couldn't find it within himself to fully concentrate. He nodded and smiled, laughed in what he hoped were all the right places, but all he could think about was how perfect the alpha was. He was literally everything Dean had ever hoped for, in the dark, lonely nights spent bitterly torturing himself.

The alpha would never actually want him, once he found out what Dean was hiding. Dean couldn't keep it to himself, and Sam clearly hadn't said anything, like he had asked. Dean owed it to Castiel to be honest, so the alpha could make his own decision. The thing was, he didn't know if he were strong enough to be honest to the alpha. He was a big boy, and he was plenty used to rejection but he just knew, that coming from Castiel, it would be the hardest one yet to take.

When their food arrived, Dean took the opportunity to text Sam. It wasn't really his brother's fault, but he felt he needed to vent some of his feelings.

Dean: How could you do this to me dude?

Castiel moaned around the first full taste of his burger, and Dean couldn't help the tiny whine that escaped him, because fuck. The alpha froze, mid bite, and settled his azure eyes on Dean. Then he fucking growled. Dean's heart skipped a beat, and his face grew hot under the unrelenting gaze of the alpha before him. When he felt his groin grow warm and tense, he forced his eyes away. He couldn't afford to get all hot and heavy with the guy in front of a whole bar full of people. Apart from the fact it would be horrendously embarrassing, he'd to have to tell him to stop, that it couldn't happen no matter what he wanted, which would probably end the date early, and not in the good way.

How in the hell was his life that unfair.

The text tone of his phone broke their staring contest, both of them blushing way too furiously for two grown men. Dean dipped a French fry in some sauce while he checked his phone. He knew it was rude, but surely Castiel wouldn't mind, especially since he seemed to be having oral sex with his food.

Sam: What?

Sam: Did he hurt you?

Sam: Dean?

The omega snorted at his brother's immediate conclusion jump. Just because he could give birth, didn't mean he was a damn wilting flower.

Dean: I'm fine, he's fine. Actually, he's too fine. He's fucking perfect man.

Dean sighed and picked up his own burger. His appetite wasn't really there, but he couldn't ignore the food in front of him without the alpha noticing. He could say he felt sick, but like hell he wanted the date to end early. Fuck, he never wanted it to end, like, ever.

He was so conflicted. Sam, through no fault of his own, usually set him up with assholes, so it was easy to skip out early after a free meal. But Castiel…

"Are you enjoying your food, Dean?" Castiel wiped the remnants of his own burger off his face with a napkin, and started on his fries. Dean nodded, and attempted a full cheeked smile. The alpha returned it, nose crinkling in what had to be the cutest thing Dean had ever seen.

Just as he was cleaning up his plate, his phone chimed again. Smiling at his date, he opened the message, and sighed.

Sam: I don't see the problem dude.

Of course he didn't, Sam might be a lawyer, but he could be damn dense sometimes.

Dean: You didn't tell him about… me. That means I have to. Its gonna suck major balls.

Sam's response was quick, and to the point.

Sam: Oh.

Dean didn't bother replying, he just set his phone to silent and put it back in his pocket. Enjoying what was left of their date was more important than having a go at his brother. He'd only been trying to help after all.


After they left the bar, the alpha insisting on paying, of course, they made their way across the street to a small park. The sun had long set, but the lights strung up among the trees illuminated their way. Castiel hand brushed against Deans every so often, his soft skin leaving a fire in its wake. Despite not wanting to lead the alpha on, Dean couldn't help being a little selfish, so the next time it happened, he laced their fingers together.

Castiel's breath stuttered, and he released a happy sounding rumble at the contact. "I must admit, I had a very nice time with you tonight." The alpha didn't sound surprised or anything, he just sounded… happy. Dean swallowed the lump of emotion in his throat, because he knew he would be the one to shatter that happy mood.

"Uh, yeah, same." Dean murmured scratching the back of his head with his free hand, chuckling darkly. He on the other hand, was surprised, considering the fuck muppets Sam had unknowingly set him up with in the past. Castiel tilted his head to the side in apparent confusion, and Dean's heart danced inside his chest. "Uh, Sam has a habit of setting me up with assholes. No offence." Castiel laughed, and squeezed Dean's hand.

"None taken, but I know what you mean. I haven't been working long with Sam, but some of the other people we work with can be such … assbutts sometimes." Dean barked out a surprised laugh, because hearing Castiel swear was the funniest thing ever.

They were walking over a small bridge, so Dean tugged Castiel to a stop to look at the glistening water below. The date was going to end soon, much to Deans distress, so he had no choice but to tell Castiel what needed to be said, and soon. The alpha stood close to him, their sides touching, searing Dean in each place of contact.

Now or never.

Dean turned to the alpha, and found himself staring into blue eyes. Dean bit his lip, a subconscious nervous habit, and Castiel's eyes immediately locked on. Swallowing, Dean tried to give his confession.

"Cas I –" Dean was silenced with a finger to his lips, and a soft hand cupping his cheek.

"I don't know what you're about to say, but first; I would very much like to kiss you, is that – is that alright?" Castiel's eyes were wide and bright with nerves, but he was being so nice, asking first, so how the hell could Dean say no to that?

Dean nodded.

He expected Castiel's kissing style to be like he was, quiet, gentle and careful.

Oh how wrong he was.

Castiel surged forward, and Dean couldn't stop the whimper that escaped. Soft, chapped lips met his, hungry in their task. One hand fisted his short hair, while the other clenched and unclenched sporadically around the back of his neck. The omega closed his eyes and just went with it, perfectly at ease with being led down the slippery path Castiel was paving for them.

An insistent tongue probed at the seam of Dean's lips, and the omega was powerless to stop its assault. His chest tightened, and Dean didn't know if it was from lack of breath or the inevitable look that would appear in Castiel's eyes when Dean told him why they shouldn't be together, why Dean didn't deserve someone as perfect as Castiel as a mate.

They pulled apart, finally, to prevent themselves from passing out. Dean's heart shuddered painfully in his chest at the look of deep contentment and excitement shining in the alphas eyes. Castiel licked his lips, and trailed his fingers along Deans flushed cheeks.

"I would like to see you again, Dean." Castiel rested his forehead against Deans, and the omega whimpered. The war raging within him was something fierce, but he didn't have a choice. He had to tell the alpha, before the omega lost himself completely to the fantasy of a loving mate and non-existent family.

Pulling away was the hardest thing he'd ever done, barring what he had to tell Castiel. He doubted he would ever be able to erase the look of disappointment and hurt that would cross the alphas face.

"I ah, I need to tell you something." Dean looked at his feet, too much of a coward to face the alpha. Castiel's hand had dropped to hold Deans again, but he didn't shrug it off. Some part of him needed the small connection.

"Whatever it is, you can tell me." Castiel sounded so damn sincere; Dean almost believed it might not be a big deal. He knew better though. Gathering his courage, he looked up at the alpha and tried to reveal his biggest shame.

"I don't think we should see each other again." The words fell out of Dean's mouth, but not the ones he meant to say. Dean felt the alpha freeze, but he didn't pull away. His blue eyes crinkled at the corners in confusion, and Dean saw flashes of hurt and disappointment, exactly what he had feared. Maybe Castiel would just leave, and Dean wouldn't have to explain himself.

"Can I – can I ask why?" Castiel's voice wavered just that little bit, and so did Deans resolve. In just one night they had found their perfect partners, and Dean was about to shatter that into a million, unsalvageable pieces.

"I just – I can't – shit." Dean slipped his hand out of Castiel's and turned away. He felt like he was burning up, and falling apart, all at once. He just had to get it out. He whirled around and stared into the stunned face of his date. "I can't see you because I don't want to lead you on into something that isn't gonna go anywhere, Castiel." Dean was stalling, but he just couldn't get the words out.

"Dean, I don't understand –" Dean just shook his head and opened his mouth.

"I can't –" He couldn't do it; he was too much of a damn coward. He wanted Castiel to have at least some respect for him, and he'd loose it all once he found out Dean was just an empty vessel incapable of doing his earthly duty. "Its personal, you wouldn't understand."

Castiel blinked, and did a damn good impression of a fish out of water. Dean shuffled his feet, wanting desperately just to run the fuck away, back to his one bedroom apartment and comfortably adequate existence.

"It's – it's alright if you don't want to explain." It didn't look alright, and it certainly didn't smell alright. The alpha was positively gushing with unhappiness and unadulterated pain. "I just thought… we have such a connection." Dean was finding it very hard to keep his composure, when all he wanted to do was throw his arms around the alpha and scent the absolute shit out of him. But he had to get through it, for Castiel's sake, more than his own. He was already damned, no need to drag the alpha down with him.

"I had a really great time tonight." Dean winced at how he sounded, but he wanted to at least part on good terms. Castiel though, seemed to be having a hard time even standing. The alpha was breathing heavily, leaning against the railings of the bridge. Dean was starting to feel the beginnings of a possible alpha rage appearing, so he started backing away. He'd seen it happen before, and he was damned if he wanted a repeat of that shit fest. "I'm just gonna… go." He didn't give Castiel a chance to recover; he just booked it straight to his car.

Texting Sam on the way back to his apartment, he realised he was done dating. There couldn't possibly be anyone more perfect for him than Castiel, so what was the point, really.

Dean: No more, ok?

Sam didn't even need to ask.

Sam: Sure dude, just talk to me when you're ready, ok?

Maybe he would make a decent lawyer after all.


Three weeks later, and Dean still felt like shit.

He couldn't get the alpha out of his head, the blue eyed beauty invading his dreams and nightmares. He couldn't even count the number of times he had woken up with the sheets wrapped around him in a cocoon of cold sweat, sadness and longing.

Sam had text him a couple of times, mainly to ask what the hell had happened, because Castiel had apparently called in sick the next day for work. Poor guy, Dean had really done a number on him.

Ripping the blankets back, the cold hit him hard. He deserved it, he reasoned, it matched his cold, dead heart. Castiel was a fantastic alpha, from the few hours Dean had spent with him he knew that, so he deserved better than a useless old omega who couldn't give him what every alpha wanted.

Dean was destined to never know the love and warmth of a family, not counting Sam and his brood, and he couldn't live with himself if he sentenced Castiel to that as well.

A hot shower didn't help improve his mood, and neither did work.

"So, a little birdy told me you went on a date." Benny, the big, squishy alpha brute, laughed at Deans scowl, and thumped him hard on the back. The car he was working on rocked in place, and Dean shot a hand out to steady it. Benny forgot his strength sometimes, but it did come in handy working at the garage. There weren't many alphas around, and for that, Dean was thankful. Betas just didn't go as crazy around a male omega as alphas, and lucky for him, Benny was already mated.

"Dude, that was weeks ago, and Dean gave the guy a great big DENY!" Damn Sam and Ash being so friendly. He'd thought Sam would have at least respected his privacy, even if Ash didn't. Dean just licked his lips and went back to the car he was working on, while Benny growled at Ash. The beta just laughed and sauntered back to the office. Benny turned back to Dean, concern wafting from every side.

"What was wrong with this one, cher?" Benny was his best friend, so he knew all about Dean's reluctance to tie an alpha down with his bullshit baggage. Dean sighed, and gave up working on the car for the time being. His thoughts were too tumultuous to concentrate on what he needed to do safely. He turned to face his friend, and for once could give someone the absolute truth.

"Man, there wasn't anything wrong." Benny scrunched his face up in confusion, as Dean had expected he would. Wiping his hands on a rag, he leaned back on the car. "He was… perfect." Dean knew he sounded love sick and sappy, but he was past caring. If he couldn't have Castiel in real life, he could live on in his fantasies. "He was hot as hell, polite, respectful, goddamnit he even asked before he kissed me!" Dean growled unhappily and threw the rag on the floor in a huff. Life was so unfair sometimes.

"I don't actually understand the problem, Dean. Sounds like you found your, ah, mate." Benny scratched his short beard and raised his eyebrows.

"That's the whole damn problem! I found him, and I can't fucking have him." Benny sighed, and shook his head while Dean scuffed his boot on the ground.

"Did you tell him about, ah, you know…?" Benny trailed off, gesturing to Dean's middle. The omega just snorted and rubbed his belly self-consciously. He could sort of joke with Benny about it, but that was it. Dean shook his head.

"Nah, I wanted a half decent date, without, you know, the looks and the damn judgement." Benny nodded in understanding, but still fixed him with a look.

"But you did tell him after the date, so he could, you know; make his own decision, right?" Dean felt his face heating at Benny's tone, and what he knew the alpha was insinuating. Benny took his silence for what it was a big, glaring, no. "Dean Winchester, you have got to be the most stubborn, hard headed son of a bitch I've ever met."

Dean huffed and glared at the alpha. "You know why I did it, Benny. It's not fair on him, and I'll be damned if I take anything away from him. He works as a child defender, for fuck sake. That man was born to be a father." Dean felt the familiar ache of longing start deep inside, but he ignored it; work was no place to get emotional. Well, even more emotional than he was being, anyway.

The bell to the shop rang, and with it a gust of wind flowed through the door. Dean immediately sagged against the car, when the mouth-watering scent of mate washed over him. "Oh holy god, no." Dean ducked behind the car, just in time too, as he saw in the cars wing mirror, Castiel scenting the air and looking their way. Benny waved, being the good natured alpha that he was; he couldn't pass up the opportunity to be polite.

"So, I'm gonna go ahead and assume that's him?" Benny was trying so hard to hide his smirk, and by the looks of it, he was failing miserably. Dean just nodded, and slid down further. He really didn't want Castiel knowing where he worked. The last thing he needed was a stalker, not that he thought that Castiel would do such a thing, but an omega couldn't be too careful.

Dean's head whipped up at the sound of Benny's deep voice, further away than it should have been. He chanced a look over the bonnet of the car, and he swore his heart stopped. Benny was talking to Castiel, and he really had no reason to. That was, until Benny pointed right at the car Dean had taken refuge behind. That traitor was ratting him out!

Muffled footsteps approached the car, and he searched desperately for a reason to be down on his hands and knees behind a car.

Ah ha!

Plastering a smile on his face, and hoping his scent followed his lead, he scrambled up off the ground, right into the arms of his perfect alpha. At a loss at what to say, he smiled and scrunched the dirty, oil covered rag in his hand. "Ah, um, got it!" His smile faded when he saw the sadness covering the alpha's face. He smelt defeated and resigned; Dean hadn't even known there was smell for that.

"Hello, Dean." Castiel sighed out his name like he was last person he wanted to see, but Dean ran with it.

"Heya Castiel, how you been?" Castiel scrunched his face up, in what must have been confusion. Dean didn't blame him, really. Dean owned a fully functioning nose; he could make his own assumptions.

"I've been… better." Dean winced at Castiel's tone, because it was his fault and they both knew it. Benny was hovering in the back ground; Dean could see him dusting one of the cars, which, what the actual fuck why? "After our date," Castiel looked away, and blew out a breath. "Well, you must have triggered my rut, which wasn't due for another month at least." Dean was sure his blush covered his entire body in about three seconds flat. "It was… uncomfortable."

Dean felt like curling up into a ball and dying right there. A rut right after an alpha found their mate, and failed to consummate it? That would have been all kinds of painful. "I'm – I'm so sorry man, I don't know what to say." He really didn't, because he didn't get heats. Yeah he smelled like an omega, and had the hormones, but that was about it. He was useless from an evolutionary standpoint, but sometimes Mother Nature got it wrong, like it did with him. Not that he dwelled on it a lot, or anything.

Castiel looked like he was in pain, and his scent went along with it. Dean wanted out of the conversation, but he didn't know how to bow out without hurting Castiel further. Had he had trouble with his car, or had he purposely sought Dean out to make him feel like shit?

"Did you…" Castiel seemed reluctant to finish his question, and Dean had a fleeting thought of not wanting him to ask. "Did you have a spontaneous heat, by any chance?" Well, looked like Castiel was trying to figure out what Dean already knew. How Castiel found the balls to ask him right out, Dean didn't know, but he was an alpha after all. Dean had a choice to make, either he lied to Castiel, once again, or for once, he could lay it all out and let the poor guy decide, like Benny had suggested.

No one could say Dean Winchester was a coward, forevermore.

"I didn't, no." If it were possible, Castiel face fell further and the poor alpha looked devastated a second time. Dean hated seeing that look on his face.

"Well, I can see this has been a mistake." Castiel gathered himself quickly, and set his jaw. "I am sorry for bothering you at work, Dean, but I had to be sure." Dean just nodded, but grabbed Castiel's arm as he went to walk away.

"I didn't, because I can't." Castiel stilled, and looked up at Dean, uncertainty written plainly across his face. "I don't get heats, I can't have kids, and I couldn't trap you in a relationship I knew you wouldn't want!" Dean raised his voice, because he really had to get that bit out there. Castiel had to know that he did it to protect him. Castiel was just standing there, frozen, staring at him. "I didn't – I couldn't do that to you. I'm sorry."

"You – you couldn't tell me, give me the cold hard facts, so I could make up my own mind?" Castiel looked pissed, and Dean didn't blame him. Dean's stubborn reluctance to share had caused the alpha an extremely uncomfortable rut, one which, if Dean had been honest and actually let himself have something nice, they could have shared.

"I said I was sorry, man, I can't change what's happened." Dean was getting lightheaded from Castiel's pheromones, and keeping himself from wrapping his limbs, all of them, around the alpha, was getting harder by the second. They were just going around in circles; there was no point in Castiel staying any longer than he had to. He opened his mouth to say goodbye, when a hand shot out and wrapped around the back of his neck.

"I am well versed in dealing with children, Dean; do not make me bend you over my knee." Dean's eyes widened, he was ashamed to admit, in arousal. Dean was fairly sure Castiel didn't go around hitting kids, but the threat of a spanking, well. It was the biggest display of pure alpha that Dean had seen from the other man. Castiel lowered his lips to Dean's ear, and growled. "Why do you think your brother set us up?"

It was Deans turn to be confused, because that didn't make sense. Sam said he wouldn't tell Castiel about his condition. "Sam didn't –" Castiel shook his head, taking a step back but not letting go of Dean's neck.

"He didn't need to. I heard rumours around the office, your failed dates spoke for themselves." Dean looked away, reddened face ablaze. "I asked Sam to set us up. He did take some convincing, but I had to try because I knew we had something in common. I just wanted to give you the chance to own up to it yourself, to accept that there truly is nothing wrong with you, but I see that you still need some help in that department." Dean had no idea what was happening, and he couldn't decide whether it was a good thing or a bad thing. The threat of an alpha rage still hung over their heads.

"I really don't see what the whole point of this is, Castiel." Dean really didn't want to get his hopes up, but it was kind of hard when Castiel was looking at him the way he was.

"The point, Dean, is that I also, cannot sire offspring." Castiel was shaking, enough so only Dean could see or feel it against him, but it was enough to tell him that Castiel was barely holding on. He was just as scared as Dean was, taking just as much of a chance on whatever they could be, as Dean. Finding out that Castiel couldn't have kids either, that was kind of a surprise, but with it came the cold hard relief of guilt washing away like footprints in the sand.

Dean made a choice, then, to take what he wanted. To for once, have something that was just for him, to make him happy.

"So, um, how about that second date?"