A/N: Hello, Hello! Sorry about the first chapter I uploaded just a while ago. I wasn't finished yet and I think I clicked the wrong file and everything but that's taken care of so yeah, good times. I'm terrified and excited to post this story which is still in its fetus stages and i dont really know what happens next but I'm optimistic about it *nervous laughing* Anyway, if anyone would like to R&R, you guys are free to do so and I am open to suggestions about the story cuz I may be a late updater, truth be told. Possibly a once a week kinda fling? Oh i dunno. But I love Supernatural and Supernatural is up and airing on Wednesday, I hope I'll have enough inspiration by the 2nd chapter is posted!
P.S. This story will contain shameless whumping and bamf-ness (booyah!)
Disclaimer: I do not, in all intentions and purposes, own SUPERNATURAL. Sadly, this sad,sad world belongs to Eric Kripke, the WB and CW. The first part of Chapter One contains canon conversation taken from Season 9 Episode 3
CHAPTER ONE
"Zeke and the Geek"
"Castiel cannot stay here," Ezekiel abruptly said, effectively cutting off Dean's rambling. The hunter fixed him with a surprised look but the angel continued, "He will bring the angels down on all of us." Dean felt a little slack-jawed at what his brother's voice was saying. "No, no, he's got the Enochian tattoo. He's warded," he reasoned.
"He was warded when April found him, and she killed him."
Dean felt a little lost with that fact, but determined to reason it out. "Yes, and you brought him back, and I thank you for that, but this is Cas." The hunter knew he was grasping at straws and hell, if he sounded as desperate as he felt, "Okay, who vouched for you when I didn't know you from Jack. The bunker is safe."
Ezekiel shot him a smoldering gaze. "Bartholomew is amassing a force. We cannot stand an incursion. Castiel is in danger and if he is here, I am in danger."
"You're in danger? From who? The angels?" Dean suspiciously asked. He knew nothing good came with letting this angel, who he knew nothing about, possess his little brother. And he knew from experience that Winchester luck sucks ass.
Zeke sighed, "If he stays, I am afraid I will have no choice but to leave."
"Oh, no, you can't do that. Sam's not well enough. If you leave his body..." Dean trailed off.
"I know. I am sorry."
For a moment, Dean didn't know what to do. Then his brother's eyes flashed a luminescent blue and Sam began talking again, like he didn't have an angel using him as a meat-suit now and then. He heard the younger Winchester say about retreating to his room and Dean nodded absently.
Minutes passed and all the hunter could think of is how the current situation was all kinds of messed up. First there was Cas, who is apparently human, and is being hunted by a faction of fallen angels. Then there's Ezekiel, who's being cryptic and suspicious, and wants Dean's best friend to leave the safety of the bunker in exchange for the safety of his little brother. Yes, the world is once again screwing with Dean Winchester, and it wants to make him choose between the only two people in his life.
But Dean didn't want to choose, Dean didn't want to have only one choice. He looked over to Castiel who was hungrily eating his burrito at the big table in the library. What Dean has to do is to trust Cas. Then maybe, he'll know what the deal is with Zeke.
"Epic food. I can't get enough," Castiel said as Dean approached him. The hunter looked a bit grim but he smiled tightly, "Cas, uh, can we talk?"
Cas immediately pulled out another seat beside him and faced the Winchester, putting down his burrito. "Of course. Dean, you know I always appreciate our talks, our time together." Dean didn't sit on the other chair but he leaned down on the table, eyes not quite meeting Castiel's.
"Listen, buddy, um..." it felt like an eternity for Dean, because god knows, he really, really did not want to say this.
"Cas, you can't stay."
It hurt to say it. Sure, he had to pretend he was going along with Zeke's plans but it still hurt. And Cas's face morphing from confusion to dawning realization hurt big time. Dean was waiting for the angel-turned-human to do something, anything. Maybe punching him in the face, or laughing it away as some joke or even, god forbid, crying at Dean's words. But no, Castiel didn't do anything of those basic human reactions. He just stared at him then nodded, as if he considered Dean would actually do something like this - as if Dean would abandon his best friend.
The hunter knew Cas was beating himself for the whole Metatron fiasco but he didn't realize how deep the guilt ran inside the ex-angel. He should've known the bastard would willingly throw himself into something stupid like 'punishment' so he could 'atone for his sins'. Like Purgatory wasn't enough incentive as proof for that.
The weary resignation on his friend's face made Dean chuckle humorlessly. Of course Cas won't punch, laugh or cry. Cas was still Castiel, and he'll always be the awkward nerdy angel they called family, even without his wings.
The said ex-angel physically deflated and sagged into the chair he currently settled in. Half-eaten burrito forgotten, his now human stomach rumbled in hunger and a mix of something that twisted his gut. Castiel thought he was dying all over again but he was physically fine so that wasn't it. It was something associated along the lines of dread, sadness and hurt. Castiel directed his gaze on the floor, refusing to look at the hunter above him. Maybe this was his long awaited penance, maybe Dean didn't need him anymore. For a long while, they remained like that until Castiel thought Dean was uncharacteristically quiet and looked up to observe his friend.
Castiel could almost feel the warring thoughts in the hunter's mind. Whatever was making Dean think so much was probably worrying. Facing the fact that his human friend wasn't exactly the 'think first, act later' kind of guy, watching him think at this moment was nothing short of disconcerting. As long as Castiel have known him, the older Winchester was brash, impulsive and blunt. He didn't tiptoe to make a point and he definitely didn't think so deeply for a time, like he was doing now. Before he could make further observations, Dean's eyebrows smoothed together and his face relaxed. He was done deciding something, Castiel realized. He imagined the gears in Dean's head click.
And so, decision finally made, Dean clapped Cas on the shoulder and looked into his too-blue eyes, "I'm really sorry Cas, but I'm trusting you. And you're gonna have to trust me too." Castiel cocked his head to the side, much like how he did when he had angel mojo and tried to piece the puzzle that is Dean Winchester. It looked like nothing much has changed. For that, Dean is comforted.
Sam was lounging at the table by his room, typing away in his precious laptop geeking at his usual geeky stuff (not that he'd ever admit his annoying older brother was right). It was still surreal for Sam. Cas dying, Dean making deals again, Cas coming back from the dead, then Cas having sex. He released a snort at that, who knew Castiel had the same rotten luck with women as the Winchesters?
Speaking of Cas, his older brother and the angel-turned-human retreated in the library, talking about god-knows-what. He knew the pair needed the time alone to sort things out. Like Cas finally sticking with them and the brothers teaching him all about humanity. Sam found himself liking the idea, even mentally reserving their friend a room in the bunker.
A throat clearing distracted Sam from his thoughts, and he whirled around to find his older brother leaning by the open door. "Hey man, how's Cas?" the younger Winchester had to ask.
"Peachy," Dean sighed, walking to Sam's bed and heavily sat down. His younger brother raised a skeptical eyebrow.
"Right. 'Cause he's human now, just got killed and was resurrected 5 hours ago."
The older hunter sighed again and it was getting a bit annoying for Sam's nerves. "Something wrong, Dean?" He fixed his brother with a bitch face. Dean refused to meet his eyes while he said, "Cas says he's leaving. He decided he didn't like getting cooped up in the bunker. Says it's probably best to find his own place and all that jazz."
Sam shot him an incredulous look, trying to process what the other was saying. "You mean, we're letting Cas leave and survive alone in the outside world?" He slowly asked. "A world of human etiquette and modern rules? Dean, are you fucking crazy? You know what happened to him the first few weeks! He was homeless, he was starving, he got laid and he got stabbed!"
Dean watched his brother breathe heavily, his shoulders shaking in anger. He knew Sam wouldn't take kindly with the idea of Cas leaving and dammit, was he so not on-board with the idea either.
But he had to do the dirty work for all of them so he plowed on, "Dude, I know we're screwing with heaven and hell here. The angels fell, Cas is human now and you're healing from the trials. We're not ready for a war, man. And you know Cas, he's blaming himself for all this mess. He wants some time alone to clear his head and when the time comes, he'll come back here and help us sort it all out."
"Dammit, Dean! He's being hunted by the other angels. I don't think he's got time to 'clear his head', he is in danger. Dean, don't you care?" Sam asked. He looked pleadingly at Dean, "He's your best friend."
Sam didn't know what the emotions Dean was feeling right that moment but he could swear a measure of hurt passed his face. Dean scrunched his eyes closed and pinched the bridge of nose, "I know. Goddammit, I know. This is harder for me than you know, Sam. But Cas wants out for a while and I admit, us and him spell disaster with the apocalyptic kind. Splitting up right now seems the safer way for Cas and for us. He's got the Enochian sigil tats and he may be human right now, but he's still got an arsenal of angelic knowledge stashed in that melon of his. Plus, Cas can be badass if he wants to be."
Sam understood where his brother was going with but still, this was Cas. He calmed down and thought it through. "Okay. Not ideal but if Cas really wants to go Moses on us, then I understand. But I'm worried he'll unknowingly get himself in trouble out there. I know the bunker is probably the safest place on earth. I just don't get how it'll be safer in a dump somewhere. I just don't get it."
Hearing the dejected tone in his little brother's voice formed a lump in Dean's throat. It wasn't helping with the situation but the hunter found himself grateful that Sam cared so much for their friend. Dean silently vowed he'll make everything right, starting with Cas.
"Me too, Sam. But it'll be temporary - I'll personally find Cas a place. Give him some fake I.D.s, fake credit cards and a good amount of cash. Then I'll check up on him every week, maybe you can too, if you want. Hell, you'll probably love shopping for his clothes, what with you being a girl 'n all, Samantha." Dean grinned and Sam couldn't find it in him to be angry anymore.
Okay, so if Cas staying away from them would be good for his mental health then Sam would begrudgingly give his permission. He just hoped Castiel and Dean knew what the hell they were doing.
Castiel found goodbyes to be displeasing. True, he's said it many times to both Dean and Sam when he was still part of the Heavenly Host, but being human was quite different. For instance, he couldn't flit through time and space anymore, and he no longer has his wings, thus making him unable to go anywhere and whenever he pleases to. Humanity has so many flaws and he wonders how his two friends make it through the day. Apparently, it's another mystery piling with other mysteries about the human race.
Dean tapped him lightly on the arm, a slightly worried look on his face. "You okay, Cas?" Castiel blinked once, shaking himself from his stupor, "Yes, Dean." The hunter snorted at that but he doesn't comment on the poor lie. "Sammy's looking for you. He's got all the fake items you'll need already done, probably wanna give a hug or two." The ex-angel smiled at that.
Sam, always the gentler of the two, will always have Castiel's unwavering loyalty. Sam's not Dean but the younger Winchester has his fair share of sacrifices worthy of respect. He is proud of his newfound family and the farewells about to be given this day were going to leave a mark.
Dean and Cas made their way to the war room where the younger Winchester was fiddling with his laptop computer. "Aha! And…Done," Sam exclaimed triumphantly. He stood up from his place by the table and approached the other two.
"So, I did some magic and poof! you have your very own birth records, passport, driver's license and some I.D.s"
Castiel thanked the hunter then paused, "I never knew you were practicing witchcraft, Sam." Sam spluttered and Dean choked in barely contained laughter but Cas didn't seem to notice. "I know for a fact that Dean has a vexation with witches, so I do not recommend the use of magic to be wise."
Sam shook his head in amusement and quirked a lopsided smile, "It's not magic magic, Cas, but thanks for the heads-up." Castiel nodded but still looked confused.
The older Winchester coughed, masking his laughter but the twinkle in his eyes couldn't be mistaken otherwise. "So, I think it's best we go before the cicadas go chirping tonight, 'cause I'm not really into werewolves right now." Cas sighed and forlornly looked at the both of them, "I agree. Sam?"
Then all of a sudden, Sam found himself full of a hoody-clad Castiel, squeezing him with surprising strength for a human. It didn't take a second before the hunter reciprocated the hug and then pulled away. "I'll miss you, Cas. Be sure to come back in one piece." The ex-angel smiled warmly up at him and Sam grinned. Dean rolled his eyes. "Ugh, chick-flick alert. Okay, okay, break it up people. We're burning daylight here."
"Sure, Dean. Don't you wanna give Cas a hug too?" Teased his little brother. "Shut up, Sammy."
Castiel watched their familiar banter a little before hefting up the bag full of necessities, courtesy of Dean. "Bye, Sam. Take care."
"You too." With that, Sam passed his older brother and traded a knowing nod before retreating to the solitude of his room.
"C'mon, buddy. Let's put your gear on Baby and book a motel for the night. We need to talk." Cas followed his friend to the bunker's garage and opened the Impala's door on the passenger seat. Dean turned his keys in ignition and the car was humming with the familiar rumble of oil and smoke. They were five miles away from the location of the bunker when the hunter turned his head to briefly look at Cas and whispered, "I'm in way over my head, Cas."
Castiel jerked upright and shot him an inquisitive look. "Why? What's wrong? Is it something to do with Sam?" Dean nodded.
"Yeah, Sam, and the reason why I couldn't let you stay at the bunker."
Dean didn't explain further and Cas just stared at him, trying to discern what was exactly plaguing the hunter. A while passed, then some. And then Castiel was slightly dozing off when Dean decided to talk again. "Ezekiel, you know him?"
Ezekiel and him had met only a few times in heaven. Once, the angel was stationed in his garrison and they fought valiantly, protecting each other's backs, if not side by side. But that was half a millennium ago and Ezekiel still continued to serve heaven as a trustworthy angel. And Dean picked this all up from Castiel's war stories as they drove on the lonely night. The good news should've assured him but there was something nagging at him at the back of his mind.
Dean knows Cas is probably about to demand answers when he takes in a lungful of air and expels it slowly. "I made a deal with him – with Zeke. I had to save Sammy. You know how I can't live without Sam," he confessed.
Oh, how Castiel knows. And he doesn't judge Dean about the moral implications of whatever deal he had with the angel. Dean is silent again and Cas thinks he knows why his friend is going out on his way to help him, to tell him all about this secret. Dean wants to trust someone again. Dean still considers him, family. So he tells the Winchester the words he needs to hear.
"I understand, Dean, and I will never judge you for your reasons. Sam is family and you are family. You can trust me."
So? How'd it go? I haven't written something this long for over a year so please enlighten me! R&R my lovelies :3