From the end of Chapter 5. A Little Spark
Jo and Cas stood outside the very modest Winchester home with the overgrown thumbnail patch of grass. The rose bushes lining the front were the only part well tended. The house was old, so old that it looked like the town sprung up around it. Despite its condition Cas felt it would be very cozy inside.
Jo clasped Cas' hand and gave him a nervous smile, "Ready?"
Cas looked down at his shirt with the tiny blue roses then to the dress Jo was wearing from the same fabric. They did it in a show of solidarity and Ellen assured Cas the pattern was so tiny that it didn't look feminine at all.
He smiled back just as nervous, "Ready as I'll ever be."
…..
Sam opened the door and ushered them inside. He lifted Jo up and gave her a big smooch then set her back down. Sam noticed their outfits, "Cute you're a matched set."
Cas, figuring they were alone said, "Don't get any idea's Sam, I'm spoken for." He was teasing of course.
A blushing Sam hitched his thumb toward the back, "Dad and Dean are outside cooking up the fish we caught yesterday. I'll get you both something to drink."
Jo and Cas each chose an orange soda and followed Sam out back to the fenced in yard where Dean and John were sitting on a couple of mismatched chairs watching the fish grilling on metal grate resting over a fire pit. There were potatoes wrapped and nestled among the embers and some sweet corn next to the fish.
When Dean saw his boyfriend he felt the urge to run over and gather Cas up in his arms but that was impossible in front of John so he made do with a smile and a wave.
" Glad you guys could make it. I think we have enough fish to feed the town so I hope you brought your appetites."
John stood up and wiped his hands on the pair of ratty dungarees he was wearing then headed over to meet them. "Welcome to the humble Winchester abode." He scrutinized Jo first. She was a petite natural beauty and John could see why Sam was smitten with the girl.
He held out his hand, "Jo it's good to finally meet you. Sam can't shut up about…"
Sam spun around, "Geez don't embarrass me!"
John smirked at his youngest as he noticed the pink rising in Sam's cheeks, the kid blushed easily. "As I was saying, Sam can't shut up about you and I can see why. According to my son you are the prettiest, smartest, sweetest and funniest young lady in all of creation."
Sam groaned, "Dad, please stop."
Jo briefly shook the hand offered and gave John her sunniest smile, "I'm happy to meet you Mr. Winchester."
Next John focused on Cas. The kid was slim, fit but not especially tall. He looked younger than Dean by a couple years but John figured the boy was one gifted with a very youthful visage. His dark hair, slight tan and flared nostrils hinted at an exotic bloodline.
Those features topped with a pair of stunning blue eyes and thick dark lashes firmly put Cas straddling the fence between handsome and pretty.
John couldn't figure out how this boy and his son were such fast friends. Cas didn't seem like the type Dean had hung out with in the past. That was when a light bulb came on and John recalled what Dean had told him about the girl he was seeing.
"The mom was from Romania and I guess people would call her a Gypsy but actually the right term is Romani. This person I like is sort of tan with black hair and beautiful blue eyes."
Cas timidly held out his hand and John clasped it in his paw. "I hear you are a close friend of my son. How did you two meet?"
Dean rescued Cas by heading over and stopping his dad before he could start asking questions. "Sam introduced us and we hit it off. Come on, the fish is ready."
….
Cas ate with his head down knowing that John Winchester was staring at him. He wanted to bolt for the door and hide in his little room above the diner. Dean touched his knee discreetly under the table and smiled at him.
Cas just couldn't smile back as much as he wanted to. Dean cleared his throat and everyone looked at him. "I was thinking after dinner Sam could get out his box camera and we could take some pictures. You can send them to Fort Benning, then I can bring them with me when I get shipped out."
John stopped staring at Cas and nodded to his son, "That sounds like a fine idea." He didn't know what this boy meant to Dean but he must have been very important. Important enough that Dean would risk bringing him home for dinner.
"Are those tiny blue roses on his shirt…they match Jo's dress. I'll have to ask Sam about this boy when Deans not around…something really weird is going on and it better not be what I think it is."
…..
After dinner they decided to play games and have dessert. Sam had baked some gingersnaps and the kindest thing thought about the offering was the cookies were edible. It had taken a while to squirrel away the ingredients but he managed. They ate them along with glasses of powdered milk he had mixed up.
When Sam asked how they tasted there was praise all around the table. No one had the heart to dash that proud look on his face. Jo made a mental note that if they ever got married she was handling the cooking and baking.
They played poker and everyone knew how except Cas. Dean moved his chair closer to him and helped as they went along. Cas was flustered feeling out of his element but he was determined to learn so he could fit in.
Dean touched his foot against his lover's under the table. He had a zipper scraping erection and nowhere to put it. The close proximity of Cas was driving Dean mad. He excused himself and went to the bathroom to privately take care of the swelling in his trousers.
That gave John a chance to ask Cas questions. "Cas I noticed you have a touch of something in your background where does your family hail from?"
Cas looked down at his faintly tan arm and frowned. The question was a bit rude but John was Dean's father and Cas wanted to get off on the right foot with the man. "My mother was Romanian."
That was it, now John knew who Dean's "girlfriend" was for sure. "Was?"
Cas kept his eyes downcast, "She died when I was fourteen."
John, as sick as he felt over what he imagined the nature of the teenagers relationship was couldn't help himself, he felt bad for the kid. "I'm sorry to hear that son."
Sam's jaw tightened up, he was upset at his dad for asking such personal questions. Jo put an end to the tension when she laid out her cards and started cackling, "Read 'em and weep boys!"
Sam pointed to Dean's empty chair, "No fair, Dean didn't get to play his cards."
The blonde crowed, "Snooze yah lose!"
John burst out laughing over the feisty little teenager's fearlessness playing cards with the males. He thought she was exactly what Sam needed to pull him out of his books once in a while.
With all the laughter Cas relaxed for the first time since he got there. Dean came back looking pretty relaxed himself. "What's going on?"
Jo hitched her thumb toward her chest, "I'm a winner."
John messed up Sam's hair the teen had carefully tamed with Brylcreem, "This gal is a winner Sam so you better keep her."
Later they took many photos, some of Dean and Cas together with Dean's arm slung casually around his boyfriend's shoulders, some with Sam, Jo, Cas and Dean then some of the brothers and then the brothers and John.
…
Sam sent Jo and Cas away with a bag of his gingersnaps. John joked they could use them for doorstops but Jo said they were delicious after you soaked them awhile in milk.
Cas was disappointed Dean stayed behind. It was Saturday night and by Monday morning his love would be gone. Every moment was precious. When they got back he took a warm bath and went to bed alone. The formerly cozy haven felt cold and lonely without Dean to snuggle up to.
Late that night Cas woke up to a weight on the bed then a warm body spooning behind him. Dean wrapped his arms around Cas' waist and nuzzled the back of his neck.
"You didn't think I could stay away from you Angel." Dean ran his hand across Cas' smooth, flat belly and circled the navel with his finger. "Besides, tomorrow is our special day together."
Cas tried to turn around but Dean held him tight, "What kind of special day? I thought every day with you was special Comoara."
"This will be extra special, trust me."
Cas sighed contentedly, "Now I can sleep well, my Dean is here."
…
Dean woke up to the smell of bacon. His eyes popped right open and he searched for the source. There was Cas holding a breakfast tray, "Good morning Dean. I snuck a couple pieces of bacon for you."
Deah sat up and propped some pillows behind his back. "Wow, thanks Angel."
They sat together sharing a plate and drinking coffee. Cas only nibbled the end off one piece of bacon and gave the rest to Dean. The conversation was light, neither could bear to talk about what was coming tomorrow morning; they would save that for later.
….
Dean first treated Cas to a Tarzan movie matinee. They sat next to each other in the back row but didn't dare touch. To make it fun Dean told Cas how they could both ogle Johnny Weissmuller in his loincloth and make comments about Jane that were actually meant for Tarzan.
Cas got a giggle over the idea and went along with it making comments to Dean like, "Jane has a swell set of legs". By the end of the movie both were spending most of the time holding back their laughter.
Next Dean took them for a ride in the country and over to Grangers pond where he went fishing with Sam. The place was secluded and rarely got visitors; it was the perfect spot for a picnic.
He spread out a blanket for them and the pair sat there eating cheese on buttered homemade bread and shared a root beer. The weather was seasonably warm and the sky almost as pretty a blue as the color of Cas' eyes. A breeze hit and a sweet scent filled the air as fat, lazy bumblebees wove their way from flower to flower. Cas flopped back on the blanket and watched the clouds move slowly overhead.
Dean flopped back next to him and took Cas' left hand. He took off then slipped his silver ring on Cas' finger. It was a little big but Dean figured he could wrap a little tape around it.
"This is for you Angel; it's all I got right now to give. You deserve better but it will have to do for a promise ring. It's still special though, my mom kept it in her jewelry box. It belonged to her dad." He pointed to the Celtic knot around the band, "See this here, its means eternity."
Cas tried to hold his trembling hand still but found it impossible. He was stunned with the offering and not sure what it meant exactly. "Dean, what is a promise ring for?"
"Guys give them to gals as sort of a place holder. We are going steady and I don't want to lose you when I leave. This will keep other guys away."
Cas gave a sharp laugh, "Come on Dean, no guy wants me and even if they did I wouldn't give them a second look. You are my love and that's it, case closed. So does the eternity symbol mean you're going to love me forever?"
Dean kissed each slim, manicured finger, "Yeah, however long forever turns out to be."
Cas reached under his shirt and took off the heavy silver chain with the half dollar sized silver horseshoe pendent Tasaria gave her son before she died. He placed it over Dean's head then bent to kiss it.
"I want you to have this for luck. It will keep you safe Dean…promise me you will keep it with you always."
Dean rubbed the silver disk between his fingers, "Your mom gave you this, are you sure?"
Cas cupped Dean's face and ran a thumb over his plush lips, "Yes, I know she would approve."
The couple spent the afternoon kissing and gently touching. Dean wanted to prove that he could enjoy the tender parts of loving someone and show Cas he was so much more than holes to fill.
Dean didn't give his Angel the ring on a whim; he needed to know that in some small way Cas carried a part of him. Unknown to them, Cas already had a special part of Dean growing inside his body.
…
They wandered the town together, hands stuffed in pockets to prevent any accidental touching. Teenagers passed by hand in hand, it was difficult for the two eighteen year olds but for now they had to accept their lots in life and pray that someday the world would change.
Still Cas and Dean enjoyed themselves. They were together that was all that mattered.
…..
Cas brought them in through the back. The diner had just closed and Ellen was busy cleaning up the kitchen while Jo worked on the restaurant floor. Cas went to pitch in while Dean hung back to speak with Ellen.
She noticed him watching her. "What's on your mind handsome?"
He blurted out, "Promise you'll care of Cas for me."
Ellen's heart went out to the sad, tortured looking teen standing in front of her. She could only imagine what Dean was going through right now. His whole life had been turned upside down; the kid was being ripped away from his home to fight in a war started by an evil, angry, delusional monster. Dean was left wondering if he would come home in one piece or come home at all.
She crooked her finger and headed to the backroom, Dean followed. Once out of sight from Cas and Jo she hugged him. Ellen had no idea if Dean even wanted a hug. When she felt his body relax Ellen knew she did the right thing. Dean made hitching sounds as he tried to hold back from crying.
"I want to assure you that we love Cas and always watch out for him. Trust me; he is in good hands here. In our hearts Cas is my son and Jo's big brother."
Dean murmured almost to himself, "Cas is tender and the world is so hard…I worry about him."
She let him go and patted his cheek, "Worry about yourself now Dean. Stay focused and strong, do your stint and come home to him. This war has to be over soon. Let me worry about the home front."
Dean scrubbed his eyes with his shirt sleeve. "Thanks Ellen. I have to leave by 6 tomorrow morning to head back to dads. He and Sammy are taking me to the bus and sending me off. I don't think it's a good idea for Cas to be there…I think he would start to cry pretty hard and I don't want people judging him."
"I think that's a good idea Dean. Say your goodbyes here and then let him go for now. Send Cas a letter as soon as you get settled at Fort Benning."
"I will, promise."
…
After Ellen and Jo retired for bed Dean pumped the jukebox full of coins and asked Cas to dance.
Dean twirled Cas then grabbed him tight. Cas squealed in delight at the way he was handled by his strong, handsome soldier.
Dean dipped the smaller teen and kissed him hard. Cas clung on tight, almost in a swoon over the romance of the moment.
The teens were in sync the whole time, both were good dancers but together they were perfect as if born to be partners.
When the last song ended the boys headed upstairs hand in hand.
….
They took a bath in the big old tub together trying to keep it quiet as each was scrubbed pink by the other. After toweling off, Dean lifted Cas bridal style while Cas reached down and handled the opening of doors.
Dean managed to hold onto his pretty bundle all the way to the bed.
Cas cast out all of his timid ways. It was their last night together until who knew when and he needed to taste and touch Dean until every inch of flesh was burned into Cas' memory.
Dean went wild; he tongued and prodded every orifice on his little Angel's body including his rear. Cas wanted to say "no stop, not there!" but the tongue stabbing at his opening was much too wonderful and instead he wiggled and whimpered. It was so forbidden and absolutely naughty that it made the act all the more exciting.
Dean stopped himself short of slamming his dick inside what he imagined was the tightest place on earth but promised when he got back home he would liberate Cas of his virginity there as well.
Dean took Cas over and over again until he had nothing left to give. Exhausted, Dean finally felt sleep nipping at his brain as his eyes grew heavy. Cas held him tight, rocking Dean until he fell asleep. At one point Dean cried out for Cas as if he couldn't find him but soothing hands settled him down.
Cas was the one this night to stay up and watch over his lover. As the morning sun rose over the sleepy town of Prosper Cas cried quietly into his pillow. In an hour Dean would be gone and his heart would break in two.
He dried his tears and told himself to be strong for Dean. Cas snuck down to make him breakfast and rationing be damned he was going to raid the larder. A little while later he entered with a tray and found Dean cleaned and dressed.
"I made you breakfast, sausage and scrambled eggs and orange juice." Cas set the tray on the rickety little table by the window.
The soldier boy stared down at what his mind was telling him was a last meal. "Geez stop being so damn negative Winchester. Be strong for Cas…you have a life to come home to now. Buck up!"
Dean grinned at his adorable Cas wearing one of Ellen's dressy aprons. It had ruffles around the edges and little cherries scattered over the cotton fabric. "You look real pretty today."
Cas felt the heat rise in his cheeks over the compliment. Dean was the only one to ever praise his feminine looks. It was hard to get used to but it felt good knowing he didn't have to hide them.
"When I'm with you Dean I feel like a whole person. The last time I felt that way was with my mom and my grandma…thank you."
Dean, now in protector mode was all smiles as he held a breakfast sausage like a cigar to make Cas laugh. "You are a whole person, all the parts are attached so what else would you be?"
Cas smoothed the front of his cherry apron and lowered his eyes. Dean was turning to mush inside from the dark sweep of pretty lashes grazing Cas' skin and his crooked little smile. He got up, grabbed Cas by the face and kissed him hard then whispered, "I love you, hang in there Angel. When you feel sad…" Dean lifted Cas' hand and touched the silver ring, "look at this as my promise to come home to you."
Cas traced the heavy silver chain that disappeared under Dean's shirt, "Never leave this behind Comoara, you think of me and my love will keep you safe."
Dean looked over at the clock, "Damn…ok I gotta go." Dean kissed Cas again, said his goodbyes and left quickly before he lost his will.
Cas watched from the window as Dean ran down the alley to John's old jalopy, get inside and drive away. He immediately sunk to his knees and broke down sobbing. Cas decided to try and be strong tomorrow.
TBC
A/N- A fun fact. With heavy rationing of chocolate and sugar, American obsession with sugary treats declined due to circumstances. With salt readily available as well as popping corn and potatoes WW2 rationing was a key factor in switching over Americans to salty, crunchy snacks such as popcorn and potato chips.
