So I started this with the intention of keeping our love birds separated for longer but I couldn't do it. I need them together like air lol. But don't worry, I am the queen of angst/drama...it'll come soon.
Edit: Sorry for whatever happened with this chapter! Thank you to weedom and LeeMarieJack for emailing me and letting me know about the upload problem!
"Hey Dean? Your dad wanted me to come wake you up," a southern voice prodded at him. Dean groaned, reaching out and hugging the closest thing to him to his chest. It smelled like Castiel and he couldn't help burying his face into it.
"Man...if only I had a camera," the voice chuckled. Dean blinked his eyes open and automatically flinched away from the stuffed bee he'd been cuddling. He caught Cole's eyes and both of them snorted.
"Not a fucking word man," Dean laughed rolling over onto his back. The rocks under his tent were poking into his skin but he tried his hardest to ignore it. They were closing in on the cabin but Dean knew with the upcoming fork in the road they were gonna have to veer East instead of continuing North. He was so eager to get home he completely forgot about the list Charlie had made him...and his promise to Castiel.
"It's all good...ya know...if I had something of my girlfriend's I'd cling onto it and never let the fucking thing go," Cole sighed. Dean blinked a few times and sat up. Cole shook it off with a wave of his hand and forced a smile.
"Anyway, John said he found something and we're gonna be heading out in a few," Cole said quickly before disappearing out of Dean's tent. Dean nodded, taking a few breaths to relax his thudding heart and sore cramped muscles. He was going to take a very, very long nap when they returned. A huge smile pulled at his lips, he'd be able to hold Castiel close without fearing what anyone say, especially not his father.
Dean shot up from his makeshift bed, shoving all of his stuff back into the duffell. The quicker they moved out the sooner they'd get back. He emerged from the tent and took in a deep breath of the frigid air, the sun just peeking over the horizon.
"Morning son, here," John called out handing him a plate. Dean couldn't recognize what it was but had a feeling it was rabbit again. He forced it down and greedily accepted the water his dad was handing him with a knowing smirk.
"Cole said you found something?" Dean asked. John nodded, leading the way over towards Bobby's busted up car. There was a map lying over the hood with a bunch of marks written in and Dean chewed on his lip, trying to figure out a way to either tell or lead his father in the other direction. Something hard was thrust into his hands and he blinked in confusion several times before he made it out.
"Where did you find this?" Dean gasped holding the radio up closer to his face.
"Found an abandoned house a few miles from here, tore it off the car's console and installed into this one. I figured...you'd wanna try and get a hold of the cabin, let them know we're close," John smiled. Dean swallowed hard, reaching out to grip his father's shoulder.
"Dad there's ugh, something I need to talk to you about. We have to go East instead... " he stammered. John's face fell, his head snapping over to the map.
"Why on earth would we do that?" he demanded. Dean ran a hand over his face as he gently put the control back on the car seat.
"Because, Charlie...she needs some stuff and I promised Castiel…"
"Dean, we need to regroup with our people. Once we do, then we can go back out and scavenge...what does Charlie need so badly anyway?" John asked with a laugh. Dean frowned at him, grabbing his dad's shirt to keep him from turning.
"Charlie's insanely smart, you know that She didn't have to tell me what she's planning...but I have a list and I'm gonna try to get what she needs," Dean said. John rolled his eyes and Dean felt his own anger flare up.
"Dean...listen to me. We can't detour anymore than we have…" John started but Dean cut him off quickly.
"We won't, look one of the places she wants me to hit is only 15 miles from here. It's a small store...in and out," Dean said pointing to it on the map. John stared at it for a few minutes, nodding as he contemplated something.
"We're not taking everyone. Sam and Jess will lead the others to the cabin, Jo and I will come with you to the store," John said and Dean agreed, taking what he could.
"Now make that call, we move out in 10," John said with a wink before moving over towards the others. Dean took in a deep breath and sat down in the passenger seat, his fingers moving the dial around.
"This is Dean Winchester, can anyone hear me?" Dean said into the radio, carefully listening for any kind of response.
Castiel sat at his window sill watching the last dregs of rain drip down from the sky. It had rained for almost two days and he prayed that his newly planted seeds would survive. He sighed heavily, burrowing his chin into his arms. Things were quiet around the house, Castiel was sure everyone was still asleep. Benny was on watch and if he listened carefully enough he could hear the soft steps of the man from above him.
His eyes were slowly drifting closed when he heard something muffled in the distance. It sounded like a crackle. He touched the floor with his feet as someone thundered past his bedroom. Castiel hurried towards his door and opened to catch a brief glimpse of red hair flying past him.
"Charlie?" he called out but didn't get an answer.
"This is Charlie...Dean is that you?" he could hear her saying. Castiel didn't remember flying from his bedroom and down the stairs but he was suddenly behind Charlie was frantically turning the dials of the radio. It was crackling too much but underneath he could just make out a voice.
"This ….Dean….can...me?" Castiel gasped, his hand flying over his mouth when he finally heard Dean's voice.
"Shit...Dean! Can you hear me?" Charlie called out again. There was a staticy chuckle and Castiel had to swallow down the lump in his throat.
"Can you hear you loud and clear Red...god it's good to hear your voice. How's everything?" Dean asked. Castiel squirmed as Charlie laughed, scooting over so he could sit next to her.
"Good, good. It's still raining up here but damn it's good to hear your voice too Dean-O...there's someone else here who really wants to say hi," Charlie said. There was a soft intake of breath and Castiel couldn't find his voice.
"Cas? Are you there?" Dean asked softly. Castiel nodded eagerly, only a little squeak leaving his lips.
"Yeah he's here Dean...a little muted at the moment...I'll leave you two to have your moment," Charlie snickered. He felt something squeeze his shoulder and then he was alone with Dean's wonderful voice.
"I'm okay Cas...we found Dad and the others. Things got a little scary but we're okay...all of us," Dean said and Castiel nodded again, his fingers digging into the microphone.
"C'mon buddy...say something please? I need to hear your voice...you doin okay?" Dean prodded but Castiel couldn't get his damn throat to work. He let out a gasp and Dean sighed on the other end.
"We'll be home soon...I found something of yours that I know you miss," Dean chuckled almost a little sadly.
"I miss you Dean…" Castiel finally managed to whisper. Dean breathed out a laugh.
"I miss you too baby...God I can't wait to get back home," Dean groaned. Castiel felt his chest squeeze at the pet name. He never imagined ever being called something like that by Dean but it made his throat tight.
"H-How much longer?" Castiel asked.
"Another day...maybe two. Depends on how long it takes to scavenge one of the places Charlie needed supplies from," Dean said. Castiel shook his head, a pained noise leaving his throat.
"No...come back first. We have everything we need here Dean...please?"
"What about the seeds I promised you?" Dean laughed. Castiel let out a watery laugh as a few tears trickled down his flamed cheeks.
"I don't care...and Kevin found me some. Even flowers for the bees," Castiel answered. "Dean...please just come back. You can always go back out some other time…" Castiel pleaded. Dean made a noise and he could just make out John's voice in the background.
"Alright Cas...you win. We'll be home in a few hours…" Dean said, a smile evident in his voice.
"Okay...I can't wait to see you...please be careful," Castiel said biting down hard on his bottom lip. Dean chuckled softly, the crackling becoming louder.
"We will Cas, I promise," Dean let out a breath before adding, "Can't wait to see you either." There was a click and Castiel swallowed hard, wanting to call out and keep Dean talking to him. He touched at the microphone a few times before finally moving away from it. Dean was going to be home soon...back to him. He smiled brightly and tore out of his seat to get back to Dean's room. It was a mess and Castiel set on getting it cleaned up before they arrived.
Dean was too anxious to sit still, his fingers constantly picking at the seat or his jeans. He didn't put up too much of a fight when his dad offered to drive, with Dean's luck he'd have them wrapped around a tree. His heart pitched when he saw the familiar turn in, the excitement pulling up his lips into a huge grin. John chuckled next to him but didn't say much as the truck ambled along the path. Dean could hear the soft murmurs from the bed of the truck where most of their party was. Jess, Sam, and Ash were crammed in the back seat while Jody, Krissy and Cole were all the in the bed. Bobby, Jo and Rufus drove the almost limping station wagon and Dean just thanked who ever was listening that the damn thing didn't break down again. They had so much supplies with them that it would have been next to impossible moving everyone and all the stuff too.
John had given Dean a warm smile when he had told him about what Castiel said, that he agreed to just do a supply run in a few days instead. Dean was more than happy to admit that this plan was so much better, he hadn't realized how much he needed to see Castiel until he'd heard his scratchy voice over the radio.
"Hey, looks like we got a welcoming party," John said pointing out towards something. Dean's head snapped up and he laughed when he saw not only Cas but Ellen, Charlie and Kevin as well. Dean figured Benny was on watch, he could just make out a moving figure on the balcony.
"God it's good to be back," Jess groaned, making Dean smile even bigger. Castiel was visibly bouncing on his toes and the second the truck stopped he was running. Dean quickly got out of the cab and opened his arms just in time to catch him, laughing as they staggered back.
"I missed you so much," Castiel groaned burying his face into the crook of Dean's neck. One arm wrapped tightly around Castiel's waist while the other raised up so he could tangle his fingers into that thick mop of hair.
"Oh thank God," Ellen cried out, yanking both Jo and Ash into her arms while Bobby hugged around all three of them. Dean couldn't really focus on the others, he was too busy breathing in Castiel's fresh scent, the slight woodsy smell that clung to his skin and clothes.
"Alright, alright, grab some stuff everyone and get inside!" John called out and Dean had to force himself to pull away, one arm still around Castiel's waist to keep him close. Castiel didn't seem to mind one bit, allowing for Bobby to pile some lighter things into his arms. Dean smiled appreciatively to his uncle and followed the others into the house, his own arms full of their supplies.
The house was so warm and smelled incredible, Ellen must have been making lunch or something. His stomach was growling almost obnoxiously and he found himself being dragged into the kitchen once they had everything brought in from the cars. He watched with a fond smile as Castiel busied around, filling up a plate to put in front of Dean.
"C'mere," Dean laughed pulling Castiel down to sit on his lap, the blush on his best friend's face almost too adorable. Dean bit his lip before sneaking in a kiss to his jaw before digging into the sandwich. It was good and filled his belly nicely but he was dying to lie down and even more so to cuddle the shit out of his boyfriend. He could feel the color filling his cheeks as that word rattled around in his brain….boyfriend. Castiel smiled down at him and gently wiped some mayo from the corner of his lip.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked. Dean laughed softly, shrugging as he pulled Castiel a little closer.
"How strange it is that I can call you my boyfriend now," Dean answered. Castiel's own face turned a bit red and he ducked his head down almost shyly.
"A good strange?"
"Very good," Dean grinned. Castiel laughed softly and waited patiently for him to finish, the others busying themselves around the house. Dean felt the nerves flutter in his chest when he gently pulled Castiel into the family room where his dad was.
"We're gonna go lay down for a bit," Dean said, his hand shaking a little as his dad turned around slowly. It still freaked him out that his dad was so accepting but he was still waiting for the other shoe to drop. John merely looked at them, waved his hand and turned back to discuss something with Bobby and Rufus. Dean nearly did a happy dance before pulling Castiel up to his room...well, their room now. Now that they could, Dean wasn't going to let Castiel suffer through his nightmares anymore.
"Dean...are...are you sure that this is okay? I mean I can understand at night because I have issues but…"
"Cas...c'mon, you don't have 'issues'. You have nightmares and I really think that this is okay and going to be amazing. I'm so tired and all I can think about is snuggling the shit out of you right now," Dean laughed. Castiel snorted, playfully punching him in the arm. A little yelp left his mouth when Dean tackled him to the bed, tickling mercilessly at his sides.
"Dean! Stop! I-I can't breathe!" Castiel giggled, wiggling around to get away from Dean's grip. Dean kept at it for a minute before stopping, pulling Castiel closer as he hovered over him. Castiel looked beautiful, eyes bright with a huge gummy smile. Dean traced his bottom lip with his thumb and leaned in slowly, very gently pressing their lips together. Castiel sighed, his breath tickling Dean's cheek. The kiss didn't get any deeper and Dean was perfectly content with that, completely enraptured with the feeling of Castiel pressed close to him.
"Thank you for coming back Dean…" Castiel whispered when Dean pulled back just a little. He knew it was cheesy but he rubbed their noses together and loved the little giggle Castiel made.
"You are more than welcome...either when we get up or tomorrow you wanna show me what you planted already?" Dean asked. Castiel nodded eagerly and they moved around on the bed until Dean was spooning Castiel from behind, his face buried into the back of his neck.
