Chapter 10: Ready for Love

Castiel's wings fluttered and shook. He bit back a wince of pain which now radiated from his shoulder. Still, he had managed to land with an ease and grace that he had not felt for the past five days. Nothing had come easily to him and nothing had been simple. He gazed upwards at the stars. His mind brimming with images of battle carnage, blood, and death.

Everything fell apart once Raphael's soldiers retaliated against Cas and the battle ensued in Heaven. He watched, horrified as his brothers and sisters fell to their death around him. It broke his heart, yet strengthened his inner determination to continue on, to avenge and finally bring down the rebels that cost so many angels lives.

On the fifth day, both sides had lost many soldiers, their numbers dwindling to nothing, when Cas finally broke through the forces of Raphael's remaining loyalists' and struck at the heart of them. It had been bloody and brutal. Castiel now stood on the street outside of the motel, realizing he was lucky to still be alive and in one piece. Piece… he thought, glancing over his shoulder to his left wing. In his final act as a soldier, he had sacrificed his foothold against the enemy in order to kill him, however at the terrible price of severely injuring his left wing. The angel had pierced his wing with a sword, wrenching Cas's body and cutting off a piece at the base of his wing.

The injury had been excruciating but it didn't stop Cas from thrusting away in time to swing and strike down across the angels neck, severing his head in his vulnerable position. Now when he used his wings to fly, it was painful and awkward. He needed to give his wing time to heal. On earth it would be faster, since he would not require flying as often as in Heaven. Except he knew he still needed to get to earth.

Castiel waited for the pain to subside before approaching the motel. He knew Dean was inside. His heart hammered and his body hummed in anticipation of seeing his hunter once again. He had missed him. It was an odd feeling that Cas had never experienced before. The longing and burning need to see Dean at times, nearly suffocated him or distracted him in critical moments of the battle.

When Castiel discovered Raphael's followers' plans to execute Dean and Sam Winchester, he sent Balthazar to protect them. Cas knew he couldn't return to earth to protect Dean, the angels would anticipate that and kill both Dean and Cas at their most vulnerable. So his only choice was to send an angel he trusted to keep Dean safe. Balthazar.

The arrogant, but fierce warrior had not been pleased with his mission, however he agree to it and vowed he would protect them. Cas threatened him with death should he fail to protect Dean Winchester. Balthazar understood and left, leaving Cas feeling vulnerable and frustrated, since he could not be the one with Dean.

His heart ached for what he had felt in Dean's embrace. His body hurt without his touch. He knew this bond between them had become strong. Yet being away for so long from what he truly loved, hurt worse than he severed wing. Now with the battle behind him and an injured wing, Cas had come back to him.

"Cassie," Balthazar's voice taunted, "back so soon?"

Castiel turned to find Balthazar smiling at him coyly. "Yes, Balthazar. The war is over."

Balthazar made a show of relief, "thank God." He mocked. "I'm finally rid of the Winchesters."

Castiel's head titled, "That's surprising. I believe the three of you made quiet a dent into Raphael's forces here."

Balthazar laughed, "If you mean killing about a dozen angels with the wonder-twins, then yes. Those boys are quiet suicidal, yet tactful- especially that Sam. He knows how to plan an attack that one." Cas saw an odd glimmer in Balthazar's eyes when he spoke of Sam. Respect for Sam Winchester and possibly something more… Cas could not place it before Balthazar quickly covered his emotions with a sly smile. "I must say, Dean was a bit overbearing. I don't know how you tolerate it."

Cas did not respond, only narrowed his eyes at the angel.

Balthazar shrugged, "Anyway- I'm glad you've returned and this is over. They're all yours, Cassie."

Castiel paused, before saying, "Thank you, Balthazar."

Surprise crossed Balthazar's face only for a second before he retorted sarcastically, "did I have a choice, Castiel?"

"No," Cas remarked flatly.

Balthazar chuckled at him, "Well- your welcome all the same, Cassie." He smiled at him fondly. "You know, we don't make such a bad team- you and me."

Cas didn't have time to respond before a loud ringing interrupted them. It was Balthazar's cell phone. He pulled it out and inspected the number. Cas watched as Balthazar's lips titled upwards then glanced at Cas, "I've gotta take this. See you around, Cassie." And with that, Balthazar turned on his polished leather boots and vanished.

Dean white knuckle gripped the shower head, pain sheering through his ribs. Those mother-friggin-angels did a number on him, he thought angrily. The hot water at first felt wonderful on his bruised and cracked skin. The water cascaded down his lean, hard-muscled body. It wrapped him up in the steam. The aches and pains of the past few days washing off his skin, falling away. After a few moments, the pain suddenly returned and overwhelmed him.

He gritted his teeth, the muscle in his jaw working hard. Dean placed a rough, calloused hand over the black and blue bruises on his side. "Damnit…" he mumbled, water from the shower flowing over him. If only Cas where here, he thought. He'd patch him up with a simple touch.

Dean's mind suddenly went on overdrive, thinking of Cas's hands. He had some magical hands, literally. The way they moved over his flesh, touched his cock, caressed his face and gripped his shoulders when they made love. Dean glanced down at the towering erection between his wet thighs. He sighed heavily. Great, another shower jerk, he thought bitterly. He'd done this for the past three days now. He missed Cas so bad that at times it hurt to breathe, like now with his bruised ribcage.

The more angels he battled and killed with Sam and Balthazar, the further he'd fallen into his own personal pit of despair. He dreamt about Cas being killed every night since he'd left him. The nightmares would pound into him at night, always leaving him feeling sick to his stomach. The worst dreams were the ones where Dean was in them, watching Cas from afar being struck down and slaughtered, while Dean could never get to him- could never save him.

Balthazar had not been very comforting either. So Dean pushed him away, letting Sam deal with his the majority of the time as they strategized their next plan of attack. Balthazar gave the boys the angel blades and he provided excellent cover with his angel mojo. They had wrangled in some of the toughest, meanest angels from Raphael's group. It always sent a course of pleasure through Dean when he stabbed those assholes through the heart- knowing that any one of them could do the same to his Cas.

He glanced down again at his unyielding cock. Dean took the bar of soap, lathered his hand, when suddenly he heard the bathroom door open. He grunted, "Sam…" He shouted out angrily, "Piss outside!"

"Dean…" the voice was so achingly familiar, that Dean at first didn't believe his own ears. He had imagined hearing Cas's voice so many times for the past five days. He wasn't sure if it was his imagination again or really his Cas.

"Cas?" He yanked the shower door open. He was greeted by those blue eyes. Dean had frequently been surprised by how blue Cas's eyes were, but in this moment, they seemed bluer then he remembered and more stunningly beautiful. He stilled, frozen by the image of his angel.

Cas seemed slightly disheveled. His hair was untidy, his tie looser then normal and dark bags under his eyes. "Dean…" he groaned out his name this time and reached for him.

Dean grabbed his suit lapels and searched his face, "are you all right?" his voice hard with concern.

"No," Cas breathed out, his eyes focused on Dean's lips. "You haven't kissed me yet."

Dean almost laughed in surprise. Instead he crushed Cas's lips beneath his own. Water pounded against his back, his face still wet as he devoured him. Cas moaned against him, holding on to the side of his slick face desperately trying to take more of him.

"Cas…" he breathed out between Cas's urgent kisses, "you're clothes…" was all Dean could get out before Cas's clothes suddenly vanished and he pushed Dean backwards into the shower.

Hot water sprayed them, Cas's dark brown hair being matted with water. Dean watched Cas's expression falter in shock, he gazed up at the shower head. He suddenly smiled at Dean, "I understand now, why you humans like these showers. They are quiet…" His eyes smoldered at Dean, hotter than the water now pouring down on them, "nice…"

"Nice wouldn't be the word I'd use…" Dean said dipping his head, capturing his mouth again and again. "More like hot…"

Cas's chest rumbled against Dean's with laughter. "Yes, nice and hot."

Dean's heart suddenly swelled. Cas was back. He usual dry remarks and innocence to the world. His socially awkward, inept angel. How he friggin loved him.

Cas's tongue slipped into his mouth, tasting him. Their slick bodies slid and pushed against each other. Dean's erection grew as he arched his back and pressed his cock into Cas's flat, hard stomach. Cas trembled in his arms and rotated his hips forward, pushing his arousal into Dean. Dean grabbed the bar of soap and lathered his hands. He felt the ache in his ribcage, but ignored it. Cas was more important than a few bruised rips.

"I missed you, baby." Dean whispered against the shell of Cas's ear.

Cas's eyes flared open, stroking the side of Dean's face, "I've missed you too."

Dean pulled back to look into those blue eyes and his heart melted at the sincerity he saw in them. They kissed again, hungry and frantic.

He touched Cas's long, lean body, covering him in soap suds and lathering his entire body, until Cas was panting heavily, his dick straining beautifully before Dean. He smiled, loving the way Cas's face was taunt and the back of his head pressed against the tiles, needy and hot. Dean's cock twisted at this. He wanted Cas now. He dropped to his knees, water spraying his shoulders and back. He took hold of Cas's thick erection and slid him in his mouth.

Castiel gasped. Dean began sucking hard immediately. He wasn't going to draw this out. He wanted Cas cumming and soon. He bobbed up and down, taking Cas deep within his mouth and down his throat. Cas shuddered and jerked forward. Dean used his hands to hold Cas in place against the tiles, then grasped his tight, firm ass in both hands. Cas cried out and came. His whole body jerked and writhed against the slick tiles, his cock bursting. Dean swallowed him down and sucked him dry.

The sheer bliss on Castiel's face when Dean looked up made him smile. He got to his feet and gathered the limp-limbed angel in his arms, engulfing him in a hard embrace. Cas turned his face into the grove of Dean's neck, water still cascading around them, between them. After a few seconds, Cas moved his hand down Dean's side to his arousal. Dean had still been hard and didn't mind if nothing happened at that moment, he too felt blindingly happy, even if he didn't get his release like Cas.

Cas's hand pressed into his side, making Dean cringe. Cas looked up at him, "What's wrong?"

Dean shook it off, "Just a few bruises. Nothing I can't handle, Cas."

Cas touched his side again, making him wince and draw back. Cas glowered, "you're handling nothing with broken ribs."

"I handled you…" Dean remarked slyly.

Cas continued to glare but moved his hands over his ribcage and… the sudden relief of pain filled Dean as he took a deep breath, filling his lungs with air.

Suddenly his felt Cas's hand move to base of his arousal and press down against it. "Feel better?" he asked drily in that deep, resonating voice.

It was Dean's turn to shudder as he nodded dumbly, his eyes slipping shut and his mouth agape with wonder as Cas began stroking him. His hand was slow and firm. Dean rocked his hips forward, his dick sliding in Cas's grasp. He felt Cas's blue eyes burning into him. Dean opened his eyes, water drenching his face. They locked their gazes as Cas quicken his pace. Dean gasped, thrusting forward, his cock pushing into Cas's warm body and hand. They continued to stare, blue meeting emerald. His erection felt thicker and harder, even with Cas tugging.

Cas slipped a finger over the tip of him, pressing into his slit. Dean cried out, eyes shutting tightly, waiting for the orgasm to rip through him.

"Open your eyes, Dean…" Cas demanded, his hand now furiously pulling him into oblivion. Dean's eyes shot open, staring at his lover's tense, handsome face. Suddenly he came. It was so hard and needed that Dean fell desperately onto Cas, who continued to pump him, while his superior strength let Dean's limp body press down on him. He came into his hands, against his body. The water washing it down them, the only thing left was Dean's frantic breathing. He hadn't cummed that hard since the first time he made love to Cas.

Cas turned off the water and pushed Dean against the tiles. His eyes were hazy with sedation.

"Let's get to bed," Cas suggested.

Dean nodded numbly. Then paused, "Sam's in there."

Cas shook his head, "No. He left a note saying he went out and had his cell phone on if you needed him."

Dean seemed to shake himself off as they climbed out of the shower. Dean pressed a clean towel to his face and handed Cas one. Dean watched amused as Cas mimicked Dean's movements with the towel. Then Cas walked out of the bathroom, gloriously naked and so damn hot. Dean smiled like an idiot, trailing close behind.

He pulled the covers on the bed down and plopped down, Cas right besides him. Dean didn't resist his urge as he reached out and stroked the side of Cas's face and through his damp hair.

Cas's eyes closed, a soft, relieved smile on his lips as he sighed into Dean's palm.

"I'm glad you're alive," Dean said huskily.

Cas opened his eyes, "I am glad you are alive too, Dean."

He smiled weakly, "I don't want to spoil our evening. But you wanna tell me what happened upstairs?"

Cas glanced away, "War is unpleasant. I witnessed many angels die these past few days. I killed many myself." His voice held a hint of regret, except when he said, "I destroyed the last of Raphael's followers- they are no longer a threat to us."

Dean felt the surge of relief fill him. "So the war's over?"

Castiel nodded, "Yes."

Dean's elation spread to his face as he kissed Cas. He wanted to rejoice and drink. Castiel no longer had to fight a war in Heaven and he was safe and alive.

Cas however seemed distant, "Much of Heaven is still in disarray. There is much to be done." He averted his gaze from Dean's. "I was injured in my last battle."

Fear spiked in his stomach, "What? Where?" He had just touched every inch of Cas's body in the shower, with the lights on. He would have seen a mark or injury.

Cas sighed, his face hopeless. "My wing…"

Shocked, Dean couldn't help but gaze at the invisible wings behind Cas. He knew Cas was an angel with the sword and wings and even seen the shadows of those incredible feathers a few times. But it never really occurred to him until this moment that Castiel had more to his image then a cute face and incredibly sexy body.

"What happened?"

"One of Raphael's followers- the last of them, stabbed my wing, and took a piece off in combat."

A piece of his wing? Dean's only comparison would to imagine loosening a finger. But a wing was so much more than a stupid pinkie.

"The injury will take time to heal… I cannot support myself when I fly in Heaven." Castiel explained, "I should stay here. I need to give my wing time to heal itself."

Dean touched the side of his face, lifting his gaze to his. "Stay as long as you need to." He smiled sheepishly, trying to lighten the mood, "I can think of a few things we can do while you stick around."

Cas smiled weakly at him. Dean didn't want to talk about war, blood or death anymore. He pulled Cas into his arms and lied back in bed, moving the covers over them, enveloping them. Cas tucked his head against Dean's shoulder. Dean stroked his fingers through the angels' soft brown hair.

"You're staying here the rest of the night, Cas." Dean said in a commanding tone.

Dean felt Cas's lips spread into a smile against his flesh. "I didn't plan on leaving you."

After a few moments, Dean still lazily touching Cas, not wanting to let sleep take him under yet. He heard Cas's gruff voice from the dim of the room, "I love you, Dean."

Dean gazed down at Cas. His heart overwhelmed with happiness he couldn't ever remember feeling before in his life. "I love you too, Cas," he whispered and kissed him.

Balthazar stood in front of the liquor store, the night air cool on his face. He watched as people walked past him and cars pulled in and out of the parking lot. His anticipation continued to grow in his stomach. He hadn't felt this excited about anything in a while. Well, that was a lie, he thought. He vividly recalled the excitement he felt when he heard Castiel had killed Raphael. He felt alive again through Raphael's demise. He no longer had to hide from the world. He could return to Heaven once again without a red target painted on his back.

Now that same excitement built inside him again. He leaned casually against the wall, waiting. Suddenly he saw the headlights of the black car pull off the highway and into the lot. The Impala headlights shone brightly onto Balthazar. The car rumbled to a stop and Sam Winchester got out. His tall, muscular build filled the doorframe.

His dark eyes were fierce as he directed them on Balthazar.

Balthazar broke out in a slow smirk, "You're late, Sammy."

"Don't call me that," he responded irritably.

Balthazar stepped away from the wall and walked to the curb, eyes locked with the human. "All right, Sam…" he drawled out in his thick British accent. "So…" he paused, a sly smile still framing his lips, "you called?"

TBC