The three entered Bobby's house together, the burly man greeting them with a wide smile.
"I gatta say, it's good to see you three together again. And an emotion other than pissed and depressed on Dean's face." Bobby said staring at the three.
"Yeah, yeah. Shove it Bobby." Dean said brushing it off with a smile.
"It's good to see you again Cas." Bobby said with a gentle smile.
"You too." Cas said with an equally warm smile.
"Alright you girls come on." Dean said rolling his eyes.
"Says the one who was bawling his eyes out not twenty four hours ago." Bobby said accusingly.
"Can we not talk about this?" Dean said pulling Cas closer to him possessively, not wanting to think about the Cas he saw on the door step last night. Dean walked past Bobby and into the kitchen.
"He's upset." Cas stated, watching the doorway to the kitchen intently.
"Yeah. He's been weird since you two have been gone. I think seeing you all bloodied up did him in." Bobby told the two. Dean returned to living room with a beer in one hand and instantly looping the other arm around Cas' waist. The group found themselves scattered about the living room, Cas stretched out on the couch, head on Dean's lap, Sam took up the love seat, and Bobby comfortably planted in the armchair and stayed that way for a few hours with the TV on in the background. Bobby and Dean told them all about their adventures while the other two were gone. They laughed when Bobby talked about wanting to kill Dean half the time. Dean laughed and had a good time. Until he began to realize that now, he shared memories with Sam and Cas. He wasn't the only one haunted by Hell anymore. The tables had turned, Sam no longer had to listen to Dean scream in his sleep, but now it was his turn to witness Sam's nightmares. He winced a little trying to make it unnoticeable and took another hard swig of his beer. They stayed there in the living room a long time; Dean was running his fingers through Cas' hair repeatedly the way he knew he loved. He looked down to see Cas' eyes closed a smile toying at the corners of his lips. Dean practically swooned, their connection of being together radiating in his heart and shoulder.
After a while Dean began to notice Cas' slight movements and fidgeting and the fact that some red was starting to seep through his bandages.
"Let's go upstairs to the bathroom Angel, you need some meds and new bandages." Cas nodded in his lap an slowly got up. Cas followed Dean to the upstairs bathroom. Cas leaned against the sink counter while Dean fumbled with the new roll of bandages and gauze. He got on his knees in front of Cas and started to remove the old bandages. Dean thought he was going to be sick. The cuts were even deeper than Dean had first thought. Cas' torso was red and swollen and now fairly blood stained. Oddly there were only stitches on some gashes, mostly the larger ones, the others some of the scabbing had repopened and blood seeped out and some blood seeped through the stitches. Dean squeezed his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose. Cas put his hand on the back of Dean's neck,
"Dean, you don't have to do this. I'll have Sam or Bobby do it." Cas offered stroking his thumb on Dean's cheek.
"Absolutely not." Dean replied, "I'm doing this. I'm taking care of you."
"Dean I don't doubt that you can take care of me. I know you can. You just don't have to do this or look at this." Cas said gesturing at the sigil. Dean could feel tears forming behind his eyes but he would not allow them to move forward. "
I couldnt protect you, Angel." Dean said biting his cheek.
"Is that what this is about?" Cas asked softy. Dean nodded.
"You went down there for me, to save Sam. You don't deserve this."
"I didn't go down there just for you Dean. Sam is my friend too. I didn't want to think about him in Hell. I'd rather have what happened happen then let Sam have stayed down there." Cas told him running his fingers through Dean's hair. Dean picked up the damp cloth and very gently started wiping the excess blood off the wounds. Cas bit his lip and gripped the countertop trying to keep himself from squealing out in pain. He didn't want Dean feeling any worse. Dean was trying so hard to be gentle and Cas was glad for that, but it still hurt. When Dean was satisfied he began to apply the creme of some sorts to it. Whatever it did it felt good, relieving, and Cas liked the stuff a lot. Dean was gentle as he re-applied the gauze and bandage. Cas bit his lip again to hold back the whimper ready to esacpe from the final tug of the bandage tape. Dean stood up looking into Cas' eyes.
"You feeling okay? You look pale." Cas shook his head no suddenly feeling faint and in a lot of pain.
"C'mere. Take your medicine and we can go take a nap." Dean said holding out the pills to Cas. But Cas was so faint and awkward Dean had to help him take them and practically carried him to their room.
"Careful angel." Dean spoke as he gently helped Cas into bed. Cas was exhausted and couldn't wait for sleep. But he waited until Dean was in the bed so he could wrap himself around his body and feel good again. So the second Dean lied down Cas pressed his body to Dean's. Dean smiled and wrapped his arms around him, kissing his cheek, knowing he'd be asleep in minutes. Dean was woken a little while later to Cas yelling and fidgeting in his sleep. Dean didn't know whether to wake him up or not but Dean didn't have to think long because Cas' eyes shot open. He looked panicked and frantic. His eyes wandered quickly and finally fell upon Dean. Dean reached out and ran his hands through Cas' hair.
"You okay Cas?" Dean asked quietly. Cas nodded and sat up, Dean followed and wrapped himself gently around Cas' body. Cas put his head in the crook of Dean's neck and closed his eyes.
"I can't even begin to explain how much I missed you." Cas whispered,
"I'm sorry I never came to see you. You forgive me right?"
"Of course I do angel. How could I not? What happened to you down there Cas?" Dean said concerned.
"Just, the amount of times I had to watch you die..." Cas chocked, tears rising in his eyes. Dean pulled him into a long, deep kiss.
"I'm here now angel, and I'm perfectly fine. I won't be leaving you alone again." Cas nodded kissing Dean again.
"I found something out while I was gone too." Cas said like he had just remembered.
"What was it?" Dean asked curious.
"Why were so different now. You know, like we talked about." Cas explained.
"Yeah? Why is it?" Dean pressed even more curious.
"It's because of my grace. I'm not exactly sure how or why it's changed us but that's the reason. When I pulled you from hell I had to reconstruct your body. I rebuilt you. And to do that I had use some of my grace to hold you together. I know every inch, angel, curve, freckle and imperfection in your body. There's part of me inside you. We were pretty much destined from that moment on." Cas explained reaching his hand up and placing it on the hand print. Pleasure, happiness, love and lust rushed through Dean's veins all at once.
"That's pretty hot." Dean whispered into Cas' neck. Dean leaned Cas back and slightly lifted Cas' shirt. Dean started to kiss the strip of skin between the end of Cas' bandages and the top of the sweatpants he was wearing. Cas let out a hum of pleasure and Dean moved back up to his face pressing his lips to his forehead.
"I love every inch of you." Dean whispered. Trailing his lips down to Cas' cheeks.
"I love your cute stubble." he whispered.
"I love your neck." Dean said dragging his mouth along his neck, pressing his tongue in certain places winning whimpers from Cas.
"I love your shoulders." Dean whispered pushing up the sleeves of his tshirt to reach the hidden skin.
"When I'm feeling better, I will fuck you so hard you won't know what hit you." Cas groaned deeply into Dean's ear. Dean moaned a little feeling Cas' cool breath on his neck. Dean kissed Cas' lips forcefully. The kiss was hard and Cas relished in it. This was exactly what he had missed while he was gone. The gentle and wild all at once. Something Dean had down to a science. Dean's tongue jutted out and Cas moaned and met Dean's tongue with his own. They moved into a rhythm and Cas couldn't imagine ever stopping or even never touching Dean. The two made out for a while before Cas' stomach growled loudly. Dean smiled against Cas' lip not wanting to pull away either.
"Hungry?" Dean asked with a smile.
"Guess so." Cas said smiling at Dean's smile.
"Come on. We'll go down to the diner. I'll even get you burger." Dean said kissing Cas again and pulling Cas out of bed. The two went downstairs finding Sam and Bobby in the living room.
"Cas is starving. We're gonna head over to the diner and just get take out. You two want anything?" Dean asked the two, arm planted around Cas.
"Just a salad I guess." Sam said with a shrug.
"I'll just have whatever you get." Bobby told Dean. He nodded and left the house with Cas practically wrapped around his body. It was like watching a newlywed couple on their honeymoon. Sam was just a little bit sick of it. He understood Dean wanted to take care of him and that Cas had been gone but so had he. And he was Dean's brother. He had missed him like crazy and he wanted some time with him too. Sam tried to be happy about the fact that Dean was finally so happy. It honesty made Sam happier to see him that was but he was jealous. Especially since he hasn't heard from Gabriel at all and he'd been afraid to ask Cas. Sam tried to remind himself to stop and appreciate the fact that they were getting a break. He knew the second Cas was healed and had his mojo back, heaven would be knocking on his door and the two brothers plus one angel would be half way across the county chasing down a Wendigo or something equally obnoxious. So he told himself to enjoy his time at Bobby's. He would get time alone with his brother soon enough. But no matter what he told himself, He just couldn't shake off thoughts of Gabriel...
"We come bearing gifts!" Dean said as he walked through the door way, bag of plastic containers filled with food. Sam was pulled from his thoughts. The four sat around the table eating happily. They talked while Sam stayed unusually quiet, paying more attention to the leaves of lettuce then the conversation. There was total silence for a few moments before Sam finally spoke up,
"Cas, do have any idea what happened to Gabe?" He asked solemnly.
"I, no. He said he was going to help me find you a way out when I told him the idea, which was about a week after the cemetery, and I...I haven't heard from him since." Cas said awkwardly, hoping he hadn't upset Sam.
"Right." Sam said stabbing his fork into lettuce and leaving the table. They could hear his footsteps climbing the stairs then walking down the hallway and slamming his door shut. Cas turned to Dean looking purely guilty.
"Don't worry Angel." Dean said pulling Cas against his shoulder.
"You didn't say anything wrong. Better he know the truth." Dean said rubbing his shoulder.
"Rather have the damn idjit mope around about the truth rather than the damn ideas he'll come up with." Bobby said with a sigh.
"I'm gonna go check on him. You gatta take you're medicine. Don't forget." Dean said, kissing Cas' forehead before he left the table. He climbed the stairs walking past his and Cas' room to Sam's. He gently knocked on the door and waiting for a response.
"Sammy? It's me. You okay?" When he heard nothing he slowly opened the door. He found Sam sitting on his bed his back against the wall, staring up at the ceiling.
"Hey." Dean said quietly, "You doin okay?" Sam turned toward Dean, a blank look on his face.
"Honestly? Not really." Sam said sadly.
"Hey. Don't worry. I guarantee you Gabriel is fine. I promise you the first thing we do when Cas is all good, is find him." Dean tried reassuringly. Sam nodded brushing him practically off. Dean settled in next to Sam.
"So, otherwise how have you been?" Dean asked.
"Good acutally. It's good to be back."
"That's great. So you uh, don't remember anything?" Dean asked tenatively.
"Not a thing." Sam said raising his eyebrows barely believing it himself,
"Does Cas?" Sam asked cautiously.
"Uh yeah, it doesn't seem too bad but uh, nightmares and what not have been waking him up." Dean said scratching the back of his head.
"I'm sorry, that's awful." Sam said placing a hand on Dean's shoulder.
"Yeah. I feel guilty. I don't even want to know what happened down there, if it's anything like what it was for me, I just.." Dean said a lump rising in his throat, "anyway, forget about all that crap. I promise, the second we can, we'll start looking for Gabriel. What's uh, so important about him? I mean, I knew you were close but were you ever uh, Cas and me close?" Dean asked awkwardly. Sam sighed looking hurt.
"Once. We um, hooked up once."
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize..." Dean said sympathetically.
"It's fine. I...I miss him Dean." Dean pulled Sam close to him putting an arm around his shoulders.
"I know Sammy. We'll find him, I promise. Oh and Sam,"
"Yeah?" Sam said curiously.
"Pray to him. Trust me, it'll help." Dean assured him. Dean stayed there with Sam for a few hours in complete silence. Just sitting with each other. Dean couldn't remember a time where they bonded in such a way. He stayed silent until hours later when Sam finally spoke up,
"Hey, I'm tired. I'll see you tomorrow?" Sam said lifting his head off Dean's shoulder.
"Yeah definitely. Night Sammy." Dean said moving to get up, brushing his lips across his temple and headed for the door. He walked down to his own room checking inside for Cas. When he found it empty he headed downstairs. He noticed the sun had gone down already. He hadn't realized he had stayed in Sam's room so long but he didn't really care. It was worth it to him. When he made his way to the living room he found Cas stretched out on his back on the couch with the TV on. Bobby was sound asleep in his arm chair.
"Hey there." Cas whispered when he saw him enter the room.
"Hey Angel." Dean said closing the space towards the couch. Dean gently crawled on top of Cas and kissed him on the neck under his ear.
"Let's head upstairs." Dean whispered into Cas' ear. Cas practically purred under Dean's hands, feeling his hot breath warming his neck. Dean slowly climbed off Cas pulling him off the couch with him. He wrapped an arm around the angel's waist and pressed his lips hungrily against Cas'. They managed their way down the hall and back up the stairs, lips still connected. They hit the bed and shirts were lost. Cas clawed at Dean's chest and shoulder blades.
"Your shoulders, are amazing." Cas gasped between each firey kiss. Dean pressed his lips harder, becoming hungrier.
"Shower?" Dean finally managed to mumble out. Cas shook his head.
"It'll hurt." Cas said nervously.
"Keep your back to the water. You have to shower eventually Angel. Come on." Dean said getting up and pulling Cas along with him. He reached the bathroom. He gently removed Cas' bandages and placed a plastic sleeve the doctors gave them to put over Cas' cast. He removed Cas' sweatpants and boxers before removing his own. He stared down Cas' body for a moment before turning on the water to the shower. He coaxed Cas into the shower with gentle kisses. Dean stayed in the water first letting himself get completely soaked before making Cas go under with his back against the water. Dean had Cas tip back his head so his hair would get completely soaked through. When Dean was satisfied he reached up to Cas and began to shampoo his hair. He was gentle and kept his eyes locked with Cas', kissing him occasionally. It felt very intimate to Cas and he wanted it to last forever, but eventually Dean scooted behind Cas and rinsed his hair. Dean nipped at the back of Cas' neck and Cas moaned quietly. Dean lathered Cas' back with soap rubbing down every inch of his body, with the exception of his wound, with the soap. Dean pressed his body against the back of Cas and Cas moaned slightly again.
"I like this position." Dean growled into Cas' ear.
"So do I. But I'm pretty sure I called dibs on screwing you first."
"You're right. But I can still tease you." Dean whispered, nibbling on Cas' ear. He placed his hands on Cas hips and pulled his body even closer to his own. There was a sharp intake of breath from Cas so Dean reached his hand around and tugged at Cas until he became hard. Dean moved around to the front of Cas and got to his knees.
"Dean.." Cas started almost as if to protest, but he was quickly silenced when Dean slipped his mouth around him. A groan quickly escaped Cas and he wondered how long he'd be able to last. Dean had a hand on his hip and the other laced with his hand. Dean was amazing and Cas had to bite his arm to keep from moaning too loud, especially whenever he felt himself hit the back of Dean's throat. Cas had to place his hands on the wall behind Dean to hold himself up as his knees buckled. Dean placed the now free hand on his other hip and the thrusts became harder. Cas moaned loudly, the pleasure practically unbearable.
"I'm gonna come." He groaned out but Dean didn't stop, which only made Cas come faster and harder. Dean swallowed with a smack of his lips, licking every last drop off of Cas. Cas fell to his knees, no longer able to hold himself up. His head fell into the crook of Dean's neck and he panted heavily.
"Shit Dean." he whimpered. Dean lifted Cas' head and placed a firm kiss on his lips.
"I love you, Castiel." He said seriously, looking him straight in the eyes,
"I love you more than I will ever be able to comprehend." He said with another, slower kiss.
"I love you too, Dean" Cas slurred, still barely able to form words. Dean chucked lightly and reached around Cas to turn of the water. He helped lift Cas out of the shower and wrapped a large towel around the angel and himself. He slung his towel around his waist and gently began to dry off Cas. When he was satisfied he got the supplies to re-wrap Cas. He got onto his knees in front of Cas and started to wrap him before abruptly stopping.
"Alright you gatta put on some pants. Your dick is distracting me." Cas laughed lightly as he started to pull on boxers and another pair of Dean's sweatpants. Granted they were a bit too long and hung low on his waist because of his weight loss, they were still unbelievably comfortable.
"Better." Dean said as he started to wrap again. It didn't hurt Cas as much this time and he pulled on a shirt once Dean was done. Dean dressed himself and met Cas back at their room.
"Oh no. You cannot wear that." Cas said sternly.
"Uh, what?" Dean said confused looking down at his black tank trying to figure out what was wrong.
"No. If I can see your shoulders all night I'll never sleep." Cas said dazedly.
"Cas, do you have a shoulder fetish?" Dean asked a smile creeping across his lips.
"No. Yours are just, so large, and muscly, and perfect, and..." Cas cut himself off zoning out on Dean's shoulders and letting out a deep hum.
"Oh my God, you have a shoulder fetish." Dean said with a light laugh as he crawled into bed. Trying obviously to flash his shoulders at Cas.
"You're a jerk." Cas said as he bit his lip and rolled away from him.
"Oh this will be fun." Dean said wrapping his arm around Cas, pulling their bodies closer together.
"Get some sleep fetish boy." Dean said to Cas.
"Shut up." Cas mumbled into the pillow. Dean laughed and nuzzled his face into Cas' neck and kissed him softly before letting himself drift off to sleep.
The next morning Dean stumbled downstairs eyes half open. He plopped into a chair at the kitchen and put his forehead on the table.
"Tired?" Sam said with a smirk. Dean grunted in response.
"Cas. Was up. All. Night. I had to get up. He's still upstairs sleeping."
"Nightmares?" Sam asked. Dean nodded pinching the bridge of his nose.
"It was bad last night. Apparently they just made him watch me die over and over again and that's what he keeps dreaming about."
"I know what that's like." Sam said stiffly.
"Oh yeah. I almost forgot about the Mystery Spot." Dean said before realizing it was Gabriel that had done that to him.
"Yeah, let's not talk about it." Sam said clenching his jaw. Just then the heard footsteps pounding down the stairs and through the hallway before Cas burst into the kitchen.
"There you are." He breathed. He kissed Dean once, hard and crawled into his lap.
"Another nightmare, Angel?" Dean asked running his fingers through Cas' hair trying to calm him. Cas nodded wordlessly.
"I don't know why you've been having so many and Sam has had none." Dean said curiously.
"Because, I built a wall in Sam's head so he wouldn't remember. I would have done it for you too but I used so much grace on holding you together your body would have just rejected anymore that I added."
"You blocked my memories for me?" Sam said astonished, Cas nodded.
"Can't you do that for yourself?" Sam asked.
"No. It's just one of those things I guess." Cas said with a shrug.
"Maybe Gabriel could do it." Dean suggested.
"He could, but I don't know where he is Dean." Cas said exhasperated, nuzzling into Dean's shoulder.
"I know and uh, I promised Sam we'd look for him when you were better." Dean told Cas.
"I agree. We do need to find him. Have you been praying to him Sam?" Cas asked him.
"Yeah, actually." Sam said with a nod.
"And you've slept together?" Cas continued.
"Yes…" Sam said awkwardly.
"Good. That'll make it easier for you especially to find him. It's a bond thing, like with Dean, even though he has the carvings in his ribs, I always know where he is and he will always be able to find me. Whatever you feel specifically when you pray will intensify the closer you get to him. We will find him Sam." Cas said promisingly. They sat there in silence for a few minutes before Dean spoke up,
"Come on, Angel. Let's head back up stairs. You need your medicine and some sleep. We have that appointment at the hospital today." Cas nodded and slid off Dean's lap. They climbed the stairs together hand in hand. Sam watched after them jealously. He couldn't wait to get his angel back.