"So, let me get this straight. You and Dean were shot with not just any Cupid's Arrow, but the ancient god's one? I mean I had an inkling about the killer, but I didn't realise it extended this far. Why do you think it was aimed at you two?"
Castiel sighed. That was a good question. Why would it be aimed at them? What exactly would Cupid achieve from doing this. To slow them down? To taunt them? It didn't make sense. But then again, nothing at that moment made sense.
"Look, Sam. I have no idea why he is targeting us. I didn't know till now that he was still alive. Ever since humans began to Christianise the old religions, he and his wife were missing. To him, his name was bastardised by the people on Earth. He was no longer the God of Desire and Erotic Love, he was now regiment of pure children who would one day be pasted on cheap, manufactured Valentines cards. The Cherubim adopted his name ever since. I just, I just, cannot believe he is here."
Sam was quiet. It was a surreal experience that he was thrown into. He had experienced Gabriel killing Dean in creative ways (Asia has forever been ruined for him), he has been in Hell, possessed by Lucifer, pitched up in an alternative universe where he was a popular actor married to Ruby, and even went through a hallucinogenic where he was on a haemorrhoids commercial (not to mention getting to play the star role of KITT), but one thing he never thought would ever happen was Dean admitting his feelings for Cas, never mind the fact a Greek deity took an interest in their love lives.
Cas downed the last of his beer, and without another word, he walked back into the library. He stopped hesitantly turned around and said:
"Sam, um, I know it is awkward, but please talk to your brother. He won't listen to me, not at the moment anyway, and at least convince him to come back. I will try," Cas sighed sorrowfully, "to find a way to break this spell."
XXX
Dean sat at the edge of the narrow single bed, naked. His shirt was twisted into a ball along with Iris's spaghetti-strap top, and all bunched down at the base of the bed. Iris herself was in the en suite bathroom, showering before her late afternoon shift.
With his hands rubbing his face, he began to reflect on the moments that brought him up there, in a motel room at half past two, with a woman he barely knew applying eyeliner next door. He didn't remember much, it was a bit of a blur, and it happened so quickly.
He remembered automatically driving to the bar. He remembered taking a few shots and telling everyone the next round was on him. He remembered Iris, with her sultry hooded eyes and her thick bleached braids hitting him when she suggested that she was on her hour break and if would like to join her. He remembered grabbing her hand as they sprinted to the other side of the street to the nearest motel. He remembered that they barely had entered the room before all clothes were stripped off and the bed was a location.
What he remembered the most was that only reason he managed to get hard was because he imagined Iris as Cas.
He hated the very thought of it. Sure, he had lightly joked with Cas in a sexual manner, and sure he would sometimes wake up from a hot dream with his bed damp, but surely everyone did that. Right? Right?
But now there was no excuse. He was literally hit straight in the heart and these feelings he had repressed for so long had bubbled up to the surface. Not just feelings. No. There were the memories that floated to the top of his sub-conscious…
Sometime in 1995
"God, it is good to get away sometimes."
The scene presented was Dean and another boy, about the same age, at the edge of a small lake in the middle of Wisconsin. In one hand was a beer he had stolen from the convenience store, and another a piece of apple pie the redhead next to him brought.
"You're telling me. At least your family doesn't make you sit through ten minutes of prayer before you get to eat cold pork." The boy fiddled with a smooth rock in his hand, before skimming it across the water. Dean counted the skips. Three in total.
One thing Dean could say was that never happened. They never stayed long enough in a place to get a cooked meal. And God? What did God, if he was really there, deserve to get praise from.
This kid next to him was probably the closest he had gotten to a friend for…well he had no idea how long. They met one day when they happened to be reaching for the same pack of beer, and for that past week, they were inseparable, or as much as they could be without Dad finding out
Dad was off on another hunting trip. Werewolves were wreaking havoc close by, and goddamn were they a large pack. Dean was meant to stay at home for a little babysitting job while Dad was away, but Sam…he was just getting too much. He promised to get him some candy if he sat tight for an hour or two. The need for human company outside his own family was worth the risk he took.
"You know, Si," Dean broke the silence after a sip of beer. "You have two more years before you can get away from them. I, on the other hand, seemed to be stuck in the family business."
Si shrugged. "I wish it were that simple. Mam and Pa want me to move back to Ireland for college. That is the only way they will pay for any education out of school." He picked up another pebble and threw it hard into the lack. An audible plop sound resounded around them.
They both sat in silence, watching the moonlit ripples lap at their feet. Dean looked at Si, then back at the lake. An incredible urge came over him.
He hopped to his feet, dusted his pants and announced. "Well, I am going for a swim."
"Dean, it is like below freezing in there," Si said, getting up.
"I did not say you had to join me." He stripped himself down to his underwear and ran into the water, throwing caution into the wind.
Si laughed as he saw the chattering teeth of the Winchester boy pop up from under the water.
"Join me!" Dean called, trying to keep the shiver out of his voice. "I promise you it is nice."
Si kept laughing while he pulled his tee over his head and throwing off his shoes.
For the next ten minutes, they splashed each other, raced to the other side of the lake, and attempted dunk the other.
At one-point, Si and Dean found themselves face to face, a few inches away from each other's mouths. The tone changed from the exciting thrill to a calm, nervous stop. Neither moved in nor did they move away.
"Dean," Si breathed, and even if the water was icy, he could feel his cheek heat up.
The only response Dean gave back was a swift kiss on the other's lips. It was warm and felt just right. Si's arms encompassed the young hunter's body and it was not long before they were past a point of no return. That is until Dean heard a voice that made his heart stop.
"DEAN!"
Just as he slowly turned around, seeing his father with a shotgun, no doubt filled with silver bullets, in his hands and a furious expression on his face.
XXX
Dean remembered Dad pulling him out of the water by the ear, screaming about how dare he leave his brother at home alone. Just as they were out of Si's earshot, who scrambled back down the forest, he remembered the words he was told:
"I cannot believe you are…gay." He said the word as if it were a bitter lemon squeezed into his mouth.
After a few hits across the face, he continued to beret him for the fact he was kissing someone of his own sex. He would have respected it if the person in question was a girl, but another boy. That was something unthinkable.
He never saw Si again, since after that night they were packed and ready to leave.
The bathroom door squealed open, snapping Dean out of the memory that flooded his mind. Iris strolled out, naked and with a confident stride.
She flashed a smile at the hunter as she leant down to pick up her shirt and jeans.
"I must say, darlin', I don't think you have ever delivered as much as you had today." She put her bra on and dropped her top over her slim body. "The shower is all yours, now. I hope to see you again soon."
After the last of her clothing was upon her, she winked a flirty wink and left the room.
XXX
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