Chapter 11: Crossing a Line

Cas stood by the window of the Winchester's motel room, waiting. He glanced over the vacant parking lot and up into the night sky. It was close to midnight now. Nothing stirred beyond the walls of their motel room. Absently, Cas glanced over his shoulder to the hunter. Dean sat rigidly, his muscles bunched, his chin stumbled and unshaven, dark hallows beneath his distant eyes and his hair was a ruffled mess. He watched as the hunter glanced away from his brother and morosely buried his face into his rough, calloused palms. An overwhelming emotion seized Cas. It was strange and unfamiliar to the angel. Helplessness.

Cas had always been reliable when it came to the Winchester brothers. He would always be there to help them out of trouble or fight alongside them. Now… all Cas could do was wait while a different angel searched for answers and Sam Winchester remained unresponsive- trapped in a world he couldn't escape from.

Cas tried desperately to ignore the helpless feeling as he glanced back out the window, thinking. He never had been good on human emotions. Cas was still trying to learn how to communicate to them properly, let alone dealing with them when they became emotional. And Cas knew Dean was gripped in his own personal emotions at the moment. His little brother was lost in a deceptive dream world with no way out and the possibility of the wall in Sam's mind on the verge of collapsing because of this, tormented Dean.

Yet Cas knew nothing of how to comfort humans especially Dean who usually kept his emotions in check. Except of course for anger or irritation. Now Dean seemed anguished, frustrated and strangely sad.

And Cas could only stare at him from across the room, anxiously awaiting Balthazar's return or for Dean to say something. The room felt cold and empty. Sam slumbered peacefully on the motel room bed. The only indication he lived was the constant movement of breathing echoing from the hallows of his chest. And then there was Dean.

He didn't say a word, simply waited with Cas for Balthazar to return.

Finally, after several long unbearable moments, Cas succumbed to the urge to speak. He could no longer endure Dean's suffering in silence. He turned to face the silent hunter, determined yet nervous. "Balthazar will be back soon," was all Cas could think of saying, hoping this might ease the tension in the hunter's form. But it didn't, it actually seemed to increase the hardness of Dean.

"Great…" Dean grumbled lowly from under his breath.

"He's a good warrior, Dean. He'll find a djin willing to help." Or unwilling, Cas thought but kept that to himself. Balthazar had a way of persuading the most inconvincible into cooperating. Usually by means unmentionable that bordered on brutality.

"Yeah- I know," Dean said gruffly, which surprised Cas. Cas did not believe that Dean liked Balthazar. Yet he still somehow had faith the angel would keep to his word and help Sam.

Flustered, Cas angled his head upwards, refusing to back down from comforting Dean even if he didn't know what to say. "Then you should feel better," he said determinedly.

Dean finally glanced up from his palms. His dark emerald eyes burned into Cas's from across the room. How the hunter, a mere mortal was able to level an angel of the Lord with a simple look. Cas tried to seem unaffected by this as he stood his ground. Dean slowly sat up straighter, his posture relaxed yet formidable. "Should I?" the hunter asked challengingly.

"Yes," Cas said with a confident nod. "We will be able to wake Sam with the djin's help. I'm sure of this."

"You're joking, right?" Dean's jaw muscle flexed menacingly. "You're so sure that my brother will just wake up after we smack around a djin for a bit?"

Cas stilled, hearing the obvious anger and frustration leaking out of Dean's cool demeanor.

"Oh yeah, and don't forget the part where this evil son-of -a-bitch is suppose to actually give us good, maybe even helpful advice on saving a hunter. Which of course, doesn't kill their kind on a regular bases." Dean stood then, allowing his emotions take control of the conversation. "So if you think I'm okay with this brilliant friggin' plan than you're just as insane as Balthazar."

"The plan is the only one we have, Dean. So unless you can think of another way of reviving Sam, than we will have to stick with one." Cas said coldly, trying to reason with the anger which seemed to now rack Dean.

Dean shot him a hard look and stepped towards him threateningly. "Fine- let's say this genius plan works, Cas. What happens when Sam wakes up and that crumbling wall Death built in his mind has already fallen down? What then, Einstein?"

Cas's chin titled upwards instinctively as the hunter got right in his face, seething with brilliant anger. "You're worrying about an event that might not happen, Dean. The wall may be stronger than either of us realize."

"Really? You willing to bet my brother's life on that?"

Cas saw the shine of hatred towards him in the striking eyes of the hunter. He didn't marvel to long though as he nodded curtly, "Yes. I believe I would."

Dean's right hand shot out and hooked him hard across the face. A loud cracking of bone echoed through the silent room. Yet Cas didn't move from Dean's hit, his angelic strength had protected him from Dean's unexpected assault. But it injured the hunter in consequence. Dean grimaced, his teeth clashing as he held his hand weakly. Cas saw the pain etched deeply into Dean's handsome face. He stumbled away, hands shaking, clasping the broken one in his palm.

Guilt overwhelmed Cas then as he grabbed Dean's arm, trying to pull him back to heal his broken hand. "Dean…" he said sternly, only to have Dean fling himself away from his grasp and plop down ungraciously on the couch at the other end of the room. He clutched his hand between his legs, breathing heavily through his pain. Cas gritted his teeth, angry at the stubborn pig-headed man. "Let me heal you, Dean."

Dean shook his head slowly, before answering bitterly, "piss off."

Cas refused to let Dean win this battle. He was bullheaded when he became injured; Cas had seen this before so he knew not to back down. "I deserved your anger. I shouldn't have said that about Sam. I'm sorry," he replied honestly. "So let me heal your hand…"

Dean's eyes were bright with contempt when he finally looked up at Cas. "I said piss off."

"I won't," Cas retorted as he strode over to Dean, letting his own emotions riddle his judgment as he clamped a firm hand down on the hunter's shoulder. Dean hissed through clenched teeth as he struggled against Cas, fighting to get away. Cas unable to stop himself grabbed Dean's injured hand and pulled him against his chest, using the leverage from his strength to subdue the hunter. With Dean's hand balled against him, Cas healed it, letting the warmth of this powers flow through him and through Dean.

Dean closed his eyes as the relief from the pain washed through him. His muscles relaxed, no longer bound taunt with anxiety or fear. Cas, unknowingly, slipped his hand into Dean's, feeling the rough, calloused palm beneath his fingertips. Dean's eyes were still closed as he relaxed even further from Cas's touch. Maybe this was what comfort was, Cas thought hopelessly as he pressed his fingers into Dean, massaging away the tension. He wanted to help Dean, even if he wouldn't allow. Except, at the moment, he was.

An unexpected flutter of excitement raced through Cas at the sight of Dean's submission. Rarely did Dean fold to him these days. They had become friends over the course of their relationship. Dean had seen Cas at his absolute worse and Cas the same with the hunter. They had bonded, which meant Dean was no longer afraid of him like he once was when they first met. But it also meant that sometimes Dean became complacent with Cas. Forgetting that he was a powerful angel- one that Dean used to respect and fear.

Now- seeing Dean give in to his touch drove him recklessly forward. Propelled by the knowledge that he could wield this power again over Dean, just in a different way.

Cas reached out his other hand and began to roughly massage into the hard muscles of his neck, stroking the flesh until the hunter's neck titled backwards to rest on the couch. Cas watched him in amazement. The hunter's face was shuddered with utter relaxation, hips luscious lips parted slightly, eyelids still firmly shut. His submission only took a touch, Cas realized.

Suddenly, a tension began to build between Cas's legs. He instinctively knew what it was. His excitement for Dean was now proudly displayed on this vessel. He wanted Dean. And so did his body. The tension felt harsh and sweet at the same time. He enjoyed touching Dean, but he wanted more. He wanted to touch his lips…

Cas let his thumb trail beneath his neck and over his chin until finally reaching those sinfully parted lips. Dean let out a breath, eyes still closed as if not ready to open his eyes just yet- as if keeping them closed saved him from the truth of who was touching him. His slipped his thumb into the wetness of Dean's mouth. Dean breathed harshly through his nose as a strangled groan escaped him. Cas's excitement grew painfully then, hearing his whimpered moans of pleasure tore ruthlessly at him. Unable to stop himself now, locked in the throes of his bodily demands and arousal, Cas replaced his thumb with his lips. He was tentative, almost unsure at first. Yet the taste of the hunter was just as Cas had expected, musky, male and harsh. Cas responded instantly to it, loving the taste, letting it fill him as he pressed harder then, giving into the temptations of his hunger.

Dean suddenly, as though if awoken from his own slumber, reached out and grabbed the back of Cas's neck, pulling him down onto his lap, letting his mouth be devoured. Triumph flared inside Cas as he aggressively kissed Dean, titling his head to the side, opening his mouth wider so that he could slip inside the heat of his mouth. Dean was giving into him…

Dean groaned louder now, letting himself be dominated willingly. Cas felt his arousal press demandingly against him now, begging for attention.

Dean wrapped his arm around Cas's waist, drawing him closer until Cas was straddling him on the couch, his thighs pressed against the hunter. Cas felt Dean's own arousal then. It was hard and unyielding beneath him. Cas heard himself let out a gasp against the hunter's lips at the knowledge that Dean wanted him too. His strained erection was Cas's proof.

Suddenly Cas felt Dean's hand slip between them and grasp his throbbing erection. Cas ripped his lips away from Dean's to let out a startled cry of pure, raw pleasure. Dean's eyes were opened now, filled with a heated intensity Cas had never seen before. His stomach fluttered nervously. Dean continued to stroke him through his pants, letting his firm grip rub over the contours of his manhood.

Their eyes locked. Both realizing that this was the moment they crossed the line. This was it- no turning back to their casual friendship. They had tasted each other, felt each other and now- knew what it was like in each other's embrace. Cas felt Dean lift his hips upwards and brush his own towering arousal into his backside. The friction from the clothes only made the situation worse for Cas as he sat back into Dean, wanting to feel so much more. Dean must have seen the need riddling Cas's face, for he mimicked the motion again, this time rougher and harder.

Cas gripped Dean's muscled shoulders, riding him in this position, letting Dean grind against him and stroke his cock at the same time. He was so close to the edge now. He dug his fingers into his shoulders, squeezing his eyes shut, ignoring everything else but the sensations that engulfed him.

Suddenly he felt Dean's hand frantically unclasp his pants, pulling loose his belt and unzipping his clothes. The moment Cas sprang free of his confines, he let out a low moan. But it was only when he felt the calloused, rough palm of Dean then close around his shaft that Cas whimpered, his head falling forward into the crook of the hunter's shoulder. Dean hummed seductively into his ear, his breathing uneven and choppy as he firmly pulled on him. Cas inhaled sharply as he felt Dean's thumb press ruthlessly hard into the sensitive tip of him, pushing down on him until Cas felt himself buck ungraciously into his hand.

Dean did it again, but not before grabbing him at the very base and tugging his flesh forward. Cas bit down hard onto Dean's neck, fighting the tension, fighting the urge to succumb too soon. He didn't want this to ever stop. He wanted to be wrapped in Dean's arms for as long as possible… forever if he could…

Then he felt it, the shuddering wave racked his entire body, overwhelmingly. Cas surged forward one last time as his control shattered and he climaxed into Dean's talented hand. Weak with euphoria, Cas let himself relax into his embrace. Then he felt Dean again, his own erection had not abated only hardened. Dean pushed upwards demandingly. Cas let him. He wanted to please Dean and if it meant using his body in any way he wished, Cas would let him. Dean pounded frantically upwards, the clothes still confiding him.

Cas knew he had to help. He wanted Dean to feel the same bliss as he had. He reached to Dean's lap, their eyes colliding. He saw the sheer need haunt those desperately beautiful eyes. Cas pressed his hand into that aching need that encompassed Dean. Dean gasped, then surged forward again. Cas pressed harder, then rubbed through the jeans. But it still wasn't enough. So Cas did the only thing he could think of. He pulled the clasp of his jeans apart, slid his hand inside and mimicked the movement that Dean had demonstrated on him. Dean let out a guttural, earthy moan as he titled his head forward, resting his temple against Cas's.

The intimacy of the moment didn't escape him- in fact, it made Cas's frantic pulls ease around Dean's erection into long, thoroughly slow strokes. Dean inhaled quickly, shuddering. Cas could taste their breath mingling together, yet he wanted to taste more. He titled his chin just slightly, bringing Dean's face upwards as he captured his mouth with another kiss. The kiss was druggily slow and hot. Dean was now engulfed in the rapturous moment of both Cas's grip and lips. Cas felt like the dominate one now as Dean succumbed to him under the spell of his kiss. Dean was his.

Cas slipped his finger over the tip of him, pressing into the slit and feeling the warmth of the precum. Dean was on the verge of climax. He heard it in the increase of his breath, the pounding of his heart and the tension in his muscles. Cas slid his lips away from his mouth and over his gruff cheek, tasting every inch of him and still needing so much more. He licked the shell of his ear before trailing downwards to his neck and tonguing the spot he had bit earlier with gentle sucks.

He listened to the wonders of Dean's groans and finally, after Cas's grip tightened and using his angelic strength, he tugged upwards with a confident hand, Dean peeked. He pulled Cas close into his body as he shuddered and trembled in the quake of his orgasm. Groggy and weak, Dean pulled back and stared up at him. His eyes shone with a softness very unlike Dean. "Cas…" he croaked out in a heavy voice.

Cas felt a serene contentment fill his heart. It was so unexpected that it startled him. Cas stilled, unsure of this new emotion. But he knew he couldn't dwell on it now. They had a job to finish and a life hung in the balance.

Without another word, Cas carefully slid his hand out of Dean's jeans, clasped them closed and also rezipped himself into his own pants. He got up and off of Dean, not knowing what to do now that they had just shared something so soul-wrenchingly beautiful yet painfully aware of what it destroyed in the process. Their friendship would be forever changed between them and Cas feared this.

Cas ran a hand through his ruffled brown hair, flustered and slightly disheveled. What would happen now? How could he be in the same room with Dean without wanting to do this again? Wanting to run his hand through his light brown hair, hear those whimpering moans, taste the soft sweetness of his lips, feel the hardness of his muscles pressed against him…? How could he not think about it when they were together? Conflicted, Cas turned away, thinking of a way to solve this.

"Cas…" Dean said weakly again, this time from behind him. He felt Dean draw near and reach out, touching his arm. Cas felt immobile, afraid. Did he just ruin his friendship with Dean? All because of his impulsive desire? Or how humans would say- the rash act of love? Was this love, Cas wondered.

Before he could say anything, the sound of flapping wings and a soft breeze interrupted him. He glanced across the room to see Balthazar. He hair was matted with mud and blood, his clothes torn and ripped, his boots ruined from wherever he had been stomping around, yet he wore an unusually gleeful smile, almost victorious. "Let me tell you how bloody difficult that was…" he trailed off and then suddenly as his eyes narrowed at him. Cas stiffened under Balthazar's scrutinizing gaze. Then he saw, to his dismay, the understanding dawn on the angel. "Aw- well, I didn't realize I was interrupting…"

"You weren't," Cas shot back quickly. Balthazar's gleeful look only intensified at Cas's fast retort.

"Really? Because I must say Cas, you look like you've just been thoroughly fuck…"

"Enough!" Dean barked out, interrupting Balthazar's vulgar statement. Dean strode forward in front of Cas, almost protectively. Cas tried not to stare in awe at the hunter. Dean was shielding Cas from further embarrassment. His heart swelled strangely again for him.

Balthazar titled his head coolly, glaring dangerously at Dean. "Well then, I guess my activities with Sam can no longer be scrutinized, eh Dean?"

Cas saw the flare of anger spark in the hunter's face. "If you so much as look at Sam in the wrong way, Balthazar- I'll…"

"What?" Balthazar shot back angrily, his bright blue eyes flaring, "Rip my wings off? Pull my heart out? Don't worry- my heart's already gone," he retorted bitterly. Cas then noticed that Balthazar had yet to look at Sam since he arrived. His face flashed a cold, almost painful loss for only a moment. Cas wondered if this was because Balthazar's emotions for Sam ran deeper then they originally believed. Cas absently glanced to Sam. What if Balthazar felt the same thing for Sam that Cas felt with Dean? He turned back to Balthazar, mildly surprised.

Had this hard-hearted angel finally succumbed to emotions deeper than his own vanity? Was it even possible for someone like him?

"Whatever idol threats you might have in mind Dean- save em'. I don't have the bloody time." He snapped, "Now- if you love birds are ready, we have a djin waiting for us."

TBC