((Important note for this chapter: Back in the 1800's, $1.00 would be equivalent to $28.00 today.))
Castiel stood outside of Dean's bedroom the following morning, whiskey bottle in hand. "Dean?" He called, knocking on the slightly ajar door. "Yeah, come in." Dean replied, voice still raw and scratchy from the day before.
At the permission, Castiel pushed open the door and took a breath to steady himself for what was to come. "Didn't get much sleep last night?" He asked after a moment, breaking the heavy silence of the room as he grabbed the gauze on Dean's dresser. Dean shook his head, wincing slightly. "It just wouldn't come, cause of the pain I guess."
Castiel looked to Dean in sympathy, eyes lingering over his shoulder in dread as he clenched the two items in his hands tightly. "Dr. Singer said I'd have to clean and re-bandage twice a day," he explained, going to stand on the farmer's injured side. Dean nodded, trying to put on a brave face despite the sinking feeling he got at the words. "I guess we should get it over with." "Yeah, I guess." Castiel responded, setting the gauze and bottle of alcohol on the bed next to Dean while he moved to his bandages.
"This'll hurt," he warned, repeating his words from the previous day. At Dean's second nod of acknowledgment, he swallowed around his dry throat and began to unwrap the thick gauze, every circle he made revealing a darker patch of mostly dried blood. Dean tensed up at the action and turned his head, not wanting to watch as another jolt of pain ran through him, causing his body to flinch.
"You've gotta stay still." Castiel reminded quickly, concerned over the healing of his friend's arm. At Dean's hum of confirmation, he took away the last concealing layer of bandage, forcing himself to keep his face neutral as to not worry the farmer.
It was worse than he'd expected. He'd known the extent of the injury, seeing it the day before but now, looking down upon the freshly burnt wound, he nearly succumbed to sickness. All around the wound, the flesh was red and inflamed, almost raw looking, which he had anticipated. However, where the puncture had been cauterized, he'd never presumed he'd see blackened, almost flaky looking skin.
"Is it bad?" Dean asked after a moment, words short and constricted with pain. Castiel met Dean's eyes, and didn't have the heart to tell him the truth. "It's not as bad as I thought," he lied, silently commenting to himself that it was far worse than he previously thought. Dean instantly caught the deceit, but didn't say anything more, setting his jaw. "Alright, I'm ready."
"Try not to move too much, find somethin' to hold onto." Castiel prompted, tucking a small towel around Dean's shoulder so the farmer wouldn't have to lay in whiskey soaked sheets. Watching the other man wince at even the simple tucking he'd done around his shoulder, Castiel swallowed the worried nausea that was rising once more and uncorked the bottle. "This won't take long," he reassured, placing a steadying hand upon Dean's chest as he began to pour the amber liquid over the sickly looking flesh.
Dean could have waited ten years to start the procedure and it still wouldn't have been enough to prepare him for the anguish that followed. Straining not to let out an agonized scream, he gripped his good hand into the sheets around him and fought to stay still, teeth clenched so hard he was surprised his own jaw didn't break as his body flooded with pain. After a moment though, it subsided, allowing him to slump back on his pillow, heart pounding wildly.
Castiel fought the urge to squeeze his eyes shut at the heart wrenching sight and completed the task, picking up the gauze next. "We're almost done, alright?" He soothed, hoping to get the task done as quickly as possible as he wiped up the extra whiskey that had strayed to Dean's still slightly pale, bruised chest. Dean met Castiel's eyes in confirmation, trying to keep his composure as much as possible.
Giving Dean a soft look of what he hoped conveyed encouragement, Castiel turned back to the wound and ever so slowly tucked a spare pillow under the farmer's ribcage, elevating his injured shoulder just enough so he could get the bandage on. Wrapping it didn't take much, although when he finished Castiel thought secretly Bobby had done a far better job. But, it worked, and that was what matter.
"We're done, right?" Dean asked, voice strained as he opened his now tear-shining eyes, not realizing he had cried until that very moment. "Yeah." Castiel said after a moment, placing the gauze and whiskey bottle back on the night stand. "Do ya want some water, maybe breakfast?" Dean's stomach instantly turned at the thought of food, and shook his head. "Just water." Castiel gave a short nod at the answer, disappearing out the door for a moment.
Relieved he could cease holding in the deep, shuddering breath, Dean let out a choked groan of pain and relaxed fully back into the sheets, letting a few more tears slip from his eyes before he wiped at his face with his good hand. He hadn't lied when he told Castiel he hadn't had much luck getting sleep but it wasn't entirely due to the immense pain in his shoulder. No, Dean was kept awake by his own thoughts, namely thoughts of Castiel. Right when he woke, he had acknowledged his strange feelings for the other man and even began to welcome them in hopes something would come of them.
However, later that night, alone in his bed with his senses no longer dulled by recent waking, he had been disturbed by how quickly he seemed to be able to attach himself to Castiel, another man, and accept it merely because of his gratefulness to be alive. So disturbed by his easy state of mind, in fact, that he had come to a decision: he may very well be insane, letting his feelings for another man come to a head, but that didn't mean he had to dwell on his urge to act upon them. He would just ignore the longing he had discovered in him, the loneliness that he somehow wanted Castiel to quell, and it would go away. Licking his dry lips, Dean was suddenly pulled from his thoughts by Castiel returning, water in hand.
"Just drink it slowly, don't gulp it all down at once," he suggested, handing Dean the glass before sitting in the chair he hadn't moved from the side of the farmer's bed since the previous night. Dean nodded, taking a grateful sip of the water before setting it on his night stand. He cleared his throat, regretting the action when his shoulder pained, but pushed himself onto the topic he knew would be difficult to breach. "So, Dr. Singer told me the damage. Said it was pretty bad.".
Castiel snapped into focus at Dean's sudden words. "Yeah, it's not good," he confirmed solemnly, unsure of what else he would say. Dean felt a pang of shame at what he was about to say, but knew he had to deal with the cold facts of his situation. If he didn't, he would lose the farm he had barely saved. "I won't be able to work, not for a long while," he began, looking over to his bandaged shoulder. "He told me I might never be able to use this arm again." Castiel nodded, listening carefully as he watched a flash of regret filled pain color Dean's normally optimistic looking features.
Dean caught Castiel's sympathetic look and continued on, despite his embarrassment over not being able to care for his own property. "I hate to ask this of you, but I've got no other choice."
Castiel caught onto what was going to be said and cleared his throat to stop Dean's words, looking to the embarrassed man. "Dean, I'm willin' to do anything you need to keep this farm runnin', don't worry about asking too much of me there. But I've gotta be honest, I don't know the first thing about farmin'." "That's alright." The Winchester responded, motioning to his nightstand. "Could ya reach in the top drawer and hand me the bag in the bottom?"
Castiel looked curiously to the stand, turning to open the drawer. Rummaging around for a moment, he soon he spotted a small cloth satchel in the back. Removing it, he handed it to Dean, who opened it with one hand to pour the few shining coins out on the bed.
"It's not much," Dean explained, "just about four dollars I've been savin' up in case of an emergency." He let out a small, hollow sounding chuckle, wincing slightly. "I guess this qualifies as an emergency. Anyway, I know a guy who hangs out around town and he owes me a favor. Though, I wouldn't feel right havin' him come and help you out without givin' him a little pay."
Castiel nodded, brow furrowing slightly in curiosity as to who the man was. "Who is it?" He asked bluntly. "His name's Gabriel. He can be a bit of a jack ass, but all around he's a hard worker and a good man, I'm sure he wouldn't mind helpin' us out." He stopped for a moment, thinking through all the details as he counted out a dollar.
"I've already got the land turned and the seed sewn, so there's not too much difficult work to be done. I usually just wait for rain for waterin', so you don't have to worry about that. Gabriel will teach ya how to watch the crop and make sure it's growin' right, and for now he can help with the gardening and animals so you can focus on the crop and the house.".
Castiel listened carefully, taking the dollar when Dean handed it to him. "And you want me to go and get him?" "Yeah, today should be fine. He's usually hangin' around the hotel or the general store, picks up odd jobs around town. Just explain to him what I just told ya, I'm sure he'll be willing to help out.".
Castiel hesitated at the mention of having to leave Dean alone at the house, cold coins clutched tightly in his fist. Dean looked up at the silence, noticing the look of hesitation in Castiel's eye. "Hey, don't worry about me. I'm awake and have water. Besides, you'll be back in a couple hours, nothing's gonna happen." "I know, I just..." Castiel trailed off, unsure of exactly what he was planning to say. But, the farm needed to be cared for, he needed to learn and there was no way he could do it all. He needed help, desperately, and there was no other way to get it unless he left Dean. "I'll go."
"Thank ya." Dean responded after a moment, taking another sip of water. "Just give him the money up front, since he'll only be working I imagine till about mid-summer, I'm sure I'll be up and about to help with the harvest." Castiel smiled softly at Dean's returning optimism and pocketed the change as he stood, a hesitant pit still carving into his stomach. "I'll be back in a couple hours, it's still early so if he's not busy I'll bring him back with me.".
Dean nodded, shifting on the pillows with a muffled groan of pain. "Before ya go, could you bring me a wet towel? I'm feelin' a bit hot just layin' here." Castiel nodded, instantly going to dip a cloth into the cool, fresh water he had put in Dean's wash basin the night previous. "You're sure ya don't need anything else?" Dean pressed the cloth gratefully to his heated face, shaking his head. "Don't be worrying now, I'm fine, I promise," he replied with a slight smile despite a stab of pain coming once more from his shoulder.
Castiel hesitated for a moment more near Dean's side before he turned to leave, thinking in the back of his mind as he exited the cabin that he should probably retrieve their hats. Maybe later, when everything had settled back down.
When he arrived at the barn, Castiel considered saddling up Dan again, but decided against it, knowing the horse would need a rest from the previous day. Clicking his tongue, he managed to get Charlie to meander over to him to be saddled, which took a bit longer considering how temperamental the animal was being. However, despite the difficulties, he was eventually ready to ride, taking off from the property at a gallop: he didn't want to leave Dean for any more time than he had to.
It took longer, this time, to get to town, about forty-five minutes despite the pace he was going at. Dean had reassured him multiple times that he would be alright, but Castiel didn't want to leave anything to chance, especially with how close he was to losing the farmer not one day ago.
"Howdy." Castiel called, stepping into the shop he had frantically inquired about the doctor at yesterday. The clerk looked surprised to see him once more, and adopted a subconsciously protective stance before answering. "Can I help you with anything?" Castiel nodded. "I'm lookin' for a man named Gabriel."
"Gabriel? Yeah, I've got him workin' for me out back. He should be about done now, though." The man responded, eying Castiel warily. "Thank ya." Castiel answered with a slight smile, pretending not to feel the clerk's eyes boring into him as he exited the shop to head around back.
"Howdy," he greeted, approaching the shorter other. Gabriel turned, surprised at the new face. "Howdy," he responded, dusting off his hands as he finished piling up the last crate. "Can I help ya?" Castiel stepped forward and extended his hand to shake, finding it firmly met by the other man's. "I'm from Dean Winchester's farm about a mile west, he said you know him." "Dean? Yeah, of course I know him. How's he doin', anyway?" He responded with a slight smirk.
Castiel felt wary at the demeanor of the man in front of him, for he seemed slightly too immature. "I'm sorry to tell you he's not doin' good, had an accident yesterday. He's alright now, though, he just can't get outta bed or use one of his arms." Gabriel nodded, frowning at the news. "And why are you lookin' for me?"
Castiel dug the money from his pocket and held it out in his hand to show the other man. "Dean wanted me to come and offer you a job, helpin' me run the farm while he's getting better," he replied, licking at his wind chapped lips. "I don't know much about farming, so he's asked you to teach me the basics so I can work the field and the house while you tend to the animals and the garden.".
Gabriel paused for a moment, considering as he eyed the money in Castiel's hand. "Yeah, I do owe him a favor," he said eventually, pocketing the money when Castiel handed it over. "Thank you." Castiel said eventually. "I'd like to get back soon, though, he's got no one else there in case somethin' happens." "Well, let's get going then." Gabriel said with a smirk, clapping Castiel on the shoulder.
Castiel moved away from the gesture, trying to remain open and friendly as they walked around the building to get their horses. It wouldn't be long until they got back to the farm, but somehow he couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to go wrong should he be gone any longer.
((Also, I've made a trailer video for this fic. If you're interested in going to watch it, it can be found here: /watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HoKAZHTfsKk Just type in "youtube" before /watch to navigate to the link.))