Why hello again! Back for another chapter, are we? Thank you to DeerTopus C. VonZenHousen(what now indeed? ;), Akayuki Sawada(head injuries and backstory, aren't they both so lovely?), masterlokiseverus159(Questions are good! Where would we be without such curiosity that you are experiencing?), Kather-Swine(wait..till..you..see...what..I..have..planned…for..the...near...future...then..your...quest...for...cozy...shall...be...reached!), fictionfarytalesfantasy4921(IS HE? A crew is certainly on the trail…guess you'll just have to wait and see ^_^), and Air Guitar Pixie(I haven't decided about angels or not, who knows? Let your excitement for the next installment rest, for here it is for readers like yourself to devour!) for reviewing! A thanks as well to those who have followed and favorited, my appreciation goes to you! Now, shall we proceed from where we left off?
Edit: Thank you to Akayuki Sawada for pointing out the chapter being all, well screwed up. Hopefully it's fixed now, sorry about that!
"Bitch," Dean muttered before he was pulled forward by the two women that held onto him. He watched as the pirate who had been holding onto Castiel lead the way, and Castiel still seemed a bit off; a small stream of blood still curving along the side of his face.
The quick trip was silent as they headed down, and Ruby opened the cell that was across from the one Dean had put Castiel in, and she shoved the former sailor in. Dean followed, the two pirates forcing him in before Ruby closed the door with a smug look on her face.
He watched as they quickly left the room, and he listened until he could no longer hear their footsteps. Turning around, Dean's attention was brought to Castiel, who was leaning against the side of the ship; his eyes unfocused as he tried to look at Dean. An uneasy feeling filled his stomach.
It seems the time for running was finally bearing down upon him.
Castiel stared up at Dean, who met the look evenly. His eyelids drooped slightly over his blue eyes while he tried to fight to stay conscious. Honestly, Castiel had been surprised that he had even managed to stay standing during the whole encounter with the woman, Meg, and hearing about her and Dean.
"Dean," Castiel began as he tried to think over what happened up on the deck, his voice. But his memory was fighting against him, the most significant thing that was sticking out was when that creature had actually kissed him. With eyes wide Castiel felt the bile rising up inside of him.
"I'm gonna be sick," he said as he recalled that thing's, or woman's, mouth assaulting his own. Not the most pleasant experience Castiel had ever been through, and the bile was pushing up stronger now. Faintly he heard a grunt and feet hitting the ground, and suddenly there was a hand resting on his left shoulder.
"Meg'll do that to you," the voice of Dean Winchester jested, and the hand gripped his shoulder as the former sailor brought his head over to his right and retched.
"Well that's just peachy," Dean continued to narrate, his voice attempting to be light and good-natured. Coughing, Castiel tried to collect his feet under him to try and stand up. Dean's hand continued to hold onto him. "I don't think you should get up man, I think you may have a concussion," the pirate tried argue.
Castiel turned his head to face Dean, trying to hold back the feeling of annoyance that sparked inside of him as he met the bright shades of concerned green eyes that stared at him.
"That is not of import. The fact remains that I just emptied the contents of my stomach onto the floor next to me and would not like to continue sitting next to such an unpleasant sight or smell."
At first the pirate was quiet, his face blank as he stared at Castiel. Then Dean burst into laughter, the kind that Castiel had heard long ago, and he watched with an unfocused gaze along with a raised eyebrow as the pirate fell off of the balls of his feet and onto the floor. After what seemed like a continued stream of laughter from the pirate, he took a couple of breaths to try and calm down.
"Ah man," Dean managed as he wiped a tear that had begun to form in his eye away, "sorry Cas, but you just have the strangest vocabulary." Immediately upon the sight of narrowed eyes, the pirate collected himself. "Alright, alright. You really need to grow a sense of humor," Dean grumbled as he tried to support Castiel while the former sailor began to try and rise.
"I don't believe one can grow a sense for anything," Castiel muttered under his breath. He now stood unsteadily, deep down grateful for the support Dean was providing. Slowly the two made their way over to the other side of the cell and away from the contents of Castiel's stomach.
"I thought your hands were behind you," Castiel commented as Dean leaned him against the wall. Rather inelegantly Castiel slid to the bottom of the wall releasing a sigh once he was off of his feet. His head still seemed to be stuff with cotton, and his eyelids felt heavier than usual.
"You get to be in my occupation with my record, you learn a few things," Dean responded before settling himself beside Castiel.
"Yes, your occupation," Castiel muttered with little energy, his gaze drifting aimlessly around the all too familiar room, "apparently in your occupation you not only break the law but break logic." The former sailor brought his gaze back onto Dean, who shifted uncomfortably at the sudden intense gaze that was focused onto him.
"What was that creature?" Castiel growled, although his question was not as intimidating as he had hoped, thanks to his current condition.
I don't care about my condition, he thought, I just want answers.
Gabriel's eyes were focused on the beautiful town before him, almost faintly he could make out the sound of roaring water that fell from the back.
"Drop the anchor!" He heard the commanding voice of Zachariah order from behind him, while the elder brother remained station at the very front of the ship. Disappointed at the lack of the ship that was as dark as the night, Gabriel knew that the only reason for them to stop here would be for resupplying before they continued to try and find the vessel that his younger sibling remained on.
Once the boat was at the pier, Gabriel waited for the mass of sailors to get off the ship before he too made his way off of the Vessel, his eyes glancing around the other people that were currently on the pier.
Following the rest of the royal officers, Gabriel made his way into the town. He could almost admire the tropical beauty and design that was Sioux Falls, but the image of a pair of striking blue eyes and a mess of dark brown hair tugged at his usually joyful energy.
It was when Gabriel felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise that he felt like a pair of eyes were constantly focused on him. At first he tried to shake off the feeling, but it remained no matter how much he tried to shove the thought down. Suspicion beginning to take over, Gabriel began to weave through smaller streets and alleyways; trying to lose the pair of eyes that seemed to follow him everywhere. Rushing, Gabriel ducked into an alleyway, and he rested against the rough wood that formed one of the sides of the building he leaned against.
A hand muffled the shout he tried to give as it covered his mouth, and his gaze locked onto a pair of blue eyes that stood above him. The stranger's arm held Gabriel against the wall, pressing him into the wooden boards.
"We need to talk," a familiar voice with a certain accent whispered, and Gabriel's eyes were wide with surprise as recognition flooded inside of him. Slowly the hand pulled away from Gabriel's mouth, along with the arm. The taller of the two stood a few inches away, arms crossed while his eyes remained slightly narrowed. A similar look was on Gabriel's face, a frown set on his forehead while he leaned against the wall.
"You again?" Gabriel questioned, an eyebrow arched as he crossed his legs. The pirate gave a small smirk, though the rest of his face remained serious.
"Yes, yes I know. Splendid time we spent together, I miss it too. Anyways-"
"Where's my brother?" Gabriel intervened, he wasn't in the mood to tolerate the sarcasm which seemed to come to the pirate like breathing as he spoke. He watched as the pirate's eyes narrowed, a scowl carved into his face.
"That's the thing, our captain and ship have been," the pirate paused as he tried to think of the right description of the matter, "compromised."
"Would you like to be a little bit more in-depth, or do you expect me to infer from that empty response?"
"Look," the pirate snarled unexpectedly, his face a mask full of anger and annoyance. "I nor you have the time to dance around such witty rubbish that we try to come up with. I'm saying that the Impala and our captain, along with your dear little brother, have been captured."
Gabriel froze, his heart seemed to skip a beat as the words left the foreign pirate's mouth. Immediately doubt began to fill his pause, it was impossible for such a thing to happen.
"How could I trust you, after everything?"
"Because it's not just your brother's ass that's in trouble now. It may have seemed bad when you guys were taken aboard while we were in charge, but if the pirates who stole the Impala are who I believe them to be then we have a major life-death situation on our hands."
"Why wouldn't it have been a life-death situation before? You're pirates, breaking the law and screwing the natural order and ideals is all that you seem to do!"
The pirate raised an eyebrow, although his eyes almost transitioned into what seemed to be a playful look; but he caught himself and remained serious.
"I find it rude that you would think all of us to be the same." At the sight of Gabriel's threatening eyes, the pirate sighed and shook his head.
"I can assure you that Dean Winchester would never have killed you or your younger brother."
"Why wouldn't he?"
There was a slight pause, the pirate seemed to want to refrain from giving away too much about the infamous pirate captain.
"Both of you were interesting. Honestly he was just amused by your brother's constant attempts at capturing him. The two were quite a curious case on the ship." Gabriel's brow furrowed, his curiosity was screaming at him now as word of his younger brother was carried from the mouth of the pirate and to the ears of the head of the guard.
"How do you mean?" A smile passed onto the pirate's face.
"Your little brother somehow managed to break out of the brig each day for ten days until we came here. Always managed to get out a different way. But he never could make it out thanks to Winchester. To be plain, I almost want to say that it was fun for both of them, despite the predicament that your brother was in. Although I know the captain was probably enjoying it a great more deal, hell we started keeping a record to count out the wins and losses."
Gabriel's eyes were tinged with pride, causing his eyes to shine as he heard of how his brother kept fighting. But he had to focus, because Gabriel knew that it wasn't good enough now that Castiel seemed to be caught in an even greater predicament.
"I believe you," he assured the pirate, who seemed to relax at the sound of Gabriel reassuring that he spoke of the truth; his shoulders dropping while his whole face softened ever so slightly.
"Well then you don't have time to waste. If the pirates who took away the Impala are who I believe them to be, then both of the people we care about are most likely in a quite dire situation. You should find that the Impala while most likely be sailing to the Nipoditier islands, and hopefully your dear little Cassie along with my captain should be on that ship."
"The Nipoditier islands, are you positive? That's not exactly-"
"I'm out of options at the moment, so when I Nipoditier islands, I mean that I would bet my second cousin's life that that is precisely where that ship is headed." Gabriel nodded, deep down bubbling with excitement at getting a lead on where his brother could be. He reached out a hand towards the pirate.
"Thank you," he uttered, watching as slowly the pirate peeled his own hand from his crossed arms and shook Gabriel's own. Gabriel's face grew stern though and he clenched tighter onto the pirate's hand.
"If my brother is hurt or you have been lying to me, I will hunt you down."
Once the pirate's eyes grew serious Gabriel knew it was unlikely that this man was lying, but he felt the need to make the threat. His face softened, and he spoke with no threatening tone in his voice as he continued.
"As for Dean Winchester, I can't assure you of any promises of not being placed into custody; I'm afraid that boy has quite a record."
Gabriel watched as the pirate's eyes suddenly filled with mischief, a certain spark glowing inside them.
"Why don't you let me worry about Dean later, for now I just need you to find them before our fears could become a reality."
With a smile the pirate turned and rushed away through the alleyway, disappearing around the corner before Gabriel even had the chance to give chase. Sighing, Gabriel tried to go over all that the pirate had told him; he closed his eyes in concentration while his fingertips found his temples.
"Nipoditier islands," he muttered before facing opposite of the direction in which the pirate had headed, his eyes skimming over the bustling street. Heart racing with excitement, Gabriel rushed out of the narrow alleyway and back into the street which crowded with both noises and people alike.
Making his way to the pier, Gabriel raced across the wooden boards and up the ramp. Golden eyes scanned the deck quickly before he made his way over to the captain's quarters at the lacking presence of a particular man with cold eyes.
One hand curled around the doorknob while with the other Gabriel knocked on the door; his repetition matching the beat of his quivering heart.
"Come in," a familiar voice called out, and hurriedly Gabriel's hand twisted the brass knob and shoved the door open. He watched as curious blue eyes scanned across his breathless form.
"What is it?" Zachariah asked, trying to search for a clue or hint as to why Gabriel came to him with a lack of breath.
"I have a heading."
Dean faltered for a second, feeling the cracks spreading teasingly along the steel trap in his mind. His eyes found themselves glancing away from Castiel's, instead they admired the dark wooden boards that the two sat down on.
"Dean," the former sailor growled weakly, and Dean closed his eyes.
The last thing he wanted to do was walk down that hall, to admire the dark art gallery which hid the pictures that hung on its shadowed walls. Pictures which he never wanted to take a second glance at. Pictures that he wish he could gather up and bring them to light as they burned with a great fire that roared. Pictures, that he knew would break him.
Because they broke him when he had painted them.
"Dean," he heard a rough voice calling out to him, nudging him away from the hallway and back to shades of blue which stared at him with a great intensity. Why should he turn on the lights for this stranger, this man?
Because you threw him into this mess, his own voice responded inside him, he deserves to at least know about them. To know of the wolves in which you threw him and yourself to.
Dean nodded absently, his gaze having drifted away from Castiel's before he released a sigh. Sitting up, Dean brought himself to stare at the former sailor. Staring back with heavy eyelids, the question was blatant in his eyes while he waited expectantly.
"Cas," Dean managed to choke out before clearing his throat. He paused, taking a deep breath to try and calm his rapid heartbeat.
"Do you remember our first conversation, after you locked yourself in the supply room, and right after Gabriel escaped?" Dean watched as Castiel's eyes searched to recall the conversation that he spoke of. Recognition then flared in Castiel's eyes, and he nodded; though his face expressed confusion.
"How about the Hellhound, you remember that?" Castiel frowned, and Dean knew that he was having trouble recollecting everything, the cause being the concussion that the former sailor had received. His eyes seemed tired, and Dean almost wanted the former sailor to fall unconscious so he wouldn't have to continue speaking.
But the former sailor shook his head, and Dean admired the way he was trying to raise himself from the claws of the inevitable slumber that he awaited him.
"I would appreciate it, Winchester, if you could perhaps enlighten me of the information you had shared with me that night which was eleven days previous to this one."
Once Castiel had finished speaking, Dean was quickly drawn out of his shadows and couldn't help but give a small laugh. He watched as Castiel's eyes narrowed, although instead of coming off as annoyed the former sailor rather reminded Dean of a cat; this caused the pirate to only laugh a bit louder. After noting the displeasure that spread all over Castiel's face, Dean tried to calm himself while a smile was drawn from his lips.
"Even with a head injury you still manage to keep up the vocabulary," Dean chuckled, "Castiel Novak, you are a man like no other which I have met; and I've been around." His eyes were drawn to the man's mouth as the top of Castiel's lip began to pull up to join him in a smile. But the former sailor resisted, and instead responded with a shake of his head.
"Dean, could you please remain focused onto the topic at hand before I end up unable to hear such words that I am waiting for because I will be too busy sleeping when I would rather be awake?"
Forcing himself to hold down the smile that was trying to mold his lips, instead Dean nodded and inhaled deeply.
Because I am so swell, you'll have to wait till the next chapter to hear of Dean Winchester's possible confessions! And the return of Gabriel and a certain pirate with a lovely accent, I assure you it isn't the last we've seen of either of the two! Please review, favorite or follow if you enjoy! Seeing everybody's reviews and the like always bring a smile to my face; thank you guys so much!