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"Whoa, Nelly!" Missouri called out, shaking her head as she sauntered into the nurse's station at Lebanon Memorial Hospital. "Who drew the short straw this shift?"
Castiel groaned and sunk his head into his hands. "What is it?"
"Do we have a poll going?" Meg asked. "Clarence always manages to weasel his way out of doing the grunt work. I hope it's something like gangrene or maggots." She laughed full of mischievous glee.
"I really do hate you sometimes." He stared at his best friend, her pink scrubs setting off her heart-shaped face perfectly.
"You love me." She blew him a kiss and whispered Rectal Foreign Body Retrieval before walking out of the room.
All the other nurses thoroughly enjoyed torturing the only male nurse on staff in the ER. Most of the time Castiel didn't mind at all. Being male and being gay made him what Meg lovingly referred to as the ER's mascot—a unicorn. All the joking and teasing was in good fun though. It was emotionally draining work and they had to make fun where they could. Castiel certainly knew how to dish it out when it was someone else's turn to be the focus of the teasing.
"All right, what is it?" He looked up at Missouri, wincing at the glee in her eyes.
"Castiel, you're gonna have to come see this for yourself. This man—he showed up naked and covered in bee stings, right in my ER. Naked!" Missouri put one hand on her hip and shook her head.
"Where is he?"
"Triage three. We couldn't even do an intake. He's deadass, completely nude and dancing from foot to foot. Must be hurting, but no signs of reaction—he's lucky he's not allergic." She turned and sauntered off, leaving Castiel with Alex and Tessa, who both tried—unsuccessfully—to smother their laughter.
Castiel grabbed his stethoscope and hustled off to triage three. In general, their small hospital was quiet. A few elderly folks came in needing help and company more than real medical care. Some of the homeless of Lawrence would come in with various issues that could have been head off if they didn't live on the street and had proper health care. Castiel couldn't do much about that, so he made sure to get them as much food as he could get away with and did whatever he could to talk to the intern on call to give them preventive meds. Come in with a toothache? Have some antibiotics and vitamin D, just to be thorough. If he could swing it he'd try and get them admitted. Sometimes even just one night safe in a bed could make all the difference.
Of course, they had the occasional car accident or heart attack, but generally, this emergency room didn't see a lot of emergencies. Which was why when Castiel walked into triage three, he was totally unprepared for what he encountered: a tall, muscular man hopping from one foot to the next with his hands over his genitals and a look of abject horror on his face.
He had a few welts blooming but for the most part didn't look like the picture Missouri had painted. If anything, he was really attractive—until he started bouncing on his toes and whining.
Castiel wasn't going to laugh. He was a professional.
But when the man looked up, his hair soaked and dripping down his face and creating a puddle on the floor, Castiel couldn't stifle the chuckle that bubbled up in his chest.
"Yeah—real funny, hotshot. Thanks for the cold comfort of the medical profession."
Castiel smiled kindly, mostly sorry he'd upset the guy. "Sorry about that. You paint quite a picture."
"I can only imagine." The man rolled his eyes with a heavy sigh. His face flushed and it was not likely from the stings.
"Let me get you checked in and then we can look you over to see if we can't get you more comfortable. My name is Castiel. I'm your nurse."
"Castiel, huh?"
"Yes, or you can call me Nurse Novak if you prefer. Most everyone just calls me Castiel. Can I get you some clothes?" Castiel could offer a gown or even some scrubs to help save the guy's dignity.
"No, there's a reason I took them off."
When he didn't elaborate, Castiel tilted his head to the side.
The man sighed. "So the stingers are still… in me… I remember reading as a kid that you can actually force more venom or whatever out and basically sting yourself again if you take them out wrong. So I thought I'd just let y'all be the ones to deal with that shit show."
"So you took off all your clothes…" Castiel quirked a smile, unable to resist the combination of defensive and horrified embarrassment wafting off his patient.
"I was hoping some of the stingers would pull out with the clothes, you know, like stick in the fabric instead of me, and then I jumped in the lake."
This time Castiel couldn't help laughing and sat down on his rolly chair to look at the man. Big mistake, because now he was face to face with the large hands not quite covering his personal assets. "And why in God's name did you do that?"
"To get the bees to stop chasing me." The man groaned, his head falling to his chest. "Bees don't like water, right?"
"Yes, that's true. You've had a terrible day, haven't you?" Castiel chuckled again, rolling over to the computer in the room and pulling up the patient intake. After twenty minutes of inputting his patient's personal details and listening to Dean Winchester, local contractor extraordinaire, summarizing his story about finding a massive beehive inside a client's walls and then being swarmed and chased into the lake, Castiel was ready to do an initial exam.
Dean didn't have a fever, which was good, although Castiel could see some swelling on his face.
"Could be bee stings, could be from the bar fight I got in over the weekend." Dean shrugged like it was the most obvious thing in the world that he would have been in a bar fight.
Castiel probed the bruises before moving on to the man's shoulders and back, definitely finding stingers still embedded in his flesh. Dean was strong, muscular in that way men who really use their bodies have. Exactly the kind of man Castiel was always hoping—and failing—to find in Lawrence, Kansas. He kept his touch light, careful not to linger as he checked over the firm ass in his face. Despite the red bumps that were swelling before his eyes and dozens of stingers he'd found, he really wanted to chew on that ass.
Shit—he needed to get laid. He never acted like this at work. He always kept his mind focused. Something about Dean Winchester threw him off his game. The fact that he'd showed up here completely naked with this insane story didn't help either. As crazy as it was—and likely painful—it was also somehow completely charming and endearing.
Castiel checked over Dean's legs quickly before standing up and starting the process again on his front side. He raked his fingers through Dean's thick, dirty blonde hair and a bee flew out.
"That little fucker…" Dean went to swat it, but Castiel caught it easily in his hands.
"I'll be right back," he said, noticing just how green Dean's eyes were as he walked to the main entrance and released the bee.
When he returned to the room, Dean was staring at him. Taking off latex gloves and replacing them with new sterile ones had never felt sexy before, but with Dean watching, Castiel found himself blushing.
"So Cas, did you save the little bloodsucker?" Dean grumbled.
"Bees don't suck blood."
"Still! Little asshole was hitching a ride in my hair. I feel so violated." Dean exaggerated his voice a little.
Castiel chuckled and returned to inspecting Dean's arms, muscular and with a reddish tan beneath all the welts forming under his skin. Castiel checked his chest, noticing that Dean's nipples hardened when he glanced near them. Careful not to touch, however—Castiel was a professional.
"Umm…" Dean's voice was lower than expected, rumbling like a distant thunderstorm. Castiel's hair prickled, practically standing on end, and he had to repress a small swoony sigh. "Do you think…someone else could…"
Castiel looked up and Dean was blushing.
"I assure you, Dean, I've seen naked men before. I'm a professional. It's not a problem." Castiel frowned. He was disappointed in the reaction. He didn't expect a contractor who looked like Dean to be interested in him, but he didn't expect him to be a douchebag homophobe either.
"No… it's not that. You seem real good at your job." Dean looked away and his flush spread down his neck and across his chest.
Castiel kept looking and noticed Dean's hands definitely weren't containing his genitals anymore. It had grown too much to be concealed completely.
Oh shit. Either this guy gets off on bee stings, or…he liked Castiel touching him.
Castiel caught his breath and then pushed it from his mind. "Dean, don't worry about it. It happens all the time, the adrenaline and then being touched in ways you aren't used to. Guys get aroused in the ER regularly. It's nothing to be ashamed of."
Dean nodded, wide eyes still not looking at Castiel's face. "I don't think that's the problem, but okay, if I'm not making you uncomfortable…"
"I'm fine, Dean." Castiel used his best impartial voice before inspecting Dean's stomach, his hips, and his legs. He ran his hand along a patch of Dean's thigh that had no stings, making sure he could tell the difference between unbothered skin and reactive skin. He kept as much distance between himself and Dean's warm skin, but he had to lean in to look closely.
Dean groaned, his voice low and filthy.
Castiel's hands stilled.
Dean squeaked, "I'm sorry. Oh my god. Are you sure someone else can't do this?"
"If you'd like me to get you one of the female nurses, I can, or I can give you a moment alone, but I think we should get these stingers out of you as soon as we can." Castiel kept his voice calm, despite being crouched in front of Dean with his crotch right in his face.
Castiel's own body responded to the tone of Dean's voice and his rapid breathing. Only his training and the possibility that Dean's panting could be due to shock kept him in check.
"Can you please move your hands?" Castiel asked, his voice calmer than he felt.
"Nope. Can't do that." Dean shook his head, staring at the ceiling.
"I need to see if you have any stings in this area. A reaction here could be much more severe."
"Nope, no strings. I would be able to tell, I'm sure. It's fine." Dean stared at the ceiling as he spoke.
"Dean," Castiel began to scold and then the man's eyes lowered with so much passion and lust blasting them out to black, Castiel actually pulled back.
"Fuck, I'm sorry, man. I'm not trying to make this weird… or weirder." Dean coughed and shook his head. "I'm here all fucked up and itchy and my skin is jumping and I'm hitting on my damn nurse like some kind of perv."
Castiel stood up and put a hand on Dean's shoulder. "In other circumstances, I'd be flattered, but right now, we need to get the stingers out of you, certainly your bottom and the back of your thighs, so you can at least sit down."
"You're gonna? Umm, you're gonna do that?" Dean's eyes looked around the room, trying to lock on something, anything but Castiel
"Yes." Castiel raised an eyebrow. "And you're going to let me, right?"
Dean shifted his weight and adjusted his hands, but Castiel could still see the pink head of his cock trying to escape. "How often do you have patients who come all over the exam table because you're plucking stingers out of their ass?"
Castiel laughed, a real one this time that broke down all of his professional barriers and left him raw. Dean did something to him, he was impossible to resist in a way Castiel had never encountered before. The man made him say and want to do crazy things. "That's never happened, I'm afraid. But then again, I've never tried using my tongue."
Dean's eyes got bigger still and a shudder ran through his whole body. "Jesus, Cas. You can't just say stuff like that."
"You're right, I'm sorry. I… that was totally unprofessional, if you want to report me I'd completely understand. Let me go get another nurse." He stood and stumbled toward the curtain but Dean's hand landed firmly on his shoulder before he could leave.
The first thing Castiel thought was what's covering his erection if he's touching me? He let out a shaky breath.
"No, don't. I'm not mad, and I'm the one who keeps making this weird, it's how I deal with being uncomfortable. Like you said, any other day I'd be flattered—probably even take you up on that offer. But I should probably try to act like a grown-up." Dean squeezed Castiel's shoulder and pulled so he turned around to look into earnest eyes that shone even in the horrible lighting of the ER.
Dean was objectively beautiful. Full lips and hard lines, strong and warm at the same time. It was like his whole existence invited Castiel to reach out and touch. Then Dean dropped his hand and smiled, his face brightening up with laugh lines and dimples and fond affection.
"Can we get this over with? I really want to sit down and these fucking stings hurt like a bitch."
"You're sure you don't want another nurse?"
"Nah, we've pushed through the awkward phase, I don't wanna have to do that with someone else all over again. I appreciate you bein' so cool about this, Cas."
Castiel gave a small smile and shrugged. He wasn't sure when Dean started calling him Cas. It was a nickname very few people used for him but had a kind of familiarity and intimacy to it he liked coming from Dean. Like they'd known each other in another life, or in another reality. He opened the cabinets to place the tweezers and gauze and something to place the stingers in once he had removed them. "This shouldn't hurt. Really you shouldn't feel anything, so if you do, please tell me."
Castiel rolled his chair behind Dean and pulled the tray table up close. He gripped Dean's hip with one hand while the other used the tweezers to remove the tiny stingers with quick, precise movements. "You're lucky you haven't gone into anaphylactic shock with all these stings. You must have a high tolerance for histamines and pain."
"I've never complained if a girl wanted to slap me around during sex while wearing a Zorro mask." He chuckled. "Or guy."
The addition was quiet like it wasn't something he said very often.
"Good to know," Castiel said, working his way down Dean's thighs. His bowed legs made it easy to see and remove the few stingers there, but the smell of him, the dark musky scent of sawdust mixed with the freshness of the lake water, did things to Cas. Things he shouldn't feel at work.
Castiel was quick, efficient, and very detailed. He moved on quickly and got Dean's back and most of his shoulders done and then had Dean sit on the examination table. "I wish I could give you a gown or a blanket or something."
"It's fine. I'm feeling a little dizzy, though."
"I'm not surprised. We'll give you something for that once all the stingers are out. Do you want to lay down?"
"No, I'm good." Dean's eyes drooped.
"Let's lay you down anyway." Castiel lowered him to his back, his hand falling away from his now flaccid-but still impressive-penis. He pressed the small button on his workstation that said non-emergency assistance needed. It would be good to get a second body in here to make sure this was a reaction to the stress of the situation and not shock.
Amelia, his twin brother's wife, stuck her head into the room. She was a PA and excellent at her job. "Hey Ame, can you check over D… Mr. Winchester here? He has a lot of bee stings and is dizzy. I'm pretty sure it's a stress reaction but would love a second opinion. And if you can write him some antihistamines and pain meds, that would be awesome."
"Remind me again why you aren't a nurse practitioner?" Amelia smiled before approaching Dean. "Hi, there, Mr. Winchester, can you tell me how you're feeling?"
"Fit as a fucking fiddle," Dean chucked.
Castiel wasn't even surprised anymore and got back to work while they talked. Amelia examined Dean while Castiel got the rest of the bee stings out. By the time he was done, Dean was on steroids and asleep thanks to the pain meds and adrenaline drop. The room wasn't needed, so the nurses decided to let him sleep it off.
"Aren't you off now?" Meg asked, sliding up to Castiel's side and the record station across from Dean's room.
Castiel nodded, his eyes trained on the curtain closed for triage three.
"Cute and naked. That meets my requirements," she winked at him, but when he didn't laugh, she frowned. "What's up?"
"I laid out scrubs for him, but he walked here. He doesn't have shoes or a phone or any way to get home." He frowned.
"Clarance, this is why you're an excellent nurse, and also why being a nurse isn't really a good fit for you. Too much heart has always been your problem. He'll be fine. I'm sure there's someone he can call and if not, security will drive him wherever or social services will help. He's not your responsibility anymore." Meg squeezed him tight.
"Yeah, I guess." He shook his head and went back to the lounge to gather his things. On a whim, he decided to do something reckless, the kind of thing he never does, and scribbled a note on the back of one of the flyers hanging on the bulletin board. He'd never know if he didn't try.
He went home and whipped up a quick dinner, trying not to look at his clock or think about how Dean was doing. His apartment was sparse, books in piles on the floor and egg crates for end tables. He just never found the time or interest to care about how his shitty little one-bedroom apartment looked. The old couch was covered in a sheet and after he ate, he fell asleep against the soft cushions, wondering—not for the first time—why he even bothered with a bedroom.
He woke in the morning to the soft sound of birds cheeping. But there weren't usually any birds around his apartment. Then he found his phone, lying on the coffee table, singing to him. Meg must have changed his ring tone again.
He didn't recognize the number, "Hello?"
"Um, hey, is this Cas… ah Castiel?" The low rumble was unmistakable.
"Hello, Dean."
A heavy sigh that sounded like relief greeted him. "Heya, Cas."