Chapter Eighteen

Dean groaned. His arm was on fire, but the shield was somehow still intact. He rolled over and shoved at Castiel's shoulder.

'Get up,' he rasped, dropping the shield and pulling off his gauntlets. 'Come on, get up.'

Castiel wasn't moving, and a thrill shot through Dean's chest. He ripped off the King's helm one-handed, and lifted him up so he was sitting against Dean.

'Wake up,' Dean said, pressing a hand to Castiel's neck. He felt a crack in Castiel's skull and several broken ribs before he soothed them away and Castiel opened his eyes.

'Raphael,' he said immediately. 'Where is he?'

They looked up and he was still there, preparing for another strike, his hands crackling again. Without thinking, Dean scooped up the shield again, shoving it onto his injured arm and raising it just in time to catch the lightning. This time, however, Castiel had grabbed his good hand and Dean felt his soft, healing energy flow through him, right at the moment Raphael's electricity hit him. A scream tore past Dean's lips, the energy waging its own war inside him, until the lightning dissipated, and all that was left was Castiel's hand in his.

Raphael, frustrated, hit them again and again. The ground sizzled around them, the grass singeing and burning. Every time, Dean raised his shield, not caring how much it hurt. He refused to move, refused to give Raphael a clear path to his King. Eventually, Dean noticed a decrease in the ferocity of the lightning directed at them. It was barely perceptible, but it was there.

'I think - I think he's wearing out,' Dean gasped, in a break between attacks.

'So are we,' Castiel said grimly. His grip too had loosened ever so slightly.

'We can do this,' Dean said, shifting his stance and clutching Castiel's hand as tightly as he could, before once again lifting his shield.

The armies stood wordlessly around them, watching with awe and terror as time and time again, Dean and their King fought through focused shots of lightning. It should have been impossible, but there they knelt, surrounded by dead grass and air filled with static. And they too could see Raphael begin to tire. Soldiers on both sides held their breath, and all hoped that Castiel could hold on long enough to beat Raphael.

'Dean…' Castiel mumbled. Even with Dean pouring as much energy into him as he could, Castiel's power was beginning to falter.

'Just a little longer,' Dean shouted. 'He's almost done, I can feel it.' He raised his shield again. 'Just hold on, I've got you.' Raphael hit him again. He could barely feel his arm, or the shield in his hand, but he hefted it up anyway.

Finally, Raphael's last shot came. It was no stronger than a brief jolt that ended at Dean's shoulder, and when he looked up, Raphael's eyes were wide as he stared down at his hands. The power had at last abandoned him.

Dean was frozen for just a moment, waiting for the next shot. When he realised that it wasn't coming, he tossed aside his shield, snatched up his sword and sprinted towards Raphael. He raised his blade, preparing to strike Raphael down.

'STOP.'

Dean halted and glanced back at Castiel, his sword still raised above his head.

Castiel had pushed himself up to his knees and was breathing heavily. 'Think about it, Dean. He performed the ceremony with Era. What happens when he dies?'

Dean bit his lip, both fists clenched around the hilt of his sword.

'He must be held to trial,' Castiel said. 'He needs to answer for his crimes. No more hiding in the shadows.'

Dean nodded, reluctantly shoving his sword into its sheath. Raphael was still standing in front of him, still staring, dumbfounded, at his own hands. Dean walked up to him, took a deep breath, and smashed him in the face with a bunched fist, knocking him out completely.

'Someone come and get this filth,' Dean said in disgust, turning his back on Raphael and going to Castiel. Dean lifted him to his feet, holding him tightly by the shoulders. Neither of them had any strength left to heal the other, so all Dean could do was hold him up as they walked away from the battlefield.

'We - we won,' Castiel mumbled, dazed.

'We did.'

No one stopped them as they walked, and the soldiers still standing began gathering up the wounded.

'I should help,' Castiel said, feebly attempting to pull away from Dean.

'Not right now,' Dean said firmly. 'Come on.'

For once, Castiel conceded without argument, and allowed Dean to walk him to their tent, past Charlie and Dorothy running with bundles of bandages in their arms, past Alfie giving a group of soldiers commands and past Ash tenderly cleaning a wound on Balthazar's face.

Dean sat Castiel down on the floor in their tent and removed his armour, as well as his own, and for the first time since they'd met, Castiel at last released all his tension, fear and doubt, sobs racking his body.

Dean held him in silence, gently rocking him back and forth until his tears dried out.

'I'm sorry,' Castiel croaked.

'For what?' Dean said softly. 'Seems to me like this was a long time coming.'

Castiel sniffed, wiping his face, then gasped. 'Oh, Dean, your arm.' He pushed up what was left of Dean's sleeve, revealing thick, white scars that threaded up his arm like lightning.

'It doesn't hurt,' Dean reassured him. 'It still works. No harm done.'

'It shouldn't have left a scar.'

'The lightning was the Goddess's power too. Maybe they don't work together all that well,' Dean said, examining his fresh scars. 'I like it,' he said. 'I think it makes me look much more intimidating.'

Castiel gave a watery chuckle. 'Well, as long as you like it…'

Dean smiled at him. 'Lie down and rest. You've earned it.'

'Stay with me, Dean.'

'Always.'

Dean lay down beside him, staring up at the canvas. 'What now?' he murmured.

'I don't know,' Castiel whispered. 'I never thought we'd get this far.'

Dean nodded and closed his eyes. 'All right. We've got plenty of time to figure it out…' He was barely able to finish his sentence before he was falling into a deep sleep.

Dean was awakened by Castiel after a long rest.

'Dean, I need you,' he said urgently.

Dean sat up, rubbing his face. 'What do you need?'

'I want to go and heal some of the wounded. Come with me?'

'You don't have to ask. You're the King, remember?'

'I'd rather have you agree to do it than command you to do it.'

'Of course. Give me a minute…'

'I'll be outside.'

Dean was left alone, nervous tingling gathering in his stomach, as though he was still expecting something to happen. It kept accumulating while he washed himself, until he couldn't stand it anymore, and he burst out of the tent.

'What's wrong?' Castiel asked, alarmed.

'Where - where's Raphael?' Dean said, his heart racing.

Castiel put both hands on Dean's shoulders. 'It's all right, Dean,' he said gently. 'He's contained. We're safe.'

Dean nodded and took a deep breath. 'We're safe,' he repeated. 'All right, where are these soldiers?'

Castiel led him by the hand through the camp, until they reached a couple of large tents, pitched over the injured. He dropped Dean's hand, holding onto his arm instead, and went inside.

It was grim work. The worst injuries were on those that had been hit by lightning, leaving savage burns, even a hole right through one woman's foot. They were difficult to heal, and they were all left with scars, but none of them complained.

Once they were done, Castiel met with the generals and ordered them to begin preparations to return to the castle. Then, finally, he summoned the royal guard to one of the generals' tent, which was bigger than the one he shared with Dean, and could fit all of them in it.

They gathered around, but Ash was conspicuously missing.

'Does anyone know where he is?' Castiel asked.

'Last time I saw him, he was with King Balthazar,' Alfie told him. 'That was only a couple of hours ago.'

Castiel nodded. 'Good, someone should be protecting Balthazar, so I'll begin without him. Firstly, I would like to apologise for having you all arrested.'

'Yeah, that was pretty dumb of you,' Charlie said, her arms folded.

Castiel chuckled. 'I agree. It's been… difficult… to accept help, until Dean forced me to, that is. This could have ended very badly if you all weren't so loyal to me and to our kingdom. When we return to the castle, I will be throwing a celebration, in which you will all be knighted. I want you all to know how grateful I am…' Castiel trailed off, his voice cracking.

Before he was able to collect himself again, Alfie had bounded over and thrown his arms around the King's neck. Then the rest of the guard followed suit, enveloping Castiel in a warm group hug.

'I know I've not always been easy to deal with,' he said when they all finally let go, 'but I want you to know that I love you all dearly.'

'We know,' Jack said reassuringly. 'You've never been cruel or rude to us, you've just been in a stressful position.'

'But we do think you should rely on us more,' Hannah added.

'You're right,' Castiel smiled, 'and even though we have managed to neutralise Raphael, there is still much to do. I hope I still have your support.'

'Of course,' said Benny, bowing respectfully.

The rest of them, including Dean, bowed too.

'Thank you,' Castiel murmured. 'You're all dismissed, please report to the generals and find out where you can be of assistance.'

The guard exited the tent, and Castiel followed soon after.

'We should go and check on Balthazar and Ash,' he said, scanning the camp for signs of them, but Dean slowed down.

'Actually,' he said, 'I need to go and find Sam.'

'Oh, I'm sorry, Dean, of course. Go and find your brother.'

Dean smiled and hurried away, through rows and rows of tents, calling Sam's name until he finally appeared.

'Sam,' he mumbled, embracing his brother.

'What's the matter?' Sam asked, hugging him back.

'Nothing. You're all right.'

'Yeah, I am. Are you?' Sam pulled away, staring wide-eyed at the fresh scars on Dean's arm.

I'm fine,' Dean said, absent-mindedly scratching the knotted skin. 'This was all just…'

'Insane?' Sam said. 'Yeah, you fought off lightning. And not even just once, he was throwing it at you, and you're somehow not dead. I would feel weird too, if I were you.'

Dean nodded. 'Where's your tent? I want breakfast.'

'The King didn't get you anything to eat?' Sam said with a frown.

'Don't be like that, we both forgot. And let's face it, he has a lot to handle.'

Sam shrugged, then led Dean to his tent that he had been sharing with Anna and Uriel, though neither of them were there.

'They went to see what weapons they could recover from the battlefield,' Sam said, kneeling at the small campfire outside the tent. He ladled some stew into a bowl for Dean, and the both of them sat in silence.

The stew was watery and almost flavourless, but the warmth spread throughout Dean. He breathed in deeply and closed his eyes, listening to people talking and hurrying around him. He allowed himself to slow down, just for a moment. He felt the breeze in his hair and the sun on his face, and his thoughts turned to Castiel. His heart fluttered, and when he opened his eyes, wildflowers had sprung up around him.

Sam was staring at him with one eyebrow raised.

'What?' Dean asked.

'You love him,' Sam said; a statement rather than a question.

Dean sighed. 'I should get back,' he said, getting to his feet. 'Thanks, Sam. This was exactly what I needed.'

'Uh - right?'

'Stay with Anna and Uriel.' He looked around. 'Where do you think Balthazar's tent is?'

Sam snorted. 'Probably that big one over there. With the decorations.' Sam pointed at a huge tent not far away that had silvery-blue ribbons sewn into the canvas.

'Good spot,' Dean said, slapping Sam's shoulder.

'Thanks?'

Dean picked his way over and pulled aside the curtain, to find Castiel, Balthazar, Charlie and Ash inside. Dean gave Ash a questioning look. He was sitting on a table that had been carried all the way from Negium, and awkwardly avoided meeting Dean's eyes.

'Good, you're here,' Castiel said. 'How is Sam?'

'He's fine,' Dean said.

Castiel narrowed his eyes at Dean. 'Are you all right?'

'I suppose,' said Dean. 'I grew some flowers outside…'

'Take a seat, Dean,' Castiel said, concerned, directing him to one of the empty seats in the tent. 'We were just discussing Raphael's trial.'

Dean's stomach flipped horribly, tingles shooting up his arm, and he sat down heavily.

'He should be on trial, of course, but perhaps I should be there to help keep the peace. An outside opinion, as it were,' Balthazar suggested.

Castiel nodded. 'I agree, but we should also invite Naomi.'

Dean's head snapped up, both Ash and Charlie exclaimed loudly, and Balthazar looked at him as though he'd grown a second head.

'Have you lost your mind?' Balthazar cried. 'I came all this way to prevent Naomi from entering Auceria, and you want to invite her here anyway?'

'Balthazar, you will never know how much I truly appreciate your assistance here, but if you're coming to the trial, we can't exclude her. It will look like we're allying ourselves against her, and I've had enough of fighting. I want peace, and I will have it. The way forward is for all of our kingdoms to work together.'

Balthazar didn't look convinced, but conceded. 'It's your choice, I suppose.'

Castiel's expression softened. 'I would like your support on this, Balthazar. Peace between the kingdoms includes you.'

Balthazar smiled. 'You have it.'

'Thank you.' Castiel ran a hand through his hair. 'We should all rest today. We'll organise tomorrow and go home.'

'Sounds good to me. You should stay here, though. I won't have you going back to that tiny tent of yours. I'm sure I have some wine around here somewhere - ah, yes, thank you, Ash.' He took the bottle from Ash, their fingers touching briefly, and he poured everyone a goblet.

Dean held his in his hands and stared down at the rich, red liquid, not looking up until he heard Balthazar clear his throat. 'I think I would like to go for a walk. Ash, Charlie, why don't you come with me?' he said pointedly.

'Good idea,' said Ash. 'Come on, Charlie, let's go. I haven't seen Dorothy for a while, we should have a drink.'

Once they were gone, Castiel sat in a chair next to Dean. 'Tell me,' he said softly.

'I don't know,' Dean said. 'You're sure Raphael can't escape?'

Castiel gave him a sympathetic look. 'That feeling that something will go wrong will wear off eventually.'

'Really?'

'Or you'll just get used to it.' Castiel gently rubbed his back, and Dean's heart raced again, hardly able to stand the King being so close to him. He could feel himself being drawn closer.

'You're incredible,' he said before he could stop himself. 'How can you be so calm about all this?'

'Plenty of practice,' Castiel murmured. His eyes briefly flickered to Dean's lips, but Ash came back in to get another bottle of wine, and Castiel jumped up from his seat. 'Get some rest, Dean,' Castiel said, turning his back on Dean, once Ash had left again. He stood in the entrance to the tent, wrapping his arms around himself. 'We will have a lot of work to do, you'll need your strength. I'll need your strength.'

Dean gulped down his wine. 'I can do that,' he said. 'You think Balthazar will mind if I sleep in his bed? It looks a lot more comfortable than our bedrolls.'

'You're the reason any of us are still here,' Castiel said, looking at Dean over his shoulder. 'I don't think he'll have a problem with it.' He waited for Dean to get himself comfortable under the downy blanket that Balthazar had brought, then knelt beside the bed. 'Sleep, Dean,' he whispered, placing a hand on his forehead.

Castiel's warm, healing touch comforted him, as always, and put him right to sleep. No dreams, no jolts up the arm, just peace.

Welcome back everyone! Thanks to Guest, Kathy and Iowa Kat for the reviews!

I'm sure you're wondering where I've been. I was recently made a manager at my job and instead of starting me off slowly, they immediately dumped fourteen new hires on me that I had to train, so it's been a bit chaotic and scary, so I haven't had much focus time.

Anyway, please accept updates to all my works in progress - SPL - Order of the Phoenix, Lionheart and Little Things, as well as a new story Mykonos as an apology, and an optimistic view that updates will be more frequent now that things have settled a bit, but maybe not as frequent as before.

Thanks for all your support if you're still sticking around :)