The Ride Home – Or…Sir Crowley to the Rescue
The sun still shone over the treetops as the buggy made its way along the bumpy road that led back to the estate. The shadows were growing longer and evening would soon be setting in.
Dean seemed to be in no rush to get home though. He held the reins loosely in his hands as the grey steed pulled the buggy slowly along.
He hadn't said anything since they'd left, and his face showed no emotion.
It felt much tenser then the ride in.
Cas sighed. "I really am sorry Dean."
Dean shook his head. "You don't need to keep apologizing Cas. You didn't say anything wrong."
"Of course I did. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. It's just that sometimes I speak before I think."
"Don't worry about it. I'm not a girl, you know. Besides, you just said what you were thinking."
Cas smiled softly. "No. You're definitely not a girl."
Dean didn't return his smile, "Is that what the problem is?"
"What do you mean?"
"Is that why you were so disappointed in me? Because I'm not a girl."
Cas looked at him in confusion. Dean couldn't possibly think that he was the one who was disappointed. Could he?
"Dean…" Cas began.
"That's it, isn't it? It's not just me. You're not attracted to guys at all."
"Dean…"
"And here I am, trying to figure out what I can do to make you like me. Fuck, I'm sorry. This must have been so awkward for you. But at least now I know."
Cas sighed. "No Dean. You've got it all wrong."
Dean ignored him and continued. "But don't worry. We'll can make it work. We can just be friends, that's all. And as far as having a kid…well no one can make us do that. I mean I know your parents are the king and queen, but even they can't control what we do in the bedroom."
"Dean, shut up."
"It's too bad though Cas. If I'd known…"
Cas sighed. There was really only one way to shut him up.
He'd been wanting to do this for some time now anyway.
He leaned over and gripped Dean's lapels.
And then he pulled him close and pressed his lips against those ripe, sinful lips he'd been dreaming about since the first time he saw them.
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Crowley shook his head as he scratched his mare's neck to quiet her and watched from the cover of the thick foliage that edged the dirt road. This was not what he'd expected.
The buggy had come to a stop and the omega prince had his hands all over the Winchester boy.
"Looks like you were wrong, Crowley. They seem to be getting along just fine." His companion, who was seated on his own steed next to him grinned. "Do you think they've fucked yet?"
Crowley grimaced in distaste.
He'd hired Gordon Walker a few times over the years.
Crowley couldn't stand the man. Walker was vulgar, mean, not particularly bright, and far below Crowley's station.
But at least he was dependable.
Especially when called upon to do Crowley's dirty work. Which came up surprisingly often.
"I don't know and I don't care." Crowley answered.
"I bet they have." Gordon continued. "I know I would have fucked that pretty boy the first chance I had."
"That's not how it works, Gordon." Crowley said, his eyes narrowing as he watched the newlywed couple. "The boy has to be the one to mount the omega in order to impregnate him."
Gordon chuckled. "You're a real romantic, aint ya Crowley?"
"It's Sir Crowley. And no. I am not a romantic. Now, can we please cut the commentary? This is the perfect time for you to move in."
"Yeah…yeah."
"And remember," Crowley continued. "Nobody gets hurt. All you do is scare the bloody hell out of them. Then, like a knight in shining armor, I appear. You resist, I shoot you – and next thing you know, the boy's in love. The omega too probably. Not that I give a fig about his opinion."
The sneer disappeared from Gordon's face and his eyes took on that cold look that always gave Crowley the willies.
"You better aim high, Crowley. If I get hurt, you're a dead man. And if I get killed, I've got some friends who'll be coming after you. And if that happens, being dead will be the least of your worries."
Crowley swallowed nervously. A threat from Gordon was not to be taken lightly.
"I have no reason to shoot you, Gordon."
Gordon glared at him a moment longer. And then he pulled a black silk hood over his head covering his entire face except for a well placed slit so that he could see.
He then pulled a musket from his bag and without looking back, urged his steed forward.
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Cas held a disdain for romantic novels. Love at first sight was really just lust. And, as he'd told Dean, there was no such thing as soul-mates. It was all romantic nonsense aimed to titillate silly, love-sick schoolgirls and lonely spinsters.
Actually, he'd sometimes wondered if there was such a thing as romantic love at all.
He himself had learned the hard way how easily love could be torn away from you if the price was right.
Therefore, he'd assumed his utter fascination for Dean – which had begun at their first meeting when he was beset by an overwhelming feeling as though he'd been struck by a bolt of lightning - was simply a reaction to Dean's beauty.
Because there was no doubt, Dean was overwhelmingly beautiful.
But Cas had met beautiful people before. And he hadn't felt anything close to that.
The feeling was irrational and illogical. And it was also dangerous.
Because Cas could not and would not be hurt again.
Which was why he'd made a concerted effort to be cold and distant. And why he'd avoided Dean as much as possible since his arrival.
But now, as he savored the sweet taste of him, breathed in the musky scent of him – as every dormant sensation of want that he'd buried for so many years suddenly surged back to life – Cas knew that no matter what happened now - he was lost.
The feeling was both wonderful and terrifying and because it was either weep or laugh, he chuckled softly as he nuzzled his face into the curve of Dean's neck.
"What is it, Cas? Are you laughing?"
Cas shook his head. "God no."
Cas held on for several more moments knowing this was a moment he'd remember even in his old age.
"Cas?"
"Hmm?"
"The sun has disappeared again. Do you think maybe we should go home?"
Cas nodded and finally eased his hold. He sat back and looked at his husband who was looking back at him with affection, his face flushed and his full lips damp and swollen from the kiss.
Dean smiled softly. "I guess I got it wrong huh?"
Cas tilted his head, not sure of the reference.
"I mean, that you'd have preferred I was a girl." Dean explained.
Cas grinned and shook his head. "I'm definitely pleased you're not a girl, Dean."
"Good. Cause I was afraid…I mean the way you've been. I was afraid you were disappointed in me. You're not, are you?"
Cas sighed as it struck him that Dean was still so young. That his feelings weren't jaded like his own. And that he had no idea how special he was.
"It was the other way around, Dean." Cas explained. "I assumed you were the one who was disappointed."
Dean looked at him in disbelief. "Me, disappointed in you? Why would you ever think that? You're perfect, Cas."
"Aww…you boys are so precious I think I'm going to cry."
Cas turned, every nerve in his body suddenly on alert as he automatically pushed Dean back and tried to move in front of him. Dean would have none of that though, and irritably pushed him back.
The man, who'd appeared like some dark demon, was seated on a tall, black steed. He was dressed entirely in black as well – from his dusty leather boots to the hood that covered his face.
In his hand he held a pistol.
"Who the hell are you?" Cas demanded.
"I apologize. How rude of me. Let me introduce myself. My first name is Gordon. I don't believe you need to know my last."
"We have no valuables with us, if you're looking to rob us." Castiel said coldly.
The man laughed coldly. "If I was looking to rob you, your majesty, I would have ransacked your fine estate while you and your pretty fop of a husband attended the wedding."
"Who the fuck are you calling a fop?" Dean snapped.
Dean hadn't moved but Cas put his hand across his chest to hold him back anyway.
"How do you know so much about us?" Cas asked.
"Everyone knows who you are. Your the poor, pathetic omega prince." The man answered. "You're an embarrassment to your family and to the entire kingdom."
"That's it." Dean snapped as he tried to push past Cas.
"Dean, will you calm down." Cas said, deliberately keeping his voice calm. The last thing he needed was Dean losing his temper and getting himself shot.
"No." Dean snapped. "He can't talk about you like that."
Gordon held up his pistol. "This says I can, pretty boy."
It was taking all his effort for Cas to hold back his own temper. "I'll ask you again. What do you want?"
"Well the first thing I want is for you both to step down from that buggy." Gordon answered.
"Why?" Cas asked.
Gordon smirked beneath his hood. "Because I said so. And because if you don't, I'll shoot your boy through the kneecap. It won't kill him, but I promise, it'll hurt like hell."
Cas nodded thoughtfully as he assessed the situation. It was obvious the man was trying to rile them. But Cas had learned a long time ago not to react to insults. A cool head was best in situations like this.
If the man didn't want to rob them though, it was possible he intended to abduct one or both of them.
And that was not going to happen.
The best course of action for now though, was to do everything he said.
And to keep Dean from getting himself shot.
"Come on, Dean. We'll do as he says."
"Screw him."
"Dean please. Just do as he says and try to stay behind me."
Dean scowled indignantly at that. But fortunately, he followed Cas' lead as they climbed down from the buggy.
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Crowley was enjoying the show.
It wasn't going exactly as he'd planned though. Due to his unfortunate gender, he'd assumed the omega prince would be a simpering mess by now. Instead the man was cool and calm and even protective of the Winchester brat. It was surprising.
Of course Winchester was reacting pretty much as expected. – stupid and hot-tempered. And if this was a real robbery, he'd probably be dead by now.
It was going to be a challenge to play the idiot's best buddy.
But if the paycheck was right, Crowley was always up to a challenge.
He watched as the two men climbed down from the buggy and put their hands on their heads as Gordon ordered.
He supposed it was time to move in and save the day.
Crowley pulled his pistol from its holster.
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"My goodness. You are a pretty one, aren't you?" The man in black said, the amusement obvious in his tone. He stood only a couple of feet in front of them, his pistol pointed at Dean's head.
Cas bristled, but didn't dare make a move. Not yet, anyway.
"Personally, I prefer the ladies, but in your case, I could make an exception." Gordon continued, his dark eyes locked on Dean.
To Dean's credit, he kept his hands on his head and made no response. But Cas could sense Dean's pent in rage, and knew he needed to resolve this situation now.
"I'll ask you again," he said calmly, "What is it you want?"
"Well I'm not sure, your majesty. Maybe I just want to play with your little boy-toy for a while. What do you think of that? Tell me. Is he a screamer? He looks like a screamer to me. Of course, you wouldn't know, would you? I hear you freaks aren't very well endowed. Not like real men."
Gordon turned to Dean. "What do you think, boy? You want to get fucked by a real man?"
In the flash before it happened, Cas knew what Dean was going to do.
He knew it because he would have done the same if he'd been younger and if he wasn't terrified for Dean.
But Cas wasn't a kid. And he wasn't a hothead.
Dean on the other hand, was.
Cas reached to grab him.
But he was too late.
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"Bollocks!" Crowley muttered. Of course, God-damned Walker had stepped over the line. He should never have hired the moron.
He spurred his horse and rushed in just as Dean tackled the man and they both crashed to the ground.
It all happened in an instant.
The prince managed to pull Dean off. Walker rolled onto his back and pointed his pistol at Dean's face.
And then Crowley fired, the gunshot loud as thunder tearing through the quiet and sending the birds fluttering from the surrounding treetops.
Crowley did not aim high.
Gordon Walker dropped instantly, his hands falling to his sides, the pistol lying useless on the ground next to him.
And then it was silent again.
Crowley took a shaky breath and slid off his horse. He approached the two princes.
Prince Castiel tilted his head curiously. "Sir Crowley?"
Crowley returned his pistol to its holster. "Thank God I came along when I did. Are you both alright?" he asked, looking as concerned and shocked as his acting ability could muster.
"Yes. I think so." Cas answered.
He turned to Dean. "Dean? Are you alright?"
Dean was looking down at the body. He looked shaken, his face a sickly pale.
"Is he dead?" he asked softly.
Cas didn't answer. Nor did Crowley.
They'd both spotted it at the same moment.
A blossoming red stain on his green velvet lapel.
Cas gripped his arm, his own face paling.
"Dean. You're hurt." Cas said, his voice suddenly shaky.
Dean finally looked up and met his eyes.
And then his knees buckled and Cas held him tight, before he could fall.
