"Dean, I can manage the car door by myself." Castiel grumbled moodily.
"Can you just shut up and let me help you?" Dean grouched back, holding the door open for him.
Castiel looked up at his lover - into worried, tired green eyes. He sighed softly to himself, slowly lifting himself out of the passenger seat as he braced himself on the frame of the impala with one hand. His other arm was in a sling, mostly to stop him moving it and damaging the shoulder wound or his fractured arm.
"I apologise. I'm just..." Castiel trailed off, not sure how to word the thoughts running through his head.
Dean seemed to understand, though, shooting him a soft smile. "I know. It's cool."
Castiel smiled back, this time accepting Dean's assistance as he leaned on the man, relying on his support to trudge slowly over to the elevator. They had spent almost a week at the hospital, during which Dean had never left his side. He had worried about the cost, at first, until Dean had assured him somebody else was footing the bill. He wouldn't say who, though, which was concerning him somewhat.
The first few days he'd been pretty out of it, and he didn't remember much. He knew that Charlie had come to visit and, after plenty of sobbing and blaming herself, gotten him to sign some documents for work. She'd left not too long after, apparently pleased with herself. At first Castiel listened to Dean arguing with her about making him sign something before he had a clear mind - but oddly, Dean had gone silent when Charlie showed him the papers. He didn't dwell on it too much, trusting Dean not to lead him astray.
After all, he had mounted and led the entire rescue mission, according to Bobby and Sam. They'd come to visit a few days in, when Castiel was a bit more lucid. He appreciated that, as once the two started telling him of what Dean had done, he was equal parts amazed and saddened.
He hadn't said anything - just took Dean's hand and squeezed it gratefully, earning him a soft smile. That, he quickly discovered, was his favourite Dean-smile, and he realised he wanted to put it there more often. Much, much more often.
He hadn't spoken about what had happened, save for giving his statement to a visiting police officer. Bobby had refused to take the statement, due to conflict of interest plus to respect Castiel's privacy and choice. The hospital had, however, given him information when he left for a therapist in the area. Castiel assured them he would follow it up but really, it was the furthest thing from his mind.
"Home sweet home." Dean spoke softly, pulling Castiel from his thoughts.
He glanced up to find they were standing at his apartment door and smiled crookedly at Dean. The man appeared nervous, however, rubbing the back of his neck as he glanced at Castiel. His brows furrowed as he stared at Dean, waiting for what he was sure to be bad news.
"There's, um. A few people inside. We've kind of been crashing here while you were gone, and.. well, they wanted to be here when you got home. If it gets overwhelming, though, just say the word."
"I'll be alright, Dean." He replied, leaning forward to press a gentle kiss to Dean's lips. "Thank you for warning me."
"Right." Dean seemed flustered by the affection, a warm blush creeping onto his cheeks. "Well, here we go."
Castiel smiled slightly and leaned into Dean as he reached for the door knob. Before he touched it, however, it swung open, to reveal a grinning man on the other side.
"...Gabriel?" He gasped, his eyes going wide at the sight of his brother. "When- How did you find me? What are you doing here?"
His brother just grinned, opening his arms wide as he ignored every question thrown at him.
"Welcome home, baby bro."
Castiel stepped forward into waiting arms cautiously, embracing his brother. He couldn't help softening, though, despite his trepidation at Gabriel's reason for being here. In moments he was shaking with soft sobs, his arms tightening around the shorter man's shoulders.
"Oh, little bro... Come on, it's alright." Gabriel spoke softly in his ear, arms tightening around his middle.
He tried to speak but all that came out were sobs. On top of all that had happened lately, this last surprise was just too much. He was slightly aware of being moved, gently directed further into his home. He refused to let go of Gabriel, even when he felt something on the back of his knees and was pushed down to find himself sitting on the couch, Gabriel taking the spot beside him. A hand rubbed his back gently, and he instinctively knew it was Dean, trying to comfort him.
"Come on, Cas. It hasn't been that long." Gabriel said thinly, trying for a laugh.
"It's been -sniffle- FIVE years, Gabe!" Castiel snapped, sitting up suddenly as he flipped to anger. "Five years!"
The room went quiet for a moment, just enough for him to realise the amount of people that were here. As he glanced around he noticed Bobby, Charlie, Kevin and Sam all in the room - all quickly avoiding his gaze.
"Cas," Dean's voice was soothing in his ear as arms wrapped around his middle from behind. "You've gotta-"
"Don't you dare tell me to calm down, Dean Winchester." Castiel shot a glare over his shoulder, then turned it back on Gabriel, trying to wipe the tears from his cheeks. "Gabriel... I missed you. I needed you. I'm happy to see you, but there's a reason you're here."
Gabriel sighed and dropped his eyes, making his heart sink. Part of him had been hoping that what he was thinking and saying wasn't true, but Gabriel's reaction just confirmed it. There was definately a reason, and it wasn't a good one, judging from the way champagne eyes met his with desperate pleading.
"It's Michael. He sent me. But you already know that. He wanted me to find you and bring you in, but Cas," Gabriel reached for him again, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I swear, I wasn't going to. I was- Well, I hadn't thought that far ahead but I swear, I wouldn't have taken you."
"Bring me in?" He stared at Gabriel, confused. "But why would he- Oh."
The pieces fell into place. He'd missed check in, and Michael would have done some digging to find out what he'd been up to. He was being taken in to be reprimanded.
"Wait, hold up. Who's this Michael?" Dean asked, his arms tightening protectively around Cas. "And where exactly does he want to take him?"
"...You didn't tell him?!" Gabriel asked, turning incredulous eyes to his brother. "Cas, you know better than this. You can't get involved with someone and not tell them!"
"Tell me what?" Dean asked in confusion, but the brothers ignored him.
"I know! I just - I didn't plan it - it wasn't meant to go this far!" Castiel snapped.
Silence fell, and Castiel closed his eyes in regret, realising what he'd just said, and how it sounded. Even the tapping of keys at Charlie's laptop had gone silent. He breathed out slowly, then opened his eyes and turned his head, only to catch the look of shock and hurt on Dean's face. God, he'd seriously messed up. He didn't look away as he next spoke, locking eyes with Dean and begging for a chance.
"Gabriel... Can I have a minute alone with Dean?"
"Of course."
Gabriel helped him to stand, then passed him off to Dean. The two were silent as he leaned against Dean on their way to the bedroom. He made it to the bed and sat down, then glanced around the room with a soft smile as Dean closed the door. It was nice, being back in his own room, with the forest landscape Dean had painted on the walls. He glanced back at the man, who stood against the wall with his hands in his pockets, guarded green eyes staring back at him. He sighed softly, dropping his gaze to his hands as he twisted his fingers together nervously.
"Dean, I- I'm sorry. What I said in there, it... it came out wrong."
He glanced back up at Dean, who was nodding slowly as he worried his bottom lip between his teeth. No response came, and Cas felt his heart tug with shame. It wasn't going to be quite so easy to smooth this over, he realised. He dropped his eyes again.
"I just... When we met, I was kind of a mess." That got a huff of laughter, and so he continued. "I wasn't ready, or looking, for any kind of relationship. But then I got angry, and I came and blew up at you, and.. that happened. Then there was the second time, and after that- Well, there's just something about you, Dean. I couldn't get you out of my head from the moment I saw you. I thought it was because I hated you, but.. well, it wasn't. What I said - I meant that I hadn't meant to meet someone at all, but when I met you it just happened, and I couldn't stop it. I didn't want to stop it."
He felt the bed drop slightly beside him, but he didn't look up. He couldn't, not yet. Not when there was so much more to say. Still, a smile tugged on his lips when he felt Dean's hand slide into his and squeeze supportively. He splayed his fingers out, giving Dean's fingers room to slip between and lace together.
"Gabriel.. I've told you about him before. I haven't told you about... Michael, though." He spoke haltingly, not sure how to say what he needed to. "Michael is the oldest of us. I have to.. check in with him, weekly. I was supposed to check in with him when... when..."
"When you were taken." Dean finished for him quietly, squeezing his hand again. "It's all good, Cas, if you don't wanna tell me..."
"No, I have to. It's just... It's hard, you know?" He asked, glancing up. Dean nodded, so he continued. "Michael runs the 'family business' ever since my parents passed. I was supposed to run it with him, but I didn't want a part of it. So I left when I was eighteen, which was also when I got my inheritance and bought this place. Michael wasn't happy, as I'm sure you can imagine, but he cut a deal with me. The inheritance I got, he said was only if I had run the business with him. So, instead of taking me through court, he said if I agreed to pay him the inheritance back and checked in with him weekly, he'd leave me alone. So I did. The check in's are mostly to make sure I'm not doing anything - or anyone - he wouldn't approve of."
He glanced up again, only to find Dean staring back at him with confusion. He frowned slightly, having expected either anger or sad understanding, but not confusion.
"Cas... You realise that's not normal, right?" Dean asked.
"What do you mean?" Castiel frowned slightly, then understood. "Oh, you mean the business. Well, I know most people would have jumped at the chance to run the family business, but let's just say it's not exactly... lawful. And I don't want to get involved with that."
"No, no, I got that part loud and clear." Dean answered slowly, surprising him. "What I mean is that stuff about the inheritance, and him controlling your life."
Castiel just frowned at him, not understanding. He thought it was quite understanding of Michael to have let him off the hook the way he did. And, after all, he had spent the money on this place knowing that he wasn't going to run the business, so it was only fair that he pay it back. Wasn't it? And Michael wasn't controlling him, just.. making sure he didn't tarnish the family name, he supposed. The look on Dean's face, however, and his next words, planted the first seeds of doubt.
"I think we should speak to Sam."
X-x
"So get this," Sam broke the silence around the table, causing Cas, Dean and Gabriel to all look at him expectantly. Everyone else had long left the apartment after welcoming Castiel home. "Charlie got me the information I needed on your parents' will, Cas. There's nothing in there about any conditions on your inheritance - in fact, this clause explicitly says it's to be passed to you on your eighteenth birthday with no conditions, exclusions or contracts."
"What does that mean, exactly?" Castiel asked, brow furrowed in confusion.
"It means that our dear big brother is a complete and utter asshole." Gabriel growled, chewing hard on the lollipop in his mouth. "He's been lying to us, this whole time."
Cas turned to him with no small amount of surprise at the look on his face. His brother looked absolutely livid, his eyes narrowed in a glare as he stared down at the table in front of him. He glanced over at Dean, noticing a matching look of anger, though slightly more subdued. Even Sam, usually the calm one, looked a mix of annoyed and upset.
"So, what's our next step? This means I can stop paying him, correct?"
"Oh, he won't be getting another cent from you, little bro. I haven't spoken to him since I've been here, so he's got no idea what's been happening. I think we keep it that way until we come up with a plan." Gabriel leaned back in his seat, twirling the lolly thoughtfully. "I mean, we could just give this information to the police, but it just seems too easy that way, doesn't it?"
Cas was confused by the last statement for a few moments, which he would later blame on trauma. It didn't take long for the dread to settle in the pit of his stomach however, as he watched Gabriel glance up at Dean with a gleam in his eye. Worse, was the slow smirk that spread across Dean's face as he stared back, apparently having a silent conversation. He glanced to Sam for help - but it was too late, judging by a similar smirk on Sam's face as he glanced back down at the laptop.
"Gabriel-" He started in a warning tone.
"How fast you think you can get your brother out here?" Dean asked Gabriel, obviously ignoring Castiel.
"Well, that all depends what I tell him." Gabriel grinned. "A day?"
"That should be enough time for me to get something legal together." Sam stated, tapping away at the keyboard.
"Gabriel..." Cas started again, mildly worried at the idea that his brother, his maybe-boyfriend, and said maybe-boyfriend's lawyer brother were working together.
"Awesome. I can pull some muscle in." Dean grinned.
"Good, we might need it. How's tomorrow, around four?"
"There's a plane due in around one. So four should give him plenty of time." Sam commented, still staring at the laptop screen. "Where should we set the meeting up?"
"I'm going to bed." Castiel growled, rolling his eyes at the group of them as they all looked at him with false innocence. "I deny any knowledge of what you are planning, on account of my physical and mental condition."
"Sure, sure." Gabriel grinned, waving him off as Dean helped him up. "Someone has to bring me sweets in jail, I suppose."
"Gabriel!"
The three man erupted into laughter as Castiel glared at each of them in turn. When his eyes met amused green eyes staring back at him, he couldn't help the slight grin that cracked his facade, and he shook his head in defeat. As he walked with Dean back to his bedroom, he couldn't help feeling that their two families converging was at once the best and worst thing that could have happened.
By the time he lowered himself to the bed, Dean was in a serious mood again. He watched, bemused, as the man fussed over him - he brought water and painkillers, he fluffed the covers, he was ever so gentle as he helped to remove Cas' clothes so that he could sleep comfortably.
"Dean." He laid one of his hands over Dean's, stopping the motion.
Dean had removed Castiel's shirt, and had been reaching to remove the singlet beneath, which meant his hands were held still on Castiel's waist. Cas stayed silent, waiting until Dean lifted his eyes to meet his. His eyes were unguarded, and Castiel's breath hitched as he saw the deep worry and despair in them.
"Dean... I'm okay." He soothed quietly, pulling the man down to sit beside him.
"No, Cas, you're-" Dean cut himself off, biting down on his lip as he looked away.
"Dean, look at me." No response. "Please."
Finally, after what seemed an age, Dean turned and met his eyes once more. His heart dropped as he saw the tears in the man's eyes, the slight tremble to his bottom lip. He released Dean's hand, only to bring his own up to gently cup his cheek.
"I'm here." He leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Dean's cheek. "I'm alright." He pressed a kiss to the other cheek. "I'm with you." He gently pressed a kiss to Dean's lips.
"God, I missed you," Dean breathed, resting their foreheads together with closed eyes. "I thought I'd never find you."
"But you did. You did, and I'm here."
He kept murmuring quiet words of comfort as he shifted their positions, gently leading the man to lay with him. He drew him in, pressing soft kisses to his lips and cheeks as they wrapped around each other. His lips traveled across Dean's jaw, down his neck to find that sweet spot. Dean's breath hitched as he found it and he smiled against the skin, nipping lightly before he returned to his mouth.
He kissed Dean again, a little more heat, a little more desperation as he traced the man's lips with the tip of his tongue. His hand slipped under Dean's shirt, tracing the lines of his abdomen. Dean's hand came up to rest on his cheek, then suddenly pain flared and he gasped, pulling back slightly.
"Shit.. Fuck, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Cas," Dean gasped, putting some distance between them. "I didn't mean to-"
"Dean, stop!" His hand shot to Dean's cheek, forcing him to look at him again. Forcing him to see the want and the passion in his own eyes. "Please, stop. I need you."
"Cas..." Dean frowned, though he could tell the man was struggling. "I shouldn't.. we can't..."
"Just be gentle. We'll be fine." He dropped his hand to Dean's hip, pulling the man back to him so their bodies were flush.
"But- oh..." Dean's breath came out in a sigh as Cas rolled his hips, and he knew he'd won. "Yeah. Yeah, okay."
"That's better." Cas grinned slightly, then pressed forward to capture Dean's lips again.
Despite his words, there was nothing gentle about this kiss. He moved his lips against Dean's, passionate and heated at first, but the movements quickly became rougher, possessive as he licked into Dean's mouth, enjoying the soft groan he drew from the man.
He rolled his hips again, relishing the soft whimper from Dean as he rubbed his already aching erection against Dean's through their clothes. Dean arched against him as his hand moved around to the man's ass, gripping hard.
"Fuck, Cas." Dean gasped out, parting their lips.
Cas moved his mouth instantly to the sensitive spot on Dean's neck and bit down, drawing out a long groan, then sucked hard on the spot. He was feeling particularly possessive tonight, and he wanted his mark on the man. Dean made no objections, his hands moving to loosen Castiel's pants just enough for his hand to dip inside. As Dean's fingers closed around his cock he punched out a moan, rolling onto his back as he released the skin between his lips.
Dean took the opportunity to sit up, hooking his fingers on the waistband of Castiel's pants. His movements were careful as he removed the pants, but Castiel couldn't hide the flinch of pain. Dean froze, and he groaned in frustration.
"Don't.. Dean, please don't stop."
"Not gonna." Dean answered, but he didn't move. He was quiet as he thought for a moment, then, "I got an idea. Sit on the edge of the bed."
Castiel frowned, slightly confused, but did as he was told. Dean directed him until he was sitting right on the edge of the bed, completely naked. He was still confused as Dean stood in front of him, dropping his own pants to reveal his own erection. Then Dean dropped to his knees in front of him, and his eyes widened slightly.
"This okay?" Dean asked quietly, his hands gently tracing up Castiel's thighs.
Lost for words, he simply nodded in response, watching as Dean drew closer. Green eyes locked on his own, unable to look away as Dean lowered his head and pressed his tongue to the base of his cock, slowly licking his way back up to the head. He expected a pause, then. What he didn't expect was for Dean to open his mouth and bob down, suddenly engulfing his cock in a warm, wet heat.
"Oh.. Oh, shit..." Castiel gasped as his entire body jerked in response.
Dean came back up with a soft pop, and he barely registered a chuckle before his cock was engulfed again, almost to the base. His head dropped back as pleasure tingled up his spine, a loud moan leaving his lips. He felt, more than heard, Dean's moan in response, and he brought his head up again to find Dean with his mouth wrapped around his cock, one hand around his own.
"Oh my... Shit, Dean, you look..."
He couldn't even finish the sentence as Dean flicked his tongue over the head at that moment, making his hips jerk up before he could stop it. He tried to pull away, but Dean followed, glaring up at him. Dean's hand took his and guided it until his fingers were buried in the sandy hair. Understanding flashed and he groaned in response, though hesitant.
"You want me to..."
"Mhmm." Dean moaned around his cock, then pressed down again.
Then Dean swallowed, his throat constricting around the head of Castiel's cock, and all reason left him. Sparks shot through his body as his grip on Dean's hair tightened, slowly pulling him up and down. Dean was compliant, following Castiel's every movement as he slowly jerked his own cock.
"Deeean..." He moaned as his hips jerked forward, pressing his cock in and out of the warm heat. "Dean I won't... last long..."
One hand squeezed his thigh, letting him know it was okay. As he watched, the other hand sped up, and Castiel was lost for a moment watching the way Dean pleasured himself, his wrist turning slightly every few strokes. He watched the precome drip from the tip and bit down on his lip, wishing he could taste.
A particularly hard press of Dean's tongue brought him back to himself, and he started slowly thrusting into Dean's throat, using his grip to pull Dean's head up and down. He could feel his climax approaching, the coil of heat winding tighter in his abdomen as he tried to hold it back.
"Dean, you have to, I need you to come, shit, Dean..." He babbled, panting for breath as he fucked into him.
Lust blown eyes locked on his, and he realised Dean was as close as he was. Tension built in him as he held the gaze, soft gasps and moans leaving his throat as his fingers tightened in Dean's hair. The hand on his thigh moved, slipping across to his balls, then lower, and suddenly Dean's thumb was pressing against his rim, dipping inside as he swallowed around his cock-
"DEAN!" He cried out the man's name as orgasm crashed over him, his hand holding Dean's head down as his cock pulsed.
He could feel the vibration around his cock as he shot down Dean's throat and barely glanced down to catch the sight of Dean striping the floor with his come, swallowing his seed down greedily.
Finally, Castiel released him and Dean slid off gently, carefully licking the few stray drops of come off the base of his cock. Castiel shivered slightly, oversensitive, and flopped back on the bed.
After cleaning up, Dean joined him and they shifted under the covers to lay together, panting softly as they caught their breath. Castiel lifted his good arm, and Dean moved easily into his embrace, pressing his back to Castiel's chest.
"Do you think they were listening?" Castiel asked with a slight chuckle after they had recovered somewhat.
"Think they heard you whether they wanted to or not." Dean grinned. "I guess that's just a hazard of staying at our place."
Dean froze in his arms, obviously realising what he had just said. But Cas didn't give him a moment to think about it, pressing a soft kiss between his shoulder blades as he smiled.
"Our place. I like the sound of that."