The next morning, Dean made sure his saddle was clean and Chopper was brushed smooth until his coat shone. He wasn't sure why he liked this Cas guy so much. He was obviously a city boy. He wore sneakers to ride horses, dead giveaway you don't know shit about what you're doin. But hey, guests were guests. But after he saw the group of people Cas was with, he wanted to help the guy. It was like watching a lamb graze in a field of coyotes. And he was funny. And his eyes...'wait, what the fuck was that? His eyes! Okay, he had like crazy blue eyes or something. Whatever.'
Chopper tossed his head and whinnied. Dean turned to see Cas coming his way. Hair dark brown, almost black, jeans that hugged him just right. "Mornin, Cas," Dean called, drowning out his own thoughts.
"Hello, Dean," he said in a gravely voice that made Dean want to fuckin purr.
"I got Chopper all ready for you."
"Aw, he's so...big! I hope I can handle him," Cas said looking at the horse in wonder.
Dean had to stifle a slew of dirty jokes.
"You'll do just fine, Cas. Chopper is the best. I, on the other hand, will be riding Trigger, who is new at trail riding. Things should be fine, but I like to have an extra pair of eyes in case things go sideways."
He chuckled at the nervous look on Cas' face. He had to chuckle. He was adorable. 'What the fuck? Adorable? Pull it together Winchester!'
"I thought Chopper wasn't for guests," Cas said, looking up at the saddle nervously.
"Well, guess you're a friend then," Dean grinned. Cas gave him a boyish smile that must have driven all the girls he went to school with crazy. 'Horses, Dean, think horses. Fuck.' "Chopper will take good care of you. Don't worry."
He gave Cas a leg up. He could have used a mounting block, but this way he got to touch him. He mentally scolded himself for his lingering grip on Cas' calf, but he did it anyway.
Dean focused on Trigger. His sleek dark brown coat shone glossy and smooth. He was in a good mood and Dean swung up to the saddle easily. At least he didn't look like an ass trying and failing to get on. Horses could do that to ya.
They made their way down the trail by the lane. "You take the lead, Cas. Chopper knows where to go."
"Alright," Cas grinned.
Dean watched Cas in front of him. He was relaxed, letting his body move with the horse. "You're a natural rider, Cas," he called.
Cas turned his head and grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. Chopper lead them several miles before Trigger had had enough. He started to pull and kept stopping. This short piece of the trail was narrow, scaring the skittish young horse.
"Keep goin, Cas. Chopper is showing Trigger the trail is safe."
"Okay," Cas called, still turning to watch the battle of wills between Dean and Trigger.
With coaxing, Trigger settled down and hurried through the narrow section catching up to Cas. The horse was huffing and sweating from his exertions so the pair stood there waiting for him to relax again.
"This is dangerous work," Cas said, worry twinging his brow. "It's an awful lot of responsibility for someone so young."
"Ha!" Dean laughed. "Tell that to my dad. If you ain't huntin and herdin on your own by the time you're ten, then there's something wrong with ya."
Cas shook his head, eyes moving out to the canyon view in front of them. It was craggy and sharp, with stone formations coming up from the canyon floor and walls that looked like spikes.
"This is Perdition. Legend says Indians would bring people here for punishment and pitch em over."
"Nasty," Cas said.
Dean caught movement out of the corner of his eye and saw the snake before either horse had. He reached over, taking Chopper's reign. Cas gave him a startled look. "We gotta-".
Too late. Trigger saw it and began rearing and spinning. Chopper simply backed up closer toward the mountain and stood still, thank God. But Trigger was spooked good. "Whoa, boy! Easy, easy," he said as calmly as he could. He stopped rearing, huffing hard. Dean turned to see a wide eyed look of terror on Cas' face.
"Dean!"
"Are you okay, Cas?"
Trigger gave a mighty buck. With Dean twisted in the saddle, his balance and grip were not good enough. He went over Trigger's head, hitting the dirt hard.
"Dean!"
He scrambled in the loose sandstone and slid over the side of the cliff.
"Dean!" Cas screamed again.
Dean scrambled to grasp anything he could on his slide down the cliff face. The brittle rock broke away letting him free fall for a few seconds before he landed on his back over several of the skewer-like rock formations of a ledge. He blinked his eyes hard, tasting blood in his mouth.
"Dean! Don't move! I'm coming!" Cas called.
"No!" Dean whispered, afraid breathing any harder might crack one of the skewers painfully holding him up.
He watched as Cas climbed down over the side, his feet finding purchase on a rim of stone. He wound his way down, rope in hands.
As Cas neared him, Dean whispered, " Cas what are you doing?"
"I tied this rope to Chopper's saddle. I'm going to tie it around you and have him pull you up."
"Okay," Dean whispered, desperate for anything to work.
Near enough finally, Cas tested his weight on one of the spindles. "Cas, don't get hurt, don't! Go back up!"
Cas grinned. "Like hell."
"This is hell. It is. Don't fall, Cas!"
Dean felt Cas' hands working under his back. Flipping the rope to loop around his torso.
"Is your back okay, Dean?"
"I'm such an idiot for bringing you here."
"Dean," Cas put his hand firmly on Dean's upper arm, do you think you have a back injury?"
Dean looked into Cas' calm blue eyes. "No, I don't think so."
"Okay," his hand squeezed a bit tighter. "I have you. Dean, look at me."
The command in Cas' voice made Dean snap his eyes to Cas' immediately.
"I have you."
"Okay," Dean barely whispered.
Cas tied the rope just under Dean's arms, knotting it.
"Okay," Dean said softly, "moment of truth."
Dean grasped the rope with two hands, yanked it and yelled, "Walk on!"
He sat up as the rope pulled from the unseen horse over the cliff. Cas' grip on his upper arm was iron clad. He maneuvered himself back off the spire he was holding and onto the rim, guiding Dean's now suspended body toward him. Cas latched onto him with both arms, pulling him flush against him onto the rim of the cliff, the rope still suspending him just over the rim Cas stood on.
"Personal space, Cas," Dean laughed weakly as he gripped ahold of Cas' shoulders.
"You want some space?" Cas laughed back, eyebrows raising.
"No, no. This is good man, I was kiddin'."
Cas put both arms more comfortable around Dean's middle, hands pressing his back into him. Dean could feel every bit of the front side of Cas' body. Try as he might, he still could not catch his toes on the ledge to help the slow journey up the thin rim.
"Gotta say," Dean laughed, "last time I was this close to someone, I got laid." 'Damn my stupid sense of humor! Who says that? At a time like this? I'll be lucky if he doesn't shove me overboard right now!'
Dean watched as Cas flushed and for the first time since all this happened, broke out into a sweat.
"Days not over yet," he grinned.
Dean laughed it off, but their mouths were close enough to kiss. He could feel the smooth skin of his freshly shaven face.
Chopper took steps every so often, inching them further and further along the rim. They stopped at one point, both men huffing from exertion.
Dean could not even help it, he leaned his head down onto Cas' shoulder, slumping slightly into him.
"Dean?" Cas whispered, his hand coming up, fingers running into his hair. "Are you okay?"
"I'm okay," he said faintly, wanting to freeze this moment forever. Soaking in the feeling of someone holding him tight. He realized that the grip felt more like an embrace than a desperate hold.
"We're almost there," Cas said with such gentle kindness, his hand sliding down the back of his head again.
"I'm good," Dean said, taking a deep breath and feeling the rope pull again.
Back to the cliff edge where Dean had slid off the edge, the rope disappeared over the top. Finding hand-holds, Dean climbed as Chopper pulled, finally cresting the edge back onto the trail. He stayed on his knees, throwing the rope down to Cas.
He climbed up easily, crawling over the edge. On hands and knees, the pair eyed each other.
"Damn, that was close," Dean said.
"Yeah. You scared the shit outta me," Cas said.
Adrenalin fading, heart beats slowing, Cas sat hard on his butt, slumping against a boulder. Dean sat heavily where he was. Both heaved in a breath of air, glancing at each other.
"You okay?" Cas asked, his voice catching and his eyes looking red and watery. 'Oh, Jesus, don't cry dude. I'm gonna lose my shit if you cry.'
"M ok," he nodded vigorously. "M good."
He slid back against the boulder, tight against Cas, still feeling the pull of the cavernous space mere inches away.
Cas slid his hand into Dean's, squeezing it tight. "I thought..."
"I'm good," Dean said, it coming out breathy.
"It all happened so fast," Cas all but whispered.
"You thought fast. You saved my life," Dean said, squeezing his hand back. "You did good." 'I'm holding a dudes hand. Handholding is a natural reaction, right? I mean, I just almost died! I'm just comforting him.'
Their eyes locked, Dean recognized a look of plea in his eyes. He was holding a dudes hand. Aw, shit.
Cas blinked first, dropping his gaze and his chin. He squeezed his hand once more and let it go.
They both turned, hearing slow clopping noises of a horse. Chopper rounded the bend, riderless and the rope still tied to the horn of his saddle.
"That is one good horse," Cas grinned, laughing softly.
"Best fucking horse in the world," Dean laughed.
They both put their heads back against the Boulder until their laughs died off.
"Dean," Cas said softly. "Let me see your back. I know you're bleeding somewhere."
"Yeah," Dean winced, taking in three particularly sore spots on his back. Warm stickiness soaked a section of his shirt. He pulled the button-down off gingerly, taking in the bloody handprint Cas left on the arm of one sleeve. Shirt off, he scooted forward. "How bad is it?"
"Not as bad as I feared," Cas said. "These two," Dean felt the softest touches from Cas' fingers near two of the sore spots, "are going to bruise pretty bad. This one is bleeding still."
"I'll live," Dean said, picking up his shirt to put it back on.
"Wait," Cas said, stopping him. "I can at least clean it. Do you have a first aid kit?"
"Saddle bag," Dean said, choking on the word with Cas being so close, touching him.
He watched as Cas got to his feet and walked over to Chopper, praising him with pats and gentle talk that made Chopper toss his head. He got the kit and came back, kneeling down behind him.
Cas got to work with his own bandana, wiping the blood away. One hand grasped Dean's upper arm while the other worked tenderly to wipe away the mess.
"This might sting," he said in that gravely voice that dropped every now and then. Dean bit down a wince as an antiseptic wipe lightly grazed an area the size of a tennis ball. He listened as Cas began to open gauze and tape the area.
'What a fucking mess. Dad would kill me if he knew I put a guest through this kind of shit. It coulda been Cas. He coulda fallen. He coulda died. And fuck...his hands feel so good.'
Dean dropped his chin down to his chest, clenching dirt in his fists, trying to shut his thoughts out.
"Dean," Cas whispered. "You're okay." Cas was beside him, still on his knees, one hand still hot as a poker grasping his upper arm.
Dean opened his eyes. For years he had thoughts of moments like this. The right guy at the right time. No one around. No one would see. No one would know.
He turned his head to the side, opening his eyes slowly, catching Cas' blue eyes blazing in the morning sun. Concern slid away the longer their gaze held.
"You coulda got hurt, Cas. I'm so sorry."
Cas grinned, looking away for only a second. "I'm sure you planned for a snake to scare the shit out of your horse and throw you into Perdition."
"No," Dean whispered.
Cas held his gaze again. "I'm just glad we're alright."
Dean watched with growing heat in his loins as Cas' pupils dilated. Their breaths synced and grew a bit faster. 'God, I wanna kiss him. I wanna kiss him so bad. Those lips. I could. No one would know. No one but Cas. And-'
Cas broke the gaze again, reaching for Dean's hand. Dean looked down. He was still squeezing a fist full of dirt, his palm cut open slightly from small rocks in the sandy ground.
"Dean," Cas said, pulling his hand up and opening it, brushing out the dirt and squinting in thought. He looked back up at Dean. Dean instinctually released his other death grip of rock and sand, wiping it on his thigh.
"It's okay," he half grinned at Cas.
"I know," Cas said. He leaned in, closing the few inches of space between the two. His lips pushed onto Dean's, warm, salty.
Dean pulled back. 'Fuck! I really did it. I just kissed a dude. I...'
Dean saw the immediate trepidation on Cas' face. "Sorry," he said so small.
"Naw," Dean whispered. When Cas' eyes flicked back to his, Dean was gone.
With one dirty, bloody hand, Dean cupped the back of Cas' head, pulling him in. This time he was ready. He kissed him slow. Cas slid closer, kissing harder, pushing those soft lips into his even firmer. Dean pulled him in tighter, wrapping his other arm around his back. Cas complied so willingly. Dean could feel his dick firming in his pants. He moved slightly to make room for the expansion and gasped when Cas wrapped a leg around him, straddling his lap.
"Damn," Dean gasped.
Cas pulled back, almost all the blue gone from his eyes, lips wet and parted as he breathed just as heavy as Dean.
Without a word, Cas leaned back in, running both his hands into Dean's hair and kissing him harder still. Dean turned his head, angling better and opened his mouth, letting Cas in.
Every pent up emotion in Dean let loose. He grabbed Cas' hips, pulling him down harder on top of him. He fought his way into Cas' mouth, needing more. Needing everything.
"You fuckin scared me," Cas said, lunging back into Dean.
"You fuckin scared me too," Dean said.
Cas pulled away from Dean's mouth, sliding down his chin and onto his neck.
"Cas," Dean moaned.
"Mmmm," was all he got in response with biting, kissing reverence.
Biting?
Dean abruptly pulled Cas back. Startled blue eyes met his. "You can't leave any marks on me, man. No one can know."
A look of shame crossed Cas' face. "Okay. You're right. Sorry."
"I'm sorry. It's just...no one here can know." Dean dropped his chin.
Cas tipped his chin up to meet his gaze. "My family can't know either. I'll be kicked out this time."
"This time?" Dean quirked.
Cas blushed. "When I was seventeen, I got caught making out with a guy in my car. Luc caught me. It was pure hell for awhile. My parents are very religious."
Dean grimaced just thinking about Cas being in any kind of negative situation. "Your family are assholes," he said, running his hands up Cas' sides.
Cas grinned. "Yours too?"
"Just my dad. My grandfather too," Dean said, feeling Cas' taut frame on top of him, his growing bulge pressing into Cas', making it terribly hard to think. "Dad caught me staring at this guy...a guest...and beat the shit out of me for 'thinkin bout it'. Said I was...a lot of things."
"You are a lot of things," Cas said, practically panting. "You are so fuckin hot."
Dean felt his whole body spasm at the compliment. He gave Cas a suspicious look. 'Is he messin with me? Did Dad set up a trap?'
Cas gave him a quizzical look that quickly heated. He put his hands on Dean's bare chest, making him gasp slightly. "Cas."
"You're a freakin cowboy. Hat, horse, chaps," each word was followed by a kisses that grew in intensity, "boots, Spurs, did I say chaps?"
Dean laughed as Cas ran kisses back his neck, making him grab Cas tight to stop tickling him.
"Dean," Cas said, "is there any way we can meet later? I just..."
Their mouths drew together again. They kissed hard, hands feeling each other.
'He wants to meet later! Where? How? I should say no. I should stop this now. We just kissed. I could still walk away from this. I can still be straight. Dad never has to know about this.'
Cas' hand slid down his thigh and back up. The weight of him on his lap, pressing down on him. Fuck it. This feels better than anything I've ever done. I want him more than I've ever wanted someone before.'
"Yeah, meet me at the stable at 9:00 tonight," he said.
They kissed again and pulled apart, Cas getting to his feet and pulling Dean up.
"You might wanna," Cas said, voice cracking, "put your shirt back on."
Dean smiled at him smugly. This dude thought he was hot. So, the cowboy thing really did work. Not just on chicks anyway.
Chopper stood patiently waiting. Cas hoisted himself up, and held a hand out to Dean. Dean grinned again. Trigger was no where to be seen and Dean was already feeling sore. He gently pulled Cas' foot out of the stirrup, putting his leg ahead of it so Dean could shove his own booted foot in and hoist himself atop. He settled behind the saddle, wishing with all his might they had ridden bareback so he could sit tight against Cas. Better not though. His hands rested lightly on Cas' hips and he could see the blush still spread on Cas' cheeks. "Lead the way," Dean said, his voice coming out low and scratchy.
Cas put the reigns into one hand and let his other hand drift down to settle over Dean's hand.
They found Trigger waiting just before where the path had gotten narrow.
Dean squeezed Cas' hips lightly and he dismounted. He did not miss the frown on Cas' face.
"Atta boy, Trigger, you're gonna be alright," Dean laughed, swinging up.
"Lead us back, Cas!" Dean called.
Cas grinned, taking the trail ahead of him.
Dean could not believe that he had kissed him. Had his hands on that body. And Cas wanted him. Wanted him pretty bad, if the bulge in his pants earlier was not a friggin Magnum flashlight. 'What are ya doin Winchester? You gonna actually do something about this guy? Like...do this guy? You don't even know what the hell you're doin.'
The disgusted look on his father's face loomed in his mind. Dean sighed heavily. He was an adult. Maybe it was time to let himself have what he wanted, rather than what his family wanted for him.
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Castiel kept his head down and his opinions to himself through the meeting that morning. He had been late, which got him enough scathing looks to make his morning light dim. But as he settled behind his laptop, Raphael going on and on about some medicine that would no longer be covered by their insurance, Castiel relived the mornings events over and over. Only the good parts. Like Dean's green eyes, his rough, calloused hands, his mouth. He had been almost timid. But once he had taken a step, Dean had reciprocated even stronger.
"Would you agree?" Raphael's question rung loudly through the room.
Castiel jerked his head up. "Yes," he answered, having no clue what he was agreeing to.
"Really," contemplated Luc, eying him.
"Would it matter if I did not agree?" Asked Castiel, giving Luc a hollow look.
"Mmm," Luc contemplated.
The meeting wrapped up with events strung throughout the day.
By 9:00, Castiel was squirming to get away from the group. Finally, he made his break for it. He slipped out the side door of the resort and walked as quickly as he could up the lane toward the stable. It was dark out. The wind blowing was hot and dry. Castiel's hopes sank when he saw the stable was dark and locked up. He looked at his phone to see the time. 9:21. Shit!
Hearing a whistle from nearby, he saw Dean was sitting in a truck. He went straight for him, approaching the open driver's window.
"Sorry, I had trouble getting away."
"No problem," Dean grinned a bit tighter than his usual easy smile. "Hop in."
As they left Angel's Landing property, passing under the gateway with the CW, Cas asked, "What does the CW stand for?"
"Campbell, Winchester. My mother's parents, Deana and Samuel are the Campbell's. My dad's parents were the Winchesters. They went together when my parents were just kids and started the construction for what is now Angel's Landing, the stables and the cattle ranch."
Cas grinned.
"What's got you grinnin like that?" Dean asked, smiling slightly.
"Nothing," Cas grinned wider. "Well, your name. It's Dean Winchester. It's just so...cowboy. So...it's a great name."
Dean snickered. "Well, there's a new one. Never been complimented on my name before."
"Really? Well, it's quite rugged. I like it."
They exchanged blushing smiles, Dean relaxing a bit. "So, what's your first name again?"
"Castiel. It's an angel name. My parents are, were religious nuts. My brothers all have angel names. Lucifer, Raphael, Gabriel, and me."
"Well, I like Castiel. It's different. And now that I know I'm dealing with an angel, I feel a little safer. Or...dirtier, I'm not sure." They both laughed. "What about the little one? Jimmy?"
"Mm, James. He...his mother named him that. It stayed even with the adoption. My mother was not pleased."
Dean gave him a slightly quizzical look, but asked no more.
Twenty minutes down the road, silence growing between them, Castiel worked up the nerve to ask, "Where are we going?"
"Just up the road to a quiet spot I like."
"I...are you okay with this? With hanging out with me again? Please don't feel obligated."
Dean threw him a raised eyebrow. "Cas, I don't do anything like this for other guests. I want you to know that." He turned off route 12 and headed up a windy narrow lane. "In fact, I don't really know what the hell I'm doin. I mean...I don't..."
"Make out with guests," Cas offered.
"Well," Dean stammered, pulling the truck to a halt at a small stone building.
"Make out with guys," Cas supplied.
"Right."
Cas sighed. "There's no pressure here, Dean. We can just...talk or enjoy the view."
"Or drink. And enjoy the view."
They both got out of the truck and Cas followed Dean into the squat stone building that appeared to be somewhere between a ruin and usable.
Dean lit a lantern.
"Is that a real lantern?" Castiel asked, snickering.
"As opposed to..." Dean quirked.
"I just never actually saw a real lantern that people use." He marveled at the flame enclosed in glass. Dean showed him how to make it dim and then bright. It was quite entertaining for a moment.
Schooled in the art of lantern use, Castiel looked around the tiny dwelling. Three narrow bunk beds were set into the thick stone walls. The blankets and pillows were mismatched and some pretty thread bare. A wooden table sat in the middle with benches on two sides and a chair at either end. No running water and no electricity. It was rustic to say the least. A wooden cupboard stood close to the only door.
"This used to be a hunting lodge they used a long time ago. It's halfway between Escalante and no where," Dean said as he opened the cupboard and pulled out a jar.
Castiel was surprised to see the cupboard was full of jars of food and liquid.
"What is that?" Castiel asked, looking at the clear jar of liquid in Dean's hand.
"Moonshine," Dean grinned. "Home brew liquor, my friend. Higher alcohol content and better flavor than anything you can buy at the store."
Dean reached up to a shelf above the cabinet and pulled down two small glasses.
"Drink?" Dean asked sitting on one of the benches and twisting the lid off the mason jar.
"Sure," Castiel said, sitting across from him. The heat from the morning seemed to be gone from Dean. Castiel wondered if maybe it had just been a height of the moment thing.
Dean poured two drinks and they each downed the shots.
"It tastes like apple pie," Castiel marveled, looking at the jar in wonder. "That's incredible."
"Not all the best things come from the city," Dean said snidely.
"I know," Castiel said soberly. "I'm not like my brothers, Dean."
Dean made a slight grimace. "I know, Cas. Sorry. I'm just nervous. I say stupid things when I'm nervous."
Castiel nodded, watching Dean's tight shoulders.
"I'm sorry if I read you wrong this morning," Castiel said quietly. "But I sincerely hope I did not."
Dean licked his lips, biting his bottom one. "Cas, I spend 99% of my time in a place I don't want to be. Don't get me wrong. I love it here. I love the land. I love the horses. But I get no say. I'm just born into a family business. It's here ya go, life all planned out for ya."
"Do you want to leave?"
"Yeah! Yes, I want to leave. I want to see the world before I'm so rooted down I can't see past my own property lines. But, I don't hate it here."
"I understand," Castiel nodded, sliding his glass over for a second drink.
"Bet you've been around," Dean said, smirking and pouring them both another shot.
"I have traveled. I go to LA a lot to see Gabriel, my brother. I travel for work. I have been very lucky."
They slid glances across each other.
"But I do not have grandparents. And I do not have parents that love me. I never did. My brothers and I were all adopted. We were 'pulled from nothing' and were 'expected to become something'." Castiel air quoted, making Dean grin.
"Stepford family," Dean asked.
"Yes. Uptight. Religious to a fault yet some of the most evil people I have ever known."
"Damn, that's pretty heavy," Dean said, sipping his shot.
"I'm not allowed to be who I want to be. I'm not allowed to work anywhere but for my family's business. I'm not allowed to be gay." Castiel put his face in his hands, heaving a sigh.
"You are an adult," Dean said gently, "Why don't you just leave?"
"I can't." Castiel knew it came out bitter and angry. There was no way he was telling Dean the reason he was so trapped. How his family controlled his life. He was ashamed, for one. And it did not seem that Dean Winchester was in this for the relationship, even if they were talking first. There was a distance to him that was not there this morning.
He looked up to find Dean watching him closely. "It's a long story. One I am not very proud of. And I really do not want to talk about it."
"Okay," Dean shrugged.
Cas downed the rest of his shot, feeling the warm tingle down to his stomach. A heaviness sat on his shoulders and he swung his leg over the bench to stand up. He was already feeling the effects of the shots.
"Moonshine," he marveled.
"Good, isn't it," Dean said, grinning.
"Very. I love apple pie," Castiel said, grinning stupidly.
"Me too," Dean grinned back. "So, how much longer you gonna be here?"
"At Angel's Landing?" Castiel asked. He dropped onto the bench next to Dean, back against the table and elbows propped on it, legs extending into the small room. "I only booked us for a long weekend. We leave tomorrow morning."
Dean nodded, looking down at his thin layer of moonshine in his glass and drank it. "Wish you were staying longer, Cas."
Warmed by that, Castiel blushed. "Me too. Had I known the staff was so great, I would have booked a month."
Dean's green eyes squinted with his grin. "A month, huh?"
Castiel could feel his skin flush all over and his heart rate quicken. "Maybe I should look into a seasonal pass."
Both men chuckled and Dean lifted one leg over the bench so he was straddling it, facing Castiel. Castiel was feeling a warm buzz from the moonshine and a slight blush tinged Dean's cheeks.
Never before had Castiel been able to stare into someone's eyes with such intensity. Normally he had difficulty even making eye contact with someone he found attractive.
"How's your back?" Castiel asked.
"Fine. You didn't tell anybody I was stupid enough to put you through all that this morning, did ya?"
Castiel smirked. "No, Dean. No one knows."
Dean dropped his gaze, blushing harder. "I just mean the trail ride. My dad already thinks I'm an idiot. If he found out...there'd be hell to pay."
The look of hurt that shifted across Dean's face shattered any reserve Castiel had. In that moment Dean looked so young. It reminded Castiel that he was a few years older. And what little experience he had, was more than Dean seemed to have. But he seemed eager enough this morning.
Castiel put his hand on Dean's forearm, squeezing softly.
"Do you want to take me back to the hotel now?" Castiel asked, giving Dean one last out.
His green eyes raised to his with a look of longing. "No."
"Okay," Castiel grinned. "Just...tell me to stop if you want me to."
Dean licked his lips quickly, looking a mixture of worried and determined. "Quit makin me feel like a girl."
"Sorry," Castiel laughed, knowing Dean the little he did, he understood his use of digs as nervous humor.
Castiel had never before been the one that was more forward. It was new territory to him. He sat forward, sliding his hand down to Dean's hand, squeezed it slightly, then let his hand go back to his shot glass. "One more shot, Cowboy?" Castiel grinned.
"How bout half. Don't want ya too drunk," Dean laughed nervously.
Cas nodded, watching Dean pour them each another half shot. Castiel slid his shot glass over, clinking it to Dean's. They both took a small sip.
"You never banged any chicks in here, did you?" Castiel asked, snickering.
Dean's eyes widened briefly. "No. Never brought anybody here before."
"But you have slept with someone before?" Castiel asked, knowing he was being pushy for information, but inhibitions were down and time was short.
"Yeah. Enough that people here don't think I'm, well, you know. How bout you?"
"Yes. Twice. But I have never been all the way with a guy."
Dean nodded. His confidence seemed to grow more. His shoulders relaxed and he let out a breath.
Castiel watched as Dean's eyes darkened from grassy green to forest green. Birds and bugs made night sounds just beyond the door, but that was the only sound.
"I never met someone who made me feel so hot in an instant," Castiel heard himself say. He blushed at his own forwardness.
Dean slid his arm over slightly, his hand dropping off the table and onto Castiel's thigh. Castiel's eyes followed the trail Dean's hand blazed onto his leg. Knee almost to crotch, his hand slid slow and steady. Castiel let out a breath, looking back up at Dean. His eyes were closed, still straddling the bench, one hand rested on his knee and a look of pure want made Dean let out a slow breath. Castiel's eyes drifted shut and his head dropped back and the continued rub from Dean's hand. He rolled his head slightly, looking at Dean again. His eyes were still closed. Castiel knew he needed to make a move. But what? What if he freaked him out?
He leaned closer to Dean, careful to not disturb the attention his leg was getting.
"Dean," Castiel whispered, breaking the spell, Dean's eyes flew open and his hand stopped moving. "You are so handsome. And you have beautiful eyes."
Before Dean could argue or reply, Castiel closed the small distance between them, kissing him. Dean kissed him, strong, firm, then relaxed a bit, pulling him closer.
"Come closer," Dean whispered.
Castiel stood, taking Dean's hand and pulled him up gently. "Come over here."
He lead Dean to one of the more comfortable looking bunks and he crawled onto it. Dean sat, hesitated a second, then laid down, turning to face Castiel.
No words needed to be spoken. There was obvious want in both their eyes. Castiel went up on one elbow, pushing Dean down gently into the mattress. He slowly unbuttoned Dean's shirt, looking over the lines of his body. When his slow, wandering gaze returned to his mouth, he leaned down and kissed him deeply. The last button opened, he slid his hand onto Dean's warm, smooth skin. As Dean gasped at the touch, Castiel slid his tongue deeper. Dean's hands seemed to come to life all at once. He pulled Castiel deeper, his tongue fighting its way back and Castiel's slow pace unleashing Dean's pushy side. He started pulling at Castiel's shirt, "Take it off," he commanded.
Castiel grinned, pulling back and pulling his shirt off, pitching it to the floor. Castiel shivered as Dean's rough hands slid up his sides, over his chest and down to his hips, squeezing. "You are so fuckin hot," Dean whispered.
Castiel dipped his head, chasing Dean's mouth to attack it. While occupying his mouth, Castiel's hand slid down to Dean's waist. He thumbed at the heavy belt and waistband of the jeans. He explored the belt and waist while plying Dean's mouth with growing heat. Dean's hands ran up and down his back, sliding into his hair.
Castiel's hand slid past the belt, finding the long, hard cock he had felt pressed into his own that morning. Finding the bulge, he grasped it soft but firm and ran his fingers up and down slowly, feeling Dean's hips rise as he slid up and sink as he slid down.
"Uh, fuck," came a small whine from Dean as he tipped his chin up, his entire body reacting to his touch.
Castiel lifted his head, watching the ecstasy grow on Dean's face. He was taut and tight. His cock felt like concrete.
"Cas," Dean murmured.
Castiel answered with hot, wet kisses on his neck and chest. His hand tightened, making Dean start to push into him harder. He was more than ready, just from a touch. The man was starved from what he wanted. And Castiel wanted nothing more than to give him whatever he wanted.
"You gotta stop," Dean said, grabbing Castiel's wrist firmly.
"But you like it," Castiel grinned, kissing his ear.
Dean pulled up, pushing Castiel onto his back and straddling him. "I'm not gonna last long if you keep touching me."
"This isn't going to last long," Castiel said, sliding Dean's shirt off and running his hands over his well-muscled shoulders.
Dean practically growled, his hands sliding down his abdomen and onto his jeans, feeling Castiel through his jeans.
"Dean," Castiel murmured, hips thrusting at his touch.
"Yeah," Dean said, lips wet from kissing. His eyes were fixed on the bulge he was rubbing.
"Dean," Castiel said low, "kiss me."
Dean's eyes returned to his, molten hot and determined. As the green disappeared under his lashes, their mouths made love. Castiel's hands went to Dean's belt, unbuckling it. Dean hesitated and Cas took a breath, pushing Dean's button open. His mouth dropped to Castiel's neck, making him arch up into Dean. He tugged the zipper and dug through the boxers, his fingers making contact with hot, silky skin.
"Uhh, fuck," Dean moaned, his mouth sliding up onto Castiel's ear. "Fuck, that feels so fucking good."
Every word made Castiel shiver and his own cock pulse.
"Sit up, Dean," Castiel managed, foggy headed.
Dean's mouth pulled away and he sat, his hand rubbing Castiel firmer.
Castiel unbuttoned his own pants and pulled the zipper down. Dean flicked his hand away as he fished into Castiel's boxer briefs, his fingers finding what it sought, making Castiel jerk his hips up and grind it into Dean's hand.
Dean watched in wonder as the other man's cock moved around in his hand.
Need took over.
"Dean," Castiel said, their eyes locking. Dean leaned back down and whined into Castiel's ear when the two cocks pressed into each other. Castiel grasped them both, pumping firmly.
"Oh fuck," Dean said loudly.
"You got a dirty mouth, Dean Winchester," Castiel panted.
"You make me," Dean panted back, pumping into Castiel's hand.
"Aw, Cas, you feel...you feel so good."
Castiel squeezed the two cocks together, working them up and down together.
Dean's forehead landed sweaty onto Castiel's.
"You feel so good," Castiel panted. "So fucking big. Can't imagine what it would feel like inside me."
"Ohhhh," Dean moaned, pumping his hips faster.
"I wanna make you cum," Castiel gritted into Dean's ear.
"Fuck," Dean swore, taking Castiel's mouth and pumping hard.
Warm, wet seeped onto Castiel's hand, lubricating his hand to slide on their dicks. Castiel's hand flew faster, thumb running over the tips of their heads.
"I'm gonna," Dean heaved.
"Yeah, so fucking hot," Castiel moaned, pushing his hips up into Dean's and thrusting in sync.
Dean froze momentarily, growled and ground down into Castiel. "Oh God."
"You better fuckin cum, cowboy," Castiel gasped.
Dean roared, hips pumping fast and they were both pulsing white ropes of cum. They pumped and jerked, gasped and Dean collapsed on top of Castiel.
"Oh, Cas. I can't even think."
He ran his hand through Dean's soft hair, pulling his other hand wet with semen out from between them, wiping it on the blanket before sliding his hand into Dean's back pocket, squeezing his firm ass.
"Don't think. Just breath."
Eventually, Dean slid over, allowing Castiel to take in a full breath of air. They felt each other gently, not hurried.
"Guess that doesn't quite count as sex. Sorry," Dean said.
Cas took Dean's chin in his hand, making him look him in the eyes. "It was perfect. You drive me absolutely insane."
Dean laughed, laying his head on his shoulder and settling down beside him.
"You make me crazy too, Cas." Dean's fingers toyed lazily over Castiel's chest. "I don't ever want to move. I don't want this to end."
"Me either. I don't want to go," Cas said, kissing Dean's hair.
They laid there, touching and holding each other for over an hour before either one had the gumption to sit up and start moving. Dean over top of Castiel, kissing him as he got out of bed. He buttoned his pants, catching Castiel watch him with hungry eyes.
"We gotta go," Dean said low.
Cas sat up. He stood, adjusting his own pants and fastening them.
A chill had set in. The ride back was quiet.
"What time do you leave?" Dean asked.
"Nine," Castiel said.
"Dean, I wrote my cell number down and put it in your glove. You can call me any time."
"I don't have a cell. No reception around here."
Cas nodded.
"But I'll try to call, okay."
Cas nodded again.
The truck pulled into Angel's Landing entrance and came to a stop. Castiel's lips moved, but no words came out.
"Dean," Cas whispered.
"It was awesome meeting you, Cas. Good luck in...where you from?"
"Chicago," Cas said, looking down at his hands. "If you ever want to come on vacation-"
"Ranchers don't get vacations, Cas," Dean said tightly, looking out the windshield.
Cas bit his lip and nodded. He opened the door and closed it behind him. Dean's rudeness was obviously a cover. Cas knew he was miserable. Just as miserable as he was. He walked into the lobby as the truck pulled away. He looked up at the spirit horse and angel. The angel looked sad. Mournful.
Castiel left Angel's Landing the next morning at nine with the rest of his group. A new notch of defeat in his armor. A new hole in his heart. He made a mental note to never do a one night stand again. The weight was crushing.