While the plan itself was simple and effective – make the man believe he dreamt the entire ordeal – the execution was another story entirely. The dead weight of the unconscious man made the journey next to impossible as both men fought to keep a hold on him while they also attempted to keep him in his current condition. After dropping him onto his cot they sagged into two exhausted heaps side by side.
"Let's never do this again, huh?"
"I'll see what I can do."
Tiredly laughing at the absurdity of it all, they helped and hindered one another in rising before making their way to the kitchen.
Castiel poured the coffee while he listened to Dean shuffling around behind him. He was not entirely positive how long they had until their host would wake and he was hoping to miss the repeat performance.
"It would be best if you pulled on the coat."
"Yeah, I was just wondering if I could hit the shower first. I know time is short and all but I can feel the last couple of days on me."
"You do smell rather sour."
"Not cool, man!"
He chuckled as he handed the winged man his steaming mug.
"After coffee."
"Amen to that."
Sheepishly green eyes peered over the mug.
"Sorry."
"It is fine."
"You should really embrace contractions – they've been around for years."
"I am familiar."
"Not familiar enough."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
The silence they basked in was a comfortable one, minutes ticking away while they sipped their respected cups of morning brew. Castiel didn't want to get into the specifics of the case that brought them here with the looming threat of discovery. Other than that there was little left for them to discuss – the most important issues long since aired out in the Impala. Castiel thought better of dwelling on the exchange as he finished his coffee and rinsed the cup.
"There is something I must take care of before I escort you to the bathroom."
"Um, okay? Need help?"
He chuckled softly at Dean's eagerness to help. Say what he may, Dean was Angelic in his compassion to help others alone.
"Assistance is not necessary…"
"Oh."
Castiel could almost see the disappointment in his eyes, the emotion weighing down his words considerably.
"…but a companion is always welcome."
"Oh, cool. Okay."
He watched Dean unceremoniously dump the remaining contents of his mug as well as the mug itself into the sink before looking at him expectantly.
"Lead away."
Dean watched the priest grab the container of Sea Salt from the kitchenette before he followed Castiel through the winding halls in silence, deciding better of asking about the odd gesture and instead thinking on the last three days. Everything had happened so fast, from the moment he woke up with the moving lumps to now and he even surprised himself with how easily he adjusted to it all. Sure, he was confused as Hell but he felt safe knowing that he was not alone.
As his mind wandered he found himself thinking about the man from his dream. Was it really just a dream? The man seemed real enough. Focusing his mind on the last thing he said Dean began to wonder if perhaps he had something to do with his current situation only to have those thoughts interrupted when they finally stopped in what appeared to be the well the entire church ran on. Setting his thoughts on the back burner, Dean watched as Castiel opened the lid to the well and pour a portion of the salt from the container onto a paper plate he did not recall the priest grabbing.
"In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost."
As his gravel tones ran over the words he drew a cross into the granulated mineral.
"God's creature, salt of the earth, I cast out the echo of evil by the living God, by the one true God, by the Holy God, through whom all things have their being. May you be a purified, living, heavenly salt, bringing health for those who believe; may you be a medicine for body and soul for all who earnestly make use of you and may all evil fancies be driven far from the place where you are sprinkled and may all unclean spirits be repulsed by the power of almighty God."
The cleric drew a well practiced breath.
"All powerful and eternal Creator, I humbly appeal to your mercy and goodness, to bless this salt, a substance that you have given for mankind's use. May those who use it in good heart find in it a remedy for body and mind and may everything that it touches be lifted from all that is unclean and freed from any influence of evil. All this I ask in your Holy Name. Amen. "
Dean continued to watch as Castiel then crossed over the water, taking another breath and continuing.
"God's creature, water of the earth, I cast out the echo of evil by the living God, by the one true God, by the Holy God, through whom all things have their being. May you be purified, living, heavenly water, bringing health for those who believe. May you be refreshment for body and soul for all who earnestly make use of you and may all evil fancies be driven far from the place where you are sprinkled and may all unclean spirits be repulsed by the power of almighty God."
The winged man was starting to think he knew what was happening, but he couldn't be sure until it was all over. Everything was unfolding like a train wreck – it wasn't exactly something he had been expecting to witness and yet he found himself strangely enthralled.
"O powerful and almighty Creator, who for man's welfare established the most wonderful mysteries in the substance of water, hearken to this prayer, and pour forth your blessing on this element; may this creature of yours, when used in your mysteries and endowed with your grace, serve to cast out demons and to banish disease. May everything that this water touches be delivered from all that is unclean and hurtful; through your Holy Name. Amen."
For the first time since the whole scene began, Castiel moved forward so that he was standing over the well before pouring the salt into it slowly in the shape of something – Dean assumed it was a cross.
"May this heavenly salt and water unite in harmony, in the name of the Almighty God, Amen."
Dean persisted with his silent observation as Castiel crossed himself before stuffing the plate into his pocket and covering the well once more. He turned to him then, a small smile on his face.
"I am done. Let me-"
"So wait, what was that exactly?"
Dean would have been lying if he had said that he didn't enjoy watching Castiel squirm in place.
"I turned the well water into Holy Water."
"Seriously?"
Dean fought a laugh like a ten year old fought the urge to scratch his chicken pox sores.
"I thought it would be prudent."
"That's kind of awesome, dude."
"Thank you? I just thought showering would be easier on you than attempting to bathe in the stoup."
At this point they had started the trek to the bathroom, Dean stopping for a second as his train of thought derailed violently.
"Wait, what?"
"Hm?"
"What do you mean? Are you saying that you made the water Holy so I could take a shower?"
The priest seemed to consider his response briefly, tilting his head to the side as he looked at him.
"Partially, yes."
"Why?"
"It felt like the right thing to do, especially with your wings. Are you displeased?"
"No, just confused."
Dean subconsciously pulled his wings closer so that the wing joints rested at the back of his neck, refusing to meet Castiel's eyes.
"What is bothering you, Dean?"
"Again with the contractions? What do you have against them anyway?"
"Dean, what's bothering you?"
"I just…I don't get it. Why me? Why are you doing all of this for me?"
"Because you are a good man -"
Dean snorted at the implication.
"- who has been given something, a responsibility and you need help. You are a good man, Dean."
"Dude, you've known me for three days and you know what I've done. How can you still say that with a straight face?"
"Because more so than anything else you show compassion for complete strangers; no matter who they are you seem compelled to come to their aid and you do everything you can to help. You have been gifted with Angelic powers by God. What more proof do you need?"
Dean didn't know what to say - couldn't think of a clever retort or bring himself to process the words Castiel had gifted him with. Instead he turned his mind back to the night before everything changed and the gray-green eyed man.
"I uh…speaking of my newest appendages, I kind of had a dream about it. I'm not sure if it's a memory or relevant or whatever, but there was this guy and he said something weird to me."
"Tell me from the beginning."
Nodding, Dean leant awkwardly against the wall before he began. It didn't take long, moving from his drunken night to the description of Lisa's memorial before and after the demolition and finally to the mysterious stranger.
"He was…around our age, I'd say, dark hair and hazel eyes. He could probably pass as your brother, to be honest."
"What did he say to you?"
"Something about me being faithless 'for someone with such a 'and I quote 'beautiful soul' – his words, not mine."
"I believe you are correct to assume that he is somehow involved with the situation we both find ourselves in."
There was nothing more to say as Dean silently stared at Castiel's shoes. Of course the first real lead is some guy that he doesn't know and barely remembers. Suddenly, he realized that it's probably been an hour since he put the priest to sleep. Pushing himself off of the wall, he addressed Castiel once more.
"So, shower time?"
"Yes, um…right this way."
Within a couple of minutes Dean found himself peering into a fairly large bathroom with a clawed bath across from a shower stall built for three, the toilet and sink separating them along the wall.
"Dude, this place is huge!"
"He renovated it the last time I was in town, something about having too many guests to have his 'broom closet' of a bathroom. I believe he may have been a little…enthusiastic."
"Right…so, we're taking turns? How're we gonna work this?"
"I was thinking that, to conserve time, I would use the bath while you took the shower."
Dean choked on spit, his tongue and the idea that Castiel would be that naïve.
"Cass, I am not bathing with you."
"I did not suggest sharing the bath – we will be bathing separately."
"In the same room."
"Yes."
"No!"
"Why not?"
"We're both dudes!"
"I do not see the relevance – it is like sharing a locker room. Besides, I need to wash your wings."
"Yeah, but it's weird."
"I believe it would be worse if the Pastor woke up while I was in the shower and you were left alone to deal with his questions."
That shut Dean up.