Title: Castiel in the Bunker
Chapter: Lessons with Sam
Rating: NC-17
Characters/Pairing: Dean, Sam, Kevin, and Cas. Dean/Castiel.
Spoilers: All of season 8.
Warnings: Explicit sexual content, strong language
Summary: After Dean and Cas spend the night together, Sam teaches Castiel a thing or two about modern technology.

A/N: Some of the formatting I wanted to use didn't work in this chapter! Apparently you can't do a "less than" symbol here. Grr. You'll have to use some of your imagination with the phones. Btw, this is the final, chapter! Thank you for sticking around for the ride!

Lessons with Sam

Castiel kissed Dean sweetly, softly, angelically. There was no other way Dean could have imagined a kiss from Castiel. The touch of their lips, so tender, caused Dean's world to still completely. The Winchester's heart pounded in his chest as he met Castiel's determined, affectionate gaze. Dean was basking in that first kiss when Cas abruptly kissed him a second time, hard and urgent, robbing him of his breath. He didn't know he had been craving such a violently amorous kiss from Castiel until he was being overwhelmed by it. Dean groaned and returned the ferocity of Castiel's kiss.

Castiel didn't fight when Dean grabbed his rear and pulled him firmly on top of his body. From his position above, Cas instinctively rubbed their bodies together, relishing the heat of their friction and the way Dean gasped and trembled. Grinding against Dean, Cas' newly human body became affected by a sensory overload. He savored Dean's mouth with moans and discovered that one touch, or even a dozen, could never be enough.

Without his wings and that heavenly power Dean could feel but never see, Cas continued to be as grand as the cosmos to Dean. He was simultaneously night and day, with fiery, hard kisses and caresses balancing his inner softness that was as gentle as the void. Whatever he was or wasn't, Dean adored him wholeheartedly. In his mind, the scenario unfolding before him was too good to be true. Suddenly, Dean pulled their mouths apart to utter an alarmed question, "You're not possessed, are you?"

Castiel barely had time to process Dean's question and become offended before a splash of water collided with his face. Holy water, produced speedily from some unseen vial, dripped down Cas' face, pooling around his lips. He sat up, still straddling Dean, but his eyes had closed and he was wearing an expression of quiet rage.

"Oh, good." Dean sighed with relief.

A peeved voice said in reply, "You thought I was possessed?"

"N-No! Of course not!" The holy water on Castiel's face begged to differ. "No, Cas. You were just being so sexy – "

"That you thought I was a demon?!" Cas finished for him, furiously.

"Don't be mad. I'm sorry," Dean whispered and kissed the inside of Castiel's palm, his wrist, and up his arm with apologies. Possessing the now human Castiel to seduce him was the first thing Dean thought a demon might do because Castiel was one of his greatest weaknesses. That Cas, in any state of being, could want him at all felt unreal. "I'm sorry. It's just you, wanting me…"

"Correction. Wanted you. Past tense," Cas seethed.

"Cas, please." Dean's hands slithered around Castiel's torso, pushing his t-shirt up to allow his mouth access to his chest. Dean massaged down his back and over his hips, to ease Castiel's annoyance. Thrusting upwards, Dean felt Cas' solid erection through the wet cloth of his boxers. Face partially obscured by the t-shirt he'd allowed Cas to borrow, Dean breathed against the muscles of Cas' chest, "Present tense."

Denying Dean was nigh impossible. The former angel let the man beneath him gently pull off his shirt and then he hurried to wrap his arms around Dean. Whatever holy water hadn't been wiped away by his shirt, Dean kissed away with diligence. Cas felt so incredible in their seated embrace that he pleaded with hushed tones, "Please, touch me."

I'm dreaming.

If Cas wasn't possessed, Dean thought he must have been dreaming. He kissed and sucked Castiel's throat, and massaged Cas' firm length though his boxers experimentally, taking pleasure in the way Cas reacted with sensitivity. When the skin of his palm finally wrapped around Castiel's hot member and his thumb gently swirled over his slickened tip, Cas cried, "Dean."

"Yeah?"

Castiel was too shy to beg for more or to verbalize anything at all so, instead, Cas kissed him passionately. Swiftly pushed down onto the bed, Cas made a tiny, lusty sound of astonishment when Dean began to stroke their arousals together. This was something Castiel had not learned. Most of what he had been taught involved a man and a woman, but he was happy to be surprised. It felt good and right to have Dean on top of him stimulating their cocks simultaneously. Sliding their bodies together in a sensual rhythm, Dean teased Cas' mouth with his tongue. Castiel responded with his own timid licks that were preludes to the ardent fusion of their mouths. The dark-haired male clawed into Dean's back, filling the room with muffled moans, and they came together, sullying Castiel's sweaty, exposed chest. At last, Dean tore away from Castiel's lips with a low groan.

Dean was shaking with happiness, unable to express his powerful emotions. He met Castiel's azure gaze with unabashed worship. Then, his eyes darted down, and he reddened at the sight of Castiel's naked torso, slick with a mixture of their come. "Fuck," he murmured in awe.

"I believe those are my sentiments as well." Castiel blinked up at the ceiling.

Dean brandished a naughty grin, deciding not to clean Castiel's chest. Eventually, he gathered the sticky man to the headboard and settled him comfortably back onto the only pillow. Cas was glowing with serene joy, but he favored Dean's chest to the pillow so he moved to rest against him, carefree. Dean trailed his fingers over Cas' skin, marveling at the way the fallen angel responded to his touches. The first time he had ever met Castiel, he had stabbed him in the chest and the angel hadn't flinched. Now, Castiel was practically purring at his delicate, feather-like caresses. Castiel's eyes fluttered closed and he drifted off to sleep with a hint of a smile on his lips. When he was sure Castiel was fast asleep, Dean confessed in a voice that was almost softer than a sigh. "I love you."

Castiel did not move when Dean placed a solitary, tender kiss over his brow.

Cas woke up to the feeling of lips on his shoulder. He found himself settled against Dean's body, sharing the pillow. Dean's arm was draped around his midsection, holding him close. It was uncertain how long Dean had been up, adoring him in silence. Dean pulled his mouth away when he realized Castiel was awake. "Mornin'," he said to Castiel's back. "I was just – er, you know…"

Not molesting you in your sleep. Not molesting you in your sleep.

Castiel turned over to regard Dean with an affected blue gaze. "Good morning, Dean."

Worried he was being too clingy, Dean inched away, but Castiel held him near. "Don't."

That single word prompted a long session of kisses and caresses that seemed unlikely to ever end. They were a warm, blissful tangle of lips and limbs. Finally, Dean whispered, "Cas, I have to shower."

The fallen angel halted briefly. He wondered how humans ever stopped kissing once they began. He didn't think anything could ever feel better than Dean and he preferred having him near. "I would like to go with you," Castiel said, "Unless there is some human rule prohibiting – "

Dean crushed his mouth to Castiel's and all but carried Cas into the shower. They were multi-tasking, Dean explained. Multi-tasking was a highly valued skill among humans, and showering together saved water, which was good for the environment, Dean argued.

Dean's suggestion that everyone in the bunker should keep a close eye on Castiel worked against Dean that morning as Sam approached his bedroom door. He knocked once, worried. When Sam heard no reply he quickly knocked a second time. "Dean! You awake? Hey, I can't find Cas," Sam explained. "Open up!"

Silence.

"I'm coming in there," Sam warned. "Dean, you better be wearing clothes."

Sam opened the door and was startled by the disarray before him. Dean was nowhere to be found, but now Sam was positive he knew where Castiel had been. Two sets of boxers had been strewn across the room with reckless abandon along with the clothing Castiel had been wearing the day before. It didn't take Sherlock Holmes to figure out what had transpired in the night.

"Oh. Oh," Sam breathed. There were two glasses on the nightstand, the sheets of Dean's bed were a wreck, and Castiel's dress pants had been slung over a chair in the corner with his necktie folded neatly on top. Even the air of the room had an erotic aroma. As far as Sam was concerned, there may as well have been a big, flashing neon sign in the middle of Dean's room that read: "I Fucked Castiel."

Sam fidgeted at the doorway. He took a few seconds to process what he knew to be the truth and what he had always known. All the things Dean had always refused to speak to him about made so much sense now. All the intense gazes, all the worrying, all the praying, and all the attachment Dean had for Cas indicated that this scenario had always had a high likelihood of becoming a reality.

Sam could hear the shower and he entered his brother's bedroom without looking into the open door of the bathroom. If he turned, he was certain he knew what he would see, but, he did not want to see it, he wanted to hear it from his brother's lips. "Hey, Dean!"

This time when Sam called, Dean heard him. He jumped in the shower and pressed Castiel into the corner as if it was possible to hide him within the glass enclosure. He brought a finger to his lips to warn Cas not to speak. "Yeah, Sammy?" he called to Sam. "What's up?"

"Have you seen Cas?" Sam questioned, feigning ignorance. Before Castiel could reply, he found Dean's hand over his mouth.

"Nope." Dean replied. "Why?"

"He wasn't in his room. I can't find him anywhere!" Sam called. "It looks like he never slept in his bed at all."

Dean panicked. Noticing the irritation flashing on Cas' features, Dean removed his hand from his mouth and kissed him quickly. "That's weird. I'm sure it's fine, Sammy! I'll help you look for him when I get dressed!"

"Are you serious?" Sam grumbled quietly under his breath, unheard by Dean. He was insulted, and had half a mind to barge into the bathroom in that instant. "Okay," Sam called to his brother. "See you in the main room!"

Sam left, closing the door behind him, and Cas silently cursed his inability to disappear.

If Castiel had loved Dean any less, he might have been offended to the point of fury after the way Dean had lied to his brother. But, soon after Sam left, Dean showed Castiel that his tongue was talented at more than lying. His experience with Dean in the shower surpassed even the pleasure of the night. Dean fed Cas excuses and falsehoods, but he touched him with enough passion and adoration to dissolve his resentments. When Castiel appeared in the main room, wearing one of Dean's old AC/DC t-shirts and the same jeans that Sam had seen littered on his brother's floor, he took a spot next to Sam, completely forgetting that Sam had almost walked in on them earlier. "Good morning, Sam."

Dean entered, carrying two mugs of coffee. "You found Cas, huh?"

Gobsmacked, Sam took the mug offered to him. Cas did his best to not bow down at the eldest Winchester's feet in reverence as he accepted his own mug. Castiel thought Dean was perfection, flaws and all. "I'm gonna make waffles." Dean smiled. "I found an old school waffle iron in the kitchen. Sound good?"

Not hearing any protests, Dean made his way to the kitchen, leaving Sam and Cas alone together. Castiel wore his heart on his sleeve. With a besotted expression plastered on his face, Cas followed Dean out of the room with his dreamy gaze. He was so focused on thinking about Dean that he lost his grip on the mug in his hands. The mug was a hair away from spilling hot brew all over the floor when Sam rapidly tilted Castiel's mug back up. "Whoa! Cas, be careful!"

The fallen angel gasped. "Oh, thank you."

Sam had to ask Cas about what was being flagrantly paraded around him in so-called secrecy. He began to interrogate Cas in the most roundabout manner possible. "Do you not like your room?"

"It's a fine room," Castiel returned, sipping his coffee with a Dean-induced sigh. Even when Dean wasn't in the room, Cas was fantasizing about what he had done and said. He was thinking about his wet, freckled cheeks and his strong fingers on his hips. Cas had never seen Dean in such a position, willingly kneeling before him, and he couldn't get it out of his head.

"Have you been having trouble sleeping?" Sam asked. "I went by your room this morning, and it looked like you hadn't slept there at all."

"I slept," Castiel said, providing an unsatisfactory, cagey answer. Finally focusing on Sam, Cas discerned distress on his features and falsely assumed his maladies were completely physical, rather than attributed to the deception around him. "Don't worry about me. I am adapting well to my human body – as well as I can. I rest when necessary. And you? Are you well? How are you feeling today?"

"I'm not one hundred percent, but I feel better everyday."

"Did you take the medicine your brother purchased for you?"

"Yeah…" Sam moped. He could no longer dance around the topic. "I'm more upset about something else."

"What is it?" Castiel leaned forward with such earnest concern on his features that Sam thought he understood why Dean most likely preferred his company and trusted him more. Cas was effortlessly so endearing.

Sam wiped his nose and regrettably told Cas the truth. "Dean."

"Your brother? Why?"

"I know he said nothing will ever come before me, and I believe him," Sam said, his eyes going a little glossy. "He's all the family I have left. But… he still doesn't trust me. I know he lies to me. Right to my face."

"Your brother does trust you," Cas reassured him.

"Maybe. Maybe not. He doesn't always seem to. Not about everything."

"To what are you referring?" Castiel had a good idea, but a part of him believed Sam was talking about something else. If it was something else, Cas might be able to help.

"All the things you're not allowed to tell me." Sam looked Cas dead in the eyes. Sam was sniffling because he was sick, but he was also clearly emotional. Sam wanted to live and he wanted to feel like a part of other people's lives, especially Dean's. Sam felt so shut out from both of them that it was nearly debilitating. Castiel knew he had to lie and he hated it because lying to Sam felt like kicking a puppy. Lying to Sam while he was sick was even worse. Cas was angry that Dean had put him into this situation. He was angry that withholding information was acceptable as long as it was Dean that was doing it. Cas and Sam had both been targets of Dean's rage when they had been the ones keeping things from Dean, but now they were sitting beside each other navigating around Dean's disingenuousness. Castiel avoided candor, but said the least untruthful thing he could manage.

"Perhaps he is embarrassed of the thing he wishes to hide."

When Cas answered him, Sam felt wounded on Castiel's behalf. He had never thought of things in that light, from Castiel's perspective. Sam had only been thinking that Cas and Dean had a special camaraderie and relationship that he was not privileged enough to even know about, much less participate in. Now, he saw in Castiel's eyes how it hurt the former angel to be a source of constant denial for Dean. Cas didn't know how much Dean loved him. He may not have known exactly why he was hurt, but he was troubled on a level that Sam could see.

"Dean loves no one more than he loves you. No one," Castiel said after a moment of silence. His words did not have a trace of judgment or jealousy. "I don't think you have anything to worry about."

"I don't need him to love me the most… I just want him to confide in me again. More like he used to. We're brothers. We're supposed to talk about everything."

"Then maybe you should tell him that," Castiel suggested. He changed the subject. "Where is the prophet?"

Sam nodded. "Oh, he came down to make coffee, but then went straight back to his room. It looked like he'd been burning the late night oil."

"Oil? What oil?" Castiel questioned. "Does this bunker not rely completely on electricity?"

"No, Cas." Sam smiled faintly. "I mean it looked like he'd been up all night. It's a figure of speech."

"Oh. Of course." Cas' grinned one of his odd, embarrassed grins.

"Can I ask you something?" Sam asked suddenly.

"Anything."

"About what I did. Do you think I did the right thing?" Sam met Castiel's eyes. He was guilt-ridden and insecure. "About not closing the gates, I mean. I know Kevin still thinks I should have done it, even though he won't admit it anymore. Dean's been telling me the opposite. But, you – well – you can be the tie-breaker."

Cas believed that Sam had invented a collection of wretched smiles, and that he had selected a particularly heartrending one from his assemblage to smile now. Looking at the broken Winchester, Cas wanted to tell Sam exactly what he wanted to hear. "I'm honored that you would seek my opinion on anything," Cas said, "But I don't know. I am unreliable when it comes to passing good judgment."

Sam deflated. Everything in his heart was telling him he had let down the world even if he had not let down his brother.

"But," Cas elaborated, "I do believe that if a person has saved the world once, maybe that's enough."

Sam perked up, hopeful.

"You kept the world together, Sam," Cas said with sincerity that Sam felt in his bones. "In comparison, I have only ever made it fall apart."

"No, Cas – "

"Yes." Cas was firm. He had no doubt that Sam, in his short life, had done more good for the planet than he had done over eons. "Perhaps, if you have an angel aspiring to be more like you, even if it is an angel – former angel – as defective as myself… you are on the right path."

Sam almost cried into his coffee mug.

Castiel hoped his answer was good enough. He had nothing else to add so he glanced to the laptop before his friend. Sam had opened his email the instant Castiel had joined him and had closed all of the windows of his research to prevent Cas from seeing any news about the fallen angels. The news was not good and Sam was keeping to their agreement of shielding Cas. The computer drew Castiel's interest and seemed like a good distraction from the heavy topic of their past mistakes.

"What is that?" Castiel pointed to the laptop screen.

Sam sat up in his chair and wiped his face. "What, this? It's my laptop, Cas."

"No." Cas pointed at the square in the center of the screen. "That white box. What is its purpose?"

"That's my email." Seeing that Castiel was still befuddled, Sam elaborated, happy to assist Castiel in learning something new. "You know how text messages work? It's really similar. People communicate with each other using email. It's like paper mail… but electronic, so much better. It's instant. Actually, the 'e' in 'email' stands for 'electronic.' That's what it means. 'Electronic mail.'"

"You email the prophet," Castiel stated, reading the name 'Kevin Tran' in Sam's 'inbox.' Sam smirked at the reverent way Cas was fond of calling Kevin 'the prophet.'

"Yeah, all the time. Sometimes it's the easiest way to get a hold of him."

"Oh." Castiel sat up and peered more closely at the machine. On the bottom of the screen, there were several icons that drew his attention. He knew one stored the knowledge of human activities. "You research through the laptop. Please, allow me to research with it."

"Uhhh…" Sam's eyes darted away and he decided if he stalled long enough, perhaps he could distract Castiel from doing any actual research on the topic he knew would only upset Cas. "Okay. But, let me give you a tutorial first. It's good for you to know these kinds of things. You know, the basics of human stuff."

Castiel sat through a verbose lesson on the mechanics of the laptop and on the Internet with far too much information given on search engines and web browsers. Sam pulled up his favorite browser for general research and showed Cas how to search things. A good deal of what the young Winchester said went directly over Castiel's head.

"…and that's why people say 'Google it.' It basically means, 'look it up.' So, now you try."

Sam tilted the laptop in Cas' direction and the fallen angel regarded it with suspicious awe. Typewriters had been incredible to him and the machine before him left typewriters in the dust. "I want to Google the angels. What word should I enter?"

"Why don't we do a test run? Just type something you like first and I'll show you the basics. Then later we'll get to the angels."

"Something I like?" Castiel hesitated. He knew where the Winchesters were so he couldn't type 'Winchesters.' Castiel reached for the keys of the laptop and slowly keyed in the following word:

C-A-T-S

"Okay. Now, push 'enter.' Only old people click the search button." Sam was fighting giggles because Castiel had taken about thirty seconds to type one four-lettered word.

"Where's 'enter?'" Castiel panicked, unable to find the key. "What is 'enter?'"

"It's this one." Sam pointed to the key without addressing the existential crisis Castiel seemed to be having about what 'enter' meant.

"So there you go. Cats galore." By now Sam was smiling an honest smile. "The first hit is Wikipedia. That happens a lot. Articles pop up here – "

"Cat articles?"

"And cat webpages." Sam regarded Cas, feeling incredible mirth with how he was about to blow Castiel's mind. "If you click this button you'll see images."

"Can you show me how to 'click' again?"

Oh my God. He is an old man. My brother is screwing a geezer. Sam took a moment to hold himself together. He didn't blame Castiel for not knowing any of the things he was learning, but it was cute nonetheless. Once the cradle-robbing implications of Cas' relationship with Dean passed out of his mind, Sam clicked for Castiel. There was an audible sigh as cats conquered the screen.

"There's so…. many."

"Hey, what're you lookin' at?" Dean asked as he walked in carrying two plates of waffles doused in syrup. "Not porn is it?"

Sam looked up at his brother who was aiming a meaningful expression at him. Sam returned the gaze and silently confirmed that he knew he was supposed to keep Cas away from certain topics. When Dean found the two men staring at an abundance of cats, he said, "Oh."

Mission Distract Cas was a success. He barely looked up at Dean when the plate of waffles was placed in front of him. "Hey, don't forget to eat," Dean said to Cas. "I'm gonna take a plate up to Kevin."

"Where did they all come from?" Castiel asked. "Who are the owners of all these cats?"

Dean disappeared and Sam stuffed his mouth full of Dean's spectacular waffles as he continued to scroll down the page. When they reached a certain cat, Sam stopped and burst into laughter. He clicked on it and just continued to laugh.

Castiel didn't understand the joke. "Why does this cat say, 'I Can Has Cheezburger?'"

Sam doubled over, struggling to breathe. "I don't know. I don't know how to explain it."

"This is a joke. I don't understand. Felines don't consume cheeseburgers." Suddenly, Castiel's eyes widened and he gasped, "Do they?"

Sam choked on his waffle and coughed from the hilarity. "No. They don't. Uh, it's an Internet thing. I don't know how to explain it. The Internet just loves cats."

Castiel narrowed his eyes, unsure if he was comfortable with having things in common with amorphous entities, but then he realized he himself was usually an amorphous entity. I am the Internet.

"I like the Internet," Cas decided. He spoke as though the Internet was a sentient being.

"It's pretty amazing," Sam commented. They got distracted by many other cats and Sam finished his waffle. "Hey, Cas, I'll be right back. I'm going to check on Dean."

"But what about the angels?"

"You're an expert now. You can drive," Sam reassured him. He stood up and set the computer in front of Cas. "Just try not to get syrup on it."

Sam was gone. Looking at his breakfast, Cas realized the request made of him would be nearly impossible. He wanted to respect Sam's marvelous machine, so he reasoned that his right hand would be for eating and he would use his left hand for 'Googling.' Castiel was not ambidextrous, so, using the track pad, clicking, and typing for him with his left hand was like stumbling in the dark with a blindfold on. In an attempt to search for the angels in the search box, he somehow managed to minimize all the windows. "No. No!" Castiel lamented. "Come back!"

Alas, the windows would not return. Instead, the cursor hovered over an item labeled 'Dean's Anime.' Castiel didn't even know what a folder was, but it had Dean's name on it so he wanted to discover what the item was. He looked around for Dean or Sam, but neither was around. "Sam?" Castiel called. "What's anime?"

After several endeavors to open the folder, he succeeded. He 'clicked' and 'entered' his way to opening a video file. Oh, it's a cartoon. Castiel had watched cartoons before and liked them, but he had no idea why Dean would have them. Very soon, it became apparent. "What…" Castiel breathed as events unfolded before his eyes in a horrifying fashion. "What is that tentacle doing – "

Castiel's exclamation of revulsion went unheard. The fallen angel pleaded, "Sam!"

He touched every button within his reached but only succeeded in fast forwarding and rewinding the atrocious anime porn.

"What's that?" A voice called behind him. It was Kevin. "Hentai? Why are you watching hentai? I thought you were an angel."

"How do I make it stop?" Castiel was one frustrated keystroke away from smashing the laptop.

"What's happening?" Dean rushed in, his face full of terror because he had heard the familiar anime moans and screams. He ripped the laptop away before Castiel could smash the machine to bits.

"What was that?" Castiel shuddered.

Dean was so flustered he couldn't answer. He rapidly clicked, typed, and created new folders to hide his porn.

"Oh, Dean. Figures." Kevin had gladly eaten Dean's waffles, but that did not mean he would refrain from showing disapproval of him.

"You don't judge another man's porn!"

"Asian fetish," Kevin hissed with heavy contempt and Castiel caught a strong whiff of bourbon. Kevin was judging Dean hard.

Dean opened the 'My Documents' folder and created the following nestled folders: Untitled, Nothing, Nada, Not Your Business, Dean's Personal Private Stuff, Not For You, Do Not Look, Don't Click, DO NOT CLICK, Cas no, DO NOT FUCKING CLICK CASTIEL, Anime.

"What'd I miss?" Sam had returned from helping Dean by doing the dishes.

"Cas found Dean's anime," Kevin explained.

"Oh." Sam peered at his brother, who seemed to be sweating and trying to figure out if there was a way to password protect folders. "Gotcha."

"That's enough computer time." Dean shut the laptop hastily and set it on the opposite side of the table, away from Cas. Castiel still appeared somewhat traumatized. Dean avoided eye contact with everyone. "Okay, let's go."

In unison, the other men of the bunker asked, "Where?"

"We're gonna go get you inked up, Cas."

The fallen angel in question became all ears. Of course Dean was referring to the anti-possession tattoo. At some point during their throes of passion, Dean had promised Castiel that he would get inked first thing in the morning. Cas thought it was an excellent idea, and not only just because he wished to avoid holy water in the face during their intimate moments.

"Sweet." Kevin nodded with approval, but Dean shut him down.

"Not you, Kevin."

"What? Why?" Kevin stuttered in shock. "You see! This is why I like Sam better!"

Dean was genuinely hurt by Kevin's statements and regarded him with air of despondency.

"Pfft. Nah, I'm just kidding, even though you're mean." Kevin smiled, swaying a little on his feet. "I love you both, equally, in a Stockholm Syndrome kind of way."

"Are you drunk?" Dean shot back.

Brazenly, Kevin lied, "No."

"Kevin, maybe it's better if you stay. I think what Dean is trying to say is that it's kind of our fault you've been kidnapped so many times. The bunker is the safest place for anyone. It's the safest place for you," Sam reasoned. "You're as precious as the tablet."

"Sam, don't." Kevin lifted his hand in a Don't Even Go There kind of gesture. Sam was doing his puppy eyes on him and Kevin was having none of it. "I have been working for – for lots of hours. Maybe since that time we had burgers. Was that yesterday?"

"You seem unable to stand properly," Castiel remarked.

"Cas. I want to be there for you. For your tat." Kevin argued, "Listen, guys. I like this tablet. It's shiny. You know, Heaven's totally amazeballs."

Sam and Dean gawked. "Amazeballs?"

"Yeah, have you ever stared at an oncoming freight train in the middle of the night?" Kevin posed. "It's exactly like that. Reading this tablet. So, I just want to not look at the light, for an hour or two. And I want to be there when Cas gets his ink."

"I get that," Dean countered, "But you can't go out in public like that. If Child Protective Services sees us, it's over. They'll be asking why we've got a kid, drunk in public."

"I'm not a kid!" Kevin cried. "Look, I'll be cool."

Kevin stood up straight and put on a poker face. Sam shrugged at Dean, indicating that he was okay with taking the prophet along. "I can protect him, Dean," Castiel claimed. "I am prepared."

"I said no, and that's a no."

Suddenly, Kevin gaped directly at Dean, his mouth hanging open in wonder. "Is that a hickey?"

Dean began to reach for his neck, but stopped himself when he realized it only made him look guiltier. But then, stopping also made him look guilty. Face stiff, Dean answered, "You're hallucinating again."

"No, dude, that is a hickey."

"What's a 'hickey?'" Castiel frowned, shifting his eyes between Dean and Sam. He tensed, thinking it sounded like the name of an invisible monster.

The prophet was more than happy to further his education. "Aw, you know, Cas. When two people are making out and they suck on each other – "

"Okay, fine! You can come!" Dean interrupted loudly. "But you shut your mouth until you are sober."

"Okay." They took a minute or two to get ready and as soon as they were out of the door, Kevin groaned in a vampiric fashion. "It's so bright. Too bright!"

"I said mouth shut!"

On the way into town, Kevin rode shotgun because, in his words, he was the 'mother fucking Prophet.' He was wearing a pair of Dean's shades and nodding in and out of consciousness. Sam didn't mind riding in the back with Cas because he had other things to teach him. He had spoken to Dean about getting Cas a phone and there was no better time than a long car ride to show Cas how to use it. The town where Dean had made Castiel's tattoo appointment was slightly over an hour away.

"It's a smart phone." Sam smiled and turned it on for Cas after setting it up for him. "That's the power button, okay?"

Castiel was already overwhelmed. It looked suspiciously like a miniature computer, but with hardly any buttons. "What's a smart phone? This doesn't look like the cell phone I used to have. Why can't I have that one again?"

"This one is better. Smart phones can do way more than what your old phone could do."

"Was my previous phone a simpleton?"

Dean burst into laughter. "Cas, take the damn phone."

"It's like a tiny computer. It's fun. Trust me, Cas. You'll like it once you get the hang of it." Sam saw that Cas still did not trust the technology. "If you get lost, there's a map app you can use to find where you are. Also, it has the Internet."

That caught Castiel's attention and he took the phone. If the phone had Internet, he could Google his brethren. Whatever an 'app' was, it sounded useful too. Sam gave Cas the best lesson he could give him, showing him his contact list and how to use a few of the more important apps. His lesson made Sam nostalgic of the way he had shown Dean how to use his phone. Dean had been just as stubborn as Cas in adopting the new technology. Dean had believed smart phones to be flashy, expensive, and unnecessary, but now apps excited him.

"Hey, Sammy. Did you ever get that monster app thing Charlie had?"

"No, not yet."

Damn it. Dean frowned at the road. He was a traditionalist about many things, but he was aching to play with Charlie's app. He glanced over to Kevin and was happy to see him in a drunken slumber.

"You mentioned a speedy dial." Cas cut in. "How do I put Dean as 'one'?"

"Speed dial. And you can't have Dean as 'one.'"

"Aw, I'm touched." In the driver's seat, Dean blushed.

"Why not?" Castiel asked.

"One is your voicemail. It's like that on all phones, but I can show you how to make him number two."

Lots of clumsy fumbling later, Dean had been set as 'two,' Sam as 'three,' Kevin as 'four,' and Garth as 'five.' The lesson on texting began next, much to Castiel's delight. At times, things were more complex on the supposedly 'smart' phone, but he was learning more easily than he learned the laptop. Cas texted Dean.

"Dean, check your text," Sam said.

"I'm driving! Why'd you text me? Text Sammy."

"Just check your messages."

"This is a PSA commercial waiting to happen." Dean fished for his phone, trying to keep his eyes on the road.

- Hello Dean.

Dean could have crashed the car. He would never again behold a cuter text. He pulled over. "I'm texting back."

"But…" Sam began only to be cut off by Dean.

"This is important."

Dean typed quickly.

- Hey Cas. ;)

The sound made by the text startled Castiel, but when he opened the new message (all on his own) he beamed at it. The winky face was gloriously animated. "How did he create a face?"

"It's called an emoticon." Sam showed him some basic emoticons.

Castiel's next text read:

- :-) ;-) :-* :D (heart)

Sam swore Dean practically giggled upon receiving it.

-Try txting me words, angel

- I don't know what to say.

- You're an adorable fuck

Castiel turned bright red upon reading Dean's text. The last time Dean had used that word they had both been totally naked. He wasn't sure what this text meant. Did it mean he was adorable at fucking?

"How do I delete messages?" Castiel hid the phone from Sam, but Sam had already seen too much. Dean was grinning like such a loon that it was almost audible. He pulled back on the road after sending one last text.

"Did you just send Cas a heart?" Sam huffed. He couldn't believe it. Their first phone lesson dissolved into flirting at the speed of sound.

"Must have been an accident. A butt dial – butt text."

Sam ignored Dean.

"Okay, now try calling someone." Sam instructed Castiel and Cas called Sam. Sam picked up and said 'hello.' They stared at each other on the phone from less than two feet away.

"I can hear you," Castiel said to Sam.

The youngest Winchester hung up. Awkward. He called Cas and a generic ringtone rang on Castiel's phone. "Try to pick it up like I showed you. You have to slide the, ok, yeah, you got it."

Castiel didn't have it. He kept pawing at the phone, unable to get the movement down perfectly.

"C-Cas, it's just that little strip at the bottom," Sam sighed. The ringing of the phone disturbed Kevin.

"What's happening?!"

"Nothing, go back to sleep," Dean said to Kevin.

Kevin collapsed before Dean could finish saying 'sleep.'

By the time they reached the tattoo parlor, Castiel had mastered texting, had set up his voicemail, and had learned how to play TETRIS. Sam had been amused for almost every second as the fallen angel tried to figure out what he found to be so mundane. Cas was confused by things Sam found to be so simple and amazed by things he thought were quite ordinary.

"You've got a great photo gallery now," Sam remarked. Within Castiel's photo gallery was a picture of Cas' shoes, a blurry picture of the side of the car door, a picture of the back of Dean's head, a picture of Kevin sleeping with half of Sam's face in the frame, two fairly decent photos of Sam, and one awkward 'selfie.'

Cas texted a photo of Sam to Dean, quite proud that he had learned how to attach files to texts. "I can see how this may come in handy."

"Okay, kids! Up and at 'em!" Dean put the parking brake on the Impala after finding a spot in front of the tattoo parlor. Kevin groaned and oozed out of the car to join the others in front of the building. He was now regretting the bourbon.

The four men stood in front of the establishment and regarded the sign. "Bucky's tattoo?"

"It got rave reviews." Dean shrugged. He had been emailing Bucky and he seemed like an upstanding kind of guy with a respectable business. "C'mon, Cas. Let's get you inked."

When Dean gave Cas a pat on the shoulder and tried to walk with him, Cas didn't move. He was a block of ice, staring at the strange place with trepidation. Only at that moment had he begun to consider the pain. Since his sexual experiences were more intense, he was convinced he would also be more sensitive to pain. Moreover, Cas' body was a temple and there was something that bothered him deeply about having another man touch him for long periods of time, marring his flesh. Cas only wanted to be touched, kissed, licked, bitten, sucked, and marked by Dean.

"What's wrong?" Dean frowned. "Cas, you're not scared, are you?"

"No, not scared," Cas lied through his teeth. He was already picturing a stranger touching his naked body and it made him want to run down the street screaming. This situation was so unlike any he had ever faced in Heaven. "Not scared. Concerned."

"It does hurt a little bit," Sam said. The youngest Winchester gave Castiel a run-down of everything that would happen, from the cleaning to the stenciling and the kind of pain Castiel was likely to feel.

"Man, it doesn't hurt at all," Kevin bragged, proudly showing his own tattoo off to Castiel. The prophet could get away with the lie because Cas wanted to believe him so badly.

Dean gave Kevin an incredulous look because he distinctly remembered the way Kevin had cried and clung onto his mother's hand when he had gotten inked. "Yeah, you'll be fine," Dean reassured Cas. "You're an angel of the Lord, buddy."

Kevin and Sam both visibly tensed. Not anymore, Dean. Catching his mistake, Dean hurried to correct himself. "What I mean is, mojo or no mojo, you're a tough son of a bitch. You can handle anything."

Now, Castiel was embarrassed that he had caused his friends to stress and stall on his behalf. "It's a necessary evil," Castiel answered softly and walked into the parlor.

"Good afternoon. Welcome to Bucky's Tattoo." A man that must have been Bucky stood up and smiled upon the four men. Castiel became newly frozen. The man was easily Sam's height, but was twice as broad. He had a dark, full beard and tattoos on every visible inch of his skin but his face. He was an enormous figure of hair and tattoos.

"Hey, I'm Dean. I called earlier."

"I thought so!" Bucky replied. In spite of his imposing characteristics, he was gentle to the core. "This must be your pal, Cas."

Terrified, Castiel didn't say a word.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Bucky." He shook hands and was introduced to everyone. Bucky pulled out the drawing Dean had sent him in advance and said the design would be simple and shouldn't take long. It was a cool tattoo, he said. "Alright, I'll have to see some ID."

Bucky had addressed Castiel and the fallen angel only responded by frowning more deeply and displaying more heightened terror. Was Bucky referring to his fake FBI badge? Castiel felt so unprepared he thought he might begin to sweat. Certainly Bucky would discover he was an imposter of a human and throw him out of his establishment.

"No problem. Here you go." Dean opened his own wallet and offered Bucky Castiel's ID. Bucky was surprised that Dean was holding onto Castiel's ID, but he took it without a comment.

"Uh, his wallet's all jacked up," Dean explained. He had a strange feeling that he now knew how women felt when they carried all their husband's things in their purses. Dean took the paperwork and filled it out for Cas. There was a small space to sign that he passed over to Cas.

Castiel's mouth hung ajar. He didn't know what to do with the paper. He didn't have a signature because he'd never signed anything before. Dean leaned in and whispered, "Just make a squiggle."

Castiel obeyed and the tedious portion was done.

"You're a long way from Maine, huh?" Bucky was trying to make small talk with Cas to get him to loosen up, and it failed miserably. Castiel only vaguely remembered what Maine was. Bucky handed Castiel his fake ID. "Maine?"

"Oh, yes," Castiel squeaked. "Very far."

Castiel shyness was both painful and adorable. Bucky had seen many people anxious before getting inked, but there was something different about Cas. His entourage was so concerned in a wholesome kind of way that delighted the tattoo artist. "I'll take good care of you, don't worry. So where do you want it?"

"Want what?" Castiel trembled. The drawing was lifted to his eyesight and Cas hesitated. He hadn't given a single thought to where he would like to be tattooed. He turned to Dean in a panic. "Where do I put it?"

"Cas, it's your body. You can decide." Dean grinned, but it was an awkward grin because he could feel a scene coming on.

"Where do you think I should put it? Where do you want it?" At this statement, Bucky erupted into a full smile. Kevin approached Bucky and asked to see the drawing. Silently, the prophet took it to the front desk.

"It really doesn't matter," Dean said in a hushed tone, realizing that all eyes were on them. "You can put it on your ass, for all I care!"

"Is that…" Castiel was about to turn to tell the tattoo artist he wanted the tattoo on his ass, but he stopped, sure that Dean was toying with him. He didn't appreciate it because this was a very serious matter to him. His body would be forever changed after today.

"Okay, not your ass. Let's not do the ass. Uh, avoid the arms and the legs," Dean suggested, remembering what had happened to Linda Tran with great regret. "Somewhere on the torso, but not the ass."

"I'll get mine where you have yours then."

Dean's face colored because of the innocent, intimate way Castiel had spoken. Bucky had heard every word and he couldn't stop smiling if he tried. He thought Dean and Cas were an adorable couple. Kevin saved the day, appearing in between the two.

"On your back, over the shoulder blades. You should get it on your back." Kevin's bourbon laced suggestion was accompanied by a modified drawing. He had taken the design and embellished it with stylized wings on either side of the central symbol. His modification had been inspired by his tablet visions of angels, and it was a truly beautiful addition. When Castiel saw it, his eyes lit up with adoration and gratitude.

He could have wings again, even if they were minuscule imitations. Cas took the drawing, wanting to weep at the delicate curves Kevin had drawn. "It's beautiful."

Still wearing Dean's shades, Kevin smirked and gave a small bow. "It suits you."

Sam took a look at the drawing and agreed. "This tattoo doesn't belong anywhere but on your back."

"Can we do that?" Dean stared at Bucky. "Can we add the wings?"

"Heck yeah!" The artist had watched over Kevin's sketching and been impressed by his steady hand, but that didn't matter. What mattered was that his customer's eyes filled with love at the sight of the new design. He wanted his customers to love what they got on their bodies and Castiel loved wings. "Your buddy wants wings, we'll get him wings."

"Please." For the first time since entering the shop, Cas lips formed into the tiniest smile.

While Bucky prepared his station and the new drawing, Kevin, Sam, and Dean prepared Castiel. "You have to take off your shirt," Dean said.

"In front of everyone?" Cas whispered, newly anxious. He had assumed there would be a private room, but the chair was in an open area, screaming of exhibitionism. His eyes darted around. It was broad daylight. "There's a window."

Dean glanced to the front entrance and sighed. He desperately wanted to kiss Cas' worries away, but he tried reason instead. "Bucky's a professional. You can't get tattooed through your shirt," Dean said with no small amount of love. He added, "Anybody looks at you funny, I'll floor 'em."

"Okay." Castiel inhaled a breath to summon courage and stripped in the most timid way possible. Dean would have been lying if he said it didn't cause his blood to pump double time.

"Okay," Dean exhaled a hot breath and took Cas' shirts. "I'll hold onto these for you."

"Whoa, whoa!" Bucky's alarmed voice rang in the air. When Cas turned to look at him, Dean saw the problem. His eyes trailed down Castiel's naked spine to the gun haphazardly hanging out of the back of his pants. Sam saw it too and ran over to Cas.

"That's pretty, uh, gangster," Sam stammered and took the gun out of Cas' pants. He hissed to his brother, "Dean, what did you teach him?"

"Not this!"

"What's the problem?" Shirtless, Castiel looked at the Winchesters curiously. "You said I could have my own weapon. I selected a weapon. What did you think I meant when I said I was prepared to protect the prophet?"

"It's okay, Cas. It's my fault. I forgot to teach you concealed carrying…" Dean's eyes caught on something bright and silver. He turned Castiel around and fished out the angel blade that was also stuffed into his pants. "How did you even sit down?"

"Uncomfortably."

Dean discreetly tucked the sword into his plaid shirt and gave Bucky a strained smile. He couldn't remember the laws on guns in the state, but he hoped they would avoid trouble. Once the weapons were off Castiel's person, Bucky eased. "You don't have a grenade up your ass or anything, do you?" Dean muttered to Cas.

"Why do you have such a fascination with my ass?" Castiel responded in a low tone. He gave Dean a scrutinizing once-over that just about beckoned Dean to explain with his hands. "No. You have removed all of my weapons."

From then on the process went smoothly. Bucky explained everything to Castiel in detail and set him up on his chair. He made sure to create as comforting an environment as possible. He turned on music and the crew discovered Bucky's tastes were almost identical to Dean's. They had a long conversation about cars, music, and guns that resulted in them building a relationship like they were old friends. Bucky admired Sam's aspirations at law school. Kevin explained what Advanced Placement was, and Castiel calmed amid the friendly conversations that transpired over him.

"It doesn't hurt too much, does it?" Dean asked. He had taken a seat in front of Cas so he could gauge all of his reactions and be there for him in case he needed support.

"Thankfully, no. There is some pain, but it is less than what I had anticipated." Castiel had become used to the needle digging into his skin by now. "But, when he goes over the center of my back, my entire spine seems to vibrate. It's odd, but not too unpleasant."

"Yup, it's the bones there," Bucky commented. "There's always more pain over bones."

"This pain is nothing compared to Crowley's hand in my midsection."

The tattoo artist's needle hesitated. Bucky shook his head. "You sure are full of surprises."

"It looks awesome," Kevin remarked. He'd been watching from near the artist's chair. "Can I take pictures?"

Kevin began before Dean allowed it. The prophet intermittently showed the fallen angel the progress that was being made and Castiel buzzed with happiness. Not only was he gaining a pair of mock wings, but he was also being protected from demons and that brought him joy. Dean was starving to hold his hand because he was also ecstatic to have a permanently demon-free Cas, but he kept his hands to himself with effort.

"It looks great." Dean's sincere, sparkling approval made Cas feel even more blissful.

"So… Is this an anniversary gift?" Bucky knew he was being intrusive, but he wanted to show acceptance. He knew there was something between them. Dean paid for the tat, he filled out the paperwork, he carried Castiel's things, he had a nearly identical tattoo, and he sat in front of Cas fretting and obviously thirsting to touch him. They hadn't been more than three feet apart from each other the entire time they'd been in his shop, and were often much closer than that. Bucky wasn't blind and he wanted to encourage them to touch if they so desired. "My girl and I got matching tats one year for our anniversary."

"Nah, they just got together," Sam answered for his mortified brother. He did so with a smirk, knowing that his comment would only embarrass Dean further.

"Oh, sorry, my mistake. You all seemed to know each other for longer than that."

"We have known each other for years," Castiel said, completely missing the point of the conversation. He had no idea to what anniversary Bucky was referring to or the importance of his statement.

"You make a good couple." Bucky grinned from ear to ear because Castiel's calm comfort and everything else about the group made him bristle with cheerfulness. As ever, Dean didn't deny the suggestions made between him and Cas, but he wouldn't confirm them either. He stood up to look at the design.

"That's some good work."

"Thank you, sir."

The imprint was clean and easy to fill with black ink. Although the design was intricate and lovely, it was not time-consuming. The lack of color made it easier for Bucky to finish quickly. When he was done he gave Castiel careful instructions for how to manage the fresh tattoo and told him to call if there were any problems. Dean left him a nice tip and they were on their way.

Castiel almost tripped over his shoes as he walked and re-read the instructions on how to care for his tattoo. They were complicated because they dealt with human things Castiel was unused to doing. "Dean, could you help me with this 'ointment' later? I can't see my own back very well…"

Kevin and Sam shared meaningful looks. Dean would help with ointment all right.

"Yeah, okay," Dean replied nonchalantly like the thought of rubbing Cas didn't excite him.

"You should kiss Cas."

Dean froze and turned to his brother, wide-eyed. "What? Sammy, what are you talking about?"

Sam shrugged and looked down at the sidewalk. He hadn't meant to blurt out what he had said, but he wouldn't take it back either. Lifting his sunglasses at last, Kevin tossed in his two cents. "There is something going on, isn't there?"

"I don't get you," Dean said to Sam. "First, you tellin' Bucky we're together…"

"But you are. And you do want to kiss Cas."

"No, he doesn't," Castiel interjected, composed, but melancholic. Dean was ashamed of him and he understood why. Cas didn't feel the need to be kissed in public or for Dean to be honest to Kevin and Sam about what they had, or didn't have. They could remain secretive, as Dean desired.

"What are you afraid of?" Sam asked Dean. "I don't care. I think it's good. Kevin doesn't care. Do you, Kevin?"

"Nah, not really." Kevin shrugged. He would have taught Cas more gay things if he had been assured of how physical their relationship was. Kevin had only begun to realize they harbored massive crushes on each other, but the events of that day had opened his eyes to the true nature of their relationship. The fact that Sam seemed to know about it sealed the deal. "You already have, right?" Kevin peered at Cas. "You made out in the firing range, right? You gave Dean that hickey."

"It wasn't in the firing range!" Dean cried defensively. He covered the hickey with his hand.

Castiel gave a vague answer to Kevin. "Presently, Dean does not desire me. It's not important. We should return to the bunker."

Cas reached for the Impala's door to take a seat in the back, but Dean stopped him, placing his hand over Castiel's. Dean desired Cas constantly and only lacked the nerve to admit it. He desired his company, his advice, his protection, and his body. He desired for Cas to look at him with less pain in his eyes, so he bent down swiftly to plant a kiss on his mouth.

"It is important." Dean wasn't ashamed of Cas. He found Cas to be perfectly imperfect and unconditionally lovable. He hadn't wanted anyone to know about them because he was paranoid their enemies would find out and use Cas against him just like they had used Jess against Sam. Love was dangerous, so he refused to even tell Cas while he was conscious for fear that the knowledge would spread. He could barely acknowledge it himself. "You are important. I just don't want you to get hurt. I don't want you to get used because of this… not while you're more vulnerable than you've ever been."

Dean's rambling went over Castiel and Kevin's heads, but Sam understood completely. "Everyone knows. Dean, it's already happened. They're going to use him against you just like they'll use me."

"And me?" Kevin alleviated some of the seriousness.

"I know, Sammy, but – " Dean fretted.

"Is that what worries you?" Castiel asked Dean. He remembered Naomi and how she had made him kill Dean until his soul had been shattered. Sam was right. It would happen whether or not they denied their feelings. "I have the same problem. That was how Naomi controlled me… using you."

"What?" Dean gasped. "How?"

"She wanted me to kill you. She trained me to kill you and I did, so many times I lost count." Tears were preparing to fall from Castiel's tender eyes. "It was the worst of her tortures. I resisted, but I still hurt you. I wasn't strong enough…"

Everyone listening was shocked and made wretched by the revelation, but none more than Dean. He crushed Castiel to his body, disgusted by how beings could be capable of so much evil. "Shut up, Cas."

"I hurt you. I was used just like you feared."

Dean kissed Castiel's face with powerful emotion. He had been hurt horribly by what Castiel had done, both physically and psychologically. Dean had carried the pain in varying amounts up to this point. Now he finally knew the truth of it all and the truth released the vise on his heart. "I said shut up, Cas." He kissed him again and whispered, "That wasn't you."

"It'll happen again," Castiel cried from within Dean's arms. He was holding Dean back, thinking he couldn't possibly deserve to touch him at all.

"No, it won't." The prophet spoke. He had a furious expression on his face. "You said you'd protect me, but I'll protect you right back. I've got the tablet and all its secrets. We'll use it to help you."

Sam neared his brother and Cas, throwing in his support. "If we stay together, they can't beat us."

Dean grabbed his brother with fierce love and Sam joined in their hug. Sam pulled Kevin in and they huddled around Cas, clinging together because they only had each other in a world full of nightmares and wrongs.

"Promise you won't fly away this time," Dean pleaded. "You belong with us. With me."

"I promise," Castiel replied.

Family didn't end with blood. It began with ink.