When Dean's alarm went off that morning, he greeted it with an unusual smile; if everything went according to plan, today was going to be a good day. Throwing off the covers he hopped in the shower and spent a little more time picking out the right clothes for today's jaunt. Once satisfied he ventured out of his own home towards the main house. A hazelnut and cinnamon fragrance filled the air as he opened the door and made for the kitchen.

Laid out on the table were Missouri's fresh cinnamon rolls, freshly cut fruit, and a large pot of coffee. Dean could feel himself starting to salivate at the sight. "I'm damn glad I decided not to be a jockey."

"Fuck you," Gabriel growled in response. He was the only one present other than Castiel and Missouri, but Dean had arrived sooner than usual in excitement.

Castiel gave a roll of his eyes over the top of the newspaper he had been reading and gave a kinder response to Dean's entrance, "Hello, Dean."

"Mornin', Cas," Dean smiled as he took a seat and instantly reached for the plate of cinnamon rolls. "What's on your plate for the day?"

"I had nothing in particular planned," he responded as he placed his attention back to the newspaper. "I spend most of my free time doing continued research on the industry. "Was there something you had in mind?"

Dean felt his heart leap up in excitement. "Actually, yeah. I was thinking we could go for a ride."

There was a snort from Gabriel as he spit out some of his orange juice and Castiel's body went rigid; the man's blue eyes were wide behind black frames. "My apologies, I don't believe I heard you correctly. You said 'we'? Do you mean you are going to ride one of the horses yourself?"

Dean had to keep himself from laughing at the pure look of terror on Castiel's face. "Well, yeah, but I also meant you."

Castiel quickly folded the paper shut and set it down on the table. "No, no, I don't ride!"

"Oh come on," Dean pleaded, "You could ride Asia. She's real mellow and I know she'll keep you safe."

"Oh, yes, you want to put me on a horse that is prized for her speed!" Castiel protested, his face growing paler by the second.

Dean smirked and leaned back in his seat, draping an arm over the top of the empty chair next to him. He had, of course, been hoping Castiel would jump on the opportunity, but it was almost more fun to see the man squirm. "You're scared."

"Of course I am!" Castiel agreed with gusto, hands clenching the newspaper tightly. Gabriel was on the sidelines grasping at his ribs as he continued to laugh. Castiel cast his brother a frantic look. "I have been on a horse maybe twice in my entire life and even then I was a child with an adult leading the horse around!"

"Oh, come on, Cas!" Gabriel whined. "Asia's pregnant. It's not exactly like she's going to haul ass with you across the field."

"If she's pregnant, than I hardly should be riding her," Castiel argued back.

"Exercise is good for pregnant women. It's no different with horses, Cas," Dean rebutted. A sinking feeling began to creep into his stomach and he was beginning to think that Castiel would not budge at all, ruining his entire plan for the day. He tried to fix a reassuring smile onto his face as he met the man's blue eyed gaze. "Look, Cas, I'm not going to force you to do anything. Charlie was telling me about the trails behind the pasture, and I just thought it would be really good for Lazarus to do something other than run in a circle. It would have been nice to have some company..." he trailed off, watching Castiel's nervous expression hopefully.

Castiel fiddled with the newspaper in his clenched fists, the paper torn to shreds and completely unreadable. With a deep inhale he spat out, "Fine! But if I fall off, you are fired."

Dean's mouth twitched with an excited smiled. "Deal. Go put on some jeans and boots and meet me at the stables." Reaching for another cinnamon roll he shoved it in his mouth, with a wave of thanks in Missouri's direction, and walked out of the house with an extra bounce to his step. Charlie hadn't even made her way to breakfast yet, but Dean felt a strong urge to spend some personal time with Lazarus. Spending time with the filly always tended to put him in a good mood, but the idea of riding with Cas made the thought infinitely sweeter.

Dean was wrapping the filly's hind legs when Charlie came bounding into the stall with a glowing expression. "Oh my god! You're taking Castiel riding? That is the most amazingly sweet and romantic thing I have ever heard of in my life!"

"Whoa, hold on there, Charlie," Dean protested, straightening out and maneuvering around the filly so that he could better see the groom. "This isn't some kind of date or anything."

"Ugh, please," She rolled her eyes. "I'm not stupid. I may not like having sex with men, but I can still appreciate the male figure and Castiel is pretty dreamy," she gave a wink. "I'll go ahead and take care of Asia, and don't even think about paying me for it. This is me helping you get laid, and I offer the service freely."

Dean's cheeks flared, "No this isn't-,"

"Yeah, ok, whatever, Mr. Denial," grinning cheekily, she waved him off, not bothering to pay him anymore attention as she turned away and headed for the tack room. "We have a really nice western saddle he can ride in!" She hollered from the room. "That way he can hold on to the horn when he panics every five seconds!"

Dean shook his head, but was glad for the extra hand. He saddled Lazarus with his personal saddle and exited the stall, waiting patiently for Castiel. A part of him feared the man would back out and never show, but only a few minutes later the historian was walking towards the barn in a pair of dark wash jeans and a tan dress shirt, the sleeves rolled as usual. Dean couldn't help but cast Castiel a judgmental look as he strolled up, "You do realize you are in a barn and will probably get all that dirty, don't you?"

"It's fine," Castiel responded nervously. "Are the horses ready?"

"Yup," Dean nodded. "Just need to bridle. Charlie will meet you out the north end of the barn with Asia."

"Are we not wearing helmets?" Castiel inquired.

"Not unless Gabriel will lend you his. Come on, you'll be fine, I promise." Dean could easily tell Castiel was not convinced by his words, his eyes still fearful. "Cas," he reached out and gripped the man's shoulder with a tender touch, "I promise."

Muscles still tense, Castiel nodded. "Ok."

Dean settled himself onto Lazarus easily and watched in amusement as Charlie manhandled Castiel on top of Asia. The instant his butt hit the saddle he was pulling back on the reins in panic, causing the mare to throw her head up. "Whoa, easy there, Cas. Don't pull so hard. Relax."

Castiel thrust his hands down onto the mare's neck and Asia relaxed underneath him. "Dean, I want off!"

"Quit being such a baby!" Charlie teased, her eyes dancing with amusement at her boss' nerves.

"Cas, you're fine," Dean repeated. "Charlie, why don't you get me a lead? That might make Cas feel better." The groom nodded and returned seconds later with a leather lead. She clipped one end to Asia's bit and handed off the leather portion to Dean. "Look, see? I'll have a hold of Asia the entire time."

"Lazarus won't mind?" Castiel asked, tension slowly leaving his body.

"Nah," he shook his head giving the pregnant mare a little bit more space as he let part of the lead slip out of his fingers, "This is how they are lead to the starting gate before races. She'll have to get used to it one way or the other. You ready?"

There was hesitation, but Castiel nodded as he grabbed hold of the horn with both hands, "Yes."

Lazarus tossed her head, impatient, and Dean finally gave her the rein to start moving off. Even with Castiel's anxiety, Asia was calm underneath him and willingly followed after her daughter. Castiel was silent, focused on staying on the horse, but Dean didn't let it bother him. It gave him time to look up to the sky and appreciate everything that had happened in the past few months for him. Sucking in a breath he let himself sigh in relief.

By the time they made it to the tree line where the trails were, Castiel had finally relaxed and was only holding on to the saddle with one hand. Thankfully, the trails were wide enough to accommodate them both. Dean thought they were probably used for biking and hikers, too, with the way the trail was laid out.

"It's beautiful," Castiel finally commented.

Dean turned his head so that was looking at the historian and smiled, "Sure is." He wasn't sure if he was agreeing with the man on the scenery, or if he meant it for Castiel; he didn't analyze it too closely, content to just watch the other man.

"Is this...part of their training?" Castiel asked as he locked eyes with Dean.

"Everyone needs a day to relax, Cas. They need a day just to be a horse. This keeps her mind relaxed and her soul fresh; too many horses get burnt out before they even reach potential."

"Hmm," Castiel hummed in agreement. "I appreciate it, that you care so much for the horses. It means a lot to me."

Dean felt exposed under Castiel's gaze the way the man was looking at him. He found he couldn't hold the look and turned away nervously. Clearing his throat he tried to find something to say, but was at an unusual loss for words. "Thanks." Thanks. He mentally kicked himself at how idiotic the word sounded coming out of his mouth. Bravo, Dean. An awkward air drew up around the two as he struggled to find something to say to get rid of it.

Fortunately, Castiel managed to come up with something. "Lazarus is doing well. Do you know what race you want to enter her in first?"

Dean nodded, "Yeah. There's some MSW races up at Belmont the end of September, 6 ½ furlongs on a dirt track. We'll know after that if she is going to do anything special."

"You often forget that I don't understand track slang. What does MSW mean?" Castiel asked, no anger in his voice, simply curiosity.

Shit. Dean knew that Castiel didn't know these things, and yet he still talked as if he should. "Ah, sorry. It means Maiden Special Weight. It's for 2-year-olds who haven't run a race before, but are expected to win and move up quickly. If she can't do well against other fillies, there's no way she's running against colts. I think she can do it, but I need concrete proof."

Castiel gave a nod of understanding, "Of course."

They continued riding, Dean explaining to Castiel the different types of races and what his plans were for all the horses for the upcoming racing season. As he finished his current topic of conversation he noticed Castiel shiver. It was July. "Are you cold?"

"Did you not just feel the temperature drop?!" Castiel questioned.

Well, now that he thought about it, it did suddenly get much cooler. The tree line was thick as he looked up, but what he could see of the sky was dark. "Shit. Was it supposed to rain?"

"There was a slight chance for afternoon showers, but it's not even noon and those clouds look ominous," Castiel frowned.

There was a low rumble of thunder in the distance and a cold drop of rain landed on Dean's nose. There was pause and then the drops were coming down more frequently. Lazarus's ears perked up and her body tensed underneath him. "Ok, time to turn around."

Castiel gripped at the horn again, "They aren't going to bolt are they?"

"Not if we hurry," Dean responded with a mischievous smile. "I'd hold on with both hands if I were you." With a cluck of his tongue he coaxed Lazarus into a trot.

Castiel's eyes grew extremely wide as he scrambled to grab on to the horn, Asia following after her daughter at the quicker pace. "Dean! Dean, no!"

"It's time to graduate to the advanced course, Cas!" Dean called out next to him as the rain began to pour harder, the dense trees the only barrier between the two becoming soaking wet. Giving Lazarus a little more heel the horses took off at a gallop. Dean could vaguely hear Castiel screaming his name through the pounding rain, but the only response he offered was tightening his grip on Asia's lead.

The rain was blinding as they broke through the tree line into open field. Dean could barely see the barn at the bottom of the hill. Taking a brief moment to look over to see that Castiel was still in the saddle he pushed Lazarus into full stride to get them home. Only a few feet from the barn Dean brought the horses up and dismounted to lead them underneath the cover of the barn.

Moving towards Asia's side he could see Castiel sitting there in shock, panting, and frozen to the saddle. "Cas, come on," he placed his hands on the man's hips and helped him slide off the horse's back, Cas gripping painfully at Dean's shoulders.

"Oh my god, guys! There you are!" Charlie called out as she ran towards them. "God, you guys are soaked!"

"No shit," Dean responded, still holding on to Castiel.

"We're under a severe weather warning for the next few hours; Bobby and I managed to get the horses in just before it started coming down in sheets. I'll take care of the horses!" She took a horse in each hand and led them away towards their stalls.

Dean turned his attention back towards Castiel. The man's hair was clinging to the sides of his face and he couldn't even see his blue eyes through the raindrops on the lenses of his glasses. He was still breathing far too quickly, and Dean was beginning to worry he had given the man a panic attack.. "Cas? You ok?"

"That was," Castiel breathed, eyes still cast down. "That was...amazing." He lifted his head and the raindrops fell just enough for Dean to be able to lock eyes through the glass. "It was amazing!" He laughed. "I felt so completely free! I-," Castiel held his breath for an instant to slow his heart rate.

Dean knew he had to take this moment. Moving his hands to cradle Castiel's face, he leaned in and locked lips with the historian. With the other man's soaking body pressed against him Dean felt how Castiel sucked in a surprised breath, but then quickly wrapped his arms around Dean's waist and opened his mouth to the trainer. Dean let his tongue dive in and tasted rain and cinnamon, savoring every bit of it as he ran his hand through drenched locks and gave a slight tug to pull him away.

Castiel looked beautiful with his cheeks flushed red and pupils blown wide with lust. Licking his lips, Dean suggested, "My bed. Now."

In a deep and gravelly voice that went straight to Dean's groin, Castiel simply responded, "Yes."

Dean was not sure how they made it through the door of his house between the continued rain and their frantic, heated, kisses. As soon as they were past the barrier of the door Dean had Castiel pinned against the wall with his tongue down his throat and his hands pulling his shirt out of his pants. Both men were grabbing at articles of clothing, but each one clung at the skin causing Dean to let out a bloodcurdling growl in frustration.

Buttons went flying as Dean ripped apart Castiel's shirt and pulled it down. The fabric stuck at his elbows, forcing Dean to back away and pull. The sleeves broke free from Castiel's outstretched arms with an abrupt tug, and man tumbled forward back into Dean's embrace. Dean locked lips with the man once more as he let his hands venture over smooth and slick skin while Castiel tried to pull his polo over his head.

In the blink of an eye they were both suddenly on the bed, free of shoes and Dean tugging at Castiel's jeans, the man's body sliding to the edge of the bed as he did so. Castiel was laid out beneath him only in a pair of boxer briefs. Hiding underneath the expensive clothes was pure lean muscle, and runner's thighs that he couldn't wait to have wrapped around him in a vice grip. Castiel had lost his glasses somewhere along the way and Dean found himself looking fully into the man's eyes for the first time.

"Beautiful," he murmured before laying himself down on Castiel, grinding their hips through the fabric.

Castiel moaned into his mouth and snuck his hands underneath Dean's jeans, squeezing at his buttocks. "Please, Dean," he gasped as he shoved their hips together and arched his back up and off the bed.

Taking Castiel's lower lip between his teeth, he bit down and sucked as he pulled away off the bed. Castiel followed him halfway up before Dean let his mouth go and he fell back against the bed. With flimsy fingers Dean fumbled with the belt to his jeans and shoved them and his boxers down to his ankles, erection springing free and standing firm. It was far from graceful as he tripped over himself kicking the clothing off his ankles, but Castiel caught him and they eased right back into their grinding.

Dean breathed in Castiel's scent, relishing in the pleasure of it as his hands crept down his stomach and hips towards the waistband of his boxers. Castiel arched up in encouragement to help the trainer slip them free and sucked in a breath as his member touched cold air. With a claiming growl, Dean latched on to the dip between neck and shoulder and bit down possessively with his teeth. He wanted everyone to know that Castiel was now his.

Castiel made no move to protest, nails raking down the skin of Dean's back to leave his own marks, their cocks rubbing up against each other as they moved. Curling his leg around Dean's waist Castiel flipped them and roughly shoved Dean down against the mattress, making Dean's heart gave an excited flutter at the man's sudden show of dominance. Sliding down his lap, Castiel lowered his head and gave Dean's naval a swirl of his tongue and a kiss - then dove deeper, taking the head of Dean's cock into his mouth. Castiel suckled on the head like it was a piece of candy and Dean let out soft moans of pleasure, encouraging the man to take him deeper with a caressing hand on his head.

Castiel took the encouragement, and looked up at Dean through dark lashes as he lowered his mouth and took all of him in. Dean gripped at the bed sheets to keep himself from thrusting up into the delicious heat of Castiel's mouth. Grabbing hold of the base of Dean's shaft, Castiel bobbed his head up and down with obscenely hollowed cheeks.

Dean knew he was getting far too close, and he did not want this to end anytime soon. Forcefully, Dean grabbed hold of Castiel's hair and pulled him up and off his dick with a wet pop, then flipped them over so that once again Dean was on top. Castiel's cheeks were flushed red and lips were swollen. The historian flicked out his tongue teasingly as he grabbed hold of Dean's hand, and guided it down between his cheeks so that Dean's fingers brushed against his opening.

Dean sucked in a breath through his nose, his primal instinct starting to flow through every vein in his body. "Is that what you want, Cas? For me to fuck you?"

Castiel lifted himself up so that he could lock lips in a bruising kiss, before breathing a, "Yes," into his neck.

Dean felt a wave of satisfaction pass over him and he took hold of Castiel's heavy member in his hand, thumb spreading pre-come along the tip. He gave a few pumps of his wrist before crawling towards the nightstand and rummaging through a drawer for the lube and a condom. Rolling onto his side he asked, "How do you want it, Cas?"

Castiel took a moment to think about it before he rolled onto his stomach and lifted his ass into the air like a prize waiting to be claimed. Dean licked his lips and was instantly moving to position himself where he could see Castiel's tight pink hole. Popping open the cap of the lube Dean poured a generous amount over the historian's hole and coated his dick with the excess liquid. Placing his hands firmly on Castiel's cheeks he began sliding back and forth over his hole. The feeling of Castiel's skin on his dick as he moved back and forth was incredible and had him leaking pre-come onto the man's back.

"Dean," Castiel whined as he shoved his hips up, "Enough teasing."

Dean offered a mischievous grin and pressed just the tip of his finger against his hole. "This what you want?" His answer came in the form of quite the pathetic whimper and Dean let his whole finger get swallowed by the hole.

Castiel purred and began grinding his hips against the bed to gain some friction on his hardened member as Dean worked his fingers in and out. Dean reached a hand underneath the other man and wrapped his hand around the base of his dick, stroking him in thrusts with his now two fingers. Castiel rocked back against him, lips parted and short gaps leaving them.

With three fingers now buried in his ass, Castiel reached around and grabbed at Dean's wrist. "I'm ready. Hurry up."

Dean's eyebrow twitched upwards in amusement, "I thought I was the one that calls the shots around here?"

"Not when I do not see progress," he growled in response.

Dean snorted and reached for the condom package, ripping it open with his teeth and rolling it onto himself. Sucking in a deep breath he ran his hands up Castiel's thighs, the dark hairs soft against his touch. Reaching his buttocks, Dean parted them with one hand and guided himself to Castiel's entrance with the other. Holding his breath, Dean breached the tight ring of muscle excruciatingly slowly.

Castiel let out a loud gasp as he reached around to pull at his other cheek to allow Dean full access. The further in Dean got, the more insistent Castiel's moans became, his face now buried against the pillow. Dean finally allowed himself to breath as he bottomed out, the golden curls of his pubic hair tickling at Castiel's fair skin. Sliding back out he snapped his hips forward in one long thrust, Castiel shrieking in pleasure as he reached for the headboard to hold on to. Dean wrapped his arms around Castiel's torso and leaned in over his shoulder to lock lips as he began to piston in and out of Castiel at a quick and firm pace, the sound of skin slapping on skin echoing in the room.

Castiel was extremely vocal, and it was pure encouragement for Dean as their tongues continued to dance and he continued to pound into the man underneath him. Castiel curled his feet around Dean's ankles, locking their legs together. When the muscles in his lower stomach began to tighten, Dean's thrust became frantic and the headboard began knocking against the wall. Biting Castiel's shoulder, Dean grunted and came with a violent shudder. Dean's breaths were labored as he gave a few short thrusts and then pulled his softened dick out of Castiel's ass.

Pulling the condom off and tossing it, Dean lifted Castiel's hips completely off the bed and dove his tongue into the red and swollen hole in front of him. Castiel howled in pure ecstasy, coming in thick streams of white as soon as Dean's tongue tasted him. Dean stroked him to full completion, his tongue working its way in and out until Castiel's shudders stopped and he collapsed in full onto the mattress.

Dean let himself fall next to Castiel, their breaths coming hot and heavy. When Dean rolled onto his side, Castiel was staring at him with such intensity that he could feel it in his soul. Dean propped his head up with his hand and grinned, "Bet you are glad you hired me now, huh?"

Castiel closed his eyes and smiled. "Every day during our lunches I think about how thankful I am to have you. That I could have never made it through this if it weren't for you." Castiel ran his fingers across Dean's jawline. "You said I was the only one to have given you a chance, but it was really you who were giving me one."

Dean swallowed, an indescribable feeling rising in his gut that seemed a lot like fear. "Jesus, Cas, don't say shit like that."

"You don't think you deserve to be appreciated, to be loved," he murmured sadly. "I disagree." Unable to take being underneath such a soulful gaze, Dean rolled onto his back, but Castiel followed and laid a hand over Dean's heart. "I want to take care of you, Dean. Will you let me?"

Dean turned his head towards the nightstand, fighting tears. He refused to be a baby about this. "I don't know how. I've always had to take care of myself and everyone else."

Castiel turned Dean's head back towards him so that they were locking eyes. "Take care of my horses, and I will take care of you." He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on Dean's lips.

That aching feeling. The fear. Dean knew what it was, and with every second he grew more afraid of it - but the look in Castiel's eyes gave him courage, and he recaptured the man's lips, holding him close.

/*/

By the time Castiel and Dean had taken a shower and cleaned up, the rain had subsided and they went on their usual lunch date. As Dean headed back to his house, Castiel realized he hardly lived alone and knew Charlie must have seen him go off with Dean. There was no doubt in his mind that Gabriel had already received word of what happened.

Sure enough, when Castiel opened the door Gabriel was standing there with a lollipop shoved up his mouth. He would have preferred it stayed there, but his older brother withdrew it and grinned. "So. How was it?"

"To what are we referring to?" Castiel asked as he removed the tan trench coat and placed it on the coat rack.

"Don't play coy with me, Cassie; Charlie couldn't wait to spill the beans on what happened after your trail ride. How was he? Is he big? Does he have a talented tongue? Who bottomed? Scratch that," he said, narrowing his eyes with a smirk as he looked at Castiel, "I know Dean would never be bottom-bitch. Did he fill you up good?"

"Gabriel!" Castiel cried, cheeks and ears turning bright red in embarrassment. "It is none of your business!"

Gabriel simply wiggled his eyebrows in amusement. "Well?"

"I will answer none of your questions," he responded as he made for the kitchen.

Gabriel's lips drew out in a frown, "You're no fun."

Castiel stopped at the counter, placing his hands on the granite. Biting at his lips in uncertainty he asked, "It doesn't bother you?"

"What? You and Dean?" Gabriel inquired as he reached for a beer from the fridge and grabbed an extra for his brother. "Cas, I'm not going to lie. As far as business goes, if the two of you call it quits and it's ugly, this farm is fucked. On the other hand...you're my brother, and I want you to be happy. You've always been this boring recluse for as long as I've known you, and around Dean you seem to come out of your shell. If he makes you happy, I'm good."

Castiel felt a huge weight lifting off his shoulders. Lunging forward he embraced Gabriel tightly. "Thank you."

"No problem, kiddo," Gabriel smiled. "But don't think I'm not going to give him the big brother speech."

"And don't think I'm changing the sheets after you two do the deed," Missouri added before Castiel could reply, coming in from the dining room.

Castiel felt his cheeks grow hot again, but then relaxed into a smile. Initially, the thought of everyone knowing about his relationship with Dean frightened him, but it seemed as if everyone had nothing but supportive and encouraging words. "I would never ask you to, Missouri. Thank you, both of you."

"No problem, honey," Missouri replied with a kind smile. "Now come help me make this pie. Food is the quickest way to a man's heart, and Dean sure does love his pie."