Part Four
The haze in front of Dean's eyes cleared slowly, his eyes unwilling to wake. He shifted and found himself wrapped around a warm body. His eyes snapped open. This was not his dressing room like he always expected it to be, this was Cas' place.
"Hello, Dean," Cas' voice rumbled in his chest.
"I'm still here," Dean's voice was raspy with sleep. "You let me stay."
"I figured you needed sleep, and..." his adam's apple bobbed up and down. "I wanted to wake with you. Will your brother mind?"
Dean rubbed his eyes and chuckled. "I'll make something up. Sammy'll just think I stayed over after my date." Cas raised his eyebrows. "It's not lying," Dean sat up and stretched his back. "He just didn't know who my date was or where we were going."
Warm fingers crept up Dean's spine, and he hummed at the touch. "When do you need to be home?" Cas asked softly.
"Probably early," Dean sighed. "What time is it now?"
Cas looked to his grandfather clock. "Half past seven in the morning."
Dean sighed. "I should probably go now. Even though I really like it here." He punctuated that statement with a comfortable stretch under the covers. His eyes screwed shut, but he could feel Cas' warm fingers traveling down his bare chest.
"You couldn't spare maybe... fifteen minutes?" Cas' voice deepened as his hand wrapped around Dean's morning wood.
Dean moaned. "I definitely could." Before Cas could move over him, Dean straddled Cas and kissed him hard. "And I didn't get to do something last time."
Cas laid back, a little gleam of amusement in his eyes. "As you wish," he murmured, sighing as Dean kissed his way down his chest. Cas' member stared him in the face, and a little warm tingle ran through him. Last night, Cas had taken care of him very well, and it was his turn to return the favor.
Cas' wings stretched under him as Dean's mouth made its way languidly down his chest. He nipped at the winged-man's hipbone, drawing a sharp inhale of breath from Cas.
Teasingly, as Cas had been the night before, Dean licked a slow stripe up the bottom of Cas' length. "Dean," Cas murmured, carding his fingers through the Winchester's hair. Dean kept the strokes of his tongue light, not yet taking Cas all the way into his mouth. Cas had started to shake, gripping Dean's hair tightly. "Tease," he gasped, back arching as Dean flicked his tongue against the slit.
Dean chuckled and put Cas out of his misery, swallowing him down as much as he could. Cas bit his lip, but that didn't stop the debauched moan that reverberated from his throat. Dean hollowed his cheeks and Cas' nails dug into his scalp. The painful sensation was surprisingly pleasurable, and Dean moaned around Cas' member.
What Dean couldn't fit his mouth over he stroked with his hand. His painfully hard length was trapped between himself in the bed, and he swiveled his hips to relieve some of the pressure. Cas thrust shallowly into Dean's mouth, lost once again in sensation. "Dean," Cas growled.
Dean's movements grew faster, erratic. Castiel's muscles tensed under him. The only warning Dean was given was a choked off, "Dean, I'm-" before Cas arched up with a cry and spilled into Dean's mouth.
The Winchester swallowed every drop, licking his lips as he released Cas. After a few moments, the winged-man's eyes opened, pupils still blown with lust. Dean's eyes mirrored his. When he shifted, the pressure on his member changed and he let out a low whine.
Cas gripped him tightly and hauled him up to lay next to him. He draped himself half over Dean and grasped the neglected length firmly. "Come for me, Dean," he commanded, biting down hard on Dean's neck.
Fire exploded up Dean's spine and he came with a very loud, "Cas!"
The green-eyed man melted back into the bed, limbs heavy. "Mmm," he hummed.
"Mmm, indeed," Cas nuzzled his cheek. "Don't fall asleep again." Dean gave a pitiful whine and Cas chuckled. "Your brother will be waiting."
"Dammit, Sammy," Dean muttered, rolling over and sitting up.
He had just grabbed his sweats from the floor when Cas placed a hand on his cheek and pulled his gaze to meet his blue eyes. "I've decided that I want to see you." Dean's breath hitched. What did that mean? "I love you. And I cannot be away from you for long, or I fear I may lose my sanity. Please come visit me, day or night, multiple times within a twenty-four hour period, if you like."
A grin spread across Dean's face. Cas' words sent a shiver through him, though something different than arousal. Love. He hadn't felt that in a long time. "Whatever you like, Angel," Dean donned his sweatpants and handed Cas his slacks. "I'd like that too."
With one graceful motion, Cas slid his pants on and buttoned them. Meanwhile, Dean struggled with the t-shirt. Sweat shone on his back from their recent activities, and the tight fabric clung to him. "Allow me," Cas' deft fingers pulled Dean's shirt down his torso, tracing his skin as he did so. How did he make getting dressed a pleasurable experience? "It's a shame you must wear clothes so often," Cas breathed in Dean's ear. "Something so beautiful shouldn't be constantly covered."
Dean gave Cas a serious look. "I could say the same about you," he murmured, tracing the top of one black wing lightly.
Cas closed his eyes and rested his forehead on Dean's. "I may not be prepared to be out in the world," the winged-man said softly, "but you have put a little bit of hope back in me. That is something no one has even tried to do. And..." he took a shuddering breath and opened his eyes. "And if someone like you can accept me so wholeheartedly, maybe I can attempt to accept myself."
Dean smiled up at this amazing, impossible man. "That would be wonderful," he breathed, cupping the pale face in his hand. Ever so gently, their lips met. The kiss was slow and languid. Dean tried to convey every emotion he was feeling: love, hope, happiness, pride. Cas' fingers threaded gently into Dean's hair as his tongue swept along his bottom lip. The outside world grew distant and warmth bubbled in Dean's chest.
"Dean?!" a familiar voice ripped Dean from the embrace. "What the actual fuck?" A clattering noise accompanied the form of Sam slipping down the mountain of furniture and props. Shit.
"Sam-"
"Dean! Why the hell are you-" Sam brushed himself off and stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes zeroed in on the space behind Dean. Cas.
The winged-man stood in a rigid pose of defense, wings flexing outwards as if to scare off predators. His teeth were bared and his eyes were wild. He looked quite scary in that moment. Sam took a shaky step forward and Cas took as immediate step back.
"Sam, stop!" Dean exclaimed in his big brother voice. "Cas," he turned to his angel. "Cas it's okay, it's just Sam." He placed his hands on Cas' frozen shoulders, but the man didn't move, eyes still locked on Sam. "Castiel, look at me," Dean commanded, pulling his face towards him.
Cas moved only his eyes to clash with Dean's. There was so much fear in them, and dread, and hopelessness. "No," he whispered.
"Holy shit," Sam's voice floated from behind the two. "It's real! It's fucking real!" Sam took several quick steps in their direction, and before Dean could tell Sam to stop again, Cas had kicked off from the ground and rocketed towards the very small, blacked-out window of the basement.
"Cas! Please Cas, come back!" Dean called, fear rising in his chest. The winged-man ignored him, smashing the glass easily and climbing out. He was gone.
Dean whirled on Sam, fear morphing to anger. "What the fuck, Sam?" he yelled.
"What the fuck to you too, Dean?" Sam yelled right back. "I called your phone and a cleaning lady picked up! She said you'd been in your dressing room all night! I came to see if you were okay and the mirror turned out to be a fucking door!"
"Will you just shut up for a second, Sam?" Dean's hands clenched, but his brother continued.
"No! I went through this weird-ass tunnel, terrified that my brother had been abducted and killed! And what do I find? The same brother in this fucking creepy basement, making out with a man with fucking wings!" Sam was breathing heavily. "You have no right to tell me to shut up!"
Some of the anger leaked out of Dean. Sam had been scared for him. He had come to help Dean, unknowing of his strange relationship. Dean was still fuming, but more worried. Cas was gone. Cas hadn't been out of the basement in years. He was going to be seen or get himself hurt, and Dean wouldn't be there to protect him.
"Sam, you don't understand-"
"You're damn right I don't. We're going home, and you're going to tell me everything." Sam grabbed Dean's arm and used his huge stature to yank Dean over the wall of stuff and through the tunnel. Dean tried to shake his brother off, but Sam's hand stayed clamped on his arm all the way out the dressing room.
Dean was dragged the entire way to the apartment, earning several strange looks from early morning passers-by. Sam didn't stop and didn't look at Dean until both Winchesters were in their apartment with the door locked behind them.
"Explain," Sam said menacingly. Dean rubbed his eyes and put a pot of coffee on. It was barely eight in the morning.
"He is not an it," Dean started with a hard edge to his voice. "His name is Castiel, and as you recently saw, I care about him."
"No, you start from the beginning," Sam folded his arms across his chest and stood in between Dean and the door, as if he would try to escape at any second.
Dean sighed. "You remember the first time I disappeared after a show til early in the morning-"
"That was months ago, Dean!" Sam exclaimed.
"Shut the fuck up, Sam! You said you wanted to know!" Dean's anger was back in full force. He didn't care that he might wake everyone in the building up. "Let me tell the damn story!"
Sam clamped his mouth shut and glared daggers at his brother. Dean gave him the bare minimum through clenched teeth. "That dream I told you about wasn't a dream. After the first night of all my shows, I'd go into a trance and end up in the basement. A voice asked me to sing to it, and I did. I never told you because I knew you'd freak out like you're doing now." Sam huffed, but said nothing. "I didn't know about the wings until last night. I saw him for the first time then. But he's not dangerous, Sam. He cares about me, and he'd never hurt me or you or anyone else."
"You don't really know that," Sam said darkly. "He looked like a wild animal in there!"
"Because you scared the shit out of him!" Dean spat. "He's been in that basement for years without human contact and he's had a rough life. If you'd been through what he had, you'd have run too when a stranger came at you."
"I wasn't going to do anything," Sam muttered, having the decency to look a little guilty. "I was just confused. I needed answers."
"Maybe if you'd tried talking to him instead of yelling, you'd have gotten them more easily," Dean grumbled. There was a long, tense pause. "I love him," Dean said quietly.
Sam shut his eyes tightly. "We should find another theater. Move. Something. This isn't healthy, Dean."
The older Winchester looked at his brother and very calmly said, "You do what you gotta do, but if you try to force me to go with you, you will end up very sorry."
Sam collapsed into a chair. "Damn, this is serious," he mumbled to himself.
"It is," Dean agreed. There was another long pause. "If you really met him, you'd change your mind about him." Sam looked resigned in his chair, staring at the floor. "Will you meet him, Sam? On my terms?"
Sam grumbled at the ground. Dean raised his eyebrows. "Fine," Sam acquiesced. "Is he going back to the theater?"
Dean set his coffee down, a pang of fear running through him. No, Cas wouldn't go back there. Where would he go? Would Dean ever see him again? Cas loved him, he had said so. Cas would find a way here. But Cas didn't know where Dean lived! What if something happened to him? What if he got hurt or abducted by the government or lost? What if-
"Hey, Dean, it'll be okay," Sam's voice softened. Dean saw a little drop in his coffee and realized that he had begun to cry.
He swiped at his eyes hurriedly. "I just don't know where he is," Dean whispered, not trusting his voice. "I don't know how to reach him."
"If what you say is true, then he won't stop until he finds you. I mean, he can fly, right?" Sam threw his hands in the air with a disbelieving chuckle. "Just go on the roof. He'll find you."
The roof. That was perfect. "Thanks, Sammy," Dean patted his brother on the back and ducked into his room.
One shower later, Dean climbed the fire escape and hoisted himself up onto the roof of his apartment building. It was broad daylight and Dean had a feeling that Cas wouldn't risk being seen in the daylight, but he stayed anyway. He sat in the shade of the water heater and dozed until Sam called to plead with him to eat. Dean ate outside on the fire escape, unwilling to risk missing Cas. Sam was exasperated, but let Dean stay outside.
Dean slept in the shade during the day, and stretched out on a blanket Sam forced on him at night. The second night, he brought up a book and a flashlight. He only left the roof for food and bathroom breaks, and was constantly on edge. He read incessantly, consuming three novels in an effort to stave off his growing worry. It was four days before Cas crashed onto his roof.
Dean was dozing in the moonlight after finishing off War and Peace when he heard something bash into the side of the water-heater and moan. "Cas?" Dean asked, running around to the other side. Sure enough, his angel was picking himself up from the ground, looking a little worse for the wear.
"Dean," Cas' voice was filled with relief. Without waiting for him to get up, Dean pulled Cas into his arms. The winged-man rested his forehead on Dean's shoulder and fisted his hands in his shirt.
"Are you okay? Let me look at you. What happened?" Dean babbled, pulling away to examine Cas. He had a few scrapes and bruises, and his wings had bits of dirt and grass matted in them, but looked otherwise unscathed.
"I fled to the woods," Cas sighed, looking very tired. "It seems I am unexperienced with flying long distances. I fell from exhaustion a few times. But I am now a bit more experienced. I... snuck back into the theater to find your address. This is a confusing city." He scrunched his nose up and Dean grinned.
Dean perhaps should have been more gentle, but he couldn't help himself from crushing the blue-eyed man's lips to his. Cas quickly regained his balance and pulled Dean to him, wrapping the black wings around them both. Dean sighed into the warm embrace of honey-scented black silk. He could lay in Cas' arms forever.
Snap out of it, you have a mission to complete, he told himself. With some effort, he detached himself from Cas. "I talked to Sam," Dean said carefully. Cas retreated warily, but kept his hands in Dean's. "He wants to meet you. He won't hurt you. He promised, and he'd have to go through me if he dared break it."
Cas stared at their twined fingers for a few long moments. "Okay," Cas whispered. Dean could see how vulnerable his angel looked. His wings were drooping and shaking slightly with the effort to keep them up. He wouldn't be able to run away this time, even if he needed to. He looked up into Dean's eyes, a note of fear still present.
Cas was scared, but he was willing to meet another human being, which he hadn't done outside of Dean for years, all because he knew it was important to him. They could run away together right there off the roof, but Castiel agreed to meet Sam.
"C'mon, we can go down the fire escape," Dean pulled Cas to the ledge and hopped onto the metal railing. Cas followed slowly, climbing down the steps behind Dean.
"Wait here a second," Dean murmured to Cas before clambering through the open window. Sam's door was shut. He was probably sleeping, but Dean couldn't wait. He knocked sharply. After a few moments of rustling, Sam opened the door in his pajamas. "Dean?" he asked sleepily.
"He's here," Dean said quietly.
This woke Sam up immediately. "Okay," he exhaled slowly.
"Remember, let him come to you."
Sam snorted and closed his door. "He's not a dog, I have manners."
Dean couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. Sam's harsh, He looked like a wild animal! was now, He's not a dog. Sam stood warily at the edge of the room, shifting his weight. Cas crouched at the window and stared at Dean until the green-eyed man was right in front of him.
"It's alright, Sammy's gonna behave." Dean gave Cas a peck on the cheek and helped him and his huge wings through the window. Cas straightened up and folded the black wings against his back tightly. Apart from the bit poking up behind his bare shoulders, one wouldn't even notice they were there.
Cas stood straight as a rod, still and silent, eyes locked with Sam's. Sam straightened up. "Sorry for, uh, freaking you out," he said timidly.
After a moment, Castiel replied, "And I apologize for my erratic behavior. I should not have fled like I did." Sam's brows shot up into his long hair. Dean chuckled. His brother must have not expected Cas' formal language.
"Well" Dean clapped his hands together. "Shall we all sit down?" Sam sunk into the armchair closest to him, but Cas remained stubbornly next to the open window. "Hey," Dean said quietly. "It's okay. I'm here." Cas' unsure eyes met his. Dean smiled and pulled him into a kiss.
After a moment, Cas visibly relaxed into Dean's arms. Dean brushed the raven locks out of his face. "Ahem," Sam coughed. A slight blush crept across Cas' cheeks when Dean pulled away. He looked embarrassed and utterly adorable. Sam looked less wary and more relaxed, a little smile aimed at Dean.
Cas allowed himself to be led to the couch and placed next to Dean. "So," Sam said a bit awkwardly. "How many years has it been since... you know..." Sam shrugged.
"Eleven," Cas said quietly. Dean's brows rose. He didn't know it had been that long since Cas made the basement his home.
"And you could really live there? You got food and everything?"
Cas smiled. "The theater provided for me, and in return, I provided for it."
Sam nodded, and there was a long pause. "What are you going to do with my brother?" The question had an edge to it. Dean kept his mouth shut. He was curious too.
Cas turned his deep blue gaze on Dean's. "Anything he wishes me to," he said, eyes unmoving. "He is my world. Everything I have. My soul is in his hands."
Do not cry, Dean Winchester, he told himself. His palms itched to pull Cas to him, to show him that he felt the same way. That would most definitely frighten Sam, though.
"Wow," the younger Winchester breathed. "Okay. I think I believe that." Dean shot a little smirk at Sam, and received a mild bitchface in return. Cas watched the exchange curiously.
Sam turned his attention back to Cas. "Can I touch your wings?"
Dean opened his mouth to object, but Cas put a hand on his knee. "It's fine, Dean," he reassured him, looking much more comfortable. The three rose at the same time. "My wings are very sensitive," Cas told Sam, "but with the soreness I am experiencing after days of flying, I believe it will not affect me as it has in the past." Cas glanced at Dean for the latter part of the sentence. Dean couldn't help but flush at the memory.
"I don't want to know," Sam muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.
With a little grimace, Cas stretched out one wing and took a step towards Sam. The younger Winchester obeyed Dean and remained in place, waiting for Cas to go to him. The winged-man stopped two feet or so from Sam and arched his wing forward.
Sam's eyes had grown to the size of dinner plates as he examined the wing in awe. Cas remained completely still as Sam ran a few fingers down the cleaner feathers. "They look just like-"
"A blackbird," Dean finished for him with a grin.
Sam studied Cas' wings and kept a respectful distance from him. The sight of Sam and Cas both unafraid and interacting brought a proud feeling to the front of Dean's mind.
"Your hair is very long, Sam," Castiel nodded towards Sam's head. "Do you not own scissors in this habitation?"
Dean doubled over in laughter and Sam shot both of them an annoyed look. "Nah, Cas, he just likes looking like a girl," Dean teased. Cas shrugged and returned to Dean. The three conversed for a few more minutes about a few things in the apartment that Cas hadn't seen. After both Sam and Cas yawned, Dean stood up.
"I think it's bedtime. We'll talk more in the morning." On a whim, he gave Sam a hug. "Thanks," he whispered.
"Yeah," Sam said quietly, pulling away. "He really is different."
Dean grinned and took his angel's hand, both brothers returning to their respective rooms. "I believe I should bathe," Cas looked at his wings, poking at a clump of dirt.
"Good idea, Angel," Dean dragged Cas into his bathroom, a silly smile plastered over his face.
Dean woke with a start, wondering for a moment why he was in his bed and not on the roof. The events of the previous night flooded back to him, and a slow grin spread across his face. Cas was here, Sam was okay, and everything would be fine.
However, Cas was not in his bed as he was last night. Dean rose and donned a t-shirt, padding softly out of his room and into the kitchen. There, to his delight, was his angel, attempting to make breakfast. Probably.
"Hey, Cas," Dean's voice was still gravelly from sleep.
"Dean!" Cas exclaimed, then clapped his hand over his mouth. "Apologies," he whispered, mindful of the audibly-snoring Sam in the other room.
"'S alright," the green-eyed man chuckled. "Are you cooking?" Dean turned on their coffeepot, ready for his caffeine.
"I found instructions in this book," Cas said eagerly, picking up Sam's copy of Healthy Habits: 101 Recipes for Eating Well. Inside the pan looked like a very lopsided egg white omelette with vaguely colorful things folded inside.
Dean couldn't find it in him to be annoyed with food from Sam's obsession. Cas was cooking, and the domesticity of it brought a feeling of warmth to his chest. The coffee-maker dinged and Dean poured himself a generous mug, hopping up to sit on the counter. "I'm surprised you haven't burned down the place," Dean grinned. When Sam first started this little health kick back in Lawrence, he nearly burnt down their house making veggie pasta. After that, Dean did most of the cooking, including Sam's rabbit food.
Cas flipped the omelette onto a waiting plate with a spoon, and Dean made a mental note to teach him some things. "You're adorable, you know that?" the Winchester murmured, reaching over to twine his fingers in Cas'.
The winged-man's attention was immediately on Dean, who reached further to turn the stove off himself. Cas stood at the counter, situating himself between Dean's legs. "I think you are "adorable" as well," he air quoted. Dean suppressed a laugh and Cas cocked his head to the side. "That's another word for beautiful, correct?"
"It's close," Dean said, wrapping his arms around Cas' waist. "But beautiful suits you much better."
Cas drew his fingers across Dean's cheek and to his lips, which parted under the touch. The black wings fluttered, tucked close to Cas' back. The blue-eyed man's lips brushed over Dean's, almost too soft to be a kiss. Dean claimed Cas' lips a bit more forcefully, reveling in the heady sensation. It had been less than a week since Dean had first kissed Cas, a week since he had even seen him, but it felt wrong not to be touching him at all times.
Cas groaned weakly and pressed himself closer to Dean. The Winchester hadn't even realized that he was stroking the feathers at the junction between the small of Cas' back and the bottom of his wing. Dean felt heat rising to his cheeks and hooked his legs around Cas' waist. Their hands moved quickly, Dean's knotting in Cas' sexually-tousled bedhead and Cas' running down Dean's spine to dip under the band of his pajama pants.
"Oh, whoa, was not expecting that," Sam's voice startled the two from their embrace. Cas jumped and Dean slid off the counter. Sam had turned around, back facing the kitchen.
"Sorry, Sammy," Dean glanced at the blood rising to Cas' cheeks. "It's good now, you can turn around."
Sam turned and gave Dean a mild bitchface, more teasing than anything.
Cas picked up one of the three omelette-laden plates and held it out to Sam. "May I make amends with this?" he asked sheepishly.
Sam's face visibly brightened. "Oh, yeah," Sam said enthusiastically. Dean grinned like an idiot. The three sat down to enjoy breakfast. Sam and Cas were soon engaged in a debate about the best musical performers in Heaven's Theater, excluding Dean of course.
"The guy may be a dick, but Crowley killed it as Javert," Sam mumbled around his eggs.
"I agree," Cas replied. "But I believe that Jessica Moore's performance of Sandy in "Grease" took much more finesse."
Sam suddenly went quiet, pink creeping up his cheeks. "All of this stuff was going on, so I didn't tell you, Dean," Sam said into his plate, "but I'm sort of seeing her."
"Yeah, Sammy!" Dean thumped his brother soundly on the back. "It's definitely not weird that I made out with her onstage."
"Great, thanks Dean," Sam covered his eyes. Cas' hand, which had been resting comfortably on Dean's knee, abruptly gripped tightly.
"Neither of you should worry," Dean grinned at Cas, who loosened his hold. "We all know who I prefer." The winged-man's eyes softened. It was that look that Dean could drown in. Castiel's words echoed in his head. He is my world. Everything I have. My soul is in his hands.
At that little breakfast table, they were all suspended in a bubble of security. But Cas couldn't hide in the tiny apartment forever. At some point in time, they would have to face the music. Something had to be done. But even though the future was blurry at best, Dean knew one thing: he would never give Cas up for anything.
"Hey," he said, an idea popping into his head. "Jess should meet Cas."
Both pairs of eyes were on him with matching incredulous looks. "Dean, he just met me, your brother, and that was difficult. How's he going to handle a complete stranger so soon?"
"I don't want to frighten her away," Cas said immediately. "I won't take something like that away from Sam."
"Look, Jess is a sweetheart," Dean stuffed the last bite of the admittedly good omelette in his mouth. "We can wait a few days, but I think she would be a good next step. You know. Acclimation to the outside world."
Sam was silent. "I did observe her during your rehearsals," Cas said quietly. "If anyone were to accept me, it would be her."
"I'll think about it," Sam muttered, picking up their plates and turning on the sink water.
During the next three days, Sam and Dean tried to catch Cas up on everything he had missed.
"We have a black president. And everything is on the internet."
"The twin towers were hit by terrorist-manned planes. And they cloned sheep."
"Hurricane Katrina wiped out Louisiana."
"Dean, that's not true."
"Well, the Red Sox won the World Series and Gay Marriage is legal, so I'd call it an interesting few years."
"I don't understand any of these references."
Cas began to wear shirts with slits cut in the back for his wings, to Dean's disappointment. He enjoyed seeing Cas shirtless at all times. But Sam insisted on teaching him how others functioned in society and Cas was eager to learn, so Dean let it go.
Cas learned how to keep quiet during his and Dean's sexual escapades. Dean thought it was hilarious, but after the third time Sam came home from this or that to the sound of, "Fuck, Dean, you feel amazing!" they were both chastised and promised to be more conscientious of Sam's mental health. That didn't stop them in the least, though. Castiel was an incredibly fast learner and Dean had never been more perpetually satisfied. He had never before felt the need to give his partner 110% of what he had in him, but Cas was different. He had never felt so safe in anyone else's arms. He had never felt loved like Cas loved him, and he had never loved anyone as much. There was no doubt in his heart that he was entirely Cas', now and for the rest of his life.
Cas still requested that Dean sing to him before bed, and Dean always acquiesced. Cas would whisper praise that could only be described as poetry in Dean's ear as they fell asleep.
It was a week until Sam announced that he had invited Jess over to dinner. "What did you tell her?" Dean asked a bit nervously.
"I told her that she'd be meeting your boyfriend, and that he's a bit... different." Sam paused. "But she said she's sure she'll love him."
"I'm ready," Cas said quietly, twining his fingers with Dean's.
The next evening, Jessica Moore showed up as Dean prepared his finest: steaks, pasta, and a banana cream pie. "Dean!" she exclaimed, hugging her fellow actor tightly. "How are you? Kripke told us you've been feeling pretty under the weather lately."
"I'm much better than I was last week. How've you been? Heaven's Theater doing okay without me?" he teased.
"I'm obviously doing well," she grinned at Sam, who colored slightly. "And we're managing. We're doing Oliver right now, and the kid's a brat. You're not missing much." She glanced around the room. "Is your new boyfriend coming around soon?"
Dean and Sam exchanged a look. "He's here," Dean said to the smiling blonde.
"We need to explain something to you first," Sam took her hand and led her to the couches. They had agreed that they would give her the gist of the story so she knew what was coming.
"You know the myth of the Angel of Heaven's Theater?" Dean asked.
"Yeah, it's my favorite," she smiled. "Why?"
"Well, he's real. Not a real angel, I mean, but he's a guy," Sam supplied.
"He was born how he was, and he got hell as a kid for it. He's been hiding in the theater away from the public because he loves the productions." Dean swallowed. "He's willing to meet you, which is pretty big. So don't freak out, okay?"
Jess' skeptical look morphed into shock when she realized they were telling the truth. At the end of the spiel, she looked calm and determined. When she nodded, Dean got up and crossed the room to his door.
The door cracked open, Cas peeking out through the inch-wide space. "It's good, Cas, you can come out now. Jess, this is Castiel, my boyfriend."
Cas opened the door nervously, shuffling into the little living room. His wings rested loosely near his back, enough to see, but not to frighten. "Hello," he murmured.
"Wow," she breathed, rising slowly. "You are real!" Dean and Sam's eyes widened at her look of glee. "Are those wings?" Cas nodded and she stepped forward. "Can I see them?"
Cas glanced sideways at Dean and stretched them outwards, glossy black feathers shining in the mediocre tungsten lights. "That's amazing!" she squealed. Dean and Sam let out simultaneous sighs of relief. A smile spread across Cas' face. She turned suddenly serious. "Thank you," she said, bowing her head a bit. "I'm pretty sure it was you that saved my dressing room, and I really appreciate it."
"Wait, saving your dressing room?" Sam asked incredulously.
Jess laughed. "I left my curling wand on accidentally during a rehearsal, and it fell into a pile of my clothes. They would have caught fire eventually, but I'm pretty sure you're the one who unplugged it." She turned to Cas. "Didn't you?"
"Yes," Cas nodded. "It, uh, did catch one of your shirts on fire. I managed to extinguish the flames before any real damage was done, but I was forced to dispose of the shirt." Dean grinned at Cas and clasped his hand.
"You don't mind the wings?" Dean asked.
Jess shook her head. "I've always loved the notion of flying. And they're beautiful! I'm jealous, actually." She smiled at Cas, and he looked like he might cry.
"Thank you," he whispered.
"Oh, and something smells good," she turned, noticing the food. "Sam told me what a good cook Dean is."
"Dean is skilled in the culinary arts," Cas agreed, glad for the change in subject.
Jess was a miracle. Cas didn't even phase her. She asked him questions and told him stories and laughed like they'd been friends for years. She and Dean talked about this new burger place down the street, and after a childish staring contest, Dean lost and agreed that he would buy them all a round of burgers there. Dean didn't miss her hand rest on Sam's for the majority of the meal. They looked at each other with shyness, but Dean could tell she really cared about him. And seeing Sam's puppy dog eyes used for purposes other than persuasion... He was definitely head-over-heels.
Dean knew that Jess was a rare individual, that not many would be as immediately accepting of Cas as she had been, but it was a good start. An air of hope bloomed over the table, Cas' happiness mirrored in Dean's eyes.
Sam stayed at Jess' apartment that night. Cas and Dean lay on Dean's bed, limbs twisted together comfortably. Soft guitar music played from Dean's speakers. Cas had immediately taken a liking to acoustic guitar and vowed that he would master it someday.
"Dean?" the blue-eyed man murmured.
"Yes, Angel?" Dean murmured against his bare chest.
"I will have to leave this apartment, eventually."
Dean sat up to look the man in the eyes. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, okay?"
"I love you," Cas said in reply.
Dean smiled. "I love you, Cas." He captured Cas' lips in his. Cas hummed contently, pushing Dean's shirt up to draw patterns on the small of his back. Dean teasingly trailed his fingers down the underside of Cas' wing, earning a husky moan from him. "I'll never get tired of that," Dean murmured with a grin.
Cas nipped at Dean's bottom lip and rolled them unexpectedly, fitting himself perfectly between Dean's legs and attaching his mouth to Dean's neck. Dean felt himself hardening at Cas' show of dominance, letting out a squeaky breath as he licked up Dean's pressure point. "And I will never tire of that," the winged-man purred, popping open the first button of Dean's flannel.
Dean could feel his pupils dilating at Cas' voice, and he couldn't get his shirt off fast enough. Castiel's movements were unhurried, however, just like their first time together. "Cas," Dean gasped as the blue-eyed man's tongue flicked over a sensitive nipple.
"Mmm," Cas' voice vibrated in his chest. "Mine."
"Wait," Dean murmured, pushing Cas into a sitting position. "Can I try something?" Cas eyed him, a mix of apprehension and trust in his eyes. After a moment, he nodded. "Just kneel here for a second."
Cas sat back on his heels, still as a statue. Dean sat behind him, running his fingers soothingly over his wings. Cas dropped his head forward, bracing himself on his knees. "Beautiful," Dean breathed, mapping every feather carefully. Cas had become accustomed to keeping quiet, as Sam was always in the other room. "Let me hear you, Angel," Dean's breath ghosted over the soft feathers, and Cas let out a low groan. The groan was cut off sharply as Dean traced the junction of his wing and his shoulder with his tongue.
The feathers were so soft against Dean's lips. He shifted his weight, pulling the wing backwards and nosing Cas' shoulder blade. His mouth made it to the seam of wing and skin, searching for that-
"Oh fuck Dean!" Cas cried, shuddering violently. A honey-sweet taste burst on Dean's tongue as he found the tiny oil gland. He licked it gently, aware of how sensitive it was. One hand snaked down Cas' chest and wrapped around his leaking length. Cas' noises were different; he panted and whined desperately, as if he forgot anything else existed at all. Precome leaked steadily from him as Dean twisted his fist, making slow, deliberate movements.
"Dean, stop, I'm so close," Cas gasped.
"Do it," Dean said against Cas' skin. "Come for me."
With nothing short of a feral cry, the winged-man came, muscles stretched taut under his skin. His voice died and he begun to shake with the effort of holding himself up. Dean threw a blanket over the wet patch on his bed, unwilling to stop long enough to strip off the sheets.
Cas slumped forward onto the bed and Dean manhandled him onto his back. Blue eyes peeked out behind heavy lids. Dean was still diamond hard and aching for attention, but Cas' refractory period was more than ten seconds. Instead, he'd have to start by himself.
With a grin, Dean swiped his fingers through the oil still running down his lips and straddled the man's chest. It wasn't difficult to reach back and circle his puckered skin, a moan escaping from his throat at the sensation. Cas' eyes were now wide and fixated on Dean's fingers. The Winchester breached the first ring of muscle with a sharp inhale and slowly slid the digit inside himself. Cas shuddered underneath him as he removed it and pushed it in again, further. He couldn't reach his prostate from this angle and his eyes dropped closed, concentrating. Right as he became frustrated, a second slick finger slid in beside his.
Cas' digit moved deftly next to his, reaching farther up, just high enough to- "Agh, fuck!" Dean swore as Cas brushed the magic button inside him. With a determined look, Castiel stroked his prostate, adding another finger and stretching him gently. Dean felt the pool of warmth growing in his abdomen and pushed Cas' hand away with the remainder of his strength.
Cas opened his mouth, probably to ask why Dean made him stop, but he fell silent when Dean gripped his length. He aligned himself and ever so slowly slid down until he was entirely impaled on Cas. "Dean," Cas growled, throwing his head back.
"Ungh, god, Cas," the Winchester moaned, rolling his hips with a shudder. Cas watch with parted lips as Dean lifted himself, then dropped entirely back onto him. Cas' hips shifted and twitched upwards, hitting something in Dean that made him clamp down on Cas' length.
With a growl, Cas planted his feet and thrusted hard, gripping Dean's hips for leverage. Dean's hands fell on Cas' chest and he held on for dear life as Cas thrust up into him. The blue-eyed man set a punishing pace, lighting Dean's core on fire. The outside world melted away, and everything left was Cas Cas Cas. Dean dug his nails into Cas' skin to warn of his impending release, and then he was gone, his muscles locking up and a cry ripping itself from his throat. He was vaguely aware of Cas spilling into him
It felt like days before he came down, Cas pulling out of him gently. He collapsed on the winged-man and buried his face in the crook of his neck.
"You are amazing," Cas murmured between breaths.
"You're more amazing," Dean chuckled breathlessly.
After a moment, Cas pressed a kiss to Dean's forehead. "I... don't know what will happen to me. I don't know what my future holds, but I know you are in it."
Contentment buzzed through Dean's veins. "I already decided that," Dean nuzzled closer to his angel. "You're never getting rid of me."
There was fear in Cas' eyes. Against his black t-shirt, his wings were barely visible, but they trembled slightly. Dean's thumb stroked his cheek lightly. "It'll be okay, Cas," he murmured. "I'm right here for you."
Castiel let out a breath and pulled Dean in for a kiss. His lips were so soft, and Cas could feel the corners of his mouth crook up in a smile. "Okay," Cas said. "Okay."
"I love you," Dean murmured. "So much."
The shaking subsided. "I love you, Dean," the blue-eyed man murmured back.
Dean clasped his hand tightly and pushed open the door. Sunlight and warmth like Cas had never experienced before hit his skin, and Dean squeezed his hand. Together, they stepped out into the bustling streets of Manhattan, ready to face the world.
A/N: Whew! That took a while. Let me know what you thought! I appreciate every review. (:
