Part Four.
In Which We Meet Pirates
The early morning light was eery and misty. The thick, cold fog was rolling in over the hill side, covering the pieces of cracked and burnt wood. Christian smelled death in this wide, empty plain and was not surprised when he found his brother's body, bloated and blue. He sighed to himself, momentarily sad at the loss of the last of his brothers. He lowered his head in prayer, whispering word of peace to the body below him. After the moment of silence, he rotated his shoulders, shaking the sadness from him.
He was king now.
He raised his head to the sky and cried in joy.
There was a whisper of the wind, a deep voice that brought the truth down on Christian. Then the joy was gone. He still needed the amulet before he could assume the thrown.
"Dammit!"
He cursed out loud and turned back to his horse. When he turned back to mount his horse, he found a man lying in the mud beneath the beast. Christian was unsure of where the man had come from but he was naked, mostly covered in mud, and appeared confused by the horse's presence.
Christian approached him.
As the only man in the area, it was safe to assume the man was responsible for Mark's dead body in the middle of the field.
"You!" Christian raised his sword, "Did you kill my brother? Should I slay you where you lie for the honor of Stormhold!"
The man raised his hands in surrender, fear lacing his deep brown eyes, "No, My lord! He dragged me here, turned me into a goat!"
Christian kept his weapon raised to the man's neck, allowing it to press against the skin and cause just a little bleeding, "He?"
"The witch...he killed your brother too." The man gulped, body shaking slightly. He didn't seem the type to lie so Christian lowered his weapon.
"This witch, did he have an amulet? A gold piece tied to black string?" Christian sheathed his weapon but remained focused on the man's trembling hands.
"No, another man..." The stranger bit his lip like he was trying to remember, like words and phrases were jumbled around his thick skull and he couldn't make sense of any of it. Christian frowned, watched as the man began to shake again. He grasped onto the man's arm, gripped tightly and shook him once.
"What's you're name?" Christian frowned watching as the eyes focus again.
"Crowley," He gulped, "My name is Crowley and the witch was looking for a star."
Christian nodded and stroked his chin, feeling the prickling hairs begin to grow, "A star. The star must have the amulet."
"Yes! But the boy, he took the star." Crowley's eyes brightened, like the light had suddenly turned on. Christian took the man by the shoulder and led him to his horse. Christian jumped up first. He reached down and latched onto the man's arm. With all his strength, he pulled Crowley onto the horse as well. He settle behind Christian, grabbing his coat tails for balance.
"Which way did the star go?"
The cloud they had landed on was a thick, white cloud with heaps of fluff rising from its flat base yet was barely large enough to hold both of them. It was soft and cool like silk that gave a little with their combined weight. Their feet and bottoms sunk deeper, chilled by the cloud's interior. The star shivered as he sat curled around his knees, back resting against Dean's. He felt uncomfortable with that much solid heat against him, hot and itchy in his own clothes, in his own skin and he was numbly aware of being cold and wet.
Dean was not use to cold, wet clothing for long periods of time, nor was he used to warm, handsome faced bodies resting against him and Dean was acutely aware of how little the star wore beneath the terry cloth robe. The rush of saving the star had distracted him from the pale skin peeking out from the wide 'v' neck of the robe, the long neck that was taught with whatever angst was running through his head now.
Dean coughed awkwardly.
"You saved my life," The star spoke in his deep, gravely voice that caused a heat to burn low in Dean's belly, "Didn't you?"
Dean smiled encouragingly, even if the star could not see him, "I suppose I must have done so, yes."
There was a long pause, one where Dean found himself holding his breath, and then the star spoke, "I hate you. I hated you for everything already, but now I hate you most of all."
Dean bit his lip, "Any particular reason?"
"Because now that you have saved my life," There was a solemn hesitation that made Dean fearful that he'd tormented this creature so much that he'd wished to commit suicide. However, the star continued, "By the law of my people, I am now responsible for you and you have accepted responsibility for me. Where you go, I must always follow."
Dean sighed, "That's not that bad though, is it?"
Fierce, electric blue eyes were suddenly in his face and Dean was partially thankful not to be wrapped up in the silver chain with the star's movements. Being free of the chain, gave Dean the ability to move away from the star's intense eyes and he was thankful for that. But the irrational part of Dean, the side that had sent him on this journey, wished to never escape that star. But for now, this close and this scantily dressed, Dean chose to be thankful they were no longer chained together. The star hissed in Dean's face, "I would rather spend my days chained to a demon who gorged himself on infant toes."
Dean tried not to laughed, "I'm honestly not that bad once you get to know me." Dean would be the last to admit the falsehood in the statement. He'd never allowed anyone to really 'get to know him'. He'd stopped relationships or change the game plan before someone got too close, got too suspicious of his hair covering pixie pointed ears or bright green eyes, "I'm sorry about chaining you up and dragging you across the countryside. Let's just start all over again." Dean held his hand out, "My name is Dean Winchester."
The star glared at him, eyes dark with anger and frustration. Suddenly there was a warm, strong hand in his grasp and a deep sigh, "This must be a large cosmic joke played on me by Balthazar. Trapped following a man who will surely lead me to my death. I am called Castiel, the evening star."
They were quiet for a moment, watching each other warily before Dean relaxed enough to smile, "We're so up shit creek right now."
The star frown in confusion, "I do not see a creek full of feces around us. We are clearly on a cloud, a thousand miles above the ground and this cloud is thinning."
Dean couldn't help but laugh, wrapping his large hands around Castiel's thin shoulders, "No, no, we're out of luck. We don't have anything but our clothes on our backs. Well, you're very much lacking in clothes but it's alright."
"I don't understand why you're laughing then."
For the first time since setting out on his journey, Dean felt relaxed. He was marginally tired, completely flustered and hot and clearly this was the best moment of his entire journey, maybe his entire life, "You're very funny, and cute."
The star blushed, a thin pink streak across his high cheek bones. Dean's heart swelled a little more in his chest. He coughed to ease the feeling away. Castiel sat back down again, beside Dean this time, and scooted as close as possible to share body heat. They shared a silent moment together, one where Dean was sure Castiel had fallen asleep. Then the star shifted, stretching his now healed leg out in front of him.
"I've been thinking," Dean plucked absently at a portion of the cloud, "When all of this adventure is done, after I take you to see Lisa, perhaps I can get you home."
Castiel froze in his long, languid stretch, "Home?"
Dean gestured widely to the sky, "Yeah, I mean we made it halfway there by mistake. I'm sure there is a way to get you up the other half. You do want to go back right."
Castiel's deep blue eyes were sad, a bone deep agony that made Dean's own body ache with pain and sorrow. He took the star's hand and watched as the star leaned into his comfort, tangled black hair now tickling his nose as Castiel's head rested against his shoulder, "Stars fall. They don't go back up again."
Dean gulped again, his swelling heart and burning gut returning. It was entirely inappropriate to feel this way when the cause of his passions was utterly depressed. While floundering for words of comfort, the star leaned completely into Dean and fell asleep. Dean sighed and did his best to be a suitable, makeshift bed for the star.
He felt the wrinkles and warts on his fate before he even looked in the glass ring. Lilith and Meg were waiting on the other side, shocked by his rapidly aging face. Lilith shouted first, "What happened with the star! Have you been wasting the last of our youth on petty vanity spells?"
Lucifer snarled, "I almost had him. That stupid boy had a Babylon candle."
Meg sighed, "That's not good. Who knows where he is now!"
Lilith retreated to a cage filled with pigeons. She grabbed one and pulled it over to the cool, metal table. She broke its neck swiftly then severed the head to take a peek at its brain, "He's above us, still in Faerie but he's heading towards the Market at Wall fast. You have to stop him from crossing the wall or will lose the star forever."
Lucifer nodded, plotting his swift travels to the edge of Wall, "I'll go to Diggory's Dyke and wait for him, stop him at the pass to wall."
"That would be wise, brother." Lilith cut the connection at that point and Lucifer made his way to the edge of Faerie, riding in the carriage of the dead Prince Mark's caravan.
The loud clap of thunder echoing through the skies was enough to startle Dean into consciousness. He jolted from his slumped position against the star which caused the dark head to fall into his lap. Dean looked around the empty sky and watched a storm roll in from the east. The clouds were growing thicker around them, heavier with rain as the thunder closed in on them. Dean shook Castiel then forced the man upright, "Cas, Cas!"
The star groaned but followed Dean to his feet anyways. Blue eyes, darkened by sleep fell on the storm that was heading towards them. He pale hands latched onto Dean's arm and began to shuffle them back to the edge of the cloud, "What are we going to do?"
No sooner had the star spoken then a heavy metal net fell on the two of them. The star collapsed first, legs still weak from walking and riding. Dean fell quickly after, trying his best to tuck most of the star underneath them. The metal net closed tight above them and pulled them from the cloud and onto solid ground.
"Well, look at this, Captain," A scruffy, worn voice that was worn with shouting called above Dean's head. He caught a peek of a shabby creature beneath a long jacket, head covered by some ridiculously large oilskin hat. The thunder rolled in, bringing with it a bright flash of lightning that, for one moment, allowed Dean to see his captor. She, and Dean could tell it was a she from her beardless face and the long blonde hair blowing in the wind, was dressed in full pirate gear, a perfect image of those describe in Sam's fantasy books. She even had a small eye patch across one very dark brown eye, "Looks like we've got some Lightening Marshals here."
Her thick boot collided with Dean's hip, blinding pain from the impact caused Dean to gasp and pull Castiel closer to him. Dean was thankful that it had missed Castiel all together, the frail body wouldn't be able to handle the force of the blow. A large, tired looking man that was dark as the night sky approached them on the star's side. Thick leather boots clunked against the worn wood of the floor, his worn black jacket dragged along the floor, leaving trails of mud in their wake. A scruffy face came into view, solid eyes that glared holes into Castiel and Dean. A thick mustache frames his upper lips and the sides of his mouth, quaking as he snarled, "They don't look like Lightning Marshals," He laughed, thick and menacing and Castiel shivered beneath Dean, "This one is hardly wearing clothes."
The large hand took hold of Castiel's chin and raised him out of Dean's grasp. Dean held his breath, hands scrambling to grasp onto Castiel and pull him back but the woman's boot was on his rips, preventing him from moving. A husky female voice, full of sarcasm, called from the thick of the crowd, "If they're not Lighting Marshals, then why are they up here in the middle of the storm?"
The man in the long coat released Castiel's face from his grasp and turned to the voice, "Let's see, why would ANYONE be up in this GODFORSAKEN sky in the middle of a lightning storm?" Dean latched onto Castiel again, pulling the shivering star to his chest and grabbing onto his hand for comfort. The star's tremors settled just a little as he coward into Dean's shoulder. The Captain thrashed about, taking hold of the small blonde woman as he ranted, "Maybe because they're spies for our competitors, you idiots!" He turned back to Dean and Castiel, "Now who are you?"
They were frozen in fear. The men looked terrifying and Dean, without a weapon, would not stand a chance. At one point Dean would have thought that he could easily take out the woman, but after all the twists he had encountered on this adventure, finding himself holding the hand of a man that was actually a star, he now knew that she could very well be the strongest of all the crew members. So Dean was left speechless. The Captain smirked, mustache shifting up slightly with the movement, "Not talking, huh? Maybe a night in the brig will loosen their tongues!"
The crew cheered and closed in on the two, pulling them to their feet then apart. The were hustled below the ship, into the cold, damp jail cell. They were tied by heavy shackles, backs against each other and forced to sit on a damp barrel. Castiel was shivering again, shoulders shaking with fear and sadness. They heard the rustle of the crew above them, the same husky female voice shouting orders above them.
Castiel sighed, "I use to dream about this, you know. Of being down here on Earth, having adventures and missions."
Dean spoke before he could stop himself, "Ever heard the phrase be careful what you wish for?"
"So being shackled to an idiot and ready to die by pirate sword serves me right?" Castiel bristled. Dean was glad that at least the star had stopped shaking. He was saddened by the knowledge that Castiel had never been down to Earth before, never had hamburg steaks or whiskey or even had the chance to just run in the fields. Instead the star was injured, dragged halfway around the world with a hopeless romantic and finally captured and about to be tortured. It wasn't a good introduction to life on the ground.
"That's not what I meant." Dean sighed, "I...I use to dream too, of being anything more than just a shop boy in a small town. Dreams are not the same as reality, they're better." Castiel stopped shivering altogether. He eased against Dean, cheek rested against his broad shoulder. Dean relaxed as well, "Well, sometimes, I guess. I never dreamed of this kind of adventure. I just thought I'd find a lump of rock, maybe something that glittered."
"And you got me." Castiel sighed.
"So, it wasn't all bad." Dean laughed and Castiel chuckled beside him. It was a soft, hushed laughed, like wind chimes rustling in a spring breeze. It reminded him of Adam, soft chuckles that were mostly just under breath. Adam was quiet and liked to be out of the way. But then thinking of Adam reminded him of Sam, of the boy's deep belly laughs that would sometimes startle the more delicate women in the village. Dean suddenly, achingly missed his home, his family, his boring little life in Wall.
He lacked any sort of longing for Lisa though.
The sun rose over the mountainside, light peeking in through the small, barred window Castiel was facing. The star stirred from Dean's shoulder, waking again with very stiff muscles. He sighed, wishing for even just a flat surface to lie across and imagined a warm bed as he stretched his legs. The robe was clinging to his body, mostly dry but shriveled and worn with its unprecedented adventure. Castiel could see his slim legs and long feet, pale against the wood floor.
He idly wondered if this would be scandalous to humans, to Dean. Would the moron be flustered by seeing Castiel's ankles. Or had the man already seen plenty of ankles, ones more delicate and attractive than Castiel's own. He sighed, "Tell me about Lisa."
Dean froze, limbs and back stiff against Castiel. Dean hesitated, quiet and thoughtful and Castiel was glad for it. He needed a moment to prepare himself for the long winded paragraphs about Lisa's feet. Dean shrugged, "Well...Lisa's...well, she's...There's nothing to tell."
Castiel frowned, "I find that hard to believe. I mean, she must be quite amazing to ask you to go all the way to the ends of Faerie just to bribe her into loving you. For as long as I have watched you-" Castiel coughed and shifted, then corrected himself, "as long as I have watched humans, I have learned that love can not be bought."
Dean shifted, trying to get a look at Castiel, "This was not about buying Lisa's love. I was proving my love to her, showing her how I felt with a gift."
"Oh," Castiel faked his shock, "I see, and what is she doing to prove her love to you?"
Dean tried to defend himself, stopping and starting his sentences until he chuckled at himself, "I don't need it," He finally settled on, "It's the man's job to prove himself. Well, you'll see what I mean once you meet her." Dean shrugged, "Providing we don't get killed by pirates."
Castiel laughed his airy laugh again, "Killed by pirates, heart torn out and eaten, meet Lisa. I can't quit decide what sounds more fun."
The two shared a solemn laugh together and fell into contemplative silence. Dean was suddenly dreading his meeting with Lisa again. He wasn't the same man and he hoped that Lisa liked this new version.
It was then that the Captain entered. In the bright daylight, Dean could see the age of the man, graying hair and worn clothing. The crew attempted to parade in after him but he pushed them back out and locked the wood door behind them, "Well, will you tell me who you are now? For every minute I don't get an answer, I'll cut off one of your fingers."
Dean took a deep breath and stuttered out, "M-My name is Dean Winchester, this is my husband..."
"Husband?" The Captain frowned, eyes following the lithe frame of Castiel, "A pretty frame like that. And with such girly features, he shouldn't be hidden away in some single man's home. Beauty like that should be shared as the crew's bed slave!"
A thick cheer announced that their private meeting was being ease-dropped on by the crew just beyond the door. Castiel shuttered at the idea of becoming a piece of meat to be passed around the ship. Dean's whole body tensed, chest puffing out which tightened the shared binding around their chest, "If you touch him, I swear I'll-"
Castiel blushed and tried to hide his smile. He swallowed the pleasure at Dean's sudden bravery and protectiveness over him, after all Dean was an idiot. The Captain laughed, "Look, kid. You may think you're brave showing off for your friend over here. And spouting that bullshit about being lovers is pissing me off. I don't like liars and I especially don't like queers!"
Dean growled, "I'm not lying!"
"You mouth off to me one more time and I'll throw you over the brig, you hear me!" There was another cheer from beyond the door and Dean tried to put space between himself and The Captain, "Now what do I do with you? Perhaps, we should hang you? You can give us a show while we drink and make marry!" The crowd cheered again.
"Please, we're just trying to get home," Dean tried not to beg but fear was shaking him to the core and he longed for his family more than anything at this point, "We're just...we're just traveling ahead of us."
"We're going to a place called Lawrence, where The Wall is," Castiel muttered. Dean exhaled in exasperation, forgetting that the star had not been present when Dean was told by Bobby to be subtle. Dean was fearful that their identities had been revealed and he held his breath in anticipation to the Captain's reaction.
The Captain froze, expression a wide-eyed shock and something else Dean could not recognize, "What did you say?"
"We're just trying to get to a place called Lawrence." Dean muttered, there was no turning back now. Either the Captain would turn them into the man trying to take Castiel's heart or take the heart for himself. All roads led to Dean dying.
However, the Captain instead stomped around the small holding area, tossing around objects that cluttered the ground around them. He was shouting something about Dean being a liar as he clearly was on the search for something.
"You lying dog!" He shouted, finding a life size dummy stuffed in empty crates. He returned to the two, unshackling Dean and Castiel. The Captain took hold of Dean, stripping him of the clothes.
"Stop!" Castiel grabbed at the Captain's arm, attempting to pull him off Dean. However the small stature of the star in comparison to the muscle that the Captain had, the star was pushed aside without ever having budged the Captain. Dean reached for the star out of fear that he'd been injured but Castiel seemed fine, returning to Dean's side and trying to take hold of the Captain's frantic hands, "Please just leave us alone!"
When the Captain finally stripped Dean down to his underpants he grinned and leaned forward to whisper to Dean, "I'm going to fake your death."
"What?" Dean gripped what he could of Castiel, which ended up being the corner of the sleeve of Castiel's robe. Dean's fingers brushed against the hot skin of the star's wrist and he tried to ignore the tingle that shot through him.
Instead of answering, the Captain gestured to Dean to be quiet, pressing a single finger to Dean's lips. He then gestured to Castiel to continue to scream, hands making wild gesture of distress. When the star only tilted his head in confusion, the Captain whispered in his ear, "Make it believable." Castiel nodded and Rufus turned to begin dressing the dummy. He leaned towards the door, allowing his voice to carry louder in the direction where the crew was listening in, "I ought to teach you a lesson by throwing you off the brig!"
They heard the crew shouting outside, cheering the Captain on to throw Dean off the boat. There was a thundering of feet that signaled the crew running to the deck.
"No!" Castiel responded. He waved his hands, mimicking the Captain before. Castiel tried to shriek with his deep, rough voice but it came out monotone and passionless. Dean had to stifle a laugh, clearly the star couldn't act.
The Captain ignored him, continued to shout incoherent threats while he dressed the dummy. When it was clear the men had rushed to the top, the Captain smiled up a Dean and winked. Dean exhaled with relief, the Captain had a plan and he wasn't going to pretend. The Captain pulled at a metal piece against the wood wall that revealed a porthole. He pushed at the glass of the porthole and opened it to the outside. The Captain pushed the dummy through the window with more incoherent threats. When he turned back to Dean, he gestured to the wall perpendicular to the porthole. Dean neared the wall as the Captain pulled aside another plank, revealing a secret passage.
"Meet me in the Captain's room." He whispered and then shoved Dean into the passage way. He turned to Castiel then, gripped the thin arm and dragged him onto the deck. Castiel tried to pretend that he was struggling, thrashing parts of his body as the Captain dragged him across the deck.
"Stop!" He shouted with same passionless tone as the Captain dragged Castiel across the deck to his private chambers. The crew closed the gap on Castiel, most of the with hungry stares as more of Castiel's lower parts were revealed.
"I'm taking the boy to my cabin," The Captain shouted over Castiel's cries and the crew's jeers. Castiel's eyes fell on the two women in the front of the group, the petite blonde pushing the crew members away while the busty brunette followed the Captain closely. She eyed Castiel with a bit of concern masked by a sardonic grin. The Captain laughed, "For the next to hours, no one bothers me or they get tossed off the boat."
The doors were slammed on the brunette woman who then locked the door and ushered the crew away. She pressed against the door, "Captain Rufus's busy, so should you be."
The Captain closed one more set of doors before finally setting Castiel down in a comfy desk chair. He heaved a huge sigh and whipped the sweat from his large brow, "Well that went well."
Dean stood off to the side with a nervous smile, cheeks pink from the excitement, hands trying to cover his intimate parts. Dean smiled at Castiel who was helped up once more by Rufus and guided to his massive, walk in closet, "So, tell me all about Kansas, absolutely everything."
"Wait," Dean laughed, "How did we just pull that off?"
Rufus picked up a blue labeled bottle filled with liquor and poured the contents into three glasses placed on the table near the closet, "Been doing it for years, the right grunts, shouts and a conveniently placed mannequin does wonders for a fearsome pirate reputation."
"Reputation?" Castiel took the glass offered and sipped it lightly, making a face when it burned down his throat.
Rufus laughed, "Have you tried getting blood off of silk? It's a nightmare, never want to do it again. Now, make over time."
"I think you'll need more than nice clothes to keep anyone from recognizing me," Dean chuckled but followed Rufus into the closet. There was an array of brightly colored clothes, glitzy jewelry and finally a four piece mirror with a silk bench in front. Castiel brushed against all of the silk, fingers running along the sleeves, eyes wide with awe. Dean subtly watched the star with his own wide-eyed expression.
"Boy, when I'm done with you," Rufus grinned, patting Dean on the shoulder, "You're own mother won't recognize you." Rufus took Castiel by the shoulders and pushed him through the rows of clothing, "Alright, My Dear, I'm sorry there isn't a bath, lord knows you look like you need it. But once we hit the bay to trade in the lightning, there will be a creek you can wash yourself in. For now, chose any outfit at all, anything you want."
"No, no" Castiel laughed as Rufus pulled out a long white riding jacket and a button-up shirt. He passed them and then a pair of black trousers over to Dean. Castiel reverently touched a black overcoat, "I'm really fine."
"Darling," Rufus grinned, "You're wearing a bathrobe."
Castiel laughed and stood off to the side as Rufus pulled a pair of riding boots along side a wide brown belt. He forced Dean to change in front of the mirror and circled him with a contemplative look. Dean took off his old, worn clothes and put on the pants and white shirt, nervously looking anywhere but where Castiel was standing.
They spoke about their homes. Rufus dreaming of the other side of the Wall, Dean dreaming of adventure and risks. Rufus cut away at Dean's hair, carefully sculpting around Dean's pointed ears. Dean followed Castiel's reflection in the mirror throughout Rufus' whole speech. When Rufus found Dean tilting his head around Rufus to catch a glimpse of Castiel, he began to laugh, "Keeping up appearances is a little difficult, little things in life are what make me happy while at the same time exhausting myself trying to keep everyone else happy."
"Yeah?" Dean tried to stifle a laugh as he watched Castiel pull a very large jacket from the rack, frown, and then put it back.
"Like naming the ship Blue Label, it's my favorite whiskey and most would say not a very threatening ship name," Rufus laughed as he trimmed Dean's bangs, "then that closet full of clothes. It's all for me, all things I need to unwind and take away the stress of always trying to be a bastard."
"Why can't you just be yourself though?" Dean frowned.
Rufus shrugged, voice full of sarcasm and mirth, eyes watching Castiel play with a blue silk tie, "Yes, why spend all of my time trying to please other people who don't give a damn?"
Dean could only laugh nervously and watch Castiel throw the tie away.
The market for selling lightning was a dangerous and often expensive business. There were only a few trade shops that collected and sold lightning and often they were unwilling to pay much to the Lightning Fishers that caught the goods for them. Bela Talbot was one of those trade shop owners. Formally a thief, she owned a small, rare goods, store on the coast of Mermaid Lake. She was a long way from the Market at Wall but all caravans had to pass through her lonely road and her lake so she made good business anyways.
Bela enjoyed her life of solitude, surrounded by trinkets that made her money; things could not get better. So when rumors of a fallen star start circulating among the traveling caravans, Bela started questioning the success of her shop. It did lack the certain glow of a fallen star and Bela was aging faster than she really liked. She could do with a dash of immortality that came with a star's heart, maybe eat half and sell the rest.
So, when Captain Rufus turner showed up with his ragtag crew of Lightning Fishers, Bela got the great idea to ask him about the star. After a ridiculous amount of bartering where she ended up sacrificing 200 gold coins for a thousand bolts, she pulled him aside to ask. The blue eyed freak in the black overcoat tried to follow but she shooed him off.
"So, Captain Rufus," She grinned, making a show of buttering him up and lightly stroking his forearm, "Have you heard word about a fallen star?"
The Captain's smile fell slightly, his eyes finding the man again. The stared at each other, a silent communication that Bela did not understand. When Bela turned to the new crew member, she found fear in his electric blue eyes. His body, hidden under a deep blue buttoned shirt, opened vest was lithe, attractive but clearly the man had never worked a day in his life. His deep black hair was a mess, the large overcoat fit him nicely and covered almost all of his smooth, perfectly manicured hands. The black pants left little imagination to how thin his legs were as they tight to his entire leg then tucked underneath leather riding boots. She could concede he was handsome but not man enough to sway her, perhaps the Captain though.
The Captain turned back to her, "No, haven't heard a thing. Haven't seen a star either. Where did it fall?"
Bela shrugged, "All the caravans coming in from the far East said they saw it a few nights ago. You know, if you see it, I'll give you three times the gold for it."
Rufus nodded, eyes finding the strange, blue eyed man again, "Yeah, I'll keep my eye out. Thanks, Bela."
"Yeah, anytime, Captain." She grinned and watched as the crew shuffled out. Rufus took the man by the shoulder and led him away from the shop. It was strange but Bela shrugged the feeling off and began stacking the lightning gathered.
When the crew was back on the ship, Dean was waiting for them, hair cropped short and spiky to reveal his pointy ears and bright green eyes. He leaned against a barrel of whiskey, watching the crew draw their weapons. He fixed the white lapels of his long, white overcoat, then pressed down his white button up shirt mostly hidden by his brown vest. The last part of his whole new outfit was a pair of black riding pants tucked into long black boots and his loose brown belt with a long sword sheathed at his side. He was mostly nervous about the sword, a broad, silver piece with latin inscription and hand carved designs that led down to the wooden and metal hilt. The piece looked expensive but Rufus had insisted.
The two women were on board and brandishing their swords first, the smaller, thin and blonde woman was in front but it was the busty brunette that was shouting at him, "Who are you? How'd you get on this ship?"
Rufus stepped ahead of the crew, "Stand down! This is my nephew, the reputable Dean Winchester." When the busty woman hesitated to lower her weapon with most of the crew, Rufus frowned at her, "You too, Ellen, lower your weapon."
Ellen, the busty first mate, lowered her sword and gave the Captain a skeptic look but Rufus played his part well, enveloping Dean in a tight hug. The blonde, Jo, lowered her weapon after. Ellen snorted, "He doesn't look like your nephew."
"I had an adopted sister, Ellen." Rufus grinned and patted Dean's shoulder, "He'll be joining us to Market." He gestured to Castiel who pretended to cower behind Ellen. She pushed him forward and Rufus grabbed hold of the star and threw him in to Dean's arms. The Captain patted Dean's shoulder once more and smiled at him, "I have just the right prize to entertain you on the trip."
Dean caught Castiel awkwardly and tried to shift him properly in his arms. There was a tense moment where Castiel was physically relieved to be beside Dean when Dean should have been some terrifying rapist. Dean could only manage a pleased grin down at the star before he coughed in his throat, latched onto Castiel's ass through his overcoat and grunted like he'd seen the pirates do.
The crew responded in kind but Ellen did not. She crossed her arms and gave him a very critical look before breaking up the crowd. She shouted at the crew, "Alright you lazy dogs! We're setting sail! Let's go."
Dean took Castiel by his upper arm, leading him off to the front of the ship where they watched the sunset. Castiel smiled bashfully at Dean, plucking at his soft, clean shirt, "How do I look?"
Dean smiled softly, a light blush dusting his tan cheeks, he tried to respond but Rufus interrupted them. The Captain grabbed Castiel's shoulder, "Let me show you a little culture, Castiel."
"Culture?" The blue eyed star titled his head curiously.
Rufus led him away from Dean with a smile, "Yes, piano, using proper utensils, dancing, I'll teach all of it to you."
"Why?"
Rufus tilted his head back in a loud laugh, "You never know when you'll need to lead a dance."
Dean chuckled behind them, Dean left alone by the front of the ship. He was then joined by a very grumpy looking first mate. She was beside him before he noticed her approach, taking rest against the high railing behind them. Dean watch Castiel and Rufus, who was gesturing wildly with his explanations, when the blond woman cornered him. She stepped right into his vision and leaned with Dean so he lost sight of Castiel.
"Um," He smiled at her, "Hello?"
Jo, the blonde pressed up against him in a more intimidating than intimate way. She pinched his cheeks then played with the pointy tips of his ears. The brunette, Ellen shrugged from her eased position directly to his left, "Captain said your name is Winchester."
Dean nodded, pushing Jo away from him by the shoulder. His eyes found Castiel again, relieved that the star hadn't noticed Jo's invasion of his personal space, "Yes."
"Like John Winchester's kid?" She frowned, circling him with keen eyes.
"You know my father?" Dean smiled, focusing on the deep brown eyes warming with every passing minute. He leaned closer, hunting her round face for something familiar. If she knew his father, a man who hardly passed further west than their backyard, she had to have been on the other side. The quirky grin, the warm hands, and a blonde in tow. Dean was suddenly aware of who this woman was, "Ellen?"
She smiled bright, "Dean! I can't believe it!"
Dean hugged his long, lost family friend cataloguing the changes from the young bar owner and widow of his childhood to the leather and steel clad pirate before him. When Jo stepped into view again, a confused look on her face, Dean found that same curious little blonde that had disappeared with Ellen shortly after her father's death. Jo had been small, a toddler when Bill had died mysteriously at the entrance to wall. She'd been barely old enough to understand what had happened when she and Ellen disappeared. They hadn't seen each other in more than 10 years. Dean hugged her tightly, "You're all grown up, Jo."
Ellen laughed, "I don't think you remember, Jo. Dean's father and your father were best friends."
Jo nodded, "Back on the other side of the wall?
Ellen nodded, fixing Dean's jacket lightly, "Yes, when you were real little we lived in the village call Lawrence, just on the other side of the wall. Your Daddy and John we're best friends, John was the reason why your father and I got married."
"So we're family?" Jo asked, watching Ellen lean against the edge of the ship beside Dean. Ellen was bright, warm and suddenly the second mother Dean had known and grieved for. He always wondered where she'd gone after Bill Harvelle's death, if she had been a victim too.
Ellen laughed wistfully, "Yep, you two are practically brother and sister."
Jo looked disappointed, Ellen looked relieved and when Dean spotted Castiel from over Jo's head, the star looked confused. Dean just smiled back at him and waved.
"No, no," Rufus corrected, slapping Dean's wrist as it laid stiffly on Jo's shoulder. Dean frowned at the tyrant captain as he taught the crew to dance then glared at Jo who snickered, "Dean, you have to grasp her like you love her, like if you don't hold on tightly enough, she fly away."
Dean frowned, "But what if I bruise her?"
Jo kneed him in the hip, "Yeah right, lover boy. You couldn't hurt me."
Rufus laughed, "No one likes a lover that treats them like a trophy in a glass case, Dean." Rufus took hold of Jo, grabbed her hip and hand like a lifeline and twirled her around, "You have to be passionate, commanding."
As Rufus twirled Jo around, Dean found Castiel. The star was gracefully shuffling to Ellen's lead, the first mate laughing as he tripped on his own pants. She allowed him to remove his shoes before guiding his hands and counting the beat again. Castiel managed the motions a little better, taking steps a little further apart and eyes finding Ellen's for just a minute before falling to the ground again. When he tripped right out of Ellen's grasp, Dean instinctually reached out to the star.
He had an arm full of Castiel before he'd realized it and the feeling was unforgettably right. The star was giggling from within the broad circle of Dean's grasp, a breathy exhale that had Dean's body singing. Ellen, Rufus and Jo stood off to the side with matching grins before Jo coughed, "Were you paying attention at all Dean?"
Dean righted Castiel and retreated to the other end of the ship in a matter of serval paces, fast enough that the star's face still looked dazed and dizzy. Ellen took hold of Castiel again with a muffled laugh and twirled the star in a dance again. Castiel leaned into the first mate, "I don't understand why we're learning to dance?"
Ellen laughed, "Because its proper, Castiel. And it's fun to watch you struggle."
Castiel tripped but caught himself, "I thought that was what the sword training was for."
Ellen threw her head back in an joyous laughed and twirled Castiel further away from Dean's hearing. Jo took her place in his arms again and the two began to dance. Jo laughed as she found Dean's eyes following the star's, "You're getting better at the dancing, Lover boy. Soon you'll sweep your boyfriend right off his feet."
Dean blushed, "Cas and I are just traveling together."
"Oh and does he know you call him Cas?" Jo smiled, Dean coughed to cover his blush.
"So, about the sword fighting," He turned to Rufus who cut the record and picked up his sword. Ellen, Jo and Castiel retreated to the side of the ship to watch Dean's struggles. He hadn't been the best at fighting but with Rufus training him, he was steadily getting better. Soon he'd fight better than Dr. Matt or the rest of his school mates.
It took Dean by surprise nowadays, how very little he thought of his back in Lawrence, beyond the adventure of traveling with a fallen star. And there is where his thoughts often strayed to, Castiel. When he and Rufus took a break, he noticed with a bit of disappointment that the crew without chores had led Castiel to the back of the ship, where the lightning nets rested. He smiled to himself when Castiel attempted to touch the nets and Ellen slapped at his hand. The childish pout that followed melted Dean's heart a little.
Rufus coughed beside him, "You know, I'm rather thankful we found you."
Dean smiled, "Yes, Cas-Castiel and I are very lucky it was you, Captain."
Rufus laughed, "Yes, well luck has a habit of following me around. He seems to be shinning on you and your, well, Castiel."
Dean laughed, "He? Most would refer to lucky as a gentle woman?"
Rufus boisterous laugh made Dean feel light, at home on those days when John was sober and Sam was describing some of his fantasy stories. He felt suddenly sad, longing to see his family once more, "Yes well luck is in fact a grumpy drunk on a mission to give me a heart attack."
Dean chuckled, "You wouldn't happen to know a hairy man with a hat and this faerie whiskey, would you?"
Rufus patted Dean on the shoulder with a wide, knowing smile, "Best friend actually. We're part of a team dedicated to getting you back home with Castiel." Rufus stroked his chin, "By the way, you should tell him that if he is trying to pass as human, he needs to pretend a little more gracefully, eat something, sleep a little."
Dean frowned, "I..."
Rufus tsked at him, raising his sword, "Just let it be, Dean. Your Castiel is in danger and it would be best not to out him out loud."
Dean sighed, relief flooding his body so quickly that he felt limp and tired, "Thank you, Captain."
A day out from wall and the crew had decided that a large dinner was in order. With Ash guiding the helm to a slow glide across the sky and half the crew cooking dinner, Castiel was left to be amused by Rufus. Bravely, Rufus took Castiel by hand and twirled the star to the sound of the rocking ship and plates clattering. Castiel laughed as Rufus guided him in an fun jig. When they were out of breath, Castiel glowing with sweat and the shine of a star at night, Rufus slowed their dance down to a light twirl. Castiel smiled appreciatively as Rufus took on most of the weight and leaned into Castiel's ear, "I know what you are, Cas."
Castiel flushed, a residual warmth from the fear of being outed by a man who would eventually harm both himself and Dean. His eyes found Dean immediately, signaling for an escape. The man was leaning against the railing a fair distance from the makeshift dance floor. His green eyes were focused on Castiel but he made no move to interfere. Jo was trying her best to occupy him, arm around his wrist, lips close to his ear. Castiel was suddenly, irrationally angry that he was here, in the arms of a sudden enemy and Dean was flirting with other women.
Castiel bit his lip, an action the made Dean tense and turn to them.
The Captain watched the star carefully, eyes following the dying glow around Castiel. He squeezed Castiel tighter, directing the star's wide-eyed gaze back to himself. Rufus smiled softly, like a father to his child, "You have nothing to fear from me or my crew. But you should maybe stop sparkling all over the place."
Castiel blushed deeply and lowered his head. He exhaled in relief and placed his forehead against Rufus. The Captain smiled and patted the top of his head gently. Castiel whispered into his shoulder, "Thank you."
Before Castiel could relax, a soft, light song began to play music. Rufus began to rock Castiel back and forth to the rhythm. As the music began to grow louder, stronger, Rufus swept the star up in a waltz. Castiel raised his head, eyes following the Captain's feet. He'd improved enough to follow simple routines but he was still wary of stepping on toes. Jo had not been pleased the last time they'd practiced a waltz and he crushed her entire foot. So Castiel followed the Captain's feet, mirroring his movements with only a little bit of clumsiness.
"You've improved," Rufus laughed, watching Castiel snicker when he fell behind the Captain's movements. From behind them, Dean has moved closer. The man's green eyes watching every shift and movement of the star. Rufus laughed as Dean's eyes darkened with desire and the man's tongue moved across his lips when Castiel's back end came into view. When Rufus shifted Castiel back around, he caught Dean blushing and turning away. However it was not before Castiel had caught Dean's expression and the tell tale sparkle glowed brighter, formed a halo around his head.
The waltz music ended and the ship was filled with nothing more than grunts and shuffling feet again. Castiel tried to stop when a classical piece with soft violins and an easy beat began. Castiel could follow this rhythm better and he eased into a confident step with Rufus. He smiled and moved easily up and down the floor of the ship. The Captain and the crew laughed along, some joining in the waltz as well.
It was a happy moment, the first Castiel had had since his time in the sky. And the star felt his heart swell, his glow brighten with the feeling of joy. Rufus snickered above him, pulling the smaller man closer to grab his attention and whisper in his ear, "You're too emotional, Castiel. You let everyone see your glow, and its getting brighter with each passing day. Can you tell me why?"
Castiel frowned, "Well of course I glow. It's what a star does." Castiel lowered his voice, lowered the glow around him and then leaned into Rufus, "It's what I do best."
The proximity of the two caused Castiel to trip on the Captain's feet. His face smashed into the Captain's shoulder and Rufus laughed loudly, "Well, certainly not waltzing, or sword fighting."
Castiel attempted to right himself again, long limbs tangled in Rufus' as well. They laughed together while Rufus righted the star. A cough beside them grabbed their attention.
It was Dean that had come up to the two. He found Castiel's eyes and held them, a spark of something like love twinkled beneath in the corner of his bright green eyes. When Castiel found the sparkle he blushed deeply, the white glow growing from his skin outwards. Rufus watched the exchange with a knowing smile before he elbowed Dean again. Blushing, Dean bowed low to the two and stretched his hand to Castiel, "May I interrupt?"
Rufus laughed and took Castiel's hands in a tight squeeze, "I don't know, what does Castiel say?"
The star blushed, a light pink hue across his cheeks and nodded to Rufus. The Captain kissed the top of his hand and placed it in Dean's outstretched one. Dean smiled from ear to ear and gripped Castiel's hand eagerly. The star's sparkle ignited, creating a bright haze of a halo and his silhouette that lit the entirety of the ship and part of the sky.
While the rest of the ship hissed and covered their eyes from the sudden light, Dean pulled Castiel close, eyes staring straight into Castiel's wide blue ones. Dean wrapped his arm around Castiel's waist, pulling the star very close to him. The star moved his free hand to Dean's shoulder and gripped tightly.
There was a breath of hesitation, a long moment where nothing moved as the two stared deeply. Then Dean took a step forward and Castiel followed. When Dean slide to the left, Castiel went with, glowing brightly. About the third step, caught up in each other's eyes, Castiel tripped into Dean. Dean gripped Castiel tightly, pulling the star flush against his body. The star laid his head down on Dean's shoulder and followed Dean in a more comfortable waltz.
Dean's hand fell lower on Castiel's waist, resting just above he rear and he pulled Castiel around by his hips. Castiel laughed, the sound muffled by Dean's shoulder. The man laughed along with them, the waltz turning into nothing more then a gentle sway as the music softened. They rocked against each other, holding on tightly until the music died. They remained in each other's arms, rocking to silence until Jo turned the record over and played the waltz again.
Bela Talbot was only half surprised when the witch appeared in her shop. Being in the center of the path to the Market and hearing the rumors she had heard, a witch in search of a star was a guaranteed visitor. Happy with living and the sack of rubies, diamonds and a few priceless artifacts that the witch willing gave over, she ratted Captain Rufus Turner out.
All he'd really asked was if anyone questionable had passed through her shop. And no one was more odd than the boy with the endless blue stare and panicked look that Rufus had entertained himself with.
"It's this man," Bela rotated one of the small diamonds in the light, "Bright blue eyes and overall scruffy appearance, runs around with Captain Turner of the Blue Label. They're heading towards Market."
The strange witch grinned, robe folded over most of his face. If Bela looked close enough she could see his aging skin. Instead of mentioning it, she allowed him to take another robe before he left to seek the star.
Several weeks later, Bela found Prince Christian in her shop as well. She hadn't heard the princes were on their quest for the Stormhold amulet yet. She hadn't seen another prince pass her way either. None of the traders had even mentioned that the former King Samuel had passed away. So it was easy to say that Bela found herself shocked when the youngest prince appeared in her shop asking after the star. She was ashamed of the state her shop was in. He stared at it all with distaste before turning on her, "Have you seen anything strange pass through your shop?"
She was thoughtful for a moment before he waved a gold coin in her face. She took it quickly and smiled, "Yes, that Captain Rufus Turner of the Blue Label, he had some strange guy with him. Bright blue eyes, scruffy look."
"Did he he have any jewelry? An amulet perhaps?" Christian waved another gold piece in her face.
She nodded, "A little hard to see, but he did have a long necklace on. They were heading toward The Market at Wall."
Prince Christian smiled and pulled his sword from his scabbard. He tested it on a stone wall before turning back to Bela, "Well, thank you very much for all your help. You'll be happy to know that you'll be the first to aid King Christian of Stormhold," With a swift slice of the blade, he chopped off Bela's head too, "And the first to die by his blade."
He turned back to Crowley who stood in the door way. With a stern look, Crowley approached Bela's dead body and took the coins from her cold grasp. He then followed Prince Christian out of the shop, "We ride to Wall."
The Blue Label had been in flight for a solid month. A month of mostly nice weather with a warm spring sun and cloudless days. Nights were much the same, so cloudless that the group aboard the ship could see the stars twinkle. Dean felt light and free sailing high in the sky with crew and Castiel. In fact, he felt slight regret and a weight in his chest when Captain Rufus had said they'd be landing close to Wall within the week. Dean tried not to think about what landing had meant for him and the star but the thoughts were there, sinking into his subconscious and leaving him withdrawn and sad.
Towards the end of their journey, in the last day in flight, Castiel was leaning over a railing, watching the high peaks of Stormhold East Mountain fall into rolling hills and valleys. He was lighter now, not burdened by the ache in his leg or the loneliness in his heart. The star was adapting will to life on the ground and the fact that their journey was ending did not seem to phase him.
Dean approached him in this moment, heavy with the knowledge that they would be on the ground tomorrow, walking towards the Wall and lawrence and Lisa. He leaned against the railing as well and watched the wide eyed stare of Castiel, "The Captain says we land tomorrow."
"Good," Castiel inhaled the cool scent of the air, "I'm eager to be walking again."
"Really?" Dean sighed, eyes falling on the land below that was turning into green valleys, a grand river that flowed around the hills that had begun to flatten.
"Yes, it's nice to be this high again," Castiel shrugged, "But I'm eager to get to Wall."
"To Wall," Dean plucked absently at a loose thread on his jacket, "Eager to show yourself to Lisa?"
Castiel turned to him with a darkened look. Dean tried not to stare back with a pout but once the words were out there, he couldn't take them or the feelings they invoked back. Castiel was ready to leave Dean, was excited to get this whole adventure over with. It caused depression in Dean, that he'd reflected so negatively on the star that Castiel was excited to be rid of him, "I thought you eager to see your true love again?"
"Yes, well I didn't think you'd hate me so much that you would rather be in her presence than mine." Dean frowned, lip jutted out in a similar way to Adam when he couldn't get desert.
Castiel frowned, "You're being childish."
It was hard not to agree but Dean couldn't help it, "I mean I know we started roughly and I pushed you around alot but I thought we were getting better."
"Dean, I only said I was excited to walk again." Castiel puffed his chest out, eyes back to the steel blue when he'd first met Dean, "I only wish to stretch my legs and walk with you again, Dean. That doesn't warrant your accusations."
And then Castiel stormed off, taking Jo aside as he walked to the opposite side of the ship. Dean sighed, rubbing his eyes to soothe the ache away, "Damn."
Rufus was beside him in an instant, laughing uproariously and watched Castiel gesture frantically at Dean. Jo's face became dark with each gesture. Dean turned to the Captain who was holding some liquor in a bottle, "That was smooth."
Dean glared at him, "How much further to the Wall?"
Rufus passed him the bottle, "We settle tomorrow, there's a wide lake we can land in. It connects to a path that will lead you right into the market."
Dean huffed, turning away from Castiel and Jo and looking out over the landscape again, "I suppose there isn't much time left."
"You seem awfully sad about returning to your true love so quickly," Rufus laughed, patting Dean's shoulder, "Perhaps Lisa and her charm is no longer appealing?"
Dean glanced back at Castiel who was staring at Dean. Dean smiled softly, apologetically and he hoped that Castiel could see it from across the ship. Castiel tilted his head to the side with a friendly look which led Dean to believe that his momentary rudeness towards the star had been forgiven. He would have to remember to thank Jo for whatever she'd said to the star. Dean smiled, feeling airy and light all over again, "I suppose so."