Part Six.
The End
When Dean woke up, it was deep in the night. The sounds around them were quiet and Dean had realized the entire market had settled in sleep in the inns that were away from Pamela's tent. His nose was cool, damp with dew that had settled over night but his body was warm, surrounded by heat. When he turned towards the warmth, his eyes fell upon Castiel. The star was snuggled close to him and sleeping softly.
Dean smiled, watching the rise and fall of Castiel's chest while he slept. Dean found himself at peace here on the cold wood and wet blankets beside this fallen star. He softly, inexplicably leaned down to Castiel's face, kissing his star's cheek gently. Dean pulled away, shocked by his own action. The joy of waking beside Castiel was oddly perfect, oddly more than anything he'd ever dreamed of with Lisa. And that realization burned all the way from his heart to his brain.
Castiel was a destined gift, a show of Dean's love to Lisa. And here Dean was, at a crossroad, unsure if he was willing to give Castiel to Lisa even for a moment. Then the star opened his eyes; all thoughts of Lisa and her birthday left his head. Castiel's eyes were bright, light in the haziness of half sleep and, for the very first time, Dean saw Castiel smile. It was full of pink lips, stretched tight over teeth and filled with brightness. Castiel's skin glimmered around his smile. Dean felt his heart bloom with warmth, a warmth that turned hot and zipped down his spine.
"What time is it?" Castiel whispered, voice rough with sleep. The tightness in Dean's pants became instantly unbearable and he moved his hips away from the star, so as not to give away his state.
"Late," Dean whispered, "Or early. Everyone is asleep."
Castiel fell to his back and stretched, spine arched in a glorious curve that made Dean moan and his groin swell. The star turned to him, eyes full of curiosity and Dean could only shrug, "W-Where's Pamela?"
Castiel shrugged, looking around them to find no one other than rows of empty tents and livestock, "Maybe she got a room at the inn."
Dean nodded, "Lucky her. I guess we're all alone."
Castiel rolled to his side, coming closer to Dean, "I suppose."
Dean bit his lip, eyes following the curve of Castiel's nose, all the way down to his lips. The star licked them and Dean felt a moan try to escape again. Castiel seemed to catch it this time, a grin lifting the edges of his lips in a way that Dean wanted to swallow with a kiss, "Are you tempted, good sir?"
Dean looked back up into Castiel's eyes, "W-what?"
Castiel scooted just a little closer, breath puffing out onto Dean's face. Dean moved closer as well, "You danced with me on the ship, watched me take a bath, and now you are lying next to me? What would your dear Lisa think?"
"She probably wouldn't be pleased," He laughed, "Especially if she were to hear your speech earlier," Dean smiled, leaning closer to the star, "Though I must say, I enjoyed it very much."
Castiel's eyes widened in shock, "You-You heard that? B-but you were a mouse!"
A blush came over the star and he pulled away from Dean, hiding his face in his palms. Dean laughed loudly, taking hold of Castiel's wrists and trying to pull them away from his face. Castiel resisted, or tried to, but Dean won in the end. He took both of Castiel's hands in his own and moved them to his lips. He kissed each finger lightly, "I heard every word and you never finished what you were saying, Cas."
Castiel blushed, then bit his lip and looked away, "You weren't suppose to hear any of it."
Dean chuckled again, "Well I did. And I'm requesting you finish what you were about to say." Castiel tried to pull away but Dean rolled on top of him, blocking the star's path of escape. They gasped when their most intimate parts lined together, both hard and hot. The friction caused pleasure to cloud their minds, "You began by saying you could confuse love for hatred?" Castiel still tried to pull away, hips bumping up into Dean's own as he tried to squirm out of Dean's grasp, "And that 'for a man like me' it would be easy?"
"Let me go, Dean." Castiel hissed, "Lisa would not approve of this."
Dean smiled, raising Castiel's hands above his head and grasping them in one palm. Dean used his free hand to stroke Castiel's cheek, "We're not talking about Lisa. Now, what were you about to say?"
Castiel squirmed a little more, feeling hot and itchy beneath Dean's grasp. His pants felt tight and uncomfortable, something was beginning to boil in his lower stomach, "Assbutt."
Dean chuckled and kissed Castiel's cheek, "Nope that's not it."
Dean's hands moved lower and lower until they reached Castiel's rear. Dean grasped it, forcing Castiel's hips harder against his own. Castiel released a breathy moan, "Dean, I..."
Dean kissed Castiel then, a gentle but hot pressure against each other's mouths. Castiel tasted like lightning in the sky, all heat and electricity. Dean bit and licked at every inch of the star's puffy lips, capturing the taste in his mouth forever. Dean pressed on the star's lower back, bringing him as close as possible to Dean. They groaned together when their groins touched and rubbed together, everything lined up perfectly. They pulled apart to gasp for air, chests moving with each other.
Dean smiled down at Castiel, watching as the hazy blue eyes tried to focus on Dean's face. Dean leaned down and kissed the star's cheek, then his chin, then his neck, causing Castiel to buck up into Dean. Castiel moaned loudly and they shared another kiss. Dean's hand squeezed Castiel's rear once more then found the line where his shirt and vest ended and his pants began. Dean ran his finger along the edges of Castiel's pants, burning against Castiel's skin. When he crossed over the stars stomach, he felt the muscles flutter beneath. He chuckled into Castiel's neck, kissing and licking the skin while his fingers found the zipper of the star's pants.
"Dean," Castiel sighed, hips moving up and down, seeking friction and pleasure. Dean freed the star's thick organ, memorized by the head and weight of Castiel's full erection. He pumped twice, watching the star cry out in ecstasy, "Dean, please."
Dean stroked the star's penis once more before finding the buttons and zippers of his own pants. He freed his own genitals and stroked himself for lubrication. He lined himself up with Castiel, groaning in pure bliss when their groins met. They moaned together and Dean moved against the star, gently humping against the other man.
The star wrapped his legs around Dean's hips, easily allowing them to rub against each other with more friction. When Dean began to move at a more rapid pace, the star's cried out from the pleasure. Dean took Castiel's mouth again, invading it with his tongue. They moaned into each other's mouths until they reached their peak, crashing so hard that they both saw flashes of lights behind their eyes.
Dean rested on top of Castiel for just a little longer, watching the star shake with the after shocks of his pleasure. Dean kissed the star until Castiel fell back to sleep, then he rolled to his side, grabbing a discarded cloth to clean them both. When he was finished, he pulled the star close to him and curled around the smaller frame. The other man curled up into him and exhaled happily. Dean fell asleep again with the moon sinking down beneath the trees and Castiel curled up warmly within his arms.
Dean awoke a few hours later, body still mostly curled around Castiel and Pamela grinning above them. Dean glared, then whispered, "What?"
Pamela just shrugged, "I need some things from the tent. Didn't think you'd want any personal affects showing."
Dean blushed and wrapped the blanket over Castiel tighter. Pamela just smirked and entered the tent. She grabbed a flask and several candles before leaving the tent again. Dean leaned down and kissed Castiel again, the star moaned and turned away from him, taking the blankets with him. Dean smiled and squirmed out of the tent, leaving Castiel alone to sleep. He righted his clothes and joined Pamela at her stall.
The fortune teller was slumped over her chair, drinking liquor with a goofy smile, "Today is your Lisa's birthday."
Dean agreed with a solemn sigh. He then gasped once an idea hit him. Dean turned back to the cabin, pulling a pair of scissors from a duffle in Pamela's tent, he snipped a few long hairs from the nape of Castiel's neck. He kissed the skin again, taking one deep wiff of the star before wrapping the clippings in some of the spare cloth Pamela had. He stepped passed Pamela with a bright smile, "Tell Cas that I've gone to see Lisa, but I'll be back. That when I return, I have a lot to say to him, important things."
Pamela gave him a goofy smile, eyes hazy with alcohol. She nodded, half out of her chair and Dean left. He pocketed Castiel's hair and walked the two miles to the Wall. The market hardly had any people, a few that were setting up shop but most folks were still asleep. Dean grinned brightly, feeling light and in love. This was love, a constant burning weight in his heart that made him smile like a fool and want to run all the way back to Castiel's side.
He reached the stone, out of breath and face to face with a pretty woman. He smiled, naively thinking Lisa had met him at the Wall. She must have been worried for him, he'd been gone so long. This was the last day he could go through the Wall and he was sure Lisa would be waiting to great him, to get her star and live happily ever after. But when Dean got closer, the curvaceous woman in the white dress seemed less like Lisa.
Dean struggled to remember Lisa's hair. He was sure she wasn't a blonde like this woman smiling and waiving frantically at him. She had to have red hair, or maybe it was black. Yes, black but not the color of night like Cas, like a chocolate brown, dull and mostly up in a tight ponytail.
"Dean!" The woman cried, blue eyes alight with joy. Her tight curls were pinned up around her soft face, some tucked in under a wide brim hat that matched her airy dress. She leaned around a stalky man with a gun and gestured him closer. Dean was sure this wasn't Lisa, Lisa's smile wasn't so toothy or bright, right?
"Hi," Dean waived from the other side of the wall, "Do I know you?"
She smiled at him, taking his hand and pulling him across the wall, "Of course, Dean. I know I grew up in the last few months but I'm not that different, right?" She pulled him towards a tall man, practically a giant with long floppy hair that towered over the rest of the villagers in Lawrence, "Sam, I found him!"
The giant turned to face him and that goofy grin trying to fight the sadness in his large brown eyes was a face Dean would never forget. This was his brother and Dean used all of his force and energy to envelope Sam in a tight hug. He felt large hands wrap around him, squeezing the life out of him as well, "Dean, you came back."
They pulled away, smiling at each other, "Of course, Sammy. Damn, you shot straight up didn't you? How long was I gone for?"
"Long enough," The woman smiled, taking Sam's arm in her small hands, "You look good, Dean."
Dean stared at her, imagined her several months younger before he smiled brightly, "Jessica! Little Jessica, look at you! You've really...grown!"
Jessica laughed, hugging Dean tightly, pressing her now amble breasts into his chest. Dean laughed, remembering a time before when the feeling would have been exciting. Dean only squeezed her tighter, twirled her around then set her right again. Sam took hold of her small shoulders once Dean put her down. Dean smiled at the two of them, Sam leaning as close as possible to Jessica, the girl herself blushing and smiling brightly. Dean hoped he and Castiel looked like that around others, "Is there...something you should tell me?"
Jessica blushed before waiving her hand in his face, a bright diamond on a simple gold band caught Dean's attention. It was their mother's engagement ring, the one John Winchester had inherited from his mother, "Sammy you proposed! With mom's ring? How'd you even get it off her finger? The woman would rather die than take the ring off."
The two were quiet for a moment before Sam coughed, "Dean, there's a lot that you missed."
Dean frowned, already sure what it was. Their mother had had a bad cough before Dean left and John Winchester wasn't much of a caretaker without his sons around. He wasn't sure he was ready to here bad news before seeing Lisa, "Can it, can it wait? I have to see Lisa."
Jessica had Dean's hand in both of hers and was pulling him towards the village before Dean could resist, "Yes, yes, she is waiting for you. Bad news can wait!" She smiled brightly, pulling Dean along. Sam followed closely, "You must have so many good stories, Dean. I can't wait to here them all!"
Dean laughed as he shared a few with them on his way to town. They went straight to the Roadhouse, now run by Bill Harvelle's brother who'd spent most of his youth out of Lawrence, where Jessica led Dean to a back room. She fixed his jacket, fluffed his hair lightly and gave him a kiss on the cheek, "Good luck, Dean."
Dean had a minute to ponder Jessica's eagerness, the way she hardly hesitated passing her fingers over his pointed ears, before the girl pushed him into the room.
The back room, a study filled with books, pictures and a worn set of sitting chairs, was mostly for the men of Lawrence to gather and be away from their wives. Sometimes is was a sewing club meeting where women could be away from their husbands but now it held a single woman in a pale blue dress. She sat properly, spine straight, breasts stuck out to seem larger, more appealing than they were. She had a warm smile on her tanned face and her deep brown eyes shown with relief when they fell on Dean, "Dean Winchester?"
Dean stepped closer, watching the woman's brown eyes that glittered just a little in the soft light. He brown hair was loose in a cascade of curls down her back and over her thin shoulders. Her smile was coy, manipulative and Dean felt his insides shrivel up with the look. The bliss Dean had woken up with, that had grown upon seeing Sam and Jessica, escaped Dean's grasp upon seeing Lisa's face.
"Look at you! You've finally become a man." Lisa stepped up to him, small hand stoking his hair, then his ears, and then his cheek. Dean's inside recoiled at her touch, itching to be back with his star, "There are so many things I wish to say to you, Dean. So much that my heart is heavy with guilt and sadness. I must start with the most important, Dean. I'm sorry for my foolishness that set the idea in your head to go on that journey," She grabbed his hand and pulled him to the chairs. She sat across from him with her hand still wrapped tightly in his own hand, "I thought you were too much of a coward, too much of a boy to follow through with your promise. And then you were a gone, and you took so long to come back, I thought surely you had died somewhere on the other side of the Wall." She began to sob, dabbing at her tears with a tissue she produced in her free hand, "I have had to live each day with the possibility that I had sent you to your death."
Dean sighed, "Lisa..."
She held up her free hand, "No, please. I lied to you, Dean. I played you and it was shameful." He hands found one of Dean's and raised it to her lips. Dean cringed when they brushed against his fingers, "Ask me why I did not kiss you that night."
He smiled softly, "It was your right not to kiss me. And I didn't come here to make you cry, Lisa. I didn't seek out the star to make you miserable."
Her head tipped to one side, a gesture that was so startling familiar that Dean felt the ache of longing, of missing Castiel. Lisa smiled through her tears, "You found my star?"
Dean balked at her possessiveness of what was not hers but he swallowed it down with a stiff smile, "Yes, the star is back in the meadow but I did do what you asked of me."
Lisa sat up eagerly before her smile fell, "Before you give me that gift, I ask you one more favor. Ask me why I did not kiss you that night?"
Dean sighed, "It's not important anymore Lisa." He began but stopped when he found her look, serious, determined and Dean sighed, "Lisa, why didn't you kiss me that night?"
"Because right before we'd gone to dinner, Matt asked me to marry him," Lisa sighed, "I was happy, Dean. But frustrated too, he wanted us to wait until after we were married, almost a whole year away. And then you were there with champagne so I thought to make him jealous. And then you were spouting this poetry about adventure and seeking out a fallen star and I just let you go with my hand in marriage as your prize. I was terrified that you would return to claim my hand and if you did not, I would be at fault for your death."
"Lisa," Dean sighed, leaning forward, smelling her flowery perfume that irritated his nostrils, "You love Dr. Matt, right?"
She threw herself across the chairs and hugged Dean tightly, "But I gave you my word, Dean. And I will keep it. I have already explained the situation to Matt, he understands even if he wasn't happy. I am responsible for all that you have gone through and if you want me, I am yours."
Dean stroked her hair, finding it greasy, fake and full of product that Castiel didn't need. This visit certainly was full of revelations, "Lisa, honestly, I don't hold any responsibility on you. I had a good time on my adventure, saw things that made being away from home easy and it has changed me in such a profound way that I can't ever be the same person I was before. But Lisa, you did not promise me your hand if I came back with a star," Lisa sniffled, "You promised anything I desired."
She leapt out of his arms with a deep blush, "Then you-"
"No, No," Dean blushed, "Lisa, I only desire your happiness. I want you to be happy with Dr. Matt, marry him as soon as possible and live in perfect bliss for the rest of your life."
Lisa smiled brightly, dabbing at her tears, "You mean it?"
Dean took her by the shoulders and kissed her cheek gently, "Marry him with my blessing and we'll be even. The star will definitely agree with me!"
They stood and hugged tightly, Lisa crying happily. She pulled away with a sniffle, "Well, let me see my star!"
Dean smiled and pulled the folded cloth from his pocket. He presented it to her with a smile, "Your star."
Lisa smiled softly, taking hold of the cloth and unfolding it in her hands. She frowned deeply, "Dean, I'm grateful but this is just stardust."
Dean frowned and took hold of the cloth, unveiling silver, gold and rock particles. Dean gasped, "He can't cross the wall."
"Dean? Is something wrong?"
"It-It's Castiel," Dean gripped the cloth tightly, "He can't cross the wall."
With that, Dean pushed passed Lisa, passed the hulking form of Matt as he entered the room. Dean brushed passed the open area of the Roadhouse and almost made it to the door when Sam's large hand grabbed onto him, "Dean? Dean what's wrong?"
When Dean's eyes focused again, Sam and Jessica were around him, Dr. Matt and Lisa off to the side. All four were giving him a concerned look but Dean brushed it off, "It's Cas, I have to get back to Wall."
Dean slipped out of Sam's grasp but could not outrun the man. The giant stopped him once more just at the edge of Wall, "Dean, please what is going on?"
Jessica was nearing them and the Wall was only another mile but Sam was giving him such a concerned look and there was no way Dean could lie to his brother. So he let it all go, "The star, it fell but it was a man and I thought I could bring him through the wall but I can't. And I can guarantee he's on his way here and I have to stop him. He has to stay on the other side of the wall, and I have to be with him."
Sam stood in shock, hand still clasped to Dean's upper arm. Jessica caught up with them, painting and the bottom of her skirt torn, "What's going on?"
"Dean and I are crossing the wall," Sam took Jessica into his arms and hugged her tight, "If I don't come back by nightfall-"
"Then I cross and go after you," Jessica grinned, pushing out of Sam's grasp and shoving the two towards the wall, "You better go now. Good luck!"
Castiel awoke mid morning to a bright sun in his eyes and no body to curl up against. He felt a warm burn all the way up his spine and a pleasant ache that he was sure was making him glow. He stretched his sore limbs from beneath the thick blanket. He was thankful to be warmed by the sunlight but the chill of waking alone after such an intimate experience soon settled on his skin and heavied his heart. He frowned, reached outside of the blanket to feel the spot where Dean had been the night before and found it cold. The loneliness crept back in again as Castiel pulled himself to his feet and wondered out to the front of Pamela's booth.
Pamela was slumped across her table, half on top of her crystal ball. Castiel shook her shoulder gently, "Pamela, did you see where Dean went off too?"
She moaned, "Myeah, went to see Lisa, had something important to say."
Castiel frowned, "Did he say when he'd be back?"
"No," Pamela moaned, "Now go away!"
Castiel sniffled, rubbing the burn from his eyes. He fixed his clothing, his hair and straightened his shoulders before stepping out into the market place. He felt cold, heavy on his skin, a chill seeping into the center of his heart. If even after what they had done, Dean still wanted Lisa, Castiel had the right to hear it face-to-face. He walked the crowded market place, vision focused on the single road through the distant tree line that led him to the stone wall.
He faintly heard screaming, a woman crying for him but Castiel continued on. He would not be swayed by Pamela or anyone else. He just needed to see Dean.
The Wall was in sight, his foot just inches from crossing the wall when the rumblings of a runaway caravan was heard. Castiel turned just before crossing to find the yellow eyed man's caravan rumbling towards her, guided by the blonde woman in the blue dress. Castiel watched as she forced the caravan to a stop, jerking on the reigns to prevent the horse from moving any further. The creature stopped just in front of Castiel, huffing into the star's face. She leapt down from the driver's seat and whipped Castiel into a warm, hug. Her heart was beating fast and tears were streaming down your face, "Stop, please. If you cross that wall you'll die!"
"What?" Castiel muttered into the woman's shoulder but was interrupted by the sound of creaking wood. When they looked towards the caravan, the back door was bending, breaking under the pressure of the yellow eyed man's magic.
The woman gripped Castiel's shoulder tightly, moving him away from the wall and the caravan, "I locked him in the back room so I could get to you faster."
"You little slut!" The door burst and fell away in pieces, revealing the yellow eyed man. His eyes were narrow, focused on the woman and he was shaking with rage, "You bitch! Where am I?"
A four horse carriage came from behind them, interrupting the yellow eyed man's rant. The caretaker from the inn appeared, far more lanky and wrinkled then when Castiel had last saw him. Castiel held on to the woman tightly, pulling her away from both aging individuals. The wrinkly man pushed his robes out of the way as he descended from the carriage, smiling viciously, "Thinking of crossing the wall, were you? I wouldn't recommend it. Unless you'd like to be turned into a rock."
The yellow eyed man frowned at the aged witch, "Are you speaking to me?"
The man circled both the star and the woman with hungry eyes. He looked up quickly to find the yellow eyed witch, "Ah, Azazel, I didn't know you were here." He turned back to the star, stroking a frail, wart infested finger down Castiel's cheek. The star flinched at the contact, attempting move away from the man, "But no, I'm talking to the star."
Azazel frowned, "Star? My slave girl isn't a star. She's hardly a slave. Trust me, I would know."
"Trust you," The man laughed again, taking a long whiff of Castiel's hair, "I wouldn't do that twice in my life." He moved away from Castiel and the blonde woman, raising his hand to Azazel, "What will it be Azazel? Will you run away with your head intact or shall I remove it for you?"
There was a moment of tense electricity in the air, Castiel could feel it and then Lucifer unleashed a waive of power, bright green and blinding. Castiel hugged the woman to him as tightly as possible and turned away as Azazel burst into a green fire. His body burned away with an agonizing scream and then there was silence.
Castiel and the woman turned back to Lucifer who was slumped over, skin peeling away and rotting. His hair was completely gone, hazel eyes sunken in, body skeletal and terrifying, "Well, Castiel, get in."
"He's not going with you," The woman gripped him tightly. Castiel idly wondered if this was what having a mother felt like, warm and safe.
Lucifer waved his hand, the silver chain that had once bound the woman to Azazel, bound Castiel and her together by the wrist, "I assure you, Mary Campbell, that he will and I'll take both of you if I have to. And you'll either come in the carriage or be dragged behind it. You're choice."
"How do you know me?" The blonde woman frowned, squeezing Castiel tightly.
Lucifer smiled, "I'm that good, now stop stalling and get in the carriage."
Castiel and Mary held hands tightly, Castiel seeking warmth in the woman's strong grip. And together, they stepped into the carriage. Luficer stepped up to the driver's seat, turning the carriage around and back towards his castle, passing a single white horse with two riders atop.
Christian stopped his horse and stared at the black carriage led by an old man that disappeared behind them. He knew that carriage to be his brother's, the horses were Mark's too. Which meant that this man was his brother's killer.
"Prince Christian?" Crowley muttered behind him.
Before Christian could respond, two bodies burst through an opening in the stone wall beside them. There was a stalky, sandy colored man with electric green eyes and an ancient sword strapped to his hip. Behind him was a much taller man, hazel eyes much duller than the others with floppy brown hair and the look of a boy in a man's body.
The shorter man composed himself first. He looked around frantically, "Cas! Castiel!"
"That's the name of the star," Crowley muttered into Christian's ear.
"Really?" Christian jumped from his horse and approached the two men. The taller saw him first and began to raise a sword he had tucked behind him but the shorter man stopped him with an outstretched hand, "You, boy? How do you know the star?"
The shorter man raised his own sword, revealing the latin engravings of 'non timebo mala' and a pentagram along the sheath. Christian stopped in his tracks, "The Colt? How did you get that sword. That belongs to the King of Stormhold! Me, King Christian."
The shorter man lowered the sword, "Christian? I knew your brother Mark. I took a ride with him to the inn. Before the witch killed him."
Christian cursed, "I knew it."
"You saw the witch?" He approached Christian, "Which way did they go?"
Christian gestured back towards his horse with Crowley atop it, the servant pointed further down the path in which the caravan had disappeared through. Once the brother's understood the direction they needed to go, The Prince of Stormhold hopped on his own horse. The short of the brothers turned to the abandoned yellow convoy, he raised he sword and sliced at the ties that had bound the horse to the cart. The smaller man sheethed his sword again and jumped onto the creature. The taller brother jumped up behind him and waited for Christian to lead the way. He nodded to the smaller brother and turned his horse to the direction of the carriage. He dug his heels into the flanks of his horse and took off, the thundering of the brother's horse followed him all the way to the castle.
"About time brother!" Lilith hissed when Lucifer entered, dragging Castiel and Mary behind him. He walked with a limp but had enough strength to pull the two apart and toss Mary aside. He threw Castiel into Lilith's arms who smelled his hair deeply, "He smells terrified. That will hardly do us good."
"Well I got him here didn't I?" Lucifer sighed, following Lilith and the star back to the main staircase.
"Just in time brother," Meg grinned, "You're looking a little, aged."
The two women cackled as Lilith threw Castiel onto the table. He groaned as the pain blurred his vision. They strapped his wrists and legs to the table then turned away from him to seek knives. Castiel looked through the dusty railing, spotting Mary hiding behind a row of abandoned cages. She was seeking a weapon to save Castiel but the star knew she would be too late.
The three aged witches circled Castiel's table, brandishing sharp knives whose edges glimmered with a quiet but disheartening sense of lethality. Castiel felt his heart throb in his chest but fear was not his first thought, it was longing. He wished for Dean to be here, to hug him or even just to be near him and speak his name. Castiel felt his heart sinking deeper into his chest, because Dean was not coming to save him. Dean was happy with his love back in Lawrence and Castiel would die here.
The doors suddenly burst open, slamming against the back walls and shaking the rafters. Castiel turned to his right to find Dean brandishing the blade he'd gotten from Rufus. Beside him was a giant man that looked like Dean, enough to be considered family but with obvious differences that had seperated them as individuals. It was his brother, the one Dean had thought Castiel would like to meet from Lawrence. Castiel was shamed to be in this position when he first met Dean's family. He was strapped to a table, covered in dirt, sweat and fear and he was about to meet the most important thing in Dean's life. Castiel didn't feel that was a very good first impression when one plans to spend their life in the Winchester family company. The third man was not one Castiel recognized but he charged first, brandishing his blade.
"Go Meg," Lucifer nudged the youngest woman. She grinned and walked down to where Christian was, taking an offensive stance, with a dark hunger for violence clear in her eyes. She waved her hand, setting Christian's leather coat on fire. He hurried to remove it and dropped the blade in the rush. Not so easily deterred, She set him on fire once more and watched him remove his shirt. She turned to the Lucifer and Lilith with a wicked grin, sharing in this perverse moment of delight.
With her back turned, Christian pulled a small dagger from his boot and threw it at her, blade turning end over end for a few breathless seconds before landing, the sharp edge striking her in the heart. He then lunged towards her, throwing her body against a sharp pillar against the wall.
In the confusion, Mary grabbed Sam and Dean and pulled them behind the cages with her. Dean tried to slash at her but Mary stopped him, grabbing his wrist, "Dean, Dean I'm your mother, stop."
The two boys stared at her, wide eyed. Dean searched out her face and saw the matching green eyes, electric and mystical like Dean's own. He smiled and gripped her in a tight hug, "Mom, I missed you."
"I know, baby." She smiled, eyes tearing up a little. She grabbed Sam too, the three hugging tightly, "I wanted so badly to find you two. I prayed every night to be freed but I couldn't until...you Dean."
"Me?" Dean frowned. Behind them Lucifer was brandishing a small clay doll. He grinned as he lifted the clay doll's left arm. Christian cried out in shock when his own left arm was raised without his consent. Lucifer and Lilith cackled, then the eldest witch took hold of right leg of the doll. He bent it at an awkward angle and the resounding crack of Christian's right leg breaking echoed in the empty hall. Christian bit down on his lip to stop himself from screaming, breaking the skin of his lip with his teeth. The Prince took a step forward with his good leg, trying to lower his arm but he was unable to break the voodoo hold over him. Lucifer smiled maliciously, he raised the doll over the railing, just above the fountain that trickled into a pool at the bottom of the stairs. Lucifer dropped the clay doll into the water and the boys watched helplessly as Christian began to float in the air.
Their mother grabbed Dean's attention again, "When the moon looses a son, when a star falls for love."
"Castiel," Dean whispered and Mary smiled softly.
"He loves you and you need to save him." Mary kissed Dean's cheek.
Dean turned to Sam, "You ready?"
Sam nodded and the two stepped into the main pathway. They watched Christian float in hair, limbs and hair swirling as if he were suspended in water. Suddenly he stopped struggling, his eyes gone vacant, and his body fell to the ground, dead.
"Go Lilith," Lucifer growled, watching the two men approach. Castiel watched to, eyes focused on Dean, trying to keep his heart from swelling out of his chest with hope and love. Castiel thought of the bindings pinching his skin, of the witch above him with the sharp blade in hopes that would stop his skin from glittering.
Lilith circled around Castiel and descended the long staircase towards Dean and Sam. Sam stepped forward, first pulling his broad sword and then a small, wood handled dagger from his riding boots. Lilith raised her hand, nails smoking with acid. She lunged at Sam, brandishing her extended nails. He dodged her easily, slicing at her stomach but the metal of his blade melted away. He dropped the weapon before it burned his hand and raised the dagger.
"Give up, boy." Lilith hissed.
"Never," Sam grinned and charged at the witch. He raised the dagger his in the air and plunged it straight down on Lilith's skull. She stared in shock before collapsing to the ground and bleeding out on the tile. Sam returned to Dean and Mary, "What now Dean?"
Dean watched Castiel, watched the way he squirmed against his bindings, the glow around him struggling to brighten as he watched Dean. He turned back to his brother and mother. With a proud grin, he pushed the two towards the door, "Get to safety."
Sam took Mary outside with little hesitation and Dean faced Lucifer again. He stepped closer to the grand stairwell and raised his sword towards the witch, "Let Castiel go."
Lucifer looked down at the star, watched the man's heart pound against his chest, his skin glitter with the beginnings of joy. Lucifer raised his sword, "Or I could kill the star here and now! I thought I'd have to live with a frightened and bitter heart but upon seeing you, look at the way he glows!"
"NO!" Castiel shouted, trying desperately not to glow but the dagger never reached Castiel's chest. Dean had picked up Christian's sword and threw it at Lucifer, catching Lucifer's hands with the blade. The witch was pinned to the wall behind them, the sword stuck deep in the wood grain.
Dean rushed up the stairs to Castiel, cutting away the leather bindings and pulling the star into a hug. Castiel couldn't stop the glow now, glittering so brightly that Dean had to squint.
"You came back," Castiel gasped for air, gripping Dean tightly.
"I'm sorry," Dean whispered into Castiel's hair, kissing the top of the man's head, "I won't leave you again."
Castiel smiled into Dean's shoulder, "No, you will not."
All Castiel had wanted to do in that moment was kiss the man who he had come to love so wholly and completely, but they had to escape. The star pulled away from Dean, latching onto his wrist and running. Dean laughed, "I swear once we're out of danger, I am going to do so many things to you."
Castiel laughed, "I hope so."
The rushed down the stairs as Christian's sword flew by Dean's face, clipping his ear. They stopped abruptly and turned to find Lucifer, free of the sword and snarling angrily, "You kill my sisters, take my star, and now you think you can escape me?"
Dean pulled Castiel close to him, raising his sword and following Lucifer's movements. The witch paced the top of the stairs, hands glowing, face darkening. The black shutters fell over the windows and doors, leaving the place void of all light save for the low lit torches and the chandelier hanging from the center of the room. Suddenly the mirrors began to shatter, one by one, forcing them to run back towards the stair case. Dean gripped Castiel's hand tightly as he ran to safety. They ran until they reached the fountain, directly below Lucifer.
Dean pulled Castiel close, one arm wrapped around his waist.
Lucifer walked down the stair, slowly, footsteps echoing menacingly, dagger gripped tight in his hand. He snarled down at them as he reached the bottom stairs, "There is no escaping me, I will take that star and eternal youth will be mine."
"Cas," Dean whispered, pulled the star behind him and pushed him towards the exit, "Run as fast as you can. I'll distract him."
"How noble," Lucifer grinned, "True love conquers all, doesn't it? Makes us fools and heroes."
Castiel latched onto Dean tightly, pulling the man into a tight hug, "Close your eyes and don't let go."
"Why," Dean hesitated for a moment, confusion clear on his face, but did as he was told, wrapping his arms tight around Castiel. He laid his head down on the man's shoulder, facing the star's long neck, "What are you going to do?"
"Just trust me," Castiel kissed his cheek, then pressed his face to the back of Dean's head, "What do stars do?" He laced his hands together in Dean's hair, embraced the man tightly, closed his eyes and exhaled everything he felt, "Shine."
He felt the weight of him lift from somewhere deep down, felt his heart swell and burn so full that the only way he could contain it all was to let it out through his skin, through every pore of his being. Hope was the first feeling, warmth glittered it right out of his fingers, his toes. The next was joy, a weightless feeling that seeped out of his arms, his chest, his smile, raised a halo above his head that encircled Castiel's messy hair.
The last was love, pure, heart swelling love that blasted itself right out of Castiel, right through his back and stretched across every dark corner behind Castiel. His love felt like wings, powerful, large and with them, he could fly all the way back home to his brothers and sisters in the sky. But instead, the wings thrashed against Lucifer, burning the witch right through. Lucifer shattered into a thousand pieces, scattering the light of Castiel's shine.
Castiel breathed in and out deeply, trying to calm the swell of love and happiness from him. When his shine finally faded, Lucifer was nothing more then dying sparks and Castiel pulled away from Dean. Dean kept a tight grip on Castiel's arm, watching the glow subside to the soft glitter. Dean smiled, "That was amazing!"
"I could have only done that with you, Dean." Castiel smiled, "A star can't shine with a broken heart."
Dean took Castiel's cheek in his, smiling softly, "I just had to tell Lisa the good news, Cas."
"Good news?"
"Yeah, that I can't keep my promise," His other hand found Castiel's other cheek, bring the star closer to him. Castiel frowned but did not interrupt Dean, "Like, the star that fell the night I made her a promise is my fiancee and she can't have him," Dean smiled, pulling Castiel forward and giving him a quick, chaste kiss, "I love you, Cas."
Castiel smiled brightly, the glow returning again. He leaned forward, capturing Dean in a passionate kiss. They moaned together, separated only when they needed air and then kissed again.
"Geez," Sam sighed, the doors slamming shut behind him, "We're out here, terrified that you two are dead and here you are making out."
Dean laughed and pulled Castiel towards his brother and mother, "Shut up, bitch."
"Jerk."
"Boys," Mary smiled and turned to Castiel with a bright smile, "You did wonderful, Castiel. Thank you for bringing us together."
"So," Sam smiled goofily, "Introduce us, Dean."
Dean smiled, taking Castiel's hand in his, "Cas, this is my mother, Mary Campbell and my brother, Sam."
Castiel smiled, "It's a pleasure to meet you two."
"Where are we off to now," Dean smiled, "I can't have you cross the wall of course but we'll have to find a place to stay around here, jobs and all that."
Castiel sighed, fingers finding the amulet, "I have one more obligation still, Dean."
"You do?"
"Yes," Castiel pulled the amulet from beneath his shirt and raised it to the dim light from the open door, "This amulet has to be given to the right person. He was close once awhile ago but the witch killed him before I could hand it over, so I still wear it."
"Ask her for what she carries, Dean." Mary's eyes were bright, that electric green that echoed in Dean's eyes when he watch Castiel, in Sam's eyes when he read a book. It was eagerness, familiarity and Dean felt the pull of the amulet as well, "You have the right."
"Cas," Dean gulped, "Will you give me what you're carrying?"
Castiel smiled softly, lifting it up and over his head and presenting it to Dean. He bowed down just below Castiel's chin, presenting his head to receive the amulet. Mary smiled as Castiel moved it over Dean's head and placed it rightly around his neck, "It was your grandfather's and you are the rightful heir of the Stormhold throne, Prince Dean."
Dean raised his head again, felt the amulet burn across his chest in a way that was right, was powerful. Dean rolled his shoulders and relaxed, feeling the weight of royalty settle on him. Sam laughed, "Does that make me a duke."
Mary laughed and led Sam away by the arm, "Yes it does. Now I hope there is a young woman in your life, we won't have any heirs with two gay sons."
Dean laughed, taking Castiel's hand and leading him out into the sunlight, "So what will a star do when no one is seeking his heart?"
Castiel shrugged, "Perhaps give it to a King of Stormhold, but then I've already done that. So perhaps we should get married."
A month later and Castiel was standing in front of a gold, full length mirror, fixing his white collar. Jessica stood behind him, watching as he struggled to get comfortable in the stiff suit. She was dressed in a loose blue gown, remembering last week when she'd been fixing her own bridal clothing, terrified of tripping down the aisle.
"Relax," Jessica smiled, "You look handsome. Dean will strip you down right in front of everyone and consummate your marriage in front of God."
Castiel blushed but could not help the glow that surrounded him at the thought, "I'd rather he not do that."
Jessica laughed then stood, taking Castiel's arm and leading him to the main hall. She took his arm in her's and stood at the back of the long rows of pews. At the end of the aisle was Dean, smiling brightly in a black suit, watching every move Castiel made. The star began to glow brighter and Jessica had to close her eyes and elbow him to calm him down.
"Let's go," She whispered.
The music began and the two took a step onto the white carpeted aisle. They passed the crew of the Blue Label first. Ellen crying around the anonymous grunt of the crew and Captain. Jo rolled her eyes at her mother but smiled and gave Castiel a thumbs up. They passed the Bobby and the man in the black hat next. Bobby was fighting tears while Gabriel was crying into his tissue. Gabriel wailed loudly, "Better than I imagined."
Pamela elbowed him then waved at Castiel with a bright smile, "It's beautiful, Cas."
"Thank you, Pamela." Castiel whispered and they moved on. John and Mary were in the front row of pews, holding hands.
Mary stood and hugged Castiel deeply, John followed and shook his hand. They took each other's hand again and returned to the pew. Adam and Sam were last, standing behind Dean as his groomsmen. Jessica took Castiel's hand into Dean's then stood beside the star as the minister approached them.
The ceremony was short and simple as Dean felt eager to finally be alone with his husband, his consort. They were blessed and then crowned and allowed to kiss. Dean wrapped the star up in his arms and kissed him deeply, the crowd cheering and then shielding their eyes as Castiel began to shine again.
When he was settled, Dean took him by the hand and led him out of the church to begin their honey moon. The crowd of guests took the sack Jessica had handed out at the beginning of the ceremony, taking handfuls of the petals inside and throwing them high in the air. The concoction fell around Dean and Castiel like stars falling from the sky. Dean took Castiel in his arms again and kissed him deeply, the star shinning bright enough to blind the crowd once more. And that is where we will leave them, in a falling flurry of rose petals, kissing and shinning under the cloudless sky.