Work became hectic for Castiel. It wasn't a surprise. It was nearing the end of the fiscal year, which always made a demanding job even more so. He enjoyed it, though. It kept him busy. He stayed late every night, but at least every other night he began going to the pub he had gone to with Paul. It was always quiet late at night and the food was always good. It was a nice bubble of solitude that he previously had never needed to seek out. He wrote it off and attributed it to the regular flow of hormones through his body.
He was at the pub late on a Friday when a hard hand gripped his shoulder. He turned, going rigid with a small short of apprehension when he heard Dean's voice.
"Hey, Cas," Dean said, squeezing his shoulder before dropping his hand.
Castiel smiled at him. "Hello, Dean."
The fluttering appeared in his stomach and his smile felt very genuine. Dean pulled out a stool beside him at the bar and sat, signaling the bartender.
"What are you doing here?" Castiel asked.
"I got addicted to their burgers when I was at your house," Dean said. Then the bartender came to get his order. Dean ordered a beer and a bacon cheese burger.
"We had their food?"
"Yeah. The nights you were out of it. Ordered it every night. What are you eating? It looks like cat food."
Castiel looked down at his burger. He frowned, confused. "It's a burger."
Dean reached over and lifted the bun of Castiel's burger. "No. That's rabbit food."
"It's their Healthy Choice."
Dean laughed, "Ah man, that's no good."
"I enjoy it."
"Because you don't know any better. Are you just getting off work?"
"I haven't decided yet."
"Uh, it's eleven o'clock, maybe you should call it a night."
Dean asked him what he was doing at work so late. Castiel told him and then he asked Dean the same thing about his own work. Something had gone wrong with the Impala and Dean had been at work late trying to fix it.
"Here try this," Dean said, holding half of his cheeseburger toward Castiel. When Castiel went to take it, Dean pulled back a fraction, so Castiel leaned forward and took a bite while Dean held it.
The patty was thicker and juicier than Castiel's had been. He made a low, involuntary noise as he chewed.
"You shouldn't make noises like that with all my clothes on," Dean said.
Castiel might have choked on his burger, but it was too good for that. There was no reason to be prude, anyway. He thought he and Dean were a good deal beyond that point. Then Dean leaned forward and wiped his thumb by his mouth. Castiel watched as he put his thumb in his mouth and sucked the juice from it. Castiel watched as his lips sealed around it. Heat suffused into his cheeks as his stomach fluttered again.
"That is better than what I've been ordering."
"Yeah, all that fake meat's no good for you. You need the real deal," Dean said, giving him another smile.
Castiel understood that Dean was making some kind of lewd joke, but he didn't know what it was and he didn't feel a strong enough compulsion to ask. He sat with Dean while Dean ate and they ordered more beer. When it was passed one, they walked from the pub together. Castiel saw Dean's car for the first time and walked around it with him, verbally appreciating it and seeing Dean preen at his compliments.
"Want me to drive you home?" Dean asked.
"I would appreciate that."
Castiel rode in the passenger seat, looking out at the rain slicked streets while rock music played from the car's speakers. When they reached his apartment building, Dean parked along the curb in front and put his arm across the back of the bench seat.
"Want some company?"
"I have a meeting in six hours that I need to prepare for," Castiel said.
"Do you really have a meeting or are you just blowing me off?"
Castiel fronwed, confused once again. "No. I have a meeting."
"What if you didn't have one?"
"Then I would like you to come up with me for the evening."
Dean grinned. "You like me."
"I find your company appealing."
"D'aww stop it, Cas. You're making me feel all Pretty Woman."
"I don't know what you mean."
"What do you live under a rock? Okay, just add that to the movies we'll have to watch next time you're in a sex haze."
Then Dean leaned over and put his hand on the back of Castiel's neck. He leaned in and kissed Castiel. There was a flash of heat down his spine. The one that had been missing with Paul. He only allowed himself to open his mouth partially and taste the cling of beer on Dean's oxygen before pulling away. Dean kissed him again before letting him go.
"Next time you want to grab a burger, you've got my number," Dean said quietly.
"Yes. Good night, Dean."
"Night," Dean said, sitting straight in the driver seat again as Castiel got out of the car.
There was no disappointment was Castiel rode the elevator to his floor. He never took the opportunity to prepare for the meeting. Instead, he fell into bed and masturbated with the artificial knot and the hazed memories of his heat playing in a static reel in his mind.
The next few weeks passed quickly for Castiel. The fiscal year came to a close, which was good, but it also meant that he hardly had time to sleep. Some nights he didn't. Dean did text him occasionally, to ask him to go eat or have a drink, but each time Castiel had to refuse. Each time he did, he felt worse. Dean didn't stop asking, though, and that made him feel better.
So when the paperwork was all filed in the correct places and the positive earnings reports were sent, Castiel was nearly relieved to feel the first tinges of heat. The slight increase in his temperature the week before, his slight moodiness. He took a test for it on a Wednesday. It said he was two days from his heat, so he cleared his schedule with Cooper.
That Friday, Castiel sat at his computer at home as the faint warmth traveled up his chest from his stomach and downward to his groin. Finally, he opened a text message to Dean and wrote to him.
If you aren't busy, could you come help me this evening? I'm going into heat. If you'd prefer, I can request you through the agency instead.
Castiel waited, browsing idly through across the top business stories of the day. Refreshingly, the fever didn't continue to increase drastically. It warmed his stomach and spread to his groin until his penis was erect and pressing against his zipper. He undid his slacks and reached inside to stroke himself.
When he came, it was on his stomach. Unlike before, his own climax helped. It lowered his internal temperature so the edge was gone. When he picked up his phone again, there was a message from Dean.
Be there in 10.
It was sent seven minutes before. He went to the kitchen and wiped his cum from his stomach and threw the paper towels in the trash. He was just buttoning his pants when there was a knock. Castiel went to the door and opened it. Dean stood with the same duffle bag and smiled then it was wiped from his face and he pushed Castiel back into the apartment and kicked the door shut.
"It's good to see you," Castiel said.
Dean threw his bag down and grabbed Castiel by his hair, pulling his head over to bare his neck. Dean leaned down and inhaled along the line of his throat. Castiel closed his eyes and felt moisture come from himself.
"Jesus, is that what you smell like?" Dean asked roughly against the skin of his throat.
"I don't know what you mean," Castiel said then Dean dragged the flat of his tongue over his neck.
"If you ever touch those suppressants again I'll break your arms," Dean said low. "Don't you ever cover that up."
Dean's voice sent a jolt straight down his spine. The wonderful bracing scent of sea salt was back to Dean's skin. His mouth was cool on Castiel's slightly fevered skin. Then Dean yanked back his head and brought his mouth down heavily on Castiel's.
Castiel opened his mouth as warmth flushed his lower body. Dean pushed his tongue into Castiel's mouth and tightened his hand in his hair, twisting it until it hurt. It was a pleasing kind of pain. Then Dean pulled away, breathing in his face.
"Why the fuck didn't you let me kiss you before?"
"Sorry," Castiel said, then he leaned up and kissed Dean again.
Dean grabbed the opening of Castiel's shirt and yanked. The buttons gave and he heard them hitting the floor. Then Dean was twisting up his t-shirt and groping his stomach.
"You feel so good, Cas," Dean said against his mouth, then he was walking Castiel backward.
Castiel went easily until he hit the back of his knees on the bed. They started taking off their clothes while keeping their mouths as in contact as they could. When Castiel took down Dean's underwear his erection rested against his hip. Castiel pushed back enough from Dean and looked down.
The heat in his stomach swelled upward into his chest and into his neck. He rubbed his hand up Dean's cock and heard him moan again his neck where he was kissing. It was heavy and cool. He sank to his knees and took it in both his hand. He licked over the side, then beneath, kissing it wetly.
"God that's right, Cas. Gonna let me fuck your mouth, baby?"
Normally, hearing words like that would make Castiel recoil. He thought it still would if it were anyone that he didn't have some kind of affection for. If it were not Dean. He opened his mouth and pushed as much of Dean's flesh in as he could.
Admittedly, his technique was sloppy. It had been years since he'd give a blow job and then it had only been a beta. Dean's dick was thicker and longer. He couldn't swallowed it down his throat, but what he could get into his mouth he licked and sucked like he could draw the flavor of Dean's skin out. Dean rocked against his face, pressing his thumb into Castiel's cheek until he could feel his dick moving in and out behind the thin layer of flesh. The subtle warmth in Castiel's body amplified as his own lubricant leaked down his bare thigh.
When Dean's knot began to form at the base, Castiel massaged it, studying the feel. It was hard beneath Dean's softest skin. Finally, Dean pulled away. Castiel went forward again, trying to take him back into his mouth, but Dean dragged him up then shoved him back on the bed.
Castiel went to get on his hands and knees, but Dean caught his arm and flipped his back over on his back.
"No. You're going to stay right there all spread out of me."
Dean climbed onto the bed and laid on top of Castiel, kissing him again. With one hand, he yanked one of Castiel's leg up, then pressed at the cleft of his ass.
"You smell so good. So fucking wet too," Dean said.
Then Dean pushed a finger into him. Castiel arched his back involuntarily with a chest deep sound. Dean laughed.
"Someone's been playing with themselves."
"Dean, please," he said roughly.
"Since you asked so nice," Dean said, then he laid between Castiel's hips and pushed in fluidly.
Castiel made a noise he wasn't sure could be construed as pleasurable. He wasn't sure it was. It was so intense. The heat amplified until it was just beginning to be hot. Dean dropped his head against his shoulder.
"God that's what you're supposed to feel like, Cas. That's fucking perfect."
"Move," Castiel said, squeezing the sheets.
"Ask," Dean said, pulling away enough to look at him.
"Dean," Castiel said, gripping his shoulder and looking down there bodies where they joined.
"Ask, Cas."
Castiel breathed heavily until looking at Dean. There was want in Dean's eyes, blatantly written over his features. His body felt like it were vibrating. It felt wonderful to be looked at that way. Last time, Dean hadn't looked at him with lust. There was sympathy and concern, but not lust. It made Castiel's body warm completely and made Dean's already handsome face beautiful.
"Please, please fuck me, Dean."
Dean yanked him closer and kissed him deeply, moving into him hard. Castiel clutched at Dean's body to keep from being shoved up the bed by the force of his movements. He began to feel the snag of Dean's knot of his outer ring. It made his eyes roll back and he came between them.
The deepest warmth began to spiral out of Castiel when he felt Dean jerk against him and coolness spread through him. When he began to come back to himself, Dean was kissing his shoulder and neck softly.
Castiel turned in again him. Feeling Dean's lips this way was different. It made the warmth in his body ebb and flow, but it felt comforting and gently, like being cared for. It felt nothing like the time before, desperation and neediness.
"Feels good, doesn't it, Cas?" Dean asked.
"Very," Castiel said. "Does everything feel more normal than last time?"
"No. You feel awesome. You smell like a little walking ball of sex."
Castiel closed his eyes with a low hum. Dean ran his fingers through Castiel's hair.
"I thought you didn't like being objectified, Cas," Dean said quietly.
"I don't find it displeasing from you."
Dean grinned. "So you just like being my little slut omega?"
"Don't push it."
Dean laughed then kissed him again. When they could finally slip from each other, they ordered dinner, then they pulled up movies and they watched them together. Hours later, Dean pulled him close again and they had sex on the couch.
Castiel slept with Dean's cool body wrapped around him in his bed. He woke once during the night and remembered the hazy movements of their bodies. Then they fell asleep again with Dean tied inside of him.
The next evening, Castiel laid on the couch with Dean once again. The smell of fried food blew around the room with the smell of their sweat and fluid. Dean ran his fingers idly through the back of Castiel's hair.
"I gotta ask," Dean said, looking away from the television. "Did you keep blowing me off, because you just want to fuck around with me or were you actually busy?"
"I've been very busy," Castiel said.
"So you like me?" Dean asked with a cocky smile.
Castiel smiled slightly. "Yes."
"I get the feeling that doesn't happen very often."
"Occasionally."
"When was the last time you dated someone?"
Castiel frowned for a moment in thought. "Two years."
"You hadn't had sex in two years?"
"I saw people casually."
"What kind of people?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, alpha, omega, beta? Who normally does it for you?"
"A mixture. Most were beta. Some omega. Nearly all male."
Dean made a low noise that rumbled against Castiel's cheek. "You and another omega? Really?"
"Yes. For a while. The longest was with another omega male. He was an intern in the HR department with a southern accent. He was very sweet, beautiful."
Dean slid his hand down his own body and rubbed himself through his underwear. "I would pay to see you rolling around with another little omega."
He smelled the increase in Dean's pheromone production and leaned closer, breathing along the scent line of Dean's throat. He smiled slightly. It was pleasing to know that he could cause that kind of reaction in Dean, although it did make him roll his eyes mentally that the reaction was caused by something so stereotypically alpha. But if Dean were going to be aroused by something like that, then Castiel would take advantage.
"Would you like to see that, Dean?" Castiel asked near his ear. "Would you like to see me kissing another omega? Watching us lick into each other's openings?"
Dean made another low noise and tightened his arm around Castiel. Castiel smiled against Dean's skin as his teasing worked. It made him feel attractive and that was a very nice feeling that had become nearly foreign to him for so many years.
"It would be even better if we were both in cycle," Castiel said, "Unable to get enough of each other's bodies."
Then Dean jerked him as he moved on top of him.
"No. I'm not sharing cycles."
Castiel didn't know if he had the ability to preen, but he felt like that may be what he was doing as warmth swelled in his chest and Dean began to kiss him again like he were something wanted.
Castiel's heat passed in an appropriate time frame. He nearly dreaded it. They watched movies, and when they weren't having sex, they talked in the post coital haze. They talked about Dean's job and Castiel's. They spoke about family and Castiel heard the deep adoration in Dean's voice when he talked about his younger brother Sam, although he talked about him roughly. Castiel told Dean about his grandmother that he had loved dearly.
When he kissed Dean at the doorway on the fourth morning, he forced a smile.
"You call me if it hasn't passed," Dean said, cupping his face.
"I will," Castiel said.
Then Dean leaned down and kissed him again, deep and slow. He was held to Dean's chest before Dean finally pulled away. He kissed Dean again before making himself step away.
"Don't be a stranger," Dean said.
"I won't be."
Dean kissed him again before going down the hall. Castiel closed the door as Dean walked away. It had seemed quiet the first time after Dean left, now it was nearly deafening with silence. He had grown accustomed to the sound of the television and Dean's laughter, his YouTube browsing that was mostly car exhaust clips that could become unnerving. Now there was none of it, so he put on a movie and let it play as he moved around the flat. He stayed home that day to allow the residual heat to ebb from his scent. He stayed on his computer, doing his work from home until the evening. Then he watched a movie, like he very rarely did.
He wasn't expecting the knock at the door, but he expected it to be Cooper bringing him work files. When he pulled open the door it was Dean with another paper sack that he held up slightly.
"So I'm just going to be straight up, I ordered too many burgers. Want to take care of it with me?" Dean asked.
Castiel opened the door farther. "Of course."
They didn't speak about it, but it seemed best and it didn't seem to need words. They enjoyed each other and Castiel was greatly relieved that it was mutual.