"Hey, Cas." Dean greeted the angel as they met up in the buffet line.
"Hello, Dean."
"How were the bugs?" Dean asked as he scooped some fries onto his plate. Cas shuffled alongside him.
"They were marvelous! There were so many fluttering about in many magnificent hues!" Cas answered excitedly.
"Sounds...colorful," Dean replied, leaving the buffet line and walking over to the nearest empty table.
"Yes, I wish you could have seen them. Oh! I nearly forgot about this!" Cas pulled a photograph out of his shorts pocket and placed it in front of Dean on the table as they sat down. Dean looked at the photo and a smile formed on his face. It was a picture of Castiel at the butterfly farm. A large blue morpho butterfly had landed square on his nose, and he was looking into the camera with his signature squint, blue eyes matching the butterfly's wings.
"Looks like you made a friend," Dean said with a mouthful of burger.
"Yes, this creature chose me as its higher power." Dean laughed as he popped some fries into his mouth. Cas squinted at him as he put the photo back in his pocket. "How have you spent your day?"
"Eating," Dean replied, taking the last bite of his burger.
"I am surprised you are not ill from the amount of fat and cholesterol you have consumed thus far."
"Bite me." Dean retorted. Castiel ignored him, and stood to leave.
"What shall we do during the rest of this voyage? There are several days before we arrive back in the United States, and there are two more islands as destinations." Dean shrugged and then stood as well, and the two walked towards the stairs. Honestly, Dean could think of a few things he secretly wanted to do with the angel. A number of them involving their beds being pushed together in the cabin.
"I kinda want to go to the beach...In the daytime, maybe swim." He answered finally as they reached the seventh deck. "Hey, why don't you head down to the room. I'm gonna grab a drink at the indoor bar over there." Cas nodded, and continued descending down the stairs as Dean walked by all the shops to reach the bar. On the way, he had to walk through the photo gallery. He passed by the walls of photos, and one caught his eye. He paused and stepped closer to get a better view. It was the photo that was taken of them at the poolside bar the first night of the cruise. He was looking at the camera with his signature charming smile, and Cas was slightly squinting, but also smiling. And they were holding hands. A smile twitched on Dean's face as he took the photo out of the slot on the wall, and brought it over to the register to purchase it.
Dean returned to the cabin with a beer and the photo in hand. Cas was laying back on his bed, reading the daily newsletter. Dean set his beer on the bedside table, and took a seat on his own bed.
"Hey, Cas. Look what I found." The angel swung his legs over and sat up on the edge of his bed.
"What is it?" Dean answered by handing the photo over to Cas. "This is a nice photograph," Cas responded with a smile.
"Yeah, it came out good," Dean replied, placing the photo on the bedside table and picking up his beer.
"I see here in the newsletter that the crew members take professional photographs of the passengers on 'formal night.'"
"What the hell's formal night?"
"It is the night when the passengers must dress up in formal clothing and attend the dining room for a meal. And it is tonight." Dean raised a brow.
"You want to dress up and go to dinner?"
"I would like to get these professional photos as well." Cas added.
Dean sighed. "Well, alright." He picked up his duffle bag and put it on the bed beside him, digging through it for formal clothes. "Well, get dressed, Cas, if we're gonna do this. I'm gonna jump in the shower real quick." Dean took his outfit and stepped into the bathroom. Cas got up and found his own formal attire in the bag that Sam had packed. He changed into it, and was just putting on the tie when Dean came out of the bathroom dressed to the nines, his hair gelled and combed to the side. He wore a maroon button up and black dress pants. Cas looked up and gaped at him in awe. Noticing the backwards tie, Dean smirked and stepped closer to him. "Here, let me." He fixed and straightened Cas's tie before stepping back. "Looking good, Cas. The ladies are gonna be all over ya." Cas silently hoped that Dean would be the one all over him. The angel couldn't help but stare at him, the way he had combed his hair, the way his green eyes shined as he smiled. Dean reached into the bathroom and grabbed his gel, running a hand through Cas's hair to fix it up.
"Thank you, Dean. I am looking forward to this evening." Dean blushed slightly, and walked over to the door.
"I'm lookin' forward to the steak...again."
Dean and Cas were seated in the fancy dining room on Deck 6. Crisp white tablecloth and napkins, shiny silver utensils and stainless clear glasses adorned the table. Dean looked over the menu and practically drooled.
"Oh, man, are you seeing this menu right now? This time, I'm really gonna get one of everything. Except the salad, though. I don't want rabbit food. What're you gonna order, Cas?"
"I would like to try the rainbow sherbert," Cas answered, nose in the menu.
"That's dessert, Cas. You have to start with something from up here," Dean replied, pointing to the entrees on the menu in Cas's hands.
"I see...Perhaps I will try your beloved steak." Dean grinned and patted Cas on the shoulder.
"There ya go! Man, I can't wait."
After dinner and dessert, Dean was sated and Cas was positive that he did not like rainbow sherbert. He did, however, like the cheesecake that Dean had shared with him. They climbed the stairs up to Deck 7, and walked over to the line where other passengers were waiting to get their photos taken. The backdrop set up in the center of the promenade deck was a red velvet curtain. After waiting several minutes and shuffling through the line, they were next. They watched the couple in front of them get their picture taken, the woman in a long sparkling gown and the man in a black suit. The photographer placed them in the common formal pose with the man behind the woman, arms around her waist. After they were finished, the photographer ushered the two men over to the red curtain backdrop.
"Good evening, please, stand here on the tape." The photographer, a European man said to Dean. Dean stood on the tape in front of the curtain facing the camera. The photographer instructed Cas to stand on another piece of tape, and Dean blushed when he felt arms wrap around his waist from behind. He wondered why the photographer automatically assumed they were a couple, and proceeded in placing them in that pose. But he didn't want to have to explain it to Cas later and have that conversation with him, so he just went along with it. Dean was embarrassed, being in such an intimate pose with his best friend in front of all the people standing in line watching them. When the camera flashed, Dean tried his best to smile, despite his nerves. Cas wore a similar expression, not fully understanding how pictures worked. But it was a smile nonetheless, because he was happy to be standing so close to Dean and with his arms around him. After the flash went off, the photographer walked up to them and asked if they wanted another pose. Dean shook his head, but Cas insisted. The photographer had them turn and face the other direction, their sides to the camera with Dean standing behind Cas this time, Dean was still embarrassed, and now he was pressed against Cas just like when they grinded at the party. His could feel his face burning, but he also liked standing so close to the angel. He put an arm around Cas and flashed his signature smile as the camera flashed. Cas was surprised to feel Dean's arms around him, and didn't smile in time for the photo. Instead, he gave the camera a blank stare. Dean walked over to the indoor bar within seconds after the last photo was taken, and ordered a drink. Cas followed and took a seat beside him.
"Are you alright, Dean?"
"Y-yeah, fine."
"I hope you do not become too intoxicated again..." Cas said quietly. Dean blushed as his mind flashed back to the shower scene the last time he had been drunk. He swallowed, and stared down at the bar counter. "One of what he has, please." He heard Cas say a minute later. The bartender returned with a drink in a glass and handed it to Cas. Dean raised a brow at him.
"You're drinking? Why?"
"I may as well."
"You m- Cas...Put it down."
"Why should I?"
"Cuz I'm not gonna deal with a drunk angel zapping all over the damn ship. That's why."
"I would not do such a thing," Cas argued as he took a sip of his drink.
"You know what, fine. I'm going outside for some air." Dean stood and walked towards the door that led to the outside walkway which wrapped around the whole ship. The hot, humid night air hit him as he left the air conditioning behind. He took a deep breath and walked over to the edge, looking out over the dark waves illuminated by the full moon. He stared up at the moon, lost in his thoughts. If the shower scene had happened when he had been drunk, he could only imagine what would happen if Cas got drunk. There was nobody outside on this side of the ship, everyone was inside at dinner or taking photos, and watching whatever show was playing in the theater. Dean sat on a lounge chair, and thought back to the night they had had so far. If he thought about it, it seemed pretty damn close to an average date night; formal clothes, dinner, photos. He realized he had fun doing those things, and he wouldn't mind having a night like this again, especially if it ended with a kiss. He bit his lip. Had this been a date night? Is that what it was to Cas? No, surely Cas didn't know that those were the things couples do together. He was just following the same routine they had going, just this time they had dressed up. Dean had enjoyed the night regardless of what it was called.
Just then the door opened, and Cas stumbled outside. Dean stood up from the lounge chair.
"Cas? Are you drunk?" Dean asked, as Cas walked closer to him. The angel leaned in close to his ear to speak.
"Don't ask stupid questions," he slurred.
"Alright, time for bed," Dean joked, taking a hold of Cas's arm to help steady him.
"I'm an angel, you ass. I do not sleep." Cas said in a low voice.
"Woah, ok. Sit down, Lindsay Lohan. And tell me how much you ran up my bill in there."
"I do not ...understand that reference," Cas managed as he sat in the lounge chair. Dean sat beside him on the end of the chair.
Dean chuckled. "Nevermind. How you feelin', Cas?"
"I feel fine, Dean." Cas tried to stand, but Dean pulled him to sit back down.
"Wait a minute, Cas, just- sit down, alright? Since when do you get drunk?"
"Since now. I wish to change out of this uncomfortable clothing." He tried to stand up again.
"Dammit Cas, talk to me!"
"The photos..."
"The pho-? What about them?"
"You were ashamed to take photos with me."
"Wh-no I wasn't. What're you talking about?"
"You stood so rigid, and you left...as soon as you could," Cas replied, looking down at the floor. Dean put a hand on his face and made him look up at him.
"You got it all wrong, Cas. I didn't have a problem taking pictures with you. It was standing so close to you that-" He let his hand drop and he took a turn looking down at the floor as blush spread across his cheeks.
"That what?"
"Just- I'm not used to... I mean, I never stand that close to you, and, well... It was...nice." Dean stammered. Cas smiled as Dean looked back into his eyes.
"Yes, it was...nice." Cas then put his hand over Dean's, and teleported them back to their cabin. But because the angel was drunk, they didn't land very smoothly. They landed on his bed, with Cas laying on top of Dean. Dean huffed when his brain caught up to the situation, and he put his hands on Cas to push him off. But the angel was staring down at him with a crystal blue, drunken squint. Dean's heart beat faster as he looked up at him.
"Cas..." He whispered.
Cas leaned down and pressed his lips to the corner of Dean's mouth. Dean's breath caught, and he closed his eyes a moment, unsure of what to do. Cas sat up after a second, unaware that he was straddling the hunter. Dean stared up at him, wide eyed and speechless. Even though it wasn't an actual kiss, Dean knew what Cas had meant to do, and his reaction was very much the same. He put his hands on the Cas's hips, still looking up into his eyes.
"Cas..." Dean whispered again. Cas's full, soft lips tugged into a smile. He attempted to unstraddle Dean and sit further back on the bed, but in his drunken state, managed to teeter over to the side nearly falling off. Dean grabbed him by the arm to stop his fall as he himself sat up. Cas righted himself, and they both were sitting on the edge of the bed facing one another. "You alright?"
"You are the most handsome...no...beautiful man that has- hiccup- ever been created." Dean raised a brow at him as he continued. Castiel felt dizzy, and his mind was a blur with racing thoughts and memories flashing back to the dancing and the shower and the sunset. "You are very kind to me, and your companionship means a lot to me. And recent events have led me to feel deeper emotions for you than before. I wish to show you my affections, Dean." Dean stood up before Cas could blink.
"Uh, thanks, Cas. That's really nice of you and all, but, uh... You don't...you don't have to show me any, uh, affection. I get the point." Cas pouted like a child, looking up at him from where he sat. He felt confused. Dizzy and confused. Dean had shown him affection when he had been drunk. Why was this any different? He stood up and swayed slightly as the boat rocked. He put a hand on Dean's arm to steady himself. "Cas, why don't you lay down? I want to go grab some pie." Dean suggested. He put his hands on Cas's arms, offering to help the angel sit down again.
"You kissed me when you were in-in...toxicated." Cas blurted out. Dean's eyes widened.
"I...Uh, I did? I don't...remember,
" Dean lied.
Without warning, Castiel pressed two fingers to Dean's forehead, unleashing the memory of them standing in the shower the previous night; Cas pressed up against the wall, Dean's strong grip on his hips pressing his lips to the angel's face.
When the memory was over, Cas took his hand away. "You do remember..."
Dean looked into Castiel's eyes with a very serious, wide eyed look. Everything from that moment on seemed to move in slow motion for Cas. Dean put both hands on his face, and leaned forward and pressed his lips to Cas's. Cas didn't think he could feel any dizzier or disoriented than he already was, but he was wrong. Dean was rough, and he was gentle. His lips moved against the angel's gently, cautious, awaiting Cas's reaction. Cas pressed back finally, deciding to place his hands on Dean's sides. Dean let go of his face and instead wrapped his arms around Cas's waist. To Castiel it felt as though hours had gone by, when really it was only about a minute before Dean pulled back.
"Cas..." Was all he could say. His heart was pounding in his chest, blood rushing downward, mind racing and feeling light headed. He might as well have been drunk too. He still couldn't believe what he had just done. He also wasn't entirely sure he should have. But after the past few days of absolute torture, he felt a bit relieved. Cas was just standing there looking into his eyes, arms still around him. Cas was once again happy to be standing in Dean's arms, smelling his cologne and hearing his heartbeat. He leaned in and pressed his lips to Dean's without missing this time. He wasn't entirely sure what he was doing, but Dean didn't seem to mind. Cas's tongue shyly ran along Dean's lower lip, and Dean gave an equally shy moan. He pushed Cas backwards until he stumbled and fell back onto the bed. Cas scrambled to sit up, his back against the wall of the cabin. Dean climbed onto his lap, and put a hand on his face before leaning down and kissing the angel again. When Dean pulled back this time, he grabbed the hem of Cas's dress shirt and lifted it up over his head. He tossed it aside and it landed somewhere beside them on the bureau. Dean took a moment to scan his eyes over the angel's now exposed torso. "Cas...you're so...perfect." He said honestly, running his hands across Cas's broad chest and down his muscular biceps.
"Thank you," Cas said, his voice deep and more sober. He copied Dean and pulled up the hunter's shirt. Dean helped out and took it the rest of the way off, discarding it like the first one. Cas put his hands on Dean's chest, abs, waist, anywhere he could reach. His hand brushed over the anti-possession tattoo, and Dean took his hand, putting it up beside Cas's head as he leaned down to kiss him. Dean's tongue glided over Cas's bottom lip, and took advantage of the angel's gasp to enter. Their tongues met, eliciting a quick gasp of satisfaction from both of them. Dean had only ever imagined what Cas's lips would feel like. They were perfect. Everything about the angel beneath him was perfect. He broke away from the kiss, and pressed his lips to Cas's neck like he had done in the shower. He loved the feel of Cas's hot skin against his lips. He took a playful nibble, resulting in Cas gasping again. He licked the love bite, and trailed kisses along his jawline. Cas put a hand on Dean's bare shoulder, aligning perfectly with the faded handprint. Dean sat back and looked into his eyes. He reached between them to unbutton Cas's dress pants.
"You, uh...You ok with this?" Dean asked, drunk with lust. Cas nodded, and Dean got off his lap. He helped Cas out of his pants, and then pulled off his own, kneeling on the bed beside the angel. He was slightly embarrassed about his boxers being so revealing, but he noticed - while his cheeks burned red – that Cas had the same issue. Cas sat there gaping at him, and Dean was pretty sure he had the same expression.
"My apologies, Dean..." Cas began. "But I am not exactly aware of what humans...well...humans of the same gender...do together."
Dean blushed again. "Don't worry, Cas. We can, uh, we can take it slow."
"Yes, I would like that, Dean." Dean nodded and straddled him again. Cas leaned forward and kissed Dean's mouth, putting his hands through the hunter's short, spiky hair. It had a sort of sticky, greasy feeling because of the gel. He loved the way the spiky ends of his hair felt against his fingertips, especially the ones at the base of Dean's neck, where he left his hand. He felt Dean's warm hands grip his waist and felt him rock his own hips forward. The sudden friction caused Cas to groan with surprised pleasure. Dean smiled against his mouth, and experimentally moved again, resulting in another groan from the naive angel beneath him. He could feel Cas's evidence of gender pressing against his was distracting. He wanted to do so many things with Cas, every naughty idea racing through his mind as he kissed his angel senseless. But he said they'd take it slow, and he didn't want Cas to get too overwhelmed. Dean himself was already feeling lightheaded again. He stayed in control, although he continued to grind on Cas's lap. He liked hearing the little moans against his lips and knowing that he was making Cas feel good.