Dean had lost sight of Castiel. He was outside the building now, scanning the area for the angel, but couldn't see him anywhere.

Damnit.

He went to the only place he could think of – the park. Castiel had always seemed to like the place, despite of the nosy children, so that was where Dean went.

When he arrived at the park, he was panting so hard from running. There weren't that many people there, but Dean couldn't find Castiel as he looked around. Until he suddenly spotted a lonely figure on a bench further into the park. A figure in a trench coat and white wings.

Dean ran over to him and stopped when he reached him.

Castiel was staring into his lap, hands folded in it. The bench had nothing to lean back against, so there was plenty of space for his wings, which were draped across the bench and over the edge behind it. He didn't look up as Dean came over, but Dean knew the angel was aware that he was there.

Dean sat down next to him, slowly, staring at his face the whole time.

"Cas, I'm sorry. It isn't what you think it was. I was just trying to find out what happened to that guy and where he was – I wanted to make sure he wouldn't come anywhere near you again," Dean said, pleading him to understand. "I swear I wasn't looking up information about you or what happened to you; I wouldn't do that behind your back. If I had to know about, it should come from your mouth and not from some database."

"I know that is not why you were looking at that site, Dean," Castiel finally spoke. He didn't lift his head, he just kept staring into his lap. "It's just… when I saw his picture, I- I couldn't…" he trailed off, and Dean could hear that he was close to tears.

Castiel curled in on himself, shivering.

"Cas…" Dean sighed. "I'm sorry. Shit, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"

"I know," Castiel said, voice low and broken.

Dean looked at him for a moment before he carefully pulled the angel against him. Castiel sighed and rested his head on Dean's shoulder, while he rubbed circles into Castiel's right shoulder, comforting him. He pressed a kiss to Cas' head, and the angel purred a little before leaning closer to him.

A few tears streamed down Castiel's cheek, and Dean used his other hand to brush them away.

"I just wanted to make sure the bastard was far away, that's all," Dean said, desperate for the angel to understand.

"I understand, Dean. I'm not mad," Castiel replied.

Dean nodded; holding him tighter. He was surprised Cas had believed him just like that, but to Dean it meant that the angel trusted him – he trusted that Dean wouldn't betray his trust.

Dean had no words for how it made him feel. Instead he simply hugged the angel closer and comforted him.

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Castiel had been a little more silent than usual after the incident, but Dean didn't blame him. He couldn't imagine what it had been like for Cas to see the photo of the man who had abused him for so many years.

But after a few days of kisses on the cheeks and Dean holding him protectively in his warm arms, Castiel was starting to do better again. Soon, he was acting like nothing had happened.

Dean was very relieved about that. He had been scared out of his mind when Cas had stormed out of the office and disappeared. He hadn't known until then just how much he feared losing Cas, or feared hurting him. But the angel had forgiven him and Dean swore he wouldn't screw up like that again; he would never betray the angel's trust.

A week later they were assigned to a case involving a shape-shifter. It was spotted in midtown where it took the shape of random people and committed crimes, looking like them. The search led them to another bar, where the shifter had imitated some of the guests recently. The owner had called them about it because the shifter's behavior while imitating others was ruining his business.

Castiel was not happy about entering another bar and grabbed Dean's arm when they were about to enter it. Dean glanced back at him in concern.

"Cas, don't worry, I won't let them too close to you," Dean promised. "Or me, for that matter," he grinned.

"I don't know if I can go in there, Dean," Castiel said, his grip on Dean's arm tightening.

Dean sighed and leant in to kiss him. "It'll be fine, we're out of here as soon as we find the son of a bitch, alright?"

Castiel nodded and they entered the bar together.

The bar was mainly empty, but it was still early. They found the bartender and Dean started asking him questions about the customers.

"A few days ago Mr. Peterson started acting out of the ordinary – was practically hitting on every girl walking in here even though he's happily married and has two children," the bartender said, cleaning the counter while he was talking to Dean. "It hit me immediately that something was wrong. I mean, I know he's had a few one-night stands whenever he and his wife had fights, but doing it in public? He never does that. His wife was furious when she found out."

"How many of your customers started acting strange?" Dean asked; leaning on the counter while talking to him. Castiel was behind him, glancing around nervously.

"Around three people, I think – two guys and one girl," the guy answered. "I have the feeling this son of bitch wants to ruin this business by scaring all the customers away."

"Okay, thanks man," Dean said, stepping away from the counter and leading the angel into a private corner. "I think this thing will show up again soon. Seems like it's attached to this place for some reason."

Castiel nodded in agreement, and Dean started shifting awkwardly.

"Shit, I need the restroom," Dean mumbled, practically on his toes now. "I'll be right back, Cas, just stay here."

"Of course."

Dean disappeared into the restroom and Castiel glanced after him before something caught his attention.

A woman was approaching him, eyeing him with interest. She had dark hair, slim figure, and seemed to be in her mid-twenties. Castiel tensed when she came up to him, leaning against the wall next to him; pushing her chest forwards to show off her breasts. Castiel looked away. He prayed Dean would return from the restroom soon.

"You seem so out of place, angel," she said, leaning closer. "Is it the humans that unsettle you?"

Castiel's head snapped up and he turned to look at her in surprise. That was when he saw that she wasn't human.

She was the shape-shifter.

The shifter smiled when she saw that Castiel recognized her true nature.

"Humans are all pathetic, aren't they," she said. "They only care about themselves. Think they rule the world. Pitiful."

"They aren't all like that," Castiel said.

"What? You referring to your partner? You think he's any better? A guy like that only wants one thing."

"Dean is not like that. Stop talking about things you don't understand," Castiel growled.

"Oh, but I do understand. Dean is no stranger to me, sweetie," she said, leaning so close that her face was right up in his, and he flinched away. Her head was tilted, and she smiled smugly when realization appeared in Castiel's eyes.

Dean had lain with this female, once. Probably without knowing her true nature. Castiel was suddenly reminded of how Dean used to be before; chasing women and men alike for the pleasures of the flesh, never engaging in long-term relationships. That was who Dean was.

But not anymore. Those people had meant nothing to Dean on an emotional level.

But Castiel did.

And he trusted Dean.

"Shut up," Castiel growled at her, "you don't know Dean the way I do." The shifter's eyes widened in surprise, and she stepped back a little.

Dean came out of the restroom then, but stopped when he saw the angel glaring at the woman next to him.

"Cas?"

"She's the shape-shifter," Castiel simply said. Dean's eyes widened and pulled out his silver blade from his back pocket.

"You'll regret this," the shifter hissed at Castiel, before she ran for the door. Dean chased after her, so did Castiel.

They chased her down an alley and into the streets, before she disappeared into a nearby park. They followed her, but it was hard to see anything in the darkness. Castiel could sense her nearby, and so could Dean. The park was empty so they should be able to hear every noise she made. But there was nothing.

"Damnit, I know she's here somewhere!" Dean said, looking around the dark park in frustration.

There was a loud noise from the trees, and suddenly the shifter was on Dean; jumping from the tree and landing on his back, making him fall to the ground. Castiel turned around, eyes full of panic, but the shifter used a spell to knock him back. Castiel groaned as the hit the ground a few meters away, hard.

Dean tried to get up, but the shifter only turned him onto his back, roughly, before she sat down on top of him.

"What are you? Half witch or something?" Dean spat, and located Cas a few meters away. The angel was groaning and had trouble getting to his feet. The spell was making it hard for the angel to move, and Dean growled in frustration and anger.

"Just because I'm a shifter doesn't mean I don't have a few tricks up my sleeve," the shifter sneered. "And hello, Dean, long time, no see."

Dean frowned at her. "Do I know you?"

She threw her head back and laughed. Then she placed her hands on his chest, and sat down on his groin; starting to rub back and forth over his dick. Dean groaned at the friction and tried to push her off, but she held him down by force.

"You liked it so much when I rode your cock back in the Mortheimer's Motel, two years ago, remember?" She said, and stopped the movement. She leaned down over him, right up his face. "I was blonde back then, though," she sneered.

"God, you're that chick who said she was from New Orleans and gave me the blowjob of the year," Dean groaned.

"I'm surprised you remember," the shifter said. "Though, it was Boston and not New Orleans."

"Who cares?" Dean snarled and made another attempt to push her off.

Castiel was lying a few meters away, and had finally managed to get to his feet. Dean glanced at him but forced himself to look at the shifter again so she wouldn't suspect anything.

"This is why humans like you are so pathetic – you fuck around, left and right, take as many partners as you can and don't appreciate the love your true soul mate can give you. You just give yourselves to mindless fucks instead. Pathetic," she hissed.

"That's why you're roaming around the bars. That's the place where people find each other to have mindless sex. And then you 'dress' as them, hit on random people in public and ruin their lives." It wasn't a question.

"I just wanted to teach them a lesson," she hissed. "Now, I'm going to teach you yours."

She pulled a knife from her pocket, but before she could use it, Castiel tackled her to the ground and the knife fell out of her hand. They tumbled a few feet before the shifter managed to overpower him and pushed him down onto his back. Castiel was weakened by her previous spell and could only try to push her off as she gathered the knife again and took an aim for his wings.

Castiel's eyes widened in fear until Dean appeared behind her. He grabbed her arm which was holding the knife, and leaned in close to her from behind.

"Get the hell off of him, bitch!" Dean snarled before he plunged his silver knife into her back and out through her chest. She screamed out in pain, eyes wide in horror and blood splatter hit Dean and Castiel all over.

She fell to the ground, dead.

"You okay, Cas?" Dean asked as they both rose to their feet.

Castiel didn't reply, he simply stared at the ground, biting his lip. And then Dean knew Cas had heard everything the shifter had just said.

Dean hesitated. "Cas? You know I don't think of you in the way I've thought of so many people before, right? I'm not like that anymore; not with you, and—"

Dean was cut off when Castiel grabbed the front his shirt, pulling him into a deep, possessive kiss. Dean's eyes widened in surprise before kissing him back.

When they pulled back from the kiss, Castiel's eyes were fixed on where his hands were still grasping Dean's shirt.

"Cas, what was that?" Dean asked, blinking in shock.

"I-I don't know," Castiel said, looking just as stunned as Dean felt. "I just… I didn't like her sitting on you."

Dean chuckled. "Are you possessive of me, Cas?"

Castiel didn't reply, he simply looked away, avoiding Dean's eye.

"Cas, you know I wouldn't trade you for anyone."

"Even if I can't give you sex?" Castiel muttered.

"Yes, even then I wouldn't," Dean sighed, and pressed his forehead against the angel's. Castiel looked into his eyes and they their lips met in another kiss, both melting into it. The angel's hand moved up and grasped his hair, lightly, and Dean moaned into his mouth in surprise and appreciation, because Castiel had never done that before.

When they pulled apart, Dean let his gaze fall to the wings behind Castiel's back. He chuckled, and the angel narrowed his eyes at him in question.

"Your wings are muddy from where the bitch threw you to the ground, and you're full of blood, too," Dean said, smirking. "I think you need a shower."

"Oh." Castiel glanced over his shoulder at his muddy wings before looking at Dean. "So do you," he smiled when he took in all the blood that Dean was covered in.

"Right," Dean grinned. "Let's go," he said and guided Castiel out of the park.

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They went to Castiel's place to get cleaned up. But when they entered the apartment, they noticed that Gabriel was there. The elder angel raised an eyebrow at them when they came in, covered in mud and blood.

"Someone got kinky," he said, distastefully. Castiel's brows furrowed and Dean just scowled at him.

"It's not like that," Dean said and moved further into the room.

"I think you guys need to shower," Gabriel said, looking between them. "Separately," he added.

Dean scowled at him, because he had the feeling the elder angel was being funny – in the mocking way.

Castiel nodded and glanced at Dean, who told him that he okay with him showering first. After all, Castiel needed to get as much mud out as soon as possible before it got too stuck in his feathers.

After Castiel disappeared into the bathroom, Gabriel turned to look at Dean.

"Do I wonna know what happened?"

"Not really," Dean mumbled. "Just some crazy shape-shifter, that's all."

"A shape-shifter that used a magic spell on Cassie?" Gabriel asked, raising an eyebrow. When Dean looked at him in surprise he added, "I can practically smell the spell on him. It hit him pretty good. Though, the effects are over now, thank god. Did the thing hurt him?"

"She tried to but I got in the way," Dean smirked.

Gabriel laughed. "You two save each other's asses like a girl changes underwear."

"What would you know about that?"

"Oh, I know many things about girls," Gabriel smirked and moved his eyebrows in a suggestive matter. Dean grimaced, disgusted, and the elder angel laughed once more.

They sat down and talked for a while, about nothing in particular. Dean had the feeling the angel was starting to like him more, which made it easier for Dean to make a conversation with him.

He was starting to stink like blood and dirt, and he wished Cas was done showering soon.

Fifteen minutes later, Castiel stepped out of the shower; wings looking cleaner and still dripping water. There were no signs of mud in the feathers anymore but they were messy and stood out in all directions. He would need grooming.

Dean slid into the shower and washed the blood off himself. Cas had left him some clean clothes since his own were dirty. It was just sweatpants and a t-shirt, and though they were Cas', they fit him pretty good. Probably 'cause the angel liked to wear clothes that were two sizes too big for him.

When he exited the bathroom, he found Cas sitting on a stool with Gabriel behind him; helping him dry his messy wings.

The elder angel glanced over his shoulder at Dean when he came into the room. "Ah, you're finished," he said. "Good, then I can let you take over." He smirked.

Castiel tensed slightly and Dean's eyes widened in shocked surprise.

Him? Take over? As in… grooming Cas' wings?

No way.

He had no idea how to do that – and what would Cas think of it? Wasn't it a very private thing to do?

While Dean was standing there, shocked, Castiel turned to look at his brother over his shoulder.

"Gabriel, Dean is not…"

"Dean's not what?" Gabriel cut him off. "Your mate? Not yet, but he almost is – I can tell that your grace has bonded with him already, to some extent." Castiel blushed and looked into his lap and Gabriel chuckled. "I think it's about time I step back and let Dean have this responsibility; it would be inappropriate if I continue doing this." He walked over to Dean and patted him on the shoulder.

Dean stared back at him in surprise. "But, I have no idea how to—"

"Cassie will guide you through it," Gabriel shrugged.

"But—"

"Damnit, Dean! Don't get freaked out so easily! If you wonna be with my brother, you'll have to groom him, sooner or later. Might as well get started and learn it," Gabriel grinned.

"But I don't know if Cas is…" Dean trailed off and glanced over at Castiel, who was staring back at him over his shoulder. His wings were hanging behind him, looking tense but dryer than before. He bit his lip, nervously, and looked away from Dean's eyes.

Gabriel followed Dean's gaze. "I don't think Cas minds too much as long as you keep it superficial, for now."

Castiel didn't protest and Gabriel took his silence for agreement and moved over to the door.

"I'll be going now. Just keep it PG-13, okay?" Gabriel smirked. Dean was too distracted with his thoughts to bite out a comment at him, and Gabriel left soon after, locking the door behind him with his keys.

Dean shifted, awkwardly, and Castiel still was still biting his lip silently.

"Cas, if you don't want me to, I'll just…"

"It's okay, Dean," Castiel said. "You can do it, just… follow my instructions and don't touch the places I tell you not to touch."

Dean nodded and moved forward. He didn't know why he suddenly felt so nervous. He moved over and sat down on the stool behind the angel, where Gabriel had been sitting before. Castiel spread his wings, slowly, in invitation, and tensed up a little.

Dean leaned back, exhaling.

He suddenly realized how intimate this was going to be. He was going to groom Castiel's wings – actually grooming them – and the angel would let him.

Dean leaned forwards, taking a deep breath, and slowly – finally – buried his hands in the soft feathers.

To be continued…

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The next chapter will be rated M – just so you're warned. I think you can guess what happens next then ;) There will still be a few more chapters to go – and something extra, which I will explain in the last chapter.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I'm hoping to have the next one up soon. All your reviews so far make me very happy, thank you guys ^_^ You really motivate me to write more!

Hope you enjoyed reading and please review :)