Title: Phoenix Hunting
Author: HigherMagic
Pairings: Dean/Castiel, mentions of Castiel/OCs (past-Deans) and past Dean/Sam, and implied past Dean/Nick, Dean/Jo and Dean/Pam.
Rating:NC-17
Word Count: ~29,000
Spoilers:Kind of S6 but it's AU.
Summary: "I wish you would have told me. I wish that I'd have known," he whispered, and Dean swallowed again, guiltily, reaching a hand up and smoothing his thumb over the back of Castiel's hand, over his heart, his eyes getting bright and wet. "But the past is the past, and we could not see the future then." Castiel smiled a little more widely. "I have you now, and I'm not letting you go again. Not without one hell of a fight."
Notes/Warnings: Third part after Dormant Siren and Siren Song . Those two should probably be read before this one. Contains sex, language, character death and violence, as well as some weird-ass plot devices. *awkward pause.* I wanted to get this up before 6.12 but I didn't manage, but I so wish I did because HOLY CRAP. It's like, well… Anyway. Again *braces self for siennis' wrath* Not my best work, I think. At least in terms of resolution.
Unbeta'd. All mistakes are my own.
"If he knows what's good he won't come here no more, 'cause you're kickin' his butt at the count of four…" Castiel smiled, cocking his head to one side at the melodious song echoing through the halls of his new house – he'd moved after the invasion of the Alpha werewolf's pack into his home, deeming the place too wrecked and too well-known to be a safe house for him and his newest Children anymore. Now he, his mate and his newest changelings were holed up in a large house in the Sierra Nevada mountains surrounding the west side of Ridgecrest; a small town in northeastern California. The weather was agreeing with him and Dean – he'd never smiled more in his existence, but that could have been more to do with his recent reunion with his resurrected mate.
"Goodnight, demon slayer, goodnight…" Castiel chuckled at the words, making his way from the cages for his newest Children and towards his private rooms, but stopped, realizing Dean's voice wasn't coming from that direction. He cocked his head to one side, listening with keen ears, concentrating and waiting for the next words to sound; "Now it's time to close your tired eyes – there're Devils to slay and dragons to ride; –" He turned, heading towards the back of the house. "- if they see you coming, Hell, they'd better hide. Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight."
Castiel found Dean slouched in one of the reclining wicker chairs in the back yard, looking out towards the rise and fall of the mountains in the late afternoon. The sun slanted in through the glass panes and the air was pleasantly warm, so much so that Castiel felt his body heating as well, becoming almost a normal human temperature. The glass protected the vampire from the sun's harmful UV rays – the parts of the light that harmed Castiel after prolonged exposure – and the back patio area was lit with the bright sun, uninhibited by clouds, and the sky was a bright, bright blue.
Sunlight played over Dean and his bright electric-green-and-black guitar, his fingers playing over the strings so easily, the guitar thrumming with the very energy the Incubus was putting into it. He really was a talented musician. His eyes were half-lidded, his posture relaxed as he stared out over the valley Castiel's house overlooked. Castiel couldn't help but smile, seeing the serene, relaxed expression on his mate's face and hearing his steady hum of a voice, low and rough with his Mid-Western drawl like he tended to take on when he was very relaxed.
"…Goodnight, my little slayer, goodnight…Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight…Goodnight." Dean's fingers plucked lightly over the strings again, muscles shifting effortlessly under his golden-brown skin, which had darkened under the constant attention of the California sun. His t-shirt and jeans clung effortlessly to his firm, muscled body, sprawled out as it was over the wicker chair, and Castiel couldn't help how his mouth watered, because Dean was just that gorgeous – he looked like a contented jungle cat, all smooth lines and power. His feet were bare and his shirt was rolled up to past his elbows, over-shirt opened and splayed out around his t-shirt and he looked decadent and so relaxed that, for a moment, all Castiel could do was stare.
The final chord rang out and Dean stirred, blinking lazily over at Castiel before he smiled. "You gonna stand there staring all day or join me?" he purred, his voice still with that lazy drawl as though he had just woken up from a nap, and he moved to set the guitar down before rolling over on the chair, stretching out along the extension, pillowing his head on his forearms. The vampire growled, knowing his mate was just blatantly taunting him, and he stalked forward, sliding into a crouch over Dean, who rolled back over so they could kiss. It was lazy and slow and everything Castiel wanted at that moment, as his hand slid into Dean's hair, perfect as anything, and Dean's fingers slowly played down Castiel's flanks like the vampire was his guitar, and Dean could make him sing for him. He shivered at the thought.
Dean's lips parted sweetly under Castiel's tongue, the vampire slipping into his mate's mouth easily and falling between Dean's eagerly spread legs. The warmth of the room and the heat of Dean's body combined to warm the vampire up nicely, and Dean moaned when Castiel's heart began to beat, desire making his body more human and making his breath come faster.
The Incubus arched his body a little in a teasing little grind, humming against Castiel's lips when the vampire bared his teeth in answer, second set elongating a little and nipping at Dean's mouth. "Hey," Dean admonished playfully, lightly slapping at Castiel's shoulder, "play nice." He chuckled when Castiel 'hmm'ed and nuzzled into his mouth, continuing to thoroughly ravish his mate. He loved these moments – when it was just chaste affection and love without the need for it to go anywhere. Granted, he also liked when it went somewhere, but he could just as easily bask in Dean's warm affection and adoration. The vampire was making it his life's mission to make up for all the centuries that they had been apart.
Dean made a contented little sound in the back of his throat when Castiel let him up for air, his eyes taking on a little silvery sheen around the pupil and Castiel smiled, knowing Dean was hungry from that sign alone – since regaining his memories, Dean had been having to recover all the experience that came with using his powers and sometimes he overstepped them a little bit. It was proving useful to have such a creature around, Castiel was discovering, but he also didn't like it when his mate strained himself, and encouraged Dean to rest and gorge himself as much as he desired. Perhaps he was spoiling his mate but they'd earned it, damn it.
"Hungry, baby?" he asked, licking along the dip between Dean's nose and his cheek and the younger (physically) man smiled and snorted, wrinkling his nose at the action because it tickled, and pet through Castiel's hair when the vampire rested his forehead against Dean's. "Wanna get some food?"
"Mm, in a minute," Dean replied, sinking down a little lower in the lawn chair, sprawling out a bit more and Castiel laid down with him, slightly on top of him but mostly to the side because the body of a vampire was a heavy one. Dean pet through Castiel's hair, scratching at the base of his neck, and smiled down at his mate. "I wanna talk about something first."
Castiel blinked, because Dean sounded kind of serious. "Yes? What is it?" he asked, settling down in the crook of Dean's arm, pillowing his head on Dean's shoulder. His legs tangled with his mate's and Dean's smile grew at the action, blinking again sleepily.
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry," Dean said, and Castiel blinked again, frowning in confusion because as far as he could tell Dean had never intentionally slighted him. "For everything I did – for not telling you I was coming back, for all the times I found you again and then left or betrayed you. I'm sorry for Paris, and for Verona, and Darwin and Los Angeles. I'm sorry for what I did when I was with Sam."
Castiel frowned a little more, propping himself up on his elbow so he could see his mate's face better. Dean looked a little scared, his heart jumping quickly in his chest, his eyes wide and his lips pressed together as he swallowed, and Castiel laid a hand over his heart, lips quirking up at the corners.
"I'm not," he replied honestly, meeting his mate's gorgeous green eyes again. "If you hadn't done what you'd done for Sam I never would have found you again – it would have just been meaningless experience after meaningless experience and who knows how long it would have taken for you to come back to me." He pushed himself up, sitting so he was straddling Dean's waist, making sure the Incubus couldn't look any direction but at him. "I wish you would have told me. I wish that I'd have known," he whispered, and Dean swallowed again, guiltily, reaching a hand up and smoothing his thumb over the back of Castiel's hand, over his heart, his eyes getting bright and wet. "But the past is the past, and we could not see the future then." Castiel smiled a little more widely. "I have you now, and I'm not letting you go again. Not without one hell of a fight."
He leaned down, slanting his lips over Dean's again, and the younger man mewled into the kiss, rolling his body between Castiel's legs, desire and hunger flaring up inside of him. Castiel responded with a low growl of his own, sensing the change of mood in the air, and he moved so he was instead sitting on Dean's thighs, pinning the older creature down beneath him with his superhuman strength. Dean whined at the handling but didn't protest it, and Castiel could see his eyes flash darker at the action.
He smiled, dipping his head to nuzzle at the exposed line of Dean's throat, and bit down gently at the tendon when Dean threw his head back and whined again, gasping hard. Castiel moved his head along Dean's collarbone, inhaling his mate's scent – that addictive, alluring scent of sex and forests – and growled when he reached Dean's shoulder, able to trace the raised line of Dean's scar but unable to see it.
He let Dean's arms go. "Shirts off," he demanded, eyes flashing when Dean eagerly began to comply. "I want to see."
Dean sat up, shedding his clothing eagerly and baring his tanned skin to Castiel's greedy eyes. Immediately the vampire's hand slotted into place over Dean's shoulder, and both of them moaned, eyes falling closed at the electric heat of their connection. Dean bucked his hips up, holding Castiel steady so that he'd have something to grind against and the vampire let him, resting his forehead on Dean's shoulder, breathing heavily and inhaling the scent of sweat and blood.
"Let's eat in," Dean purred into his ear, and Castiel shivered, grinning despite himself. Dean was smirking too when he pulled away, and Castiel knotted his hand in the back of Dean's soft, light hair and dragged him into another kiss, his other hand sliding away from the mark as he easily took control of their bodies, and he began manhandling Dean until the Incubus was on his stomach on the chair, mewling so prettily underneath Castiel, his head still turned as Castiel leaned over him to keep the rough, messy kiss up as he rocked against his mate's jean-clad ass.
"I think I can do that," Castiel replied when he let Dean breathe, nipping at the back of Dean's neck as his hands went to work underneath Dean, at the button and zipper of his jeans, and he undid them quickly, pulling them down just enough so that Castiel could find Dean's hole with his fingers and began to push in with one, up to the first knuckle, and Dean winced, hissing at the sudden, almost unexpected intrusion. He was still loose and a little wet from their romp together last night but even so the first touch always seemed like a foreign, new thing. Dean mewled and turned his head, seeking out Castiel's lips, wanting reassurance that his mate was still there and Castiel met him, taking Dean's chin in his hand so his mate didn't have to strain his neck so much, and licked into his mouth slowly, hooking his finger inside of Dean on the exit so the tip and nail scraped along his prostate. Dean jerked, clenching tightly, and made a low, desperate sound into Castiel's mouth.
"Cas," he whined, when the vampire began to wiggle in another finger next to his first, stretching Dean open some more, going slowly because the breach was dry. Dean rolled his hips, trying to get Castiel to go in deeper but the vampire refused, and Dean's silver-green eyes flared open. "Please, Cas."
"I won't hurt you," Castiel replied, half-reassurance, half-warning. It wasn't that he was trying to calm Dean down, but rather saying that he was being so slow because he refused to hurt Dean by taking him too dry. Besides, he was meant to be feeding Dean and making Dean bleed wouldn't be a good way to feed him.
"Won't hurt me," Dean repeated, his words slurring together as Castiel began to press against that spot inside of him mercilessly, and he mewled again, back arching like a desperate she-cat in heat, his back rubbing against Castiel's chest, and the vampire was so hard it was hurting, but he was still determined to take his time. "Won't hurt me. Please, Cas, I'm ready. Hungry, Cas, ready, please."
"Shh." Castiel pet through his mate's hair, trying to reassure him. He always felt guilty, teasing Dean like this – it felt like he was deliberately taunting a starving man with food. But he also got off on how desperate and wanton Dean got for him, whether it was meal time or not. Dean's silver eyes suggested he was just getting hungry and desperate, so Castiel stretched him as much as he was able with his two fingers before he drew away from Dean's mouth and removed his fingers. He quickly undid his pants, freeing his hard cock and nothing else because he couldn't wait anymore, spitting on his palm and slicking himself up. "I'll always take care of you," he whispered into Dean's ear as he grabbed his hips and began to push in, slowly as he was able to because the going was still far too dry and Dean wasn't nearly stretched enough for his liking – his mate felt like a glove that was several sizes too small and burning hot. Castiel made a desperate, growling noise when he bottomed out inside of Dean, resting his forehead on the back of Dean's neck as his mate whimpered at the fullness and the burn of being stretched and filled so nicely.
He rolled his hips back again, wanting Castiel to go that little bit deeper, and gasped as the action caused Castiel's cock to brush against his prostate. "Oh, fuck, yes," Dean growled, digging his hands into the back of the chair and hauling himself up so he was on his knees, so that Castiel could fuck into him properly. Castiel gripped Dean's hips, adjusting for the change in position, and bit down lightly at the back of Dean's neck, anchoring himself there as he began to move his hips inside of his mate, fucking into Dean with smooth, precise strokes. "Fuck, yes, Cas – Goddamn it, yes! Harder, please," he begged, words punching out of him because he couldn't drag enough air into his lungs to speak properly before it was driven out of him again by Castiel's powerful thrusts.
Castiel shifted the angle a little, snarling into Dean's neck, and that was perfect, yes. Dean tossed his head, baring more of his neck to Castiel, feeling like an animal getting mounted, completely surrendering control and it was amazing – so good, yes, Cas, fuck, !
Dean shuddered through his orgasm, coming untouched, his head hanging limply between his shoulders as he tried desperately to suck in air through his open, panting mouth. His body was slick with sweat and it was hard for Castiel to find purchase on him, and when Dean came, he clenched so tightly that it was difficult to even pull out – Castiel's orgasm was forced from him at the suffocating tightness and heat, and he groaned into the sweaty skin of his mate's neck, finally detaching himself from biting there and licking over the sore mark in apology.
Dean sighed, smiling when he felt Castiel's warm come flood his insides, already getting that heavy, sated feeling he always got after a good fuck, and he waited patiently for Castiel to come back to himself, the vampire breathing raggedly against his neck as he came down from his high. Dean carefully pushed away from the back of the chair, taking Castiel's weight onto his arms, and then his back as he dipped down to sprawl once more over the chair, letting out a contented sigh as Castiel settled over him and Dean pillowed his head on his folded arms, basking in the afterglow and the warmth of the afternoon sun.
After a few more moments, where the pair's breathing and hearts gradually slowed, Castiel shifted, slipping out of Dean with a wet sound, and plastered himself over his mate, nuzzling into the back of Dean's neck. Dean smiled lazily, totally ready to sleep off his food coma, and turned to nose along the line of Castiel's temple, snuffling when his hair tickled Dean's nose.
"Well," Castiel said after a moment, running his hand over Dean's flank, pulling them both so Dean was laying on his side in front of Castiel, back to chest, and the Incubus busied himself by swirling his index finger in his own come, getting as much as he could on his fingers and then licking it off, replacing the energy he'd spent in the sex as he waited for Castiel to finish whatever it was he was saying.
However, the vampire just trailed off, watching his mate lick his fingers clean, and Dean chuckled, turning his head and pillowing it on his forearm so he could see Castiel out of the corner of his eye. "How are the changelings?" Dean asked, letting out a loose, relaxed sigh, and Castiel plastered himself closer, unable to resist Dean's contagious contentment. "I know Gary was having some trouble."
"Hmm," Castiel replied noncommittally, rubbing his hand over the bare skin of Dean's stomach as he had a habit to do when they were laying together like this, and Dean relaxed into the gentle, loving touch. "He's been doing much better. Your sessions with him are helping a lot."
Dean smiled. "I'm glad," he replied. He'd been working with Castiel's newest Children, helping to soothe the fire of their hunger with his own energies. It provided the combined service of lessening their hunger – which allowed Castiel to remain next to such a small food source without attracting attention – and decrease their dependency on Castiel's own blood in the beginning. It made them independent and stronger faster, and shared the loyalty between Castiel and Dean which, Castiel thought, provided a more stable environment than just the dictatorship his Family had been before. The older Children would always see Castiel as their Alpha, but Castiel's creator was Dean, and the younger generation recognized them as both their parents. Castiel was their father, and Dean their mother.
"Have you ever thought about creating new Children, Dean?" Castiel whispered, causing Dean to tense a little, and turn to look at the vampire.
Dean's brow was furrowed in confusion. "Like…you mean your Children kind of Children? Creating them?" Castiel nodded, cocking his head to one side when Dean frowned more, shaking his head vehemently. "No. I wouldn't even know how – I don't know how I managed to make you and I wouldn't want to. I mean…I'm glad you made it, and I love you and I couldn't imagine if you'd remained human, but I wouldn't wish our position on other people." Dean blinked again, looking away, and took a deep breath. "What we are…it's not natural."
Castiel pursed his lips, conceding the point even if he didn't quite understand – every species wants to continue. Even those that technically are barely aware of their existence. He sighed, settling back down and continuing to pet over Dean's stomach and chest, dozing in the sun.
Then, Dean spoke again; "I wouldn't mind having…actual children, though," he whispered after a while – the sun was just beginning to set over the mountains and Castiel stirred sleepily, amazed that he'd managed to drift off for that long.
Dean rolled over so they were facing each other and Castiel moved to give him room, shifting back so they could see each other properly. Dean bit his lip, a nervous smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He looked so young and innocent, like when he and Castiel had first met in this life, and Castiel couldn't resist brushing a soft kiss over his mate's forehead. Dean's eyes fluttered closed, lashes kissing the high, rosy rise of his cheeks, and Castiel found himself smiling for no reason at all.
"What…what do you think about that?" Dean asked, shyly, biting his lower lip again and really, it certainly wasn't Castiel's fault that he was so distracted. He brushed his thumb over Dean's slightly swollen lower lip, waiting for his brain to catch up with itself.
"Like…adopt?" Castiel hazarded, unsure what Dean was actually suggesting.
The Incubus sighed lightly, looking away from Castiel, his blush growing darker, and now Castiel was very curious as to what his mate meant. They were both very decidedly male and Castiel didn't know of any alterations Dean might be able to make to a body to produce children. Unless… "Are you proposing a surrogate?" Again, Dean shook his head. "Then what, Dean?"
"Well…" Dean sighed, shifting again, while Castiel watched his mate's face curiously. It was obvious that this wasn't coming from nowhere; that Dean wasn't just suggesting this on a whim, and it was something where he wasn't quite sure of the reception of it. As Castiel watched, Dean slowly moved his hand down to rub against his own belly. "I mean, what is creating a child? It's essentially storing energy, right? I…I mean, maybe we could…try?"
Castiel blinked. "Like, right now?"
"No, no!" Dean replied quickly, placing his hand on Castiel's chest, blushing even more, if that were possible. He smiled a little, his eyes bright with pleasure that Castiel hadn't rejected his idea outright. "I mean…I know I'm old, but this body feels young, and I still feel…untried –" He blushed again and Castiel smiled, "- when you touch me, and…I don't think I'd be well-equipped for a baby yet, but maybe…eventually, one day…maybe we could try?" His voice went soft towards the end, quiet with hope and with a little bit of fear. His eyes flashed to Castiel's face then away again.
A slow smile spread across Castiel's face as he looked at his mate, still stroking a hand over Dean's face, but the silence was obviously taken for rejection for Dean's expression fell and he scooted away a little. "You don't have to answer right away," he said, looking at Castiel's chest, avoiding eye contact. "I mean, it's a big issue and I understand if -."
"Dean," Castiel purred, moving his hand to the back of Dean's head, threading his fingers gently through his mate's hair. Dean let out a large breath, closing his eyes and leaning slightly towards Castiel, even more so when the vampire tugged him closer. "I would be honored to be the father of your children," he whispered, resting his forehead against Dean's, smiling a little when Dean's eyes flew open, meeting his mate's gaze with surprise and wonder. "Nothing would bring me greater joy than to create life with you." A slow smile began to spread over Dean's face, and Castiel chuckled. "Did you think I would say 'No'?"
Dean blushed a little more. "I just…I don't know," he hedged, toying absently with the buttons of Castiel's shirt, and the vampire chuckled.
"I love you, Dean, and I want you to be happy."
Dean frowned. "Will it make you happy, though?" he asked, finally meeting his mate's eyes again, concerned and still a little wary. Castiel leaned down and nuzzled into Dean's mouth, stealing a light kiss because honestly, Dean was still so adorable, still so innocent and young even though he was technically older than Castiel, at least in spirit.
"I've never thought it would be an option," he replied, still smiling gently. "But yes. To see you swollen with my child, and then to have a youth – a baby – something that is both you and me…" He smiled more widely, moving one hand down to tease lightly over Dean's flat stomach. "Yes, I think I would like that very much."
Dean's smile was blinding.
"But not yet," Castiel whispered, brushing his fingertips up Dean's chest, and the Incubus' breath hitched, his eyes widening and darkening a little. "We will wait until you are ready – I refuse to make you feel rushed about this."
"But you want to," Dean said, because he had to be sure. He didn't want this to be a snap decision that Castiel would later regret – Dean was sure he wanted a baby. He was born to create and sustain life, but if Castiel didn't want it then Dean wouldn't do it. Simple as.
Castiel smiled, wrapping his arms around his mate, pulling him closer. "Of course," he replied, nuzzling into Dean's mouth again, and Dean smiled, opening up sweetly to the gentle pressure of Castiel's tongue, leaning back submissively when the vampire easily took control, mapping out Dean's mouth and still able to taste the salt of Dean's come lingering inside. Dean mewled when Castiel's tongue dragged over the roof of his mouth – a sensitive spot for him – and the vampire's fingers curled around the back of his neck, trapping him in the most delicious way.
"Cas," he whispered, desire making him breathless as he clutched at his mate, fingers digging into Castiel's clothing and Dean frowned, making a dissatisfied noise. "Get these off."
Castiel laughed, and sat up so Dean could help him undress, and the two of them didn't leave the patio until the sun was well into bed and Dean was shivering with cold.
"Hello?" Gabriel asked, picking up the phone in his study and frowning when he heard labored breathing on the other end. Immediately he sat up, at attention. "Who is this?"
"Boris," came the reply, and Gabriel's eyes widened, hearing the voice of one of Castiel's older children – an Alpha himself, Boris lived in Illinois and was quite successful in his attempts at furthering Castiel's line, able to capture and change many younger vampires from his ingenious use of modern pop culture. Gabriel had never been a fan himself but he was a fan of results, and Boris' were impressive. "I've heard rumors of a meeting, Beta," he said, and Gabriel stood.
"A meeting?" he repeated, the demand to clarify clear in his voice.
"In Atlanta – the Alphas are meeting, and word has it that the vampires are not invited." Boris' voice was low with meaning and Gabriel snarled into the phone, baring his teeth in distaste at what this could mean – the last time something like this happened, minotaurs and centaurs had ceased to exist, and the Laws had been established.
"Is your source reliable?"
"Claudia heard it from a wolf," Boris replied, and to Gabriel that was confirmation enough, for the vampires didn't have allies, per say, but they only had one enemy worth mentioning. Werewolves. "I thought I should report it, Beta."
"Yes," Gabriel replied softly, eyes far away. "You did well." Then, he hung up, and went to find his Alpha.
Gabriel found Castiel in his private quarters, reading a book and carding a hand through his dozing mate's hair. From Dean's heart rate and breathing Gabriel could tell he was asleep, but the creature slept very lightly and even the lowest sound could wake him. He rapped twice on the door very softly, and Castiel's blue eyes flashed up over his book.
"I have news," Gabriel stated softly. Castiel raised a brow. "It is a private matter." Again, Castiel's expression showed his opinion on that statement, but he relented, setting his book down and placing a light kiss to Dean's temple before moving off the bed. Gabriel couldn't help smile – his brother had calmed and relaxed significantly since the reunion and Gabriel was happy for his little brother, glad that he had found peace inside himself once again. He didn't want to remember the years that had followed Dean's death, and he didn't want to think about what would happen if they were repeated.
"What is it?" Castiel asked, heading into the room that neighbored his bedroom and closing the door behind him. He turned so he could see Gabriel's face.
The Second vampire fidgeted nervously, looking down, then back up with a guarded expression. "The Alphas are meeting," he stated without preamble, and Castiel's eyes narrowed. "Without our knowledge. Boris called little over an hour ago – said he heard it from Claudia who heard it from a wolf."
Castiel's eyes narrowed further. "Sam," he stated plainly. Gabriel nodded. Castiel sighed, running a hand through his hair; "Very well, if that arrogant pup wishes to trifle with me again, let him try. He will find I am not something to be struck at three times."
"If I may, Alpha," Gabriel said, reaching forward and taking a hold of Castiel's arm before his brother could pull away, and he let sincerity and concern shine in his normally unexpressive hazel eyes. "Perhaps I should go – you are needed here, with the changelings and you have a mate now that you need to take care of – things that I could not guarantee would be safe in your absence. Plus, this may be a trap for you and none of us want to lose you."
"What do you suggest?" Castiel replied coolly, regarding his brother. "I will not be blind to this meeting."
"Let me go, Castiel," Gabriel replied, placing his free hand over his heart, stepping closer to his brother so the vampires were standing almost against each other. Absently Castiel carded his free hand through his big brother's hair – a habit he would probably never be rid of. "If all is well, then we will fear nothing. But if something does go wrong, we will not take as big of a hit."
The Alpha vampire cocked his head to one side, pondering it, and then Gabriel pulled a dirty move; "Think of your mate, Castiel. He would be devastated if you were wounded or killed and he hadn't been able to stop it."
Castiel's eyes narrowed, but he nodded, pursing his lips and using his hold to pull Gabriel closer to him, placing a light kiss on his brother's forehead. "Very well. Go with my blessing. But please, Gabriel, for God's sake, be careful."
Gabriel smiled when they pulled away from each other, exchanging freedom of their arms. "Yes, sir."
When Castiel rejoined his mate, Dean was awake. "Cas?" he asked, stirring sleepily, turning over to look at the vampire as Castiel slid into bed beside him.
"Yes, Dean?"
Dean frowned and made a worried sound, eyes dark in concern. "Gabriel's gone," he whispered, no longer able to sense the steadying presence on the compound – Gabriel had had to leave immediately and had made all the preparations necessary before even coming to Castiel. It was like he knew he would be sent instead. Without being able to sense him, to feel the glowing ball of his energy, Dean felt off-balance, like there was something that should be there but wasn't. He shifted a little in bed, moving so his head was pillowed on Castiel's shoulder. "Where's he gone?"
"To Atlanta," Castiel replied, stroking a soothing hand through Dean's hair and waiting until his mate relaxed against him. "There is a meeting going on there that I was not invited to, and I should like to know why."
"Why aren't you going?"
"Gabriel thought it would be more prudent that I stay." Dean chuffed out a laugh. "Dean, can I ask you something?" The Incubus 'hmm'ed. "Are you the Alpha of your kind?"
Dean blinked, and Castiel could feel the movement of his lashes against his skin, before he raised his head to meet Castiel's eyes. "I…don't know," he replied, shrugging as though it didn't concern him. And Castiel had a fleeting thought that it probably didn't – Incubi weren't wired like other supernatural creatures. They just didn't care. They didn't need land or blood, not really. They only needed life and movement and there would always be that, no matter which race was dominant. "I think I am the creator of many races, but not my own. Aren't Alphas meant to be psychically aware of all their children?"
"All the immediate ones, yes," Castiel replied, brushing a thumb over Dean's cheek. "And you don't feel…any of them?"
"I'm aware of energy, Cas," Dean replied tiredly, resting his head on Castiel's shoulder again, throwing an arm around the vampire's waist. "That means I'm aware of everything. If that makes me the Alpha of the Earth, then fine, but I doubt it." Dean chuckled dryly. "I don't remember being 'created'. I think I just was, and I think that's what others of my kind will tell you too. Some are born human, werewolf, ghoul or Fey or Djinni…I was born as an Incubus."
There was a long pause as Castiel pondered over what Dean had said, before the creature yawned. "If you meant to ask as some sort of ulterior dig for answers such as if I should be invited to this meeting…" Dean grinned and Castiel smiled a little sheepishly. "Then I'm sorry that I cannot answer. I was not invited and I don't want to be invited."
"You think you are above such things?" Castiel asked with a spark of amusement in his voice and his eyes.
Dean sighed, rolling over, arching his back until it popped, and then he resettled on his other side, his back to Castiel's chest when the vampire rolled to cradle him from behind. "Let the races have their skirmishes. I know who will win."
"Who?" Castiel asked curiously.
Dean smiled, closing his eyes. "Ah, but that would spoil the surprise."
"Vampires are vermin! They multiply by poisoning innocents with their Goddamn disease! They are a plague and a pestilence and we would be better off rid of them."
The meeting was interrupted by Gabriel slamming the doors open and sauntering inside. "Can't we all just get along?" he asked, grinning widely at the assembled Alphas. They were arranged in a horseshoe, facing the door and, in the middle of the horseshoe, Gabriel recognized the scent of Claudia – one of the creators. His face twisted into a momentary scowl before he forced the smile back. "Sam," he said, greeting the werewolf, who was glaring at him with murderous intent, and Gabriel's eyes tracked around the room, noting that practically every race was present, before his gaze went back to Sam. "Guess our invitation got lost in the mail."
"We have no need for your kind here," Sam spat, straightening up to his full height, and Gabriel raised a brow. "Where is your Alpha, anyway? Didn't he have the balls to come himself?"
"I had the most frequent flyer miles," came Gabriel's snappy reply. The vampire in the middle of the horseshoe was tied to a chair, bound tightly with a bag over her head. The air reeked of Dead Man's Blood and Gabriel wrinkled his nose a little. "Please, don't let my arrival interrupt," he continued, spreading his arms wide in a welcoming gesture. "Continue. The topic sounded fascinating."
"You have no right to be here. You are not an Alpha."
"No," Gabriel replied, suddenly cold. "But I speak for one. Two, actually. Some of yours…" He looked around the horseshoe again, found the Alpha Fey, the Alpha Djinn, and the Alpha Siren all gathered. "Technically, some of these aren't Alphas either, for they were created by another." He smirked when the Siren hissed at him. "Wouldn't you agree?"
"That Alpha is dead," the Alpha Djinn replied, her markings glowing faintly on her skin, her eyes a pale blue behind the pupil.
Gabriel shook his head. "Oh no he isn't." His gaze flashed to Sam. "But I guess you wouldn't know that."
"Silence!" the Alpha wolf growled, slamming his fist down on the table again. "Here, here is more proof! Vampires are dirty, and evil, and ought to be eradicated immediately." Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "They are essentially already dead! Their hearts don't beat and they feed on blood."
"Our hearts beat when necessary," Gabriel replied, still maintaining that deadly, calm-before-the-storm stillness. He took a step towards Sam, inside the horseshoe. The wolf growled in warning but Gabriel paid him no mind. "And yes, that is true – perhaps we are more a disease than a species – but if you start now, when will it end?" He turned and found the Alpha Ghoul, and gestured to him. "When will you decide that feeding on the dead is just as evil?" He gestured to the Alpha Djinn. "They feed on blood also – where is their punishment?"
"Be silent, Beta vampire," growled the Djinn, her eyes glowing brighter.
"I will not!" Gabriel replied, baring his lips in a snarl and taking another step forward. "My friends," he said, gesturing to those Alphas gathered, "you are treading down a very, very slippery slope. If you follow this man," he pointed to Sam, "without question, without thinking, then where will it end? When will he decide that any blood drinking is wrong? When will he decide that any kind of pheromone or poison is wrong? When he turns on your own breed, you will wish that you had someone to fight for you. Your kinds are weak and small – Sam's dominates. We know this." He turned back towards the Alpha werewolf, snarling. "We fear him for it. But if you give him an inch, he will destroy you all."
"…Nonsense," the Alpha Siren murmured after a long silence, and around him the other Alphas began to nod. "This will not happen. We will stand with each other and on one thing we all agree." He fixed Gabriel with a look. "Your kind must be eradicated."
Gabriel straightened, scowling still at the assembled Alphas. "Very well," he stated, livid with anger but unwilling to show it, and turned to stalk back out of the room. Then, very suddenly, there was a sharp pain in his neck and then suddenly the feeling of being very heavy, and very tired. He gasped, falling to his knees, feeling the burn of something entering his body, poisoning him.
"Dead Man's Blood," came Sam's voice. The shadow of the Alpha werewolf loomed over him. "You didn't think that we would allow you to run back to your Alpha and contact him, did we?" Sam chuckled, leaning down, and one hand knotted in Gabriel's hair, the other on his shoulder. Gabriel winced at the feeling of pulling, pressure on his head and shoulder and the poison in his neck too much to fight against. "Oh no, Beta vampire…you really shouldn't have come here."
"Cas?" Dean's eyes widened, able to feel the distress from his mate all the way across the compound. He was up and running in a heartbeat, panic drenching the air he breathed, like the air was humid with it. He ignored the various vampires he passed, sprinting to get to Castiel as soon as possible.
He found Castiel in the back patio, on the floor, clawing at his throat like someone was choking him. Dean knelt down, holding his mate's shoulders with firm, steady pressure, and took Castiel's chin in hand. "Castiel? What's wrong?"
The vampire snarled at the touch, shoving Dean down onto the floor and away from him in defense. He was making the sounds of a wounded, cornered animal, backing away from Dean who was sprawled along the floor a few feet away from the force of the hit. When the Incubus got up and tried to comfort his mate again, he was met with the same treatment – this time Castiel landing a solid bite to his arm, shedding blood and Dean cried out in pain and alarm, backing away again.
"Castiel?" he asked in a softer voice, hating how his mate kept clawing at his throat, gasping like he was dying. He wondered, briefly, if Castiel was suddenly very thirsty, but if Castiel noticed the blood in the room, he didn't give a sign. His eyes were wide, blank and staring, fixed on the floor, the vampire curled in on himself as though expecting a blow.
"Gabriel," he finally gasped out, and Dean's eyes widened in realization. His brother in blood and his first Child, Gabriel was as close to Castiel as Dean was, if not closer. Something terrible must have happened.
"What happened, Cas?" Dean asked hesitantly, scooting forward just a little and ignoring the pain in his arm. He noticed the smell of tears in the air and realized with shock that Castiel was crying. "Cas?" he repeated, truly afraid now.
"He's…I can't…" Castiel whined, sounding like a dog that's just been shot but still struggling to breathe and live past the bullet in its chest. "I can't feel him anymore," he gasped out, holding his heart this time, squeezing his eyes tightly shut and more tears fell from underneath his closed lids. "He's gone."
Dean's eyes widened in realization – Gabriel was gone. As in dead. God… "They've killed him?" Dean asked, his voice a little more harsh than he'd meant it to be. He sounded – God, he sounded angry. He was angry. Sam had no right! No fucking right to -.
"Yes," Castiel replied, sounding broken with it. His body was shaking and Dean edged forward again, uncaring if Castiel would lash out at him once more, and tucked his head into his mate's neck, wrapping his arms around him. Castiel didn't push him away – he just cried silently, like a trembling statue for a very long time, occasionally letting Dean's thumb wipe the tears away so more could fall. "God, my brother…" He choked, holding his heart again and shook his head.
Dean growled, very softly, and hugged his mate tighter to his chest. "We will avenge him," he whispered, his words so sure and so harsh that, for a moment, Castiel started, blinking at his mate through blurry vision. He didn't understand – Dean was usually such a benign creature that Castiel had begun to think he wasn't even capable of leaping to violence at all.
"We?" he asked, for he knew he would – he'd lost someone he loved once and did nothing about it, but he stood by what he said – he would not be struck at a third time without consequences.
Dean nodded, standing, his eyes lit up with a fire that Castiel hadn't seen in those green irises before. "Animam pro anima," he whispered darkly, holding out a hand for Castiel to take. The vampire grasped it firmly and Dean hauled his mate up to his feet. "It was my children and my false mate that did this and I've grown to care for Gabriel. I will not stand for this murder."
"But…you believe in the balance."
Dean smiled a little. "And they took a life. I'm going to balance it out."
"We, Dean," Castiel replied firmly, taking his mate's face in his hand and resting their foreheads together, like he did to Gabriel. He blinked back fresh tears, knowing his brother was dead, that he would never be able to do this again – probably never see him again, if he didn't want to kid himself. He didn't want to find the body – it had probably been ripped to shreds and…God, Gabriel was dead.
"We will find those who did this, Castiel," Dean said, with a certainty that made him suddenly older, so much older than Castiel, so much wiser and more powerful and frightening, and Castiel shivered at the threads of dominance in his mate's voice, the Child responding to its Alpha, the inherent power inside of Dean that was rising to the surface, seeing his mate's grief. "And, if all else fails, I will go into the Void after him and drag him back with me."
And Castiel, well, he couldn't help but smile a little at that. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that," he replied, brushing a hand through Dean's hair, unable to think of the consequences should Dean die and get lost again – he didn't want to think about it. Dean smiled a little and nuzzled into Castiel's mouth.
"Come," he said, taking Castiel's hand. "There are preparations to be made."
Since both Dean and Castiel were leaving, it made no sense to keep the changelings unattended. The Alpha vampire contacted his closest Child – Maria, down in Mexico – and arranged for them to be transported to her home for safe keeping until his return, or permanent lodgings in the event that he didn't come back.
They didn't want Dean and him to leave but they didn't have much of a choice. His house was empty within three days.
Dean stood at the threshold, watching as the last changeling was taken outside into the bright sun under protective visors and led into large vans with tinted windows. Maria nodded to him when she saw him, recognizing her Alpha's mate.
Castiel took a deep breath and laced his fingers with Dean's. "I hate having an empty house," he whispered, swallowing back his emotion because he had to be strong around his oldest Children – the threat of mutiny was very real, sometimes, even for connections so strong. Dean looked at his mate, concern shining in his eyes. "It's so quiet when it's empty."
"It won't be empty forever," Dean replied, making it sound like his most solemn vow, and Castiel smiled, a little bleakly, but smiling nonetheless. His eyes had gone flat and stormy, his grief for his brother dulled to a low, constantly throbbing pain.
"I'm used to having Gabriel by my side," he confessed, looking at Dean through the miles of their front entryway, squeezing his fingers lightly. Dean squeezed back. "He was always with me, always made me keep my head when I went too far or was too quick to vengeance or anger. Always kept me on the right path." Castiel looked out again to the retreating van license plates. "When you died, he kept me sane and alive."
"I am glad I took you to him," Dean replied, and Castiel smiled vaguely, remembering the day when Dean had dragged a half-dead Castiel to his brothers' home. Gabriel had taken him in without question, despite the fact that the harvest had been poor and there was barely enough to feed him, Castiel and Raphael, the only brother to still be living there at the time. He had moved out soon after. "I am honored to have known him in this life and in that one, and we will know him again, Castiel, just you wait."
The Alpha vampire blinked, and then swallowed. "I wish I could believe you," he shook his head, "but I don't," he confessed.
The Incubus sighed, leaning closer to his mate and resting his forehead against Castiel's neck, wrapping his other arm around Castiel and still squeezing his fingers lightly. "Whatever you need," he whispered, "I am here. Just tell me and I will do anything to make this better, if only a little." He pressed a hand against Castiel's heart, giving him some of his energy and his love – it settled like a warm weight in Castiel's chest, making breathing difficult for a moment.
"Come to bed with me," the vampire demanded softly, and Dean nodded, following when Castiel's hand turned guiding, pulling Dean towards their room. The Incubus sighed, melting submissively into the kiss his mate graced him with when their door was closed and Castiel had Dean pinned against it, hard, cold body melding perfectly into Dean's warmer one and pressing him against the door with enough force to crack the sturdy wood and make it groan.
Dean tilted his head to one side, baring his throat when Castiel placed his hand there, thumb lightly pressing at the dip of Dean's neck, and the Incubus swallowed, his body lax and completely trusting. He eagerly bucked his hips when Castiel nosed along the arching tendon in his neck, tongue snaking out to lick at the first gatherings of sweat and pheromones, and Dean shivered, eyes fluttering closed at the idea that Castiel might bite him – the vampire hadn't since their reunion, too afraid of taking too much energy from Dean – giving, always giving, never taking anymore. Dean kind of missed the feeling of Castiel's strong, sharp teeth sliding into his neck, dominating him so completely, in such a carnal way, and he mewled when Castiel nosed along his racing pulse, inhaling the scent of his blood deeply as he continued to lick and suck a mark onto Dean's skin.
"Cas," Dean whimpered, shivering again when Castiel exhaled on the damp skin, raising goose bumps. He fisted his hand in the thick, unruly hair at the back of Castiel's head. "Take. Drink. Let me sate you, please," he begged, breathing coming harder now in the face of his desire, of his need for Castiel to bite him.
"Mm," Castiel moaned, deliberating, toying with the idea as he kept licking at Dean's skin, laving his neck and letting his elongated teeth just drag teasingly over Dean's skin, the mockery of a bite, just held back. "I won't hurt you."
"Yes," Dean growled back, clawing at Castiel's shoulders, pulling Castiel closer between his spread legs. "I'm asking you to. Please, Cas, I want to feel your bite." Dean was pretty sure he was babbling, but it didn't matter – the silver sheen wasn't coming down over his eyes. He wasn't hungry – he just wanted. It was a rare occasion and he was determined to enjoy it. "You're sad, and you're angry, and though you'd never admit it, I know you blame me for this. Take it out on me, Cas."
The vampire growled. "No."
"Yes," Dean replied emphatically, tugging on Castiel's hair until the vampire had to rear his head back or risk losing a clump of it. Castiel's pupils were blown, his eyes almost black, and his breathing was labored. His second set of teeth were elongated and set over his original set. He had violence raging in his eyes and in his blood and Dean was just a few well-placed words and touches away from unleashing that violence.
And he knew it was cruel – knew he shouldn't – but he wanted Castiel to stop being sad, because he couldn't use sad. He needed anger. He shoved at Castiel's shoulders, pushing him towards the bed. "You're angry with me – I know enough about you to see that." Castiel snarled, his upper lip curling back, fists clenching and tightening a little. He backed away as Dean advanced. "You would have gone instead of Gabriel had I not been here – it's partly my fault he died and you know that and you hate me for it. You've just lost your brother, Cas." Castiel snarled again, less warning, more promise, his eyes flashing darkly at Dean as he stopped stepping back – held his ground, let Dean come closer. Dean softened the closer he got, knowing he was shaking, because Castiel looked furious and Dean braced himself for what was going to be a fantastically brutal night. "It's okay to be angry, Castiel. It's okay to want revenge."
Suddenly Dean was on the bed, pinned onto his back, Castiel hovering over him and holding him down. Dean tensed, fighting his instinct to flee or fight back, forced himself to relax when Castiel leaned down and pressed his teeth against Dean's neck. The delicate gallop of Dean's heart was right under that thin surface and, with no effort on his part, Castiel could sink his teeth in and drain his mate dry.
But… "You are lucky I have more self control than that, Dean," he said softly, hissing the name like a serpent. "And you are lucky that I don't truly blame you, or you would be blood spatter on the wall."
And not for a second did Dean think he was exaggerating.
Dean mewled, submissive once again, trembling when Castiel's hands landed on him and, with barely any effort at all, shred their clothes away until there was nothing but tanned, burning naked skin against colder, pale naked skin. Dean shuddered, eyes falling closed, tears building up at the corners of his eyes when Castiel's hands remained gentle, non-punishing, non-aggressive. Loving and soft and full of unspoken adoration.
"Dean…I won't hurt you," Castiel whispered against Dean's throat, half-admonishing like Dean was behaving like a child, trying to goad him on, and the Incubus sighed, swallowing past his guilt and self-loathing, hating that he had even thought trying to provoke Castiel to violence was a good idea. "I will never hurt you. Why do you want me to?"
"I blame myself," Dean answered honestly. "If I had been there, I could have saved him. If you had gone, you would be dead. I don't know how to fix this," he confessed, turning his face away from Castiel's searching gaze as the vampire grounded him with his steady weight, kissing along Dean's jaw and the corner of his mouth.
"I did not know you were so close to Gabriel," Castiel remarked.
Dean turned his head again, fixing Castiel with a look. "You are my Child," he replied, voice a rough tone from tears and hatred. "Do you think I can't feel your pain, that I didn't feel your grief when Gabriel's death struck you down?"
"You are guilty," Castiel said, with revelation in his tone, as he leaned down and placed a soft, chaste kiss to Dean's mouth. The creature mewled lightly and spread his legs, wanting Castiel to fall between them and the vampire didn't deny him – he pulled Dean closer and let their bodies rock together. "Is this why you want me to hurt you? Do you think being punished will help?"
"There's a Hell for a reason," Dean muttered in reply, and Castiel chuckled, deepening their kiss for a brief moment, petting through Dean's hair and then down his flank. His lips followed his hands, trailing down Dean's chest with light, feather-soft touches that Dean barely felt, but the creature's breath was coming faster nonetheless, as he propped himself up and looked at what Castiel was doing.
"I don't believe in God," Castiel said, turning his head to one side and nuzzling along the inside of Dean's thigh – Dean spread his legs a little wider in response. Castiel pressed his teeth against the smooth, pale skin and Dean tensed a little. "And we are not for Hell. Not anymore."
"Cas," Dean gasped, knotting his fingers in Castiel's hair when the vampire nuzzled into his groin, licking lightly along Dean's half-hard cock, and the Incubus stiffened a little, feeling himself start to swell under Castiel's ministrations. Castiel wrapped a hand around the base, holding Dean's cock upright, and licked a long stripe up the underside, and Dean whined, baring his teeth as he fell back onto the mattress. His throat still burned with restrained tears and he didn't feel he deserved the pleasure of Castiel's touch, but he lost himself in it anyway because tomorrow…tomorrow, he would face his guilt, and the guilt of his Children, and he would avenge his brother-in-law. His Child's first Child.
Castiel licked under the head, not daring to take Dean into his mouth because his teeth were still very much out and he didn't trust himself not to be a little too enthusiastic and accidentally cut Dean, so he satisfied himself with kittenish licks that Dean seemed to like, from the way he was shaking, and then Castiel leaned up, supporting himself with a hand by Dean's hip while the other continued to jack his mate off, and then he leaned down, finding the beginnings of smooth flesh where Dean's ribcage ended, and he sank his teeth into Dean's flank.
The Incubus yelped at the unexpected flash of pain, eyes widening and body jerking in response to it, and Castiel moaned at the iron-rich blood near his liver and kidneys, licking around the wound before he sank his teeth in further, letting blood well up around his mouth, barely swallowing any. He let it run tracks down Dean's heaving side and scooped the blood up into his palm, licking at the back edge of Dean's wound to encourage the blood to overflow into his hand. He smiled, resting his cheek against Dean's stomach as his mate whined but laid perfectly still beneath him, and inhaled the comforting scent of his mate's blood and sweat before he deemed to have gotten enough blood in his hand, and he leaned up again, kneeling between Dean's legs. His eyes flashed up to Dean's, waiting until they widened in understanding, and then Dean shifted, spreading again and relaxing as he realized Castiel's intentions.
His body opened graciously to Castiel's first finger, Dean taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly as Castiel pushed in, angling himself over his mate to get a taste at Dean's mouth. The Incubus mewled lightly, pupils blown at the scent of blood in the air and the sensation of Castiel's kiss and his clever, clever fingers. Within minutes Castiel had Dean breathless and whining, panting broken little pleas into Castiel's mouth, knotting his fingers desperately in his mate's soft hair and pulling Castiel down to him so their bodies could slide together.
"Gonna make me beg again?" he asked, throwing his head back when Castiel made his way up to three fingers inside of Dean, crooking them cruelly to strike at his mate's prostate, putting a firm, steady pressure on the gland, and Dean whined, baring teeth that were bloody around the edges from biting into his own lip. "Come on, Cas, really?"
The vampire smirked, slanting his lips over Dean's because he loved the non-verbal begging just as much as Dean's wanton words, and he rocked his fingers further into Dean, spreading them as much as he could and Dean made a choked-off sound. The scent of blood was heavy and hanging in the air, cloying almost. "You ready for me?" he whispered against Dean's mouth, and the creature swallowed and nodded, looking up at Castiel through half-lidded eyes, and Dean bit his lip, throwing his head back again when Castiel removed his fingers and lined himself up. He didn't push in, though – he left Dean hanging there, body tense with anticipation. Castiel didn't move or speak again until Dean's eyes opened. "Do you still want me to hurt you?"
Dean's eyes narrowed, just briefly, and he swallowed again, relaxing his body as Castiel began to push. He closed his eyes and nodded when the head of Castiel's cock slipped past the first tight ring of muscle, and Castiel nodded too though Dean couldn't see him, and nuzzled into the exposed, golden strip of Dean's neck. "I love you," he whispered, before thrusting all the way in smoothly, ignoring how Dean's body clamped down on him in defense or the way his mate moaned in pain. He pet a hand down Dean's flank, shushing him quietly and soothing his shaking body, before starting up his rhythm.
One of Dean's hands moved down, digging his nails harshly into Castiel's spine as he clenched his jaw and held on for dear life as Castiel thrust into him, just losing himself in the sensation of getting fucked, and he gasped when he felt Castiel's teeth at his neck again. He closed his eyes, sighing out his breath, expecting it to just be another tease, another half-promise not carried out, and choked around his breath when he felt Castiel's teeth sink into his neck.
"Oh, God!" he yelled, clenching his fists and pressing them against Castiel's skin, bucking up into Castiel's body, and the bastard just laughed, lapping at the edges of his bite as he sank his teeth more firmly into Dean's neck, finding his artery because he planned on gorging himself tonight. Since Dean's discovery of his powers, the Incubus had…tasted different. Smelled different. He was powerful, now, so powerful, and Castiel could taste that like an exotic spice amongst the sex-and-forest flavor of Dean's blood.
Castiel moved his hands, plastering himself fully over his mate's young, responsive body, lifting Dean's hips and rocking into him in smooth, careful strokes that had Dean writhing underneath Castiel, grabbing onto him desperately, whimpering into the warmed skin of Castiel's neck.
"Taste divine, Dean," Castiel murmured when he pulled away from the siren song of Dean's blood, nuzzling along the edge of his bite and smearing blood all around his nose and chin. "Delicious. I could easily drain you dry and drink everything you had to offer." Dean shuddered at the words and the dark, wondering tone they were said in, his heart beating so hard and fast he feared it would leap right out of his chest. Castiel leaned back, sinking his teeth into the bite again so it wouldn't heal up so quickly and Dean shuddered.
They were silent after that, Castiel's teeth deep in Dean's neck and the vampire thrusting into his lover with measured, harsh strokes that Dean could feel in his throat. He didn't so much climb up and jump over the edge of his orgasm as he was dragged up and thrown into it. Dean locked up around Castiel as he came, moaning brokenly into the unbitten side of his mate's neck, eyes clenched tightly shut as he reveled in the sensation of Castiel draining him at the same time as the vampire filled him up – it was a dual feeling, being sated and drained at the same time and Dean was purring – he wasn't ashamed to admit it – under Castiel's touches, turned gentle again with the passing of their orgasms, exploring Dean's body as his teeth left Dean's neck and licked over the wound until it sealed.
Dean was breathing heavily, as was Castiel, both creatures lying together in stillness as they recovered, until; "If this doesn't work – if something happens…you have to promise that you won't wait."
Dean tensed at that, pushing at Castiel's head so that he could see his mate clearly. "What?" he asked, in a voice that was part confusion, part anxiety. "What are you talking about?" he asked, thumbing along the edge of a blood smear on Castiel's jaw.
"I mean…" Castiel paused, nuzzling into Dean's hand and placing a light bite there. He slipped out of Dean when he shifted onto his side and rolled them to face each other, and though Dean made a small sound of protest, he followed Castiel's manhandling. "That if I am lost…don't wait. I will find you, or I won't. If I can't, I'm not going to expect you to wait around for me." The vampire snorted – a bitter, self-hating sound. "I certainly didn't."
"That's different," Dean replied stubbornly. "You didn't know."
"But I'm telling you that if I can't come back, then don't wait. And don't come looking for me."
Dean's eyes narrowed. "Why are you telling me this?" he asked, cocking his head to one side, voice low with suspicion. Castiel met his gaze unflinchingly. "Are you going to do something stupid?" Again, the vampire didn't blink and he didn't avert his gaze – he was trying to stare Dean down but he wasn't going to blatantly lie to his mate either. Dean's eyes widened in horrible realization. "…No."
"It's the only way," Castiel insisted, sitting up when Dean pushed himself away from the bed, pulling the remains of his clothes on – his jeans were whole enough to be decent. The vampire remained kneeling on the bed, watching as Dean ran his hands through his hair, pacing towards the large window that dominated Castiel's eastern wall, angled to watch the sunrise. "Dean, if I pulled this off -."
"You can't," Dean replied, turning around. "I won't let you."
Castiel raised an eyebrow, this time standing and advancing on his mate. "You would stop me?" he asked, his voice too rough to be a mere question, too soft to be an outright challenge. Dean swallowed.
"I might."
Dean's eyes flashed silver when Castiel took another step towards him, teeth bared in a silent, aggressive snarl, in the kind of way that let Castiel know he was bluffing – Dean would never hurt him. Not intentionally. "How else can we fix this?" Castiel demanded once he reached Dean, brushing his thumb along his mate's cheek, and Dean swallowed, clenching his jaw, averting his eyes.
"I could do it," he suggested softly.
Castiel shook his head vehemently. "No, I won't lose you again."
"And you think I want to?" Dean asked, looking back up, and Castiel was surprised to find his gorgeous green eyes shining with something that wasn't the silvery hunger. "You think I want to think about this at all? Castiel…you have no idea what the grave is like. What crawling out of one feels like." Dean shuddered, looking away again and biting his lower lip. "You don't know what waits for things like us on the other side and you don't know how to navigate the country. It's not just wide open space, Castiel – he won't be waiting for you on a fucking park bench. It's…I imagine it's what Hell's alleyways look like. It's a trial and you're going into it untried."
"And you think you know better?" Castiel snapped, a blatant challenge in his eyes now, and he smirked a little when Dean's eyes flashed silver in anger.
"At least I would know what the fuck I was doing," the Incubus answered coolly, trying to pull off Castiel's detachment and failing miserably – he would never have the poker face that the vampire had acquired. It had taken centuries for Castiel to perfect it. "At least I know where he might go. I know what to avoid. I know what I'm looking for when I'm trying to come back."
"Oh, of course" Castiel snapped, his tone sarcastic and biting, "because you've had such a great track record with that, right?"
The words were cruel and the look on Dean's face let Castiel know it. The creature looked like Castiel had just struck him. Dean swallowed, looking down and away – anywhere but Castiel's face – and his fingers flexed as though he was resisting the urge to punch Castiel. Only then did the vampire notice that the scent of fresh blood in the room hadn't faded.
"Are you still bleeding?" he asked, stepping forward and Dean took a step back to compensate, growling a little in warning.
"You took a lot. But I'm fine," he said defensively, hissing once again when Castiel made another move to touch him. "Don't fucking touch me."
"Dean -."
"No!" The creature slashed a hand through the air, his eyes flashing silver in hunger and anger. "If you're allowed to be reckless and risk your life, then so am I. I'm not hungry – I'm fine! Leave well enough the fuck alone, Castiel."
"Dean, don't be foolish."
"Don't be foolish?" Dean repeated, looking at Castiel with a disbelieving expression, his eyes shining. "You're telling me not to be foolish? I'm sorry – who was it who decided that going against the Alpha werewolf's pack with only a dozen vampires was a good idea? Who decided to change me, not knowing what I was, risking us all? Who was it that sent Gabriel instead of the Alpha vampire, as it should have been? It sure as hell wasn't me."
He'd gone too far the moment the words left his mouth, and he knew that, and he swallowed, taking another step back and looking down, immediately submitting when Castiel advanced on him – it was strange, knowing that Dean was technically his creator and Castiel should be subservient, but Dean was just too benign and deferent to stand up to Castiel for long. Not unless he was really pissed off, more creature than man.
The vampire pressed up against his neck, nosing along the tendon of Dean's exposed throat. "Do you question my methods?" he asked, his voice with a deadly purr on the tail end of it that spoke of storms and violence barely held back. Dean swallowed and closed his eyes.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, turning his head to he could feel Castiel's cheek against his jaw, and made himself relax, because Castiel wouldn't do anything. Dean had to believe that the vampire had way more self-control than Dean did because he'd certainly proved it enough times. "I just…I can't think about you dying, Cas." He swallowed, his throat burning with tears just thinking about it. "It hurts so much, thinking that you could die and be lost in that Void and I would never see you again. You could search for a thousand years and still not find the road to bring yourself back and I would be waiting, feeling the pain you felt, and I don't want to think about it." He wrapped his arms around Castiel, glad when Castiel didn't push him away and let Dean hold him close, his own arms going around Dean's waist. "Promise me, Cas. Promise me that you won't intentionally get yourself hurt. We can fix this without such drastic measures."
"Dean…" Castiel sighed out his mate's name, sounding pained, and shook his head. "I can't make that promise. He's my big brother."
"Then lie," the Incubus demanded, his hold tightening. "You told me you're a liar. Lie to me, Cas."
The vampire closed his eyes, exhaling onto his mate's neck, and Dean shivered, burying his face on the bitten side of Castiel's neck while Castiel brushed a hand over his shoulder. "Okay, my beloved…I promise."
Castiel felt Claudia's death the next day, but he didn't tell Dean about it. He could read in his creator's eyes, though, knowing Dean felt his grief, but the vampire remained stoic, because after the loss of his big brother, he didn't think anything else could hurt more than that. He'd been numbed and he didn't know what was happening. Dean, however, seemed much better at finding people than he was – that had always been Gabriel's job.
"Boris, catch me up, what's been happening?" he asked into the phone when Dean silently handed it to him, mouthing out his Child's name. It felt good to hear the voice of one of his immediate Children again, unused to the lonely feeling that their absence gifted him with. "Do you know what's going on?"
"Attacks, Alpha, on all the Covens. Worldwide – other creatures are rising up against us and wiping us out. Already I've lost several."
Castiel nodded, his lips thinning out in a line. "I will kill whoever harms a single one of us. This will not be stood for."
"Do you want us to stand with you, Alpha?"
"No," Castiel replied, eyes flashing to his mate, who was doing his best to pretend he wasn't listening in keenly. "No, this will be covert. They need to strike the higher-ups first, and they will go after me, and my Children, you included. You are to hole yourself and your Coven up as tightly and as well guarded as you can and wait for further instructions."
"Yes, Alpha."
"Spread the word."
"Yes, Alpha."
Castiel hung up, taking a deep breath and sighing before he ran a hand through his hair. Dean stepped towards him and soon the vampire felt his mate's body heat at his shoulder, and Dean's gentle touch on the back of his neck, kneading the tense muscles. The vampire allowed himself to indulge for a few moments, before he sighed and stood up, taking Dean's hand in his own and pulling his mate close. "Where do we go first?" he whispered into Dean's hair.
Dean closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and concentrating – it had been a long time since he'd tried to contact or had even been aware of any member of his immediate family – any of his Children. Luckily he had never had that much wanderlust and had only changed creatures that were at home in the United States (or what became the United States, as it hadn't been when he'd first existed).
He almost smiled when he found one – a bright spark of life and energy that looked almost like his own. "Vegas," he said, opening his eyes again and looking at his mate, brushing a hand over the side of his face. "Where everything is bought and sold."
Castiel's brow furrowed. "Which child of yours is there?"
"Nick. The Siren," Dean said, moving away, and Castiel nodded, following his mate out towards Dean's already-packed car – he'd gone and picked it up after realizing who he was, since his father was killed (Castiel did feel a little bad about that) and he wasn't going to leave her behind to gather dust. The machine was beautiful and Castiel let an appreciative hand run over her hood before he slid into the car, wanting to avoid the bright sun's rays. "Sirens are tough SOB's. Never heard of one dying. Don't know how to kill them or hurt them."
"We'll find out," Castiel said with a dark certainty, and Dean didn't say anything more while he started the engine and pulled away from Castiel's estate, out towards Death Valley, Nevada, and Las Vegas.
The car was silent for a long while, something that Dean couldn't stand. Whenever a car had been silent in his recent life, it had meant someone had died or someone was about to die. Though the circumstances were fitting, it still grated on Dean's nerves the wrong way. As a creature of life and energy, he didn't like thinking about death.
"Cas," he said eventually, to break the silence, and didn't continue until he could feel his mate's gaze on the side of his face, "why would…I mean, you said to Boris that they'll strike at the higher-ups. Why do you think that?" His voice was low with worry and he didn't want to meet Castiel's eyes.
The vampire was silent for a moment longer before he sighed, fixing his gaze out of the windshield again. "It's the fastest way to kill us all. If a creator dies, then all the Children he or she has bitten cease to exist. They either become human again or, if they are old enough, turn to dust."
Dean's eyes widened. "But…your changelings…"
"Most of them were mine. Gabriel hardly changes anyone anymore…" Castiel swallowed after a moment, overwhelmed with grief at the mention of his late brother. He refused to think of Gabriel as dead…he was just out of commission for a while. "All of Gabriel's and Claudia's changelings will be human or dead now, I imagine."
Dean didn't like the careful, aloof tone the Alpha vampire was trying to take on. "So…wait…if you die, then vampires will cease to exist at all?" he asked, his fingers tightening on the wheel. Castiel nodded and that was so it. Dean growled, slamming on the breaks and pulling off onto the side of the highway before he cut the engine and turned to face Castiel. "Then give me one good reason why I haven't buried you in a hole somewhere to go do this on my own."
Castiel's gaze was steady and unblinking, but there was an edge of darkness in them. "Why would you care?"
Dean gaped at Castiel. "Because that means people die, Cas," he said, almost breathless, unable to believe that Castiel couldn't see this. "If…if you died, and let's just not dwell on that for a moment…that means all your Children die too! Gabriel, Gary, Uriel, everyone in your compound and everyone you've ever bitten or anyone that your Children have ever bitten, they'll just cease to exist, just like that!" He snapped his fingers. "How could you have thought I'd not care about that?"
Castiel didn't say anything.
Dean subsided, like all the air had suddenly left his body. "You'll be giving Sam what he wants."
Castiel's eyes flashed. "I will have you to come back to. I can be recreated, as can my brother. We might be different – might be in different bodies, but we will come back, and we can always start again. Or, if not, we can be human, as we were meant to be."
"You're insane," Dean replied with wide, sad eyes, unable to comprehend what his mate was saying. "To kill thousands for the sake of one soul, Castiel…Gabriel wouldn't -."
Suddenly Castiel snarled and Dean let out a surprised sound when he found himself pinned against the driver's side door by his enraged mate, Castiel's hand around his neck and cutting off his breath, the other digging into his side with curved fingers and sharp nails for leverage. Castiel's heavy body held him down easily, the vampire using his weight to his advantage and Dean was too surprised to even think about struggling before Castiel's position made it impossible to do so.
Dean gasped, trying to draw in air around Castiel's hand, but it was difficult – he couldn't breathe. "Castiel," he grit out, trying to grip at Castiel's forearm and pry the vampire away from him. Castiel's eyes flashed darkly, his upper lip curling back and his second set of teeth elongating.
"Do not presume to know my brother better than I do, Dean," he snarled, squeezing a little tighter around Dean's throat and the creature gasped again, his heartbeat flying so nicely under Castiel's fingers. It would be so easy, to just clench down a little harder and totally cut off his air supply, and then bite down on his neck and take a deep, long draw of that oxygen-deficient blood…to sate himself and rid himself of this annoying little conscience at his side.
Castiel stopped himself, eyes widening when he found that Dean had stopped struggling, and he let go of Dean's neck, shoving himself to the other side of the car, unable to believe what he'd just done. Dean laid heaving, half-propped up against the door and rubbing his neck which had the beginnings of a bruise on it in the shape of Castiel's hand, and Dean winced, drawing in deep, desperate lungfuls of air and trying to calm his heart down to a reasonable rate. His eyes were flashing silver and Castiel swallowed, hating how he couldn't seem to make his teeth retract – he was in full-on predator mode and he couldn't seem to stop staring at Dean's neck. Whether he was staring at the vein or the bruise was totally debatable.
His eyes met his mate's and Castiel couldn't stay – he scrambled with the handle of his door and threw himself out into the desert sand of Death Valley, growled in pain when the sun beat down on him in full force. He shoved himself to his feet, needing to run, to get away from Dean until he was safe again – safe to be around again. Anger and hatred burned in his blood and the fact that Dean was the nearest thing to take it out on was very dangerous.
"Castiel! Get back in the car before you burn!" Castiel could hear another door opening and slamming shut, and then the crunch of boots on loose gravel and sand. He gave a low, warning growl, but didn't turn around. "Cas, please."
The vampire sighed, closing his eyes, unable to resist his mate's low, desperate, hopeless voice. He turned a little to see Dean hovering at the hood of his car, either too afraid or too smart to come closer. His eyes were shining silver, the bruise already starting to fade as he healed himself.
"You're hungry," Castiel whispered.
"You're angry," Dean countered, and Castiel flinched, unable to determine if that was a rejection or a simple statement of fact. He hung his head in shame, unable to meet his mate's trusting, loving eyes. Dean took another step closer and Castiel growled once more.
"Don't, Dean," he said, holding a hand out, palm out to Dean. "I don't know if I can be near you right now."
"Is it because of what I said?" Castiel's heart tore at the pain in his mate's voice. "Cas, if that's the case, I'm sorry – I shouldn't have spoken out of turn and I regret it."
"You regret it because I made you." Castiel's voice was harsh with self-loathing, but he was glad that this conversation was calming his bloodlust – his teeth were slowly starting to retract and the sun on his skin was starting to burn.
Dean bit his lower lip, looking down for a moment, then back up, and he stretched out his hand so his fingers just brushed the heel of Castiel's. "Please, Cas, get back in the car. I don't want you to burn out here and there's not civilization for miles. I won't say a word. I promise."
Fresh guilt flooded Castiel, and he looked up to the shining silver-green eyes of his mate, his fingers turning so he could brush them along Dean's and let them lace, and the creature gifted him with a small smile, tugging Castiel closer. "No, Dean. I shouldn't have lost my temper like that. He was your friend and you were close to him too."
"You're grieving," Dean whispered, forgiveness already in his tone as he rested his forehead against Castiel's, subtly guiding him towards the passenger side door and shielding him from the sun with his body.
"So are you," Castiel replied, sighing into Dean's neck and he nosed along the edge of the bruise, mewling in apology. Dean made a low sound in his chest, almost like a purr, and pet through Castiel's hair, and the gesture was so much like what Castiel used to do for his Children that the vampire couldn't help but go lax in his creator's arms. "I'm sorry, Dean."
"Stop that," Dean admonished quietly, pressing a kiss to Castiel's forehead, then his lips. "Just get in the car and stay with me." Castiel smiled sadly and obeyed, staying still until Dean got in the car with him, and then he slid across the bench seat, into his mate's arms.
Castiel hissed a little when Dean's hand pressed to the back of his neck, jerking slightly. "You've burned yourself," Dean said softly, pressing his hand over the burn, and Castiel closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of Dean's energy going to his damaged skin, healing it. Another on his face repaired the burns there. "What did you think you were going to do, going out in the sun?"
"I hurt you," Castiel said softly, closing his eyes and resting his head on Dean's shoulder, pressing his nose against Dean's pulse. "I couldn't control myself. I…I wanted to kill you, Dean – it would have been so easy and I wouldn't have thought twice about it until it was too late."
Dean was silent for a while, just holding Castiel to him and the vampire let himself take comfort from his mate's touch. "You wouldn't hurt me," Dean said, with such conviction that Castiel almost believed him.
"I remember you saying something like that about someone else."
The mood darkened in the car at the mention of Sam, but Dean pushed his anger aside, because Castiel wasn't the person it was directed at. He just 'hmm'ed quietly into his mate's hair, soaking up the warmth and vitality of Castiel's sun-warmed skin, feeding himself just a little by taking the energy from Castiel that wasn't being used. He felt a little guilty about it but he didn't want to feed himself any other way – Castiel needed the blood for himself and sex was a bit, well, inappropriate for the time and the mood. He'd pull over at a diner down the road if they came to one.
"Well," he said, trying to joke as he straightened, knowing they wanted to get to a hotel before night fell and they started wasting moonlight. "My dad always said that if you want to kill someone…that must mean you love them very much." He turned the key in his Impala again, hearing her come to life with a purr, and Castiel's mouth twisted a little at the bad line and the dangerous dependency it implied but said nothing as Dean pulled out into the road again, leaping up to one-hundred very quickly. "Besides, that might solve the problems even more quickly."
Castiel turned a questioning gaze to Dean.
"After all," the creature continued in explanation; "I created you, and Nick, and Pamela and Jo. Vampires, Sirens, Djinni and Fey. All gone, just like that." He swallowed, the thought settling sourly in his mouth, and he frowned, hating that thought more than he thought he would. He didn't want to think about any of his Children dying, although it had been a long time since he'd felt any real emotional attachment to any of them except Castiel. They all thought he was dead, most likely.
It would be a surprise when they found out he wasn't.
Castiel shook his head. "You've died before, Dean. We all still exist," he said, with a little amusement in his voice.
Dean 'hmm'ed, conceding the point. "But then why do your kinds die?"
Castiel shrugged. "Perhaps it is because we cannot evolve," he stated, the idea suddenly coming to him as he looked out at the passing, dry landscape. It hurt his eyes to look at so much brightness but he wasn't going to stop, because there was a raw, feral kind of beauty to the desert and Castiel enjoyed it more than the cities or suburbia. "Vampires are unchanging and unchangeable. Just because the first human died didn't mean the rest of the humans did as well, right? Humans, Incubi, Ghouls…things that are born, that are not created, they can evolve and live if the first one of them dies. It's not dependency – it's just survival of the fittest, but all vampires are as fit as each other, so perhaps we all must perish if the first one does."
Dean cocked his head to one side, considering the theory. "It's as good a point as any I can think of," Dean murmured, settling back onto the bench seat in an easy sprawl, only one hand resting on the wheel, the other on his leg.
Castiel watched him for a moment, his eyes taking in the tense set of Dean's shoulders and the tightness of his grip on his own thigh, and the way his knuckles were white along the steering wheel. "Dean," he began softly, "you know I plan to kill Sam, right? More than thousands will die or become human."
The creature swallowed, and then sighed. "Yes," he said, closing his eyes for a moment. "I know what you intend."
"Are you going to try and stop me?" Castiel's voice was low and tense, because he could see how thin Dean was being stretched – how far they both were being stretched – and he didn't want to get into a fight with his mate about this. Again. Dean was all about preserving life and really, Castiel could respect and support it, but Sam had struck him first, repeatedly. He realized how childish his own argument sounded, but he wouldn't let his Children die just so that Sam's could live.
Dean had gone too long without answering. "Dean – are you going to try and stop me?" he repeated insistently.
The Incubus sighed, watching Castiel out of the corner of his silver-green eye, and then pressed his lips together and shook his head. "I don't know," he said honestly, and Castiel made a frustrated sound.
"Damn it, Dean, are you with me on this or against me?"
"Can't I be neutral?" Dean asked, sounding pained. "I can't promise on my actions on a theoretical event, Cas. I don't even know if what we're going to do will work – I don't know because I can't see the future. I can just…Cas, I think of all those people dying – on both sides – and I know that, if you lost, the toll would be smaller. But then what?" Dean continued before Castiel could respond; "Who will Sam strike at next? My other children? Ghouls? Demons? Hell, will he try and invade Heaven? Or will he cut all of us off at the source and kill me once and for all? The death toll when I think about that…" Dean shook his head. "It's unfathomable. And I don't want to think about it."
"You can't hide behind blissful ignorance forever."
Dean sighed, closing his eyes once more, and slowed the car down when the highway started branching into exits, going to Las Vegas and suburbs thereof. "I know," he replied in a whisper. "I know that. I guess I just wish all this could be resolved peacefully."
Castiel snorted in derision. "I think we've burned that bridge long ago."
Dean just 'hmm'ed, still lost in thought, and didn't offer any more conversation until they'd checked into a motel and left the car in the lot, ready to hunt down Dean's second Child.
Dean had never been anywhere as…flashy as Vegas was. He wasn't used to it – to all the people pressing down on him from all directions, to hear the sounds of their laughter and see the bright balls of energy that made up their bodies, and the lights, and the sounds. He couldn't imagine Castiel was doing much better, and from the way Castiel's eyes had darkened, and he kept swallowing like he was salivating far too much, Dean knew his mate must be hungry. Hell, he himself was starving – they would have to eat and regain their strength before going after Nick.
"If I feed, then you will be able to drink from me," Dean suggested when they'd checked into their room in the Venetian Hotel – top of the building in the Penthouse suite. It was like a fucking house inside of the hotel. Dean was unused to and uncomfortable around such extravagance, but with the price came the privacy – they weren't going to be disturbed up here. He grabbed a key card and pocketed it. "I'll be back in a little while, and then we can go."
Castiel's hand shot out and stopped his retreat. "We can order room service. You can stay here," the vampire said softly, but with a hard edge that had Dean frowning, wondering what was troubling his mate.
"What's wrong?" Dean asked, letting his arm go lax in Castiel's grip, in the hope that it would be let go. It wasn't. "Cas?"
"I…don't want you going out on your own," Castiel said slowly, almost sheepishly. "I saw how you kept looking about you – Vegas is over stimulating. It's the city of Sin, Dean. Your kind doesn't do well here."
"What the hell do you mean my kind?" Dean snapped, pulling his arm away, but Castiel didn't let go – no, he just let the momentum pull him closer until his body lined up right in front of Dean's. "I can handle myself, Cas, or do you not trust me?"
"You're very angry right now. It's not you I don't trust – it's others , and what they will get you to do."
Dean snarled, baring his teeth, his eyes glowing silver and he ripped his arm away. "Fuck you and your issues. I did just fine without you and I can do it again. I'm not the one being hunted for my head."
"We don't know that," Castiel replied, still just as softly, and that infuriated Dean – he felt like he was a child having a tantrum and Castiel was the long-suffering, ever-patient parent, but he had a point and this was legitimate and God, would Cas stop looking at him like that?
"Stop it," Dean snapped.
Castiel blinked, cocking his head to one side. "What?"
"Stop…treating me like I'm a child! Stop acting like I'm just going to up and leave and then get myself killed or something! For God's sake, Cas, I'm going out for food. People go out for food all the time."
"People don't have the habits you do, Dean."
The vampire's words felt like a cold knife in Dean's spine and the creature recoiled from his mate, hissing again. "Fucking hell, Cas. Don't sugar-coat it. Just call me a slut to my face."
Castiel's eyes widened. "Dean, I didn't mean it like -."
"Yeah, fine," Dean replied, wiping a hand across his eyes. He felt so tired, so hungry. "Fine," he growled, this time with more heat, and he reached into his pocket and took out the key card and threw it on the side table that was next to the window, that allowed a beautiful view of the Vegas landscape. "You go. Go and feed from some innocent human while I sit here and wait for you to come back. Just make sure no one gets you to do anything to that pretty face." He pulled off his jacket and over-shirt and went over to the bed, sitting down on it and getting the remote to the flat screen that had been mounted on the opposite wall. "Don't take too long, okay? I'm fucking starving."
Castiel watched his mate with sad eyes. "Dean…" The creature fixed Castiel with a look as he approached, and Dean swallowed when the vampire brushed a hand down the side of his face, and leaned down to place a soft kiss on Dean's forehead. "Please know that I'm only doing this because I love you and I want to keep you safe."
Dean resisted the urge to roll his eyes – he wanted the same damn thing.
Castiel was gone with vampire speed. Dean barely heard the door close. He sighed and closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger because fuck, he hated fighting with Castiel. He just couldn't seem to control his temper lately, and Castiel kept saying some really stupid shit that was getting him riled up. Dean sighed, rolling onto his side on the bed and throwing the remote away from him, determined to get some sleep because unlike his mate, he wasn't nocturnal, and he was fucking tired.
Dean started awake when he heard someone moving around in the room, and his heart leapt into overdrive, afraid that maybe someone had broken in while he'd slept. God, what if they'd been followed? What if someone knew that he and Cas were in Vegas and they'd tracked them down? What if -?
"Shh, Dean, it's just me," came Castiel's rough, low voice, and Dean shuddered out a relieved breath, panic turning to relief in his gut, and he rolled over just as the vampire crawled onto the bed to lie beside him. Castiel's face hovered over his, the vampire looking a lot better with his feeding – his cheeks were flushed and his skin was warm. His energy glowed bright and lively. Dean smiled just looking at it, noticing in an absent sort of way that Castiel's features were a little fuzzy – the silvery, infra-red filter was descending. He was really hungry.
Castiel's warm hand brushed over his face, then combed through his hair. "I've brought you some food, if you want it," Castiel murmured, noticing the bright silver in Dean's eyes and how his mate was whining very softly. Castiel jerked in surprise when he felt Dean's hand on his flank, turning so he could watch its progress up his side. Dean's other hand came to his face. "Dean?"
"Can't see you when my eyes are like this," Dean murmured, whisper-soft, stroking over Castiel's brow with his thumb, then his lips. The vampire's features relaxed when he realized, and he leaned down to nuzzle against Dean's neck, right as Dean's fingers found the bite on his own. Dean took a deep breath and let it out in a hum. "Good meal?"
Castiel nodded, and his hair tickled the side of Dean's face. "I didn't kill," he said, because he felt like he should – Dean shouldn't think of him as a killer. Castiel didn't kill people when he fed – at least, he didn't try to. Or he tried not to. Either way, most of his victims survived with only a very fuzzy memory of being attacked and hit, but nothing else.
Dean stroked down the side of his face, smiling. "I know," he whispered, sighing. "I shouldn't have snapped at you. I was just frustrated. It makes me angry to know that one of my own Children has supported the monster that killed your brother. It just…I just can't understand it." Dean chuckled softly. "To be honest, if I had caught a whiff of his scent, I may have just taken off after him without a second thought."
Castiel smiled as well. "I know," he said, stroking a hand through Dean's hair and nuzzling into his slow, relaxed pulse. "That's why I went."
"Fucker," Dean replied playfully, slapping at Castiel's shoulder. His speech was slurred a little and his eyelids were drooping – he was so hungry and tired and the initial irritation had worn off, leaving a bone-deep lethargy. Dean, at least, preferred the lethargy to the frantic, frenzied shark-like behavior that he had experienced after Sam had attacked him. He shivered at the memory. "Cas," he whined, tugging at his mate's hair, and the vampire lifted his head, making a questioning sound. "So hungry."
Castiel chuckled, placing a light kiss on Dean's lips. "Alright, beloved," he whispered, and Dean whined again when he felt Castiel leave the bed, but his mate was there seconds later, pulling Dean so he could sit up and lean against the headboard while Castiel placed the food in his lap. "I figured that you would want carbs, so I got everything I could think of – pizza, pasta, hamburgers. There's even some pancakes and various kinds of potatoes in these. And chocolate and pixie sticks and Gatorade." Dean chuckled at the combination and Castiel smiled sheepishly. "It's what Gabriel told me he found you with – it's quick energy, right?"
"Yeah, Cas," Dean replied, surprised that his mate had managed to do so well – this was exactly what he needed. He felt around, able to see flecks of the energy that each piece of food would gift him with. Unsurprisingly, the Gatorade and pixie sticks shone brightest. He handed them both to Castiel. "Empty the candy into the Gatorade and I'll drink that," he said, picking up a hamburger and quickly eating it while Castiel obeyed, and Dean washed it down with the concoction. It was overly sweet and had a grainy feel as the sugar hadn't actually started dissolving, but it was good enough because when Dean blinked again, he could see a little better.
He ended up drinking the entire bottle of red Gatorade (his favorite, although how Castiel knew that he wasn't sure) and the pixie sticks, and the three hamburgers Castiel had gotten, and even taken a good chunk out of some of the hash browns he'd managed to snag from somewhere. By the end of it Dean was feeling heavy and sated in the best kind of way, eyes closed as he worked the energy where he would need it most and kept the rest spread around himself, and then opened green eyes towards his mate.
"Ready to go?" Castiel asked, smiling a little in response to Dean's uplifted spirits.
Immediately Dean's thoughts turned darker again, but he nodded, taking a deep breath. He took Castiel's proffered hand and let the vampire haul him up from the bed, nosing along the bitten side of Castiel's neck for a moment in a brief, affectionate gesture, before heading over to get his jacket and keys. As an afterthought, he took a chocolate bar and stuffed it into his pocket. After all, it was going to be a long night, and who knew what could happen.
"You look nervous," Castiel noted as he walked with Dean down the crowded Vegas streets – it was Saturday night and every party was in full swing. Both creatures were glad they had fed before leaving otherwise this would be Hell.
Dean shot Castiel a small glance. "Am I that obvious?" he asked. Castiel smiled, and Dean shrugged, and sighed. "I guess I just…I mean…I feel like I'm the stepparent to my own children, you know? I basically made them and then left them to their own devices – they probably think I'm dead, which I guess works to our advantage now, but still." The creature sighed again, running a hand through his hair and then scratching the back of his head, shoulders hunched and head down. "They didn't need me to survive…it seems kind of arrogant now to think that I hold any authority over them."
"Dean." The creature stopped at his mate's tone. Castiel's eyes were very serious. "You are their creator," the vampire said, hushed and low so the passing humans wouldn't hear. "If you had left them for millions of years they would still submit to you, because you hold the power of their own lives over their heads, and the lives of their own creations. You can wipe them out with a flick of your wrist and they will know that, and obey."
"I don't want to be a tyrant, Cas," Dean said, frowning, sounding unsure of himself. His shoulders hunched a little more.
"You won't have to be," Castiel replied with a soft smile. "That's the beauty of it."
Dean snorted a little, his smile turned bitter. "It doesn't work with you," he argued, finally making eye contact, green clashing with the blue of his Child that acted so much like his master. Sure, Dean could feel the power in Castiel, and could easily take it away like he had with Sam, but Castiel was still very much dominant over Dean and Dean preferred it that way. He only seemed to be able to really make Castiel defer to him when he was very angry.
Castiel shook his head. "It does," he said knowingly, his tone so certain that Dean couldn't not believe him. "You're just not aware of it. But it does." The vampire reached across them, letting his fingertips drag over Dean's neck. "You're not the only one who feels new when we touch." He smiled when Dean blushed. "I just hide it better."
"You gotta tell me how to do that."
"Of course…Alpha," Castiel replied, purring the title out, and Dean shivered at it, a little decadent thrill running through him. He closed his eyes and bit his lip, swallowing back his reaction before he opened them again, and kept walking, Castiel following right on behind.
Dean and Castiel found Nick so easily that the Incubus had a sneaking suspicion that his Child had meant to be found.
But no – that was genuine fear and surprise on Nick's face. He went white as a sheet and fled from the crowded strip bar that Dean had followed his energy thread to, and he was fast, but he wasn't vampire fast. Castiel had him up against the wall of the alleyway in the time it took for Dean to actually get there.
When Dean approached, there was a split second of nothingness – Castiel's anger was like a physical barrier pressing down on Nick, and Dean could see the creature trying to make himself smaller in the face of his Alpha's First. When Castiel bared his teeth, Nick shied away, as though trying to melt into the wall.
"Castiel," Dean snapped, stepping forward again and putting a hand on his shoulder. "Do not open your mouth. He can poison you that way. Let him go – if he runs you will catch him again quickly."
Castiel paused again, searching Nick's face, and then obeyed, stepped down and letting the other creature's feet touch ground again. The Siren gasped, holding his throat and Dean winced in sympathy, knowing how much that grip could hurt. He reached forward to touch Nick's face and the creature was either too shocked or too afraid to move away.
His eyes closed when they made contact. "Alpha," he whispered lowly, reopening his eyes and fixing them, wide and staring, on Dean's face. "You've changed."
Dean cocked his head to one side – he remembered. He had met Nick in his second body; a pretty, young female by the name of Meghan. Nick had been easy to lure and change – he'd been an immediate fix for an immediate problem, when Dean was wounded and needing feeding fast, before he realized what he'd done – that he'd forsaken his other, true lover, and taken his – or 'her' – own life.
"I've returned," Dean countered smoothly, stepping closer, and Nick tilted his head to one side, leaning into the warmth of his creator's touch. "You've grown well," he said, and he wasn't really sure what he was saying – the words were just coming from a deep, ancient, knowing part of himself and he channeled that and let it guide him, let his instincts lead the way. "Your family grows strong, if not large."
Nick smiled a little in a self-deprecating way. "Times are hard, Alpha," he replied. "I had more but many are dying."
"Many more will die," Dean said, his tone growing dark and Castiel growled a little in response to that darkness. Dean cast a surprised look his way – was this that connection Castiel had mentioned? God, he hoped not. "Nick, my Child, why would you allow the races to turn on each other? What were you thinking?"
Nick's brow furrowed in confusion. "The vampires?" he asked, half-surprised, half-disgusted. His eyes flashed silver and he looked at Castiel. "They are vermin."
"They are my Children, just like you are," Dean replied in the same dark tone, brushing a hand through Nick's hair and knotting it in the thick locks at the back. The creature whined a little, arching away from the brick wall and towards Dean, feeling the energy, and the power, thrumming through his Alpha, desperate to please his creator. Castiel, too, felt it, and gravitated closer. "Vampires, Fey, Djinni…Mine, all mine. And you would let them be destroyed by a true enemy." Dean's grip tightened and Nick hissed in pain. "Justify yourself."
"The werewolf threatened us," Nick replied in a gasp, his eyes wide with shock and fear as he had never seen his Alpha angry, and for all Dean was normally so benign, his wrath was terrifying. It was how humans must have felt when they gazed into the eye of their God. "I'm sorry, Alpha, but it was his life or mine. I had no choice."
Castiel's upper lip curled back in a derisive growl, but he said nothing, and Dean watched his Child's eyes for a long moment before letting him go. Nick doubled over; holding his head and Dean's fingernails came back with blood underneath them. He blinked at it, almost surprised that it was there, and then wiped it off on his jeans.
"The Alpha werewolf told you this?" he asked, and Nick nodded, rubbing his injured head. Dean's eyes flashed to Castiel again and then back to Nick. "If this wolf contacts you again, you will find me, and you will tell me. I'm not going to tell you where I'm going, but I have a feeling that you'll know soon enough. If you don't want me to kill you myself, you will not strike against a vampire or any other of my Children again, do you understand me?"
Nick's eyes were wide and terrified when he nodded. "Yes, Alpha. I'm sorry, Alpha. Please, forgive me," he begged, falling to his knees in front of the Incubus, and Dean stepped back, almost disgusted at the display – he didn't want people groveling for him. He didn't like it.
"Get up," Dean commanded, taking another step back when Nick did so. "Now go – gather your family and hide yourselves. I wouldn't be surprised if the Alpha wolf struck at you for a failed mission or for letting us slip through your fingers. Hide and await further instructions."
Nick nodded solemnly, fixing a wary eye on Castiel. "Yes, Alpha."
Dean waited until the Siren fled their company before his shoulders sagged, and he heaved a huge sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Castiel was immediately by his side. "That was terrifying," Dean muttered.
"That was glorious," Castiel murmured in reply, burying his face in Dean's neck and inhaling deeply, wrapping his arms around his mate from behind. Dean mewled low in his throat when he felt Castiel's hardness press against him, the vampire's hands roaming freely over his chest. "That was beautiful…God, your power." Castiel moaned, biting down on Dean's neck to muffle his words, and Dean moaned again, his head falling back onto Castiel's shoulder. "So glorious, Alpha, so fucking sexy."
"Cas," Dean growled out, feeling desire and hunger flare up inside of him as he responded to Castiel's manhandling, throwing his hands out to brace himself on shaky arms against the rough brick wall. Castiel's hands fell to his hips and Dean groaned, shifting backwards in an attempt to get more friction as Castiel mouthed at the back of his neck. "Cas, come on, we shouldn't…we can't…" Dean swallowed, trying to get control of himself, but Castiel's body heat and weight was settling so nicely along his spine, putting pressure on his arms and wrists to keep him up, and the cold brick bit into his palms and made him shudder in a little point of pain to compliment Castiel's mouth, worshipping the back of Dean's neck with light nips of teeth and then kittenish licks of the vampire's tongue. "No time…should keep moving…" Castiel lazily thrust forward, pulling Dean's hips back, and the motion caused the front of Dean's jeans to be pulled taught across his erection, and fuck, he felt like he was either going to explode right then, or fall apart in a puddle of goo.
"The moonlight's gonna run out before we can get anywhere," Castiel said in reply, nuzzling into the curve of Dean's neck and purring when his mate willingly exposed more for his eager, exploring mouth. "We'll end up in the middle of nowhere when the sun sets. We can leave at dawn. I'll make you come so many times by then, Dean, just you wait and see. Make you so loose and easy like you always get after a good fuck, make you so fucking hungry for me, hungry for more…" The vampire bit down at the back of Dean's neck, anchoring himself there while he lazily rode Dean's ass and the creature moaned, feeling like his knees were going to give out, they were shaking so badly and felt so weak.
"Cas, we really should…" But it was hard to concentrate with Castiel's knowing body, and his dirty mouth and his clever, clever hands, moving around to rub Dean through his jeans and the Incubus moaned like a porn star, feeling himself swell even more that he'd thought would be possible – he felt like he was literally going to explode out of his jeans. "Cas…"
"Shh, baby, I've got you," the vampire whispered dirtily into his ear and Dean moaned again, shaking as he felt the beginnings of his orgasm approaching, and he drove forward into Castiel's hand, then back, his hips slamming back into his lover's, and Castiel purred when Dean felt himself become overwhelmed, shuddering around his orgasm as he came in his pants like an overeager teenager, his eyes closed, his head hung, body trembling. "There we go…look at you, Dean, so gorgeous, so much power and influence and you don't even know…" Castiel pet down Dean's flank, loving the creature's little hitch of breath when he brushed over a sensitive spot near Dean's hip. "And all mine." Dean whined again when Castiel kept rubbing him through his jeans, well past the point of pleasure and into pain now on his oversensitive cock, and he shied back towards Castiel, away from the maddening pressure of that hand. "Easy, baby," the vampire coaxed, smiling again and licking along the bite at the back of Dean's neck. "I'll take care of you."
"We…" Dean stopped, swallowed, and when he tried to speak again his voice came out less hoarse; "We really don't have time to waste like this, Castiel." And he sounded guilty, and Castiel paused, still leaning over Dean, petting almost absently along the clothing covering his lover's sweat soaked skin.
"Let me take care of you, Dean, for tonight," he replied after a while, standing up straight and pulling Dean up with him. "We will track tomorrow, but Vegas is busy at the nighttimes and I want to enjoy you, just for a little while longer. Please…"
Dean sighed, shaking his head a little, and then turned to face Castiel, smiling slightly. "I suppose I do owe you the orgasm," he said, rolling his eyes because, well, they'd bought the room for the night, and it would be nice to bask in that kind of luxury and just draw mutual comfort from his mate for the night, and let themselves relax in the middle of all this Hell.
There was a voice in the back of his mind that said that the more time they wasted, the more people there were that could die, and they didn't have time to relax and really, Dean was selfish trying to think that way. People were dying and he wasn't stopping it.
That voice was very persistent. Dean sighed, leaning down to slant his lips over Castiel's and the vampire answered him eagerly, fisting his hands in Dean's too-short hair and tugging slightly. "I'll pay you back," Dean husked against his lover's lips, "but then we have to go. I don't want the toll to climb."
Castiel sighed into Dean's mouth, and though Dean couldn't see his eyes behind his lids he just knew Castiel was rolling them. "Very well," the vampire conceded, drawing Dean closer. "But first things first…"
The next day, Dean and Castiel were well on their way towards Atlanta, Georgia. That was where the meeting between Alphas had been, and that was where Dean could sense Jo – the Alpha Fey. Fey were tricky little bastards, but Jo couldn't hide from him. Her aura shone so brightly that it was a wonder Dean had never noticed it before. She shone almost as brightly as Castiel.
She didn't try and run. In fact, she found Dean, in a diner on the side of the road heading towards Kennesaw. She just came in and slid into his and Castiel's booth, easy as anything, opposite the two of them. They'd sat on the same side of the booth, able to see her coming, because sometimes Dean just had vibes like that.
"Alpha," she said, businesslike, but there was a genuine, caring smile on her face and it set Dean's heart at ease, seeing her. Nevertheless, he held the small container of salt in his left hand underneath the table, because when creatures became as hunted as they were, they took all precautions. Dean and Castiel had yet to have a confrontation but that didn't mean it would never happen. "It's been a long time. I thought you were dead."
"A lot of people did," Dean replied with a small smile, cocking his head to one side and leaning back against the red vinyl of the diner booth. "I hope you have good news, Jo."
She shook her head, a sad expression on her face. "Sam just attacked him out of nowhere," she whispered, eyes flashing up to her Alpha, then the vampire at his side. "A shot of Dead Man's Blood, right to the neck." She lifted her hand and pressed it against the side of her neck, wincing in remembrance. "When he fell Sam tore his head right off. There was so much blood…"
"Why didn't you stop him?" Castiel demanded, leaning forward, resting a hand on the table top. His fingers curled and dug into the plastic top and easily tore through it as he growled, upper lip curling back. Jo had the good sense to move away a little in her seat, and Dean had deliberately sat with Castiel against the wall because the vampire had gotten increasingly more agitated as the day had gone on. He wouldn't say a thing, but he didn't need to – Dean could feel him. More of Castiel's children were dying. "Why didn't you speak up? What if I just killed your Beta without cause? What would you do?"
Jo's eyes narrowed. "I would rip you apart," she hissed, cocking her head to one side and, for a split second, she actually looked menacing. Then the moment passed and she was smiling again, cheery as anything. "Look, I don't know where Sam is – the bastard's holing himself up tight and making all the rest of us do his dirty work. My kind are meant to be looking out for you two but they're sure as hell not gonna get you. It's the Djinni you need to look out for – they're powerful sons of bitches and they can be anywhere, and look like anybody. I've heard horror stories of what they can do."
Dean nodded – the Djinni, of all his Children, were the ones he was most aware of, besides vampires, because they were the strongest and most dominant of those he'd created. He reached across the table and smoothed his hand over hers, smiling a little in gratitude. "Thank you for your information, Jo," he said kindly, and Jo's smile widened. "Can you tell me where Pamela is?"
Jo's lips pursed in thought, her eyes growing far away as she tried to remember. Fey were powerful, but Jo was flighty and prone to her airheaded moments. Dean waited as patiently as he could, but they were running out of time. He felt nauseous with the pressure of finding Pamela, then Sam, and then…well. Then what?
Dean pushed the thought out of his mind – it wasn't important.
"Miami," Jo finally replied, nodding to herself as she smiled again. "Pam's in Miami. Or somewhere near there."
Castiel's growl came out frustrated and aggressive, and Dean stood before the vampire could press for more information, taking Castiel's hand and hauling him out of the booth. "Thank you, Jo, again," he said, smiling a little and urging his mate out of the door. The sun was out and it would harm Castiel to walk into but Dean could heal him again in the car. "You need to take your people and hole yourselves up – if Sam finds out you helped us, then he will be out for your blood."
Jo nodded solemnly, her smile not diminishing. "I've missed you, Alpha," she whispered, looking up at Dean with liquid brown eyes, and Dean leaned down, holding her face in his hands and pressing a kiss to her forehead like he'd seen Castiel do to many of his Children.
"I'm back now, Jo," he replied, "and I will not be silent anymore."
"Did you think I wouldn't find out?" The lesser creatures cowered in the face of their attacker, hissing in defiance but still backing down. The wolves gradually began to surround them on all sides, advancing closer to the pack of Sirens as they pressed back against the walls of their newest habitat – a large, concrete, prison-like building after their Alpha had ordered them to hide themselves. They'd been in this place for six days with no word.
They'd been sitting ducks.
Sam was furious, advancing on the Alpha, who stood tall despite his fear. He didn't want to die, but if his Alpha died then the point was kind of moot anyway. Sam took a hold of his throat, baring his teeth as he squeezed, cutting off the creature's air.
"You have betrayed us," Sam growled, and the wolves snarled out their agreement.
"I have betrayed my Alpha already," Nick replied, "I won't do it a second time."
Sam snorted in derision, a smirk on his face. "How noble," he said sarcastically, cocking his head to one side as he observed the puny creature. "It's amazing how something so powerful can create something so weak," he sneered. "Now I guess I know how God feels when he watches the world."
Nick's upper lip curled back in a sneer, and Sam closed his mouth before he could spit his venom and poison him. The werewolf's hand tightened in response to the attack, and Sam wiped the back of his hand over his mouth, getting rid of the venom. The creature choked, unable to draw enough air into his lungs, and around them, the other Sirens were clawing at their own throats with eyes widened by fear and small whimpers sounding from their mouths.
"Dean will feel this," Sam whispered, pushing his thumb harshly into Nick's neck as the creature choked and fell limply into unconsciousness. "He will not keep running for long."
Castiel was missing.
Castiel was missing.
Castiel was missing.
Dean couldn't think past that. He didn't know how it happened – he'd only left the vampire alone for a moment in the car to go pick up some gas station food. They'd been in Miami for almost two weeks with no trace of Pam – Dean couldn't quite pin her down, couldn't quite sense her, and that worried him.
He'd felt it when Nick died. It had been a slow fog of terror descending over his mind, with voices and sharp edges that cut into him. When Castiel had found him Dean had been surprised to find that he'd dug furrows into his own arms and neck, feeling like someone was trying to choke him. He'd felt it when his Child and all of Nick's Children had been snuffed out, like a power outage back in Vegas, a small dark spot amidst the rest of the brightness, and it had hurt. God, he had never known such pain like it.
And now Castiel was missing.
He couldn't bear to lose Castiel – he wouldn't. Fear was clouding his mind. He'd only left Castiel alone for a moment, not even, and then he'd come back out to find an empty car. The sun had been out – Castiel wouldn't have gotten far on foot. Dean had searched everywhere but his scent was being covered, so was his aura. Dean couldn't find him and that just made him panic. He'd only just found Castiel again and now, now they were hunted. A million different things could have happened to him and -.
Dean jolted out of his thoughts when his phone rang, and fumbled with it on the passenger's seat and checked Called ID. "Castiel?" he asked, both relieved and angry and suspicious.
"No, Alpha, I'm afraid not," came a female voice in reply, and Dean's upper lip curled back slightly. "It's been a long time, Jesse. Or I suppose you're Dean now, am I right?" Dean's snarl was the only answer, and Pamela laughed – it was a low, sultry sound and it set Dean's teeth on edge.
"What have you done with Castiel?"
"Well, fine, enough foreplay," Pam replied, a pout in her voice. Dean resisted the urge to growl at her. "He's safe. Well. He's alive, but I wouldn't count on that much longer. You see, the Alpha werewolf is quite persuasive in his arguments. It's either my kind or his, and it's not that much of a decision now, is it?"
"Don't hurt him," Dean begged, swallowing at the idea that one of his Children would kill another. "Please. Don't kill him."
Pamela sighed. "You used to be stronger, Alpha," she whispered, and Dean pulled over the car, unable to drive anymore, because the road was getting too blurry to see. He leaned his head back against the headrest and closed his eyes. He could hear other people on the phone behind Pam and he imagined he could pick out the sound of Castiel's breathing amongst the noise. "You used to be able to lay a whole city to waste with a flick or your wrist. What happened?"
Dean didn't answer. "If I promise your safety…if I protect you, will you let Castiel live?"
Pam 'hmm'ed gently in thought, and Dean could hear a metallic, rhythmic clacking sound, like something metal being wheeled over a cement floor. "I'm just the middle man, Alpha – it's Sam who wants Castiel's blood, not me. If you strike a deal with him, I see no reason to kill him."
"Sam will be coming to see him," Dean said softly, knowing it was true.
"Yes. If you meet us there, you may be able to sway the Alpha. I don't want my kind to die, Dean. I don't want to die. Sam is much stronger than I am, at least in family size."
Dean grunted in response, wiping at his eyes because he could feel tears wanting to fall and he would not show weakness, even to someone over a phone. "Where are you? I will come – call Sam and tell him that I will be there. I'll do whatever it takes. Just don't hurt him."
There was a pause. "What makes him so special?" Pam asked, a little bit of anger in her tone, and Dean could hear her walking over to what he had to assume was Castiel. "I mean…yeah, he's pretty, and he's powerful, but I don't understand why you love him so, Alpha, why you would risk your other Children's life for his." She snorted in bitterness. "I guess God does have favorites."
"Pam, please," Dean whispered, closing his eyes again. "Just tell me where you are."
She sighed. "Very well. We're near the Everglades tourist information centre. The part that's closed off for repairs. I can have Sam here by tomorrow, Alpha – you'd better be ready."
"Cas?"
Castiel looked up, frowning at the unfamiliar scene. Well, it was familiar, but it was out of place. So…strange…He turned around and saw Dean running towards him and embracing him, smiling widely as though Castiel had been gone for a long time and they had just been reunited.
"Dean…" Castiel wrapped his arms around his lover, surprised but pleased at the affectionate gesture nonetheless, and then looked around himself again. Dean was…young. Younger than he had been. Maybe no older than sixteen. Castiel looked down at himself, seeing he wore plainer, simpler clothes that itched at his skin and were dark greens and browns and off-whites. Dean took his hand, grinning. "Where are we going?"
"To the woods, silly," Dean replied, pulling Castiel after him and the other boy had no choice but to follow. "I want to try something."
Castiel's eyes widened as recognition slammed into him. They were…God, they were in the past. In his first life. Something…something was happening. Something different…
He's recognize that big oak tree anywhere – the one that had cradled the boys in its limbs and long, sprawling roots as they'd…as they'd…
Dean was blushing, sitting in his favorite spot in that big oak tree's roots – a little dip that had been rubbed smooth by many hours sitting and talking about nothing between the young men. Castiel settled into his own place as though in a trance, staring up at Dean's face as his position was slightly lower down that the other boy's.
Dean bit his lip, looking like there was a war going on behind his eyes, and then he looked down, still blushing shyly. Castiel swallowed, remembering this, his mouth gone dry with anticipation as it had before, that time with hope. "Dean?" he asked, brushing his fingers along the back of his best friend's hand. "You okay?"
Dean's head snapped up. "What? Oh, yeah…I'm okay…" He looked down again, then away. "You ever notice how our parents are always men and women?"
Castiel cocked his head to one side at the seemingly random tangent, but he knew where Dean had gone with this…A man and a woman was necessary for children, yes, but not for love. This was when Dean and Castiel had shared their first kiss, and it had been awkward and clumsy and a little messy and more than perfect. Castiel's hands were shaking, thinking about it.
"I mean," Dean continued, blushing over his friend's continued, scrutiny. He was fidgeting. "I guess I just don't understand why…If you love someone, you should go for it, right? And I mean…what if the souls just got mixed up this time around? If it is meant to be a woman's and a man's soul, who's to say the souls didn't get switched around, or confused?"
Castiel blinked – he hadn't remembered this part. Then again, there were still a lot of things he didn't remember about his past, things that he didn't want to remember. Like any time where Dean hadn't been in his arms. "You might have a point there," he said, because it felt like he needed to say something.
Dean blushed harder. "Yeah," he said, smiling to himself, meeting Castiel's eyes again. It took a moment to realize how close they were to each other, how easy it would be to –
Their lips met before either of them could stop it. It was shy – just a chaste brush, more chance than actual intent, until Castiel leaned forward and deepened it, old memories clashing with this new one and making it all the sweeter. Memories of Dean writhing underneath him, of kissing him, of drinking Dean's blood or feeling his warmth in Castiel's arms, combined with this new, rich sweetness of reliving their first kiss, and when Castiel slid his hand into Dean's unkempt hair, it was natural as anything and sweet and perfect. Dean shivered around the breath, eyes closed, answering and mirroring Castiel, as the slightly older boy sucked Dean's lip into his mouth and bit down on it, nuzzling and coaxing until Dean opened up for him. He was trembling like he had that very first time that hadn't happened yet, and Castiel made a pleased sound when Dean slid from his hollow into Castiel's lap, straddling his thighs, muscles gripping warm and heavy around Castiel's legs, and the older boy sighed into Dean's mouth, holding him close.
They would get caught in an hour or so, but until then, Castiel planned to enjoy this dream – hallucination – memory. Whatever it was. Because this…this was perfect. Before wolves came along and fucked up the order. Before Castiel became a vampire. When they were just human and dormant Incubus, both with souls, both with loving, naïve smiles and tender hearts.
Sam was there when Dean arrived. No one approached either of them as Dean entered the facility with wary eyes and a racing pulse, trying to keep himself calm despite his fear and his anxiety.
He saw Castiel suspended from hooks that were attached to a wall, two IV bags coming out of his left arm. One of them…one of them was black and dark. Dead Man's Blood – keeping Castiel sedated and unconscious. Dean could see Pamela's taint on him, and knew she was working her magic. The second held a bag of Castiel's own blood, drawing it out so the Dead Man's Blood had more effect, like alcohol.
Dean swallowed, seeing his mate – Castiel had taken quite a beating, and his skin was burned from time in the sun. Anger and hatred welled up in him for Sam and Pamela but he kept himself in check, moving his gaze to stare at his Child and the Alpha wolf.
Sam was watching him with calculating eyes. Pamela looked a little nervous but was trying not to show it. Dean had to break the silence first; "I'm here," he said, forcing his voice to remain steady. "Let Castiel go."
"Not yet," Sam replied, holding a hand out in front of Pamela before she could release Castiel. The Djinn swallowed and stepped back again, and Dean growled at her, eyes flashing silver at her disobedience. Sam was still watching Dean. "How do I know you won't just take him and run again?"
"I said I would do what you want," Dean replied tersely, feeling the eyes of many of Sam's Children on him, people he had used to call friends and allies. Now they just felt like the red point of a sniper on the target painted onto his back. "Tell me what you want."
The Alpha wolf laughed. "You could make a lot of money with that line," he said, and Dean just growled. Sam hummed softly, moving away from Pam's side and heading towards Castiel. "I never understood what you saw in him," he said conversationally, stroking a finger through the vampire's blood and grimacing in distaste, wiping it on the collar of Castiel's shirt. Dean resisted the urge to attack Sam for even touching his mate. "I imagine he was different, back when you first met. Back before I was even born.
But then, I have to wonder, if you loved him so much, why you would always find yourself running away from him? Surely you can sense him now?" Dean nodded, because it seemed like a response was desired of him. "Then how does it work?"
"I can't pretend to know," Dean said honestly. "Sometimes a soul isn't limited to time or place."
The answer was cryptic and dissatisfying, and Sam's mouth twisted a little. "No matter, I suppose," he said, turning away from Castiel and towards Dean. "He's not what I want. You." He laced his fingers together, pointing towards Dean with both forefingers. "You are what I want."
Dean frowned, disgusted. "This was all some sort of way of getting me back?" he accused, hatred plain in his tone.
Sam shook his head. "Of course not. This is so much bigger than that," Sam said, throwing his arms out to either side of him. Dean's eyes widened, feeling that slow fog of terror descending over his mind again – oh God, no, not again…please not again…"You, Dean, are powerful. So much more powerful than I could ever hope to be – if you wanted, you could suck the energy from the sun and turn the world into ice, but you don't, because you don't have ambition like that." Sam smiled a little too widely. "That's where I come in."
"Sweetheart, if you're looking for a mate that won't lie to you or scheme to get ahead, then perhaps you should go looking for the dead, because they have no ambition."
Dean's eyes widened and he took a step back. He was starting to shake, realization and fear spreading through him like a chill. Something was happening…somewhere…God. "You're insane," he choked out, feeling like all the air in the room was being sucked away from him, and he grasped at his throat, fighting to stay upright when he wanted to fall to his knees. "Sam…what are you doing?"
"I'm taking away your weaknesses," Sam spat in reply, sounding angry and frustrated and a little exasperated. "I'm doing this for you, Dean – without all these weaknesses, you and I will be so strong together. I know you can't fathom it now, but just you wait and see. We will control everything, you and I…I just have to get rid of the competition first."
Dean watched with wide eyes as, behind Pamela, wolves began to approach her. He tried to make a sound, to warn her, but he couldn't – she turned around just in time to get a silver blade covered in lamb's blood through her heart. Dean cried out, clutching at his chest, as though he could feel the blade himself. His throat burned and he was sobbing, feeling little pockets of light go out all around the world. But that terrible fog wasn't going away. He sucked in a deep breath, trying to fight, trying to tell Sam no, that it wasn't necessary, that he could still be powerful with all his Children, but there wasn't enough air in the room. His Children were dying and there wasn't a damn thing he could do to stop it.
He found himself wondering vaguely if this was how God felt when he looked at the world. Perhaps he didn't stop things happening because so much was happening all at once. He literally could not stop it.
Silver was descending over his vision. More were dying – everywhere. He could feel it…one by one, Sam had planned a huge counterattack to all Dean's children. The Fey were dying out too…Sam knelt down in front of Dean and took his chin in hand, absently wiping at the tears on Dean's face. "I know it hurts now," Sam whispered softly, "but you'll thank me for this."
Dean whined, holding his heart as he felt the last of Jo's Children flare up and then become snuffed out, and he spit in Sam's face. "Go to Hell," he snarled, and Sam's mouth thinned out before he let Dean go, standing up again and wiping his face clean.
"Your Children have a habit of doing that too. You shouldn't pass on such bad habits, you know," he chided softly, then approached Castiel as Pam's body was let go and slumped to the floor. Dean couldn't bear to look at her blank green eyes. "Now…for the last loose end."
"No!" Dean sobbed, trying to push himself to his feet, but he was quickly held down by several wolves. He snarled, focusing on their energies, and just drew from them. He didn't care anymore – let Sam feel what he had just felt. The wolves gasped out, feeling their lives literally get drained away, and then they slumped around Dean, who pushed himself to his feet. "Don't kill him. Please, please don't kill him. If you do, I will make it my mission to destroy you – don't think I won't."
"Please, please don't kill him. If you do, I will make it my mission to destroy you – don't think I won't."
Castiel frowned, drawing away from Dean, seeing the look of panic and raw rage on his mate's face. "Dean, what's happening?" he asked, but Dean was pulling away. The world was pulling away – like a carpet being ripped out from under Castiel's feet, leaving only whiteness behind. He had the sense of being in danger but couldn't, for the life of him, pinpoint it or get away from it. "Dean! What's happening?"
"No! No, you – You son of a bitch! I'll kill you! I swear to God I'll kill you!"
"Hold him down. He can't take from all of you without being sick."
"Dean!" Castiel turned around, trying to see anything that wasn't white, but he couldn't – the scene he'd been in had been completely ripped away. Flashes of color and sound lanced across the blank canvas he was standing in and he winced at every one.
A pretty girl, approaching him, easy, flirty, would be a Child if he had the time or inclination. Then her eyes shone blue and her face became inked with tattoos. A touch, a blow to his head, being dragged somewhere. Voices, sensations, pain and lethargy. Djinni…A smell. There was a scent in the air. Blood, sweat, tears, wolves. There were wolves here.
Pain. So much pain, God, what was that? At the point of his neck. Castiel pressed a hand against his pulse, feeling it race in anxiety and fear.
"Don't you dare touch him!"
Dean…
The pain was getting stronger. Castiel clawed at his throat, feeling like some insect was trying to burrow under his skin and sever his neck altogether. There was pressure at his neck and shoulder and a ripping sound…tearing…
Then blackness.
"No!" Dean screamed, throwing off the wolves that just kept piling onto him, out of nowhere. They just kept coming and he kept taking but he was running out of places to put all the energy inside of him. His eyes were completely silver, and all he could see was how brightly Sam shone and how brightly Castiel didn't. He was gone.
He snarled, ripping wounds into his own body so that he lost blood – if he lost blood he would have to heal himself and that meant he would be able to take more energy and defeat more people. Bodies were piling up around him, but his eyes were only focused on Sam, standing next to Castiel's limp body, holding his head. "Sam!"
The werewolf turned around, a soft smile on his face, and Dean thought he must have gone mad, because he didn't even flinch when each of his Children fell around him. "I've made you indestructible, now," Sam said serenely, holding the bloody remains of Castiel's head, detached from his body, and Dean roared, shoving himself to his feet again.
He was on Sam in a moment, shoving the werewolf away. "Get the fuck away from him!" he snarled, holding Castiel's head in his hands, and he hurriedly unhooked Castiel's limp body from the wall, collapsing when the dead weight took him down. "No, no…" He shook his head, and the world was shaking. Or maybe that was just him. He pressed a hand against Castiel's body, healing the head back onto it despite the fact that the life was long gone. "Cas…you come back to me, you stubborn bastard. You got what you want, now do something about it."
"You come back to me, you stubborn bastard."
Castiel woke up in Hellfire. Well, that wasn't quite true, because Hellfire implies Hell, which means demons and souls of the damned and screams and torture. No…Castiel was in regular fire. There was a lake of it, like when dinosaurs were still real. He was on the side of a mountain that was black and ashen, in a barren landscape. Smoke clouded the air and made it hard to see or breathe. He hurriedly pushed himself up, disoriented, wondering where he was, when the Earth shook beneath him.
The mountain was trembling. Hurriedly he stumbled off of it, towards the base of the mountain and more ash billowed into the air. He coughed, lungs burning at the smell of sulfur and the poisonous carbon monoxide, his eyes watering when the ash irritated his eyes.
"Come on now, Dean. I've made you indestructible."
"You've made me an enemy."
Dean's voice. Sam's voice. Castiel bared his teeth in a snarl, knowing something awful must have happened. And that pain…it felt like his head had been ripped right off his shoulders.
He paused.
"You got what you want, now do something about it."
Was he…?
"Am I dead?" he asked, to no one in particular. He turned around again, looking up to the top of an angry volcano, and stepped back. There was no life here – of course, there wouldn't be. The volcano was the only point of brightness around him – the rest was barren desert. Flat, open plains of nothingness. His throat burned with thirst and he felt a need for earthly food, but he swallowed it back.
"Gabriel?" he hazarded, again not knowing what to do. Dean's words echoed back to him.
"It's a trial and you're going into it untried."
Castiel closed his eyes, concentrating, and trying to remember. He would be able to sense Gabriel, here, surely, now that they were on the same plain again. Then, theoretically, he would be able to drag them both back to Earth with Dean again. In theory.
It had taken Dean a few tries to get it right.
Castiel swallowed, looking back at the volcano once more. It seemed like things were lurking in the blackness of the falling ash, and Castiel looked about him, seeing desert in one direction and rocky crags in another. He sighed, straightened his shoulders, and started towards the crags, because if Gabriel was here, that was where he would go.
Dean was almost catatonic by the time Sam managed to subdue him enough for his Children to touch Dean without being drained. The Incubus' eyes were glazed over, almost like he just wasn't there anymore, and Sam swallowed back his worry, sure that he had done the right thing. He'd made Dean stronger through this and together – together – without interference from that damned insect or any of Dean's other Children, they could do great things.
Sam's house was in Orlando – only four hours away on a good day. He holed Dean up in the back of a van and left Castiel's and Pamela's bodies back at that warehouse – there wasn't any point trying to clean them up.
Dean just sat, staring blankly at a wall with one hand around his drawn up legs, the other around his stomach, and said nothing. He just cried silently and his shoulders shook. Sam would feel guilty, but Dean would get over it soon enough and realize that Sam was the best thing for him, and he'd come around.
Dean closed his eyes, looking around the world. It was so dark, so empty…Castiel, the brightest point in Dean's world, was gone, and so were his Children. Thousands upon thousands, just blown out like an overused light bulb. Dean shuddered with hatred and revulsion, and knew that Sam would pay. He would so pay.
"Gabriel!" Castiel shouted, his voice echoing eerily off the crags. Above him, something moved, and a rock slipped and fell to his side. Castiel wasn't naïve enough to think it was his brother – if his brother had heard him, he wouldn't still be hiding. Castiel braced himself.
"Oh, Alpha vampire. And here I was hoping you'd succeeded."
The voice came from the figure of Jo, Dean's Child. Castiel cocked his head to one side, and then straightened up, not wanting to be aggressive towards her because really, she was his favorite so far of Dean's other Children. "So Sam struck at you too," he said gravely.
Jo nodded, his mouth twisting in anger. "Yes," she said, crossing her arms, "and my mate, and my entire family. All of them, just gone, just like that." She snapped her fingers and Castiel smiled at the Dean-esque way she'd said that, remembering his mate saying the exact same thing not too long ago. Then, Jo straightened, and her eyes narrowed towards Castiel. "You're still tied to him."
Castiel nodded. "Bonus of being mated to an Incubus," he said with a slight smile. "I'm just here to find my brother. Well, that and I don't know how the fuck to actually get back to the world. Dean's the expert on this, not me," he said, frustrated.
"Well, there's probably Incubi around here," she said, shrugging a little, but Castiel raised a hand, stopping her, cocking his head to one side. Someone else was here. He turned around, eyes narrowed and searching around the tops of the crags. He and Jo were standing in a ravine – there was only one way in, or one way out, if you couldn't fly. There was a warm breeze blowing through the crags, but until then it had been cold, or still.
"Something's here," he whispered to her, and she tensed up, searching surreptitiously around her. "Brace yourself against the rock face," he said, jerking his head to his left, where the road began to bend. He heard something growl low and then suck in a deep breath. "Now!"
Castiel pressed his back against the cool rock at the same time flames roared past them in a burning jet. He wrinkled his nose, smelling burning hair and flesh, and knew something that wasn't them must not have been so lucky as to avoid the flames. Jo was breathing heavily, her eyes wide with fear, and she crept closer to Castiel.
"Come on," he said, pulling her along around the bend so the fire wouldn't be able to catch them until the beast that breathed it turned. "Let's get the fuck out of here."
"What comes here?" she asked breathlessly, following Castiel as he ran through the ravine, looking around them for any possible shelter or hiding place.
"Everything that cannot go anywhere else," Castiel replied, helping her up and over a large bolder that was blocking their path, and then he kept running. "Supernatural creatures with no soul to go to Heaven or Hell. Things that are evil or just not human. We cannot die here. We cannot escape."
"I cannot escape," Jo corrected. "You most certainly can."
"Perhaps…"
"Castiel!"
The vampire halted immediately, looking around. They had begun to climb, and were essentially sitting ducks on the side of a cliff face, but Castiel would know that voice anywhere.
"Gabriel?"
"Do you know what it's like to live in total darkness, Sam?" Dean asked, hand still rubbing at his sore, injured arms, legs and belly. He'd really done a number on himself for the fight with Sam's Children and he was hurting in more ways than one, and sore, and just wanted to go to sleep forever and never wake up. He couldn't erase the image of Castiel's dead body from the backs of his eyelids. "Do you understand just how empty it is? Fuck, I bet you don't even care…what's there going to be to rule after you're done, hmm?" Dean laughed – it was a bitter, frightening mockery of his laugh, and his hands moved to his legs, rubbing up and down his shins through his jeans. "M'never gonna give you what you want. Never gonna work for you or help you with this." His eyes closed. "May as well get it over with now…"
"Castiel, you son of a bitch! I leave you alone for a few days and you go and get yourself killed."
"Gabriel." Castiel couldn't help it. He embraced his brother tight enough to maybe kill him all over again, burying his face in his big brother's neck. Here, without the call of blood or the power of the Alpha singing in Castiel's veins, they were merely brothers, older and younger, seeking comfort and reassurance that they were actually both there. "Gabriel, Gabriel…"
"Shh, Cas," Gabriel replied, hugging his little brother back just as tightly – he hadn't needed to comfort Castiel this much since Castiel was going through the Change, becoming a vampire, and Gabriel had had to watch along with Dean and make sure he was okay. "I'm here, you're alright." A pause, then; "Is Dean here too?"
Castiel swallowed, straightening up and putting distance between them once more. "No," he said, shaking his head. "Dean's…Dean…" He swallowed once more, trying to get control of himself, but it was no use – here, in Purgatory, there were no illusions. There were no poker faces or training or power. It was survival of the fittest, pure and simple, and one vampire was just as fit as the other. "He's still on Earth," Castiel said, wiping at his eyes. "He's there with Sam and…fuck, Gabriel, and I need to get back there, but I don't know how."
Gabriel's brows knit together. "There's always a way," he murmured to himself, his dark eyes flashing to Castiel's companion. "Who's the girl?"
Jo straightened. "I'm the Alpha Fey," she hissed defensively, and Gabriel's brows rose.
"Jesus, Sam's just not even joking anymore, isn't he?" he asked, half-amused, half-angry. Then he paused. "Castiel, what does this place look like to you?" he asked, gesturing around themselves.
The Alpha vampire frowned. "Um…It's mountains, Gabe. Crags and caves and sharp rocks and stuff."
"What?" Jo frowned. "To me it's a waterfall we're climbing up. Can't you see I'm soaking wet?" She shook her hair out as if to demonstrate, but all Castiel saw was dry, wavy blonde locks. He frowned in confusion and looked back towards his older brother.
"There are always clues," Gabriel said, cocking his head to one side. "Death is like darkness, but there is always a source of light to symbolize the world. Where is the source of light for you, Castiel?"
"Um…the sun?" Castiel said, unsure if his brother might have gone a little crazy or taken one head wound too many.
Gabriel rolled his eyes. "No, little brother. There's no sun here." Castiel looked up to find that Gabriel was right – the sky was white and bright blue to make it look like a sunny, oppressive day, but there was no actual glowing ball in the sky. "Where is the light for you?"
Castiel thought about it for a moment, then his eyes widened in realization. "The volcano."
"Dean," Sam coaxed, smiling when he actually managed to get Dean to focus on his face. He stroked a hand down Dean's neck and the creature shuddered, biting his lip and looking away. "Hey, there, sweetheart. How are you feeling today?"
Dean growled. "Like a rabid dog ate my soul," he snapped back, only half-sarcastically. His fingers itched to touch Sam, to reach out and steal that glowing ball of energy, but Sam was being smart about it. He'd managed to…find this stupid sigil or something that he'd carved into his own chest that meant any energy Dean took away from him would be immediately replaced from Dean. It was a vicious cycle and Dean hadn't gotten close enough to maybe destroy the sigil. He had to wait, and bide his time.
Sam chuckled, leaning forward and placing a kiss to Dean's forehead, his hands strong around Dean's wrists and holding him down so Dean couldn't touch. The Incubus flexed in his hold but didn't otherwise move. "You'll come around," Sam whispered like a dark promise in Dean's ear, and the creature shivered, his eyes falling closed, and he swallowed when Sam nosed along Dean's neck, inhaling like Dean was just some animal in heat.
The Incubus snarled and lashed out, catching Sam's neck with his teeth. "Stay the fuck away from me," he spat, his entire body tense and quivering, and Sam chuckled again, pressing a hand against his own neck.
"I'll be back when you're in a more companionable mood," Sam said with a smile, because he wasn't feeling the pressure yet. His greatest enemy was gone and his greatest asset was under his control. He could wait a few more days before planning his attack.
"Are you sure about this?" Castiel asked, turning to look at his brother. Gabriel just nodded. "You're coming with me, right?" he asked again, holding his hand out, and Gabriel took it, letting their fingers lace together.
"Like I would stay here," he said, snorting in derision, and then the two vampires looked to Jo. "You coming?"
Jo thought for a moment, then looked around, and shook her head. "No. My mate's here, and my Children will be here too. I will stay with them," she said, and then took a step back away from the mouth of the volcano.
"Talk about a leap of faith, eh little brother?" Gabriel asked with a grin, and Castiel almost sobbed out his laugh, squeezing his brother's hand and hoping to God this worked. He stole himself, closing his eyes, focusing on Dean, on Earth, on where he could last remember being. He didn't know exactly how this worked but he was going to try and make it as easy for them as possible.
"Ready?" he whispered, opening his eyes again and looking down into the boiling lava. As he watched a bubble of gas formed and popped, and he swallowed, able to feel the extreme heat all the way up here. "Three, two, one…"
They jumped.
Dean's eyes flared open when Sam came back to see him, and he swallowed, and shifted away from the werewolf as he approached. Sam watching him curiously, like Dean was a weird, wonderful creature to study and dissect, and Dean shivered at his own train of thought. "Come on, now, Dean, aren't you hungry?" Dean's eyes flashed silver but he didn't answer. "You're going to have to start talking and eating eventually."
Dean growled softly. "You killed him," he whispered.
Sam rolled his eyes. "Really? Are we still on that?"
"Shouldn't I be?" Dean snapped, raising his head from his folded arms which rested on top of his knees and snarling at Sam. Slowly, he started to push himself to his feet – it was hard, as he was feeling weak and hadn't fed in far too long, but he managed. "You've killed my entire family, Sam. You, the person I used to love, lied to me and tried to feed off me and then, when I most needed help, you abandoned me for your own personal gains. You willingly fed me to the enemy so that you could get the upper hand. When I tried to get help for myself, you locked me away. You've hunted me and my mate, and killed his Children, and killed mine. Forgive me if I'm not quite ready to jump into bed with you."
Sam chuckled – it was a low, harsh sound. "I think you're fighting this too hard," he purred, stepping towards Dean, who held his ground, not wanting to be cowed by some overgrown pup. "If I recall, you seemed perfectly happy to jump into bed with Castiel."
"He's my mate."
"Was your mate, sweetheart. He's dead now."
Dean swallowed, his heart aching at the words. "Are you just here to intentionally hurt me?" he demanded in barely louder than a whisper, blinking rapidly so that the traitorous tears wouldn't begin to fall. He couldn't let himself show weakness in front of Sam.
"I'm here to help you," Sam answered, finally stepping close enough that the warm line of his body fell alongside Dean's, and the creature shuddered with revulsion, hating the little part of him that rolled over for Sam's strength and vitality and dominance. "I'm here to make you – to make us – strong and whole again."
"You took away any chance of that happening," Dean growled, pushing at Sam's shoulders.
The werewolf snorted. "Semantics," he muttered derisively, leaning down again and nosing at Dean's neck, ignoring how the Incubus tried to force him away from such a vulnerable area. Sam's teeth began to extend and become serrated, ready to bite into Dean's neck and make him one of Sam's Children. "Just imagine it, Dean, so much power…so fucking powerful, and so willing, so easy…" Sam's hands ran down Dean's flanks, touching Dean like the creature belonged to him, and Dean mewled, angry, but so hungry. God, he hated the way he responded to the right touches, and Sam and he did have history – Sam knew his hot spots and knew just how to get him to roll over and beg like a good little bitch.
Dean took in a shuddering breath, tense and quivering because Sam's mouth was right by his neck and with one bite there wouldn't even be a choice anymore. Dean swallowed, feeling tears building up behind his lids, and his fingers dug in harshly into Sam's muscle, his eyes flashing silver, and –
-the world lit up again.
Dean gasped, damn near falling to his knees at the explosion of light and radiance that circled the globe. He made a choking sound, eyes wide and staring at some point beyond Sam, and beyond the walls of the room Sam had placed him in.
"Dean?" Sam asked, confused and a little wary, and he knelt down just in time for Dean to duck, on instinct, and the glass of the far window he'd been staring into crashed as something huge was thrown through it. It was a human body.
Scratch that.
It wasn't human at all.
"You…" Sam stood up, growling, placing himself between Dean and the stranger. "I killed you!" he accused, like Castiel's very existence upset him on some personal level.
Which, Dean thought, semi-hysterically, it kind of did.
"Yeah," Castiel replied coolly, straightening and brushing some glass off his blood-soaked jacket, from his own blood, and God, he was back. Dean felt like he could sob, seeing his mate standing there, whole and healthy. He even had a smirk on his face and a light in his eyes that spoke of murderous intent and Dean had never been so happy to see it. "You did a really crappy job of that, didn't you?"
Sam snarled, upper lip curling back, body quivering as he just held himself back from changing into a wolf. He took a step towards Castiel. "I'll be sure to make it more permanent next time."
Castiel just smirked, dropping low into a fighting stance, and the two began to circle. Dean just stared, unable to quite believe that Castiel had managed to come back, perfectly whole, first try. He wondered if he'd found Gabriel. He wondered what Purgatory had been like for the vampire, and how he managed to get back out so quickly.
He wondered if he would have a chance to ask those questions, or if Sam would kill him all over again.
The two creatures went for each other, Sam turning into a massive wolf and snarling, and they met in a blur. Dean could hardly keep track of who was where, but he forced himself to watch, sucking in a breath every time Sam's claws came close to Castiel's neck, or his teeth landed on Castiel's body. He wished he could take energy from Sam like he had before, but he couldn't – not with that damned sigil.
But…he could give, to Castiel. Yes…
Dean closed his eyes, placing his hands on the floor, and searched out. Several of Sam's older Children were here, and he didn't even bother with finesse – before, he had taken small amounts, drawing, almost coaxing them out. Today he didn't have that luxury. He dug his nails in and tugged, and felt the life forces being dragged out of their bodies, and they screamed at a pitch that hurt his ears and vibrated in his being, and then fed it to Cas. The vampire was getting stronger, rabid with werewolf power, and he was faster than Sam was and, though he landed fewer blows, each one had the force of three behind it.
"I know exactly what I'm going to do to you," Castiel growled, finally managing to pin Sam onto his back, his teeth bared and elongating. Blood was running down the side of his face, and down his arms, but he didn't care because he was winning. Dean was making him strong, had chosen him to be the favorite, and Castiel wouldn't let his powerful Alpha down. Not again. "The Afterlife is quite interesting, you know, Sam, and I think you'll like it there. I know that there are a lot of people who will be wanting to meet you…"
Sam growled defiantly up at him, baring his teeth, and Castiel chuckled and leaned down. "And the best part? Titles mean nothing there. You'll just be a regular…puny…creature…With no Alpha status whatsoever."
Sam's eyes widened, and he was gasping, sweat plastering his coat, and he whined. Castiel chuckled. "I told you, Sammy," he whispered, moving his hands so one was around the wolf's muzzle, easily clamping his jaws together, the other knotting in the thick scruff of fur. "I'm not a creature to be struck at three times."
He jerked, and pulled his hands apart, and Sam's body went limp, his neck broken. A lot of the world went dark again.
Dean woke up feeling like he'd been hit by a freight train. Repeatedly. He groaned, swallowing around his dry mouth, and blinked open bleary eyes. He was…where was he? He sat up, looking around. He was lying on a very large, very comfortable bed, in a giant suite that he recognized…Vegas. They were back in Vegas. Dean's eyes widened, looking around, and for a small, stupid amount of time, he thought all of the past two weeks had been some strange, incredibly vivid dream.
He heard movement and shoved himself to his feet, going out of the bedroom to find Castiel rifling through several bags of take-out food. He didn't even think about it – Castiel looked up just in time for Dean to barrel into his mate's arms, hugging him so tightly that he would break a normal person.
"I…you…I thought…" Dean buried his face in his mate's neck, nuzzling into the bite on Castiel's neck, and shook on his exhale. "How did you even know where I was?"
"I sensed you," Castiel replied softly, sounding subdued as he wrapped his arms around Dean, hugging him back desperately. "God, Dean, I was almost too late. I could have been too late if…" He swallowed, not wanting to think about it. "You're safe, though. We're both alright."
"…You killed Sam."
"I had to," Castiel replied. "He would have kept coming for us." The vampire drew away so he could see his mate's face, holding Dean's face in his hands and kissing him like he hadn't for years, and Dean opened up sweetly to him, his hands greedily mapping out Castiel's clean, perfect body, as though the vampire had never died and come back. All of the ugliness and the dirt had been washed away. "I'm so glad you're safe. I don't know what would have happened if…"
"Shh," Dean replied, resting his forehead against Castiel's. "It's done now, it's…" Dean closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "The world is very dark."
Castiel sighed. "Sam had a lot of Children. They will have all passed on, I think, except for the younger ones or the ones more removed from his bloodline. What about…" Castiel swallowed. "What about mine?"
Dean's eyes opened again. "They flared up when you came back," he said, and Castiel let out a relieved sigh. "But I still can't find Gabriel."
"No," Castiel said with a small laugh, straightening up again and Dean looked at him curiously. "He's still waiting." Dean's brow furrowed. "For a body," Castiel explained.
"Oh," Dean said. "Well, if we can find his old one I think I could repair it for him to inhabit again, if he was partial to it…"
Castiel nodded after a while. "But I don't know where it is."
"It'll still be in Georgia, right? In Atlanta? We'll find it," Dean promised, nuzzling into Castiel's mouth again, licking along the grooves where Castiel's second set of teeth sheathed themselves when not in use. Dean couldn't stop touching his mate, needing to know he was there, and they were both whole and alive and fine, that they weren't going anywhere – neither of them – and that Castiel's Children were alive and well, because they were the only ones Dean had left. All his other Children had been murdered.
"Sam killed the rest of them," he whispered, tugging on his lover's hands, pulling him towards the bed. "Jo, Pam, Nick. They're all dead."
"I know," Castiel replied, falling onto Dean when the Incubus pulled him down onto the bed, falling between Dean's eagerly spread legs. "I met Jo in Purgatory again, and I think I heard Pam die."
"Where did you go?" Dean asked, his fingers digging into Castiel's hips, driving his own up, making them grind together, and he let out a desperate little mewl, muffling his sounds against Castiel's lips, his heart galloping in his chest, desire and need flaring up his spine in a wave of intense heat. "In Pam's illusion, where did you go?"
Castiel smiled, running his nose along Dean's jaw while his mate caught his breath, greedy hands exploring the rise and fall of Dean's body, tracing the muscles and smooth skin and counting every freckle on Dean's face and down his neck, and watching that adorable, wanton flush spread along his skin.
"I was with you," he whispered, slowly pulling Dean's clothes away from his body, baring inch by tantalizing inch to the pleasantly cool, conditioned air, and Dean shivered, goose bumps rising on his skin. "In that forest when we were young. You were telling me about female souls inside of male bodies, and we kissed for the first time." Dean smiled, remembering, taking in a deep breath when Castiel's mouth went to his neck, and he eagerly bared it for his mate. "You were so young – we both were – so eager, and so willing, and still so powerful. You were beautiful and naïve and innocent and I wish I could have kept you that way. I wish you didn't have to know me as you know me now. I was much better as a human."
"No," Dean replied, shaking his head when Castiel stopped talking, slicking up two of his fingers with saliva and then moving them between Dean's legs to prepare his mate, stretching him open as carefully as he could while still being quick, as the vampire could feel the frenzy of need building between them. "You are perfect. You are mine." He pulled Castiel down for a slow, ember-glow kiss, rolling his hips onto Castiel's fingers, wanting his mate inside of him, renewing their bond in the best way. "Please, Cas, more."
Castiel purred, kissing his mate back with a fierce kind of promise in it, of safety and love and a future full of many lives for themselves together, and Dean answered him, spreading his legs a little more, clutching at the vampire's pale skin, and whined into Castiel's mouth when the vampire slid home, filling him up so perfectly and deliciously, and Dean never wanted him to leave.
Never wanted him to let go.
They conceived Tyler that very night.
Castiel's family had taken a huge hit, but they recovered. Other kinds were not so lucky. Werewolves were gone. Sirens were gone. Djinni and Fey, and even a lot of the Ghouls had taken a hit. Supernatural creatures were more hunted than ever – the Hunters were getting cocky and better every day, and now that they has less to focus on and worry about, they were turning their attentions to the more obscure, or the less troublesome.
"The Laws were obviously not enough," Dean said, Gabriel standing at his left side, Castiel at his right, as the two vampires looked out at the gathered Alphas. "We have all taken losses and the Laws were not enough to keep a horrible, horrible tragedy happening. I created almost all of the extinct races, and I'm aware that many of you have your own creators that are like me. I propose an alliance. Without all of us uniting – and not for war, but for peace and support – the Hunters will wipe all of us out."
Green eyes tracked around the room, and met with those of each of the other Alphas. Dean took a deep breath, and straightened, and looked behind him, to Castiel, for support. The vampire smiled and nodded encouragingly. "I plan to go and find others like me – others who have been silent for their own reasons. I want to find the First of the Firsts, and I want us all to be united so that creatures like Sam cannot rise again, so that we don't all die."
There were murmurs of assent around the group, and Dean was proud and relieved to find that his proposal was being met with at least a little acceptance. "It won't be easy, but I think we can do it. And maybe…I don't know." Dean shrugged, smiling a little. "I'm not a fortune teller."
"You told me you knew who would win," Castiel said, when he, Dean and Gabriel were back in their home in Ridgecrest, and all of Castiel's fledglings had been returned to him. Dean looked up from where he was standing over Tyler's crib, smiling over at his mate and drawing him into a kiss. "Did you really?"
"Well, I had my bets," Dean replied, smiling playfully and nuzzling at his bite on Castiel's neck. Castiel rolled his eyes. "I'm not a fortune teller, Cas, and I can't see the future, but life always wins. The brightest energy…that will always win." Dean looked away, leaning from Castiel and back towards Tyler, looking down at their son with a soft smile on his face. "One day the sun will swallow us up – it is the brightest star closest to us and it will beat us all eventually. You…you were the brightest on this planet, and you were who I bet on."
"And Tyler?" Castiel asked, amused at his mate's reasoning, wrapping his arms around Dean from behind and hooking his chin over Dean's shoulder, looking down at the slumbering half breed. "How bright does he shine?"
"He's second only to his father," Dean replied, leaning down and brushing his forefinger over the side of his son's face, his smile growing. He was content. More than that, he was happy – he was building his family again and that felt good. And soon he would find others of his kind, maybe, but for now he could be safe and happy knowing that they had no enemies, and the world was as it should be. At least for a while.
"I love you, Dean," Castiel said, because it felt like it needed to be said. Castiel didn't say it often enough and, after his death experience, he felt like he needed to say it a lot more.
Dean sighed, closing his eyes, basking in the glow of his mate's affection. "Yeah, Cas. I love you too."