Chapter 6: Dark Times

Castiel felt his heart pick up speed when he heard Dean shuffling in his bed. What was he doing? This was going to be the hardest thing he'd ever done. But maybe it'd be good for him. Maybe he could finally face his past.

Taking a deep breath in, he also sat up, feeling Dean's eyes on him. He could tell Dean was also a little nervous, though for what he couldn't tell. He let out a shaky breath as he avoided eye contact, though patted the seat next to him on the bed.

Dean quickly got up and turned on one of the oil lamps nearby, engulfing the two in a dim light. Castiel couldn't get over how the dim light brought the brightness of Dean's out. It made his heart race for a different reason.

Swallowing, he felt a lump stick in his throat. He opened his mouth a few times, but it went dry as no words seemed to come out. Clenching his fist, he closed his eyes tight, trying to get a hold of himself. He quickly opened his eyes as he felt a calloused hand gently clasp his own clenched fist.

Finally, his eyes with Dean's. Castiel's eyes quivered as he started to calm down a little. Those bright green soothing him. That warm hand calming his crazy heart. Taking another breath in, he didn't break eye contact.

"Whenever you are ready Cas. Don't rush yourself." He felt a gentle squeeze as his clenched fist relaxed and Dean's hand now rested on top of his.

"…Okay. As you heard from Samandriel, we come from a camp named after the angels of God. Michael as our… leader." He cringed as he spoke the words.

"He believes he was sent from God to save the world, to cure us of our diseases. He honestly and truly believes this. He is completely devoted, though his tactics are far from what any God would want. But he really does think he's helping. As for the… experiments, since our camp was located near Topeka, we had a lot of resources, and Michael had convinced everyone that the God was speaking directly to him, and many still believe."

Castiel yawned as he got up, crack of dawn. His emotions on the fritz due to the new drug Michael had him on. His hand was constantly trembling and his head would twitch occasionally. Another downside of this new drug was that he was constantly cold, part of the reason he was always trembling.

He left his room, heading to grab some breakfast before attending the morning ceremony Michael always insisted on. As he walked down the gravel path, he passed Anna. Her red hair messy as if she hadn't showered in weeks.

Nodding to her, she completely ignored him, zipping by, mumbling something about preventing the apocalypse. Her eyes were completely wide with insanity. She probably wasn't going to last much longer.

Whatever Michael had her on was obviously stronger than he anticipated.

Keeping his head up, Castiel entered the cafeteria, nodding his head at his fellow brothers. Gabriel, Lucifer, and Balthazaar were sitting at a table together, gossiping about something or someone gone wrong.

"Hey Cassie! Come sit with us!" He hated that nickname. It made him sound like a fucking girl. But with his personality, Castiel could only smile and nod, being complacent and sitting with the three troublemakers.

"Did you see Anna?" Castiel picked up his fork with a trembling hand as he took a bite, nodding silently. Gabriel had a huge smile on his face. Oh how he wanted to wipe that smile off. Even though none of them were actually blood related, he felt a familial bond with everyone, excluding Michael.

Castiel was usually more sociable, but he was having problems focusing because of the drug he was on. It was way more effective in the morning and his empty stomach wasn't helping. He'd zone out and his vision would blur sometimes, only being brought back by Gabriel's hand on his shoulder, concern shrouding his usually suave features.

Trying to focus his vision on the shorter man, he closed his eyes for a moment, opening them again, trying to clear his vision. "Hey Cassie, you okay?" His hand squeezed gently on his shoulder.

Letting out a shaky breath Castiel gave a slight nod of his head, closing his eyes once more.

"Y-Yeah. It's just... Michael has me on a new drug. I think Anna and I are the new test subjects, but he gave her the stronger one. I should be fine in a few hours at least. I'm meeting Michael before the morning ceremony. So I should probably finish and get to him."

Gabriel narrowed his eyes as Castiel mentioned meeting him before the ceremony.

"Just get the antidote please, I don't want you passing out during the prayer!" Gabriel tried to lighten the mood, imagining how shocked everyone would be if he just collapsed in the middle of prayer. Castiel didn't see the joke though.

He was always too literal, compared to the others.

Finished his food, he waved goodbye to the three, and slowly headed towards Michaels. His vision was still a little clouded, but he could make out where he was going, and he could get to Michaels blindfolded if he really needed to.

He went there so often anyway.

Stopping outside the door, he took a few breaths, more worn out than usual. The drug was definitely a morning drug. It had no exhilaration either, just pure exhaustion to the point of wanting to pass out. He weakly knocked three times before the door swung open, revealing Michael.

He's blond hair was a bit disheveled as he looked worn out as well.

Seeing Castiel though, he stood up straight, trying to look bigger and stronger. Though when he took in Castiel's state, concern briefly flashed through his eyes.

Michael wasn't a horrible person. He was actually a nice guy underneath his God complex. He wanted to be a good son, thinking he was the first archangel God created. Though God is his first priority, he seems to genuinely care about Castiel.

Though not in a brother way.

Michael gave him a gentle smile, "Come in Castiel. You look worse for wear." His formal way of talking never ceased to amaze Castiel, even when he looked utterly destroyed. Michael gave him a once over before allowing him to plop into the nearby chair.

"I'll get the antidote. Have you seen Anna?" His words were like little needles piercing Castiel's head. His headache crashing into him like a wave. He let a small whimper escape his lips, drawing Michael's attention.

"Y-Yes. She… Doesn't look very well." Michael finished whatever he was doing and leaned down in front of Castiel, placing his hand on his cheek. Castiel felt himself leaning into the touch, since he felt like he was on fire and Michael had a cool hand.

"Here… Drink this." He tipped the teacup up to Castiel's mouth, licking his lips as he watched him slowly drink the concoction.

Immediately, he felt his headache slowly fade away, now just a dull ache. It took a few more minutes for his body to recover, and he just sat there while Michael got ready for the ceremony. In the time it took Michael to shower, his vision had fully come back.

Now was the feat of seeing how his stability was on his feet. His hand had only a slight tremor now and his body was no longer jumping between hot and cold. He pushed himself up off the chair, turning towards the chair so he could use it as leverage just in case.

To his surprise, and dismay, he felt hands wrap around his waist, cool kisses against his neck. This was the worst part. Michael enjoyed Castiel in more ways than one. He was told if he didn't obey, God would rain down his wrath upon Castiel.

Castiel couldn't bear the thought of being kicked out. So he just dealt with it, he obeyed Michael and let him have his way.

No matter what.

"Castiel… You are so gorgeous." He heard Michael's lusty voice growl into his ear. He could feel Michael's erection hitting his thigh as he pressed their bodies close. Castiel shivered, but not from pleasure.

It always freaked him out when Michael acted this way. Michael's hand trailed down his stomach, down his inner thighs, rubbing back and forth. Castiel bit his lip as Michael grinded against him, sighing in pleasure.

He felt sick.

Biting his lip, he felt Michael start grinding gently on him, though to his dismay the grinding became rougher and rougher.

"Michael the ceremony is not far off…" He tried to distract him, receiving a grunt, he was turned around. Michael's lips were slightly parted and his eyes blown with lust.

"Suck it." Michael's words were firm as he unbuttoned his own pants. Castiel kneeled with shame, beginning their daily ritual. He took his member into his mouth, flicking his head on the tip a few times. He could feel Michael tense from the pleasure.

Castiel hoped he wouldn't last long. He developed a technique and each time it was his goal to make Michael release faster. It became a little game, something to keep his mind off the taboo things they did behind closed doors.

Thankfully he was only really used for this, Michael never tried to go all the way, always sensing Castiel's discomfort with the matter.

As Michael neared his release, he grabbed Castiel's hair, thrusting into his mouth, letting groans escape his mouth. Not long after he sped up, he released in Castiel's mouth. Of course, he had to swallow or Michael would get angry.

Once it was all said and done, Michael allowed him to clean up in his bathroom. He always voiced that he wanted to help Castiel with his problem, but Castiel could never get it up for Michael. Ever.

The thought sickened Castiel, making him feel cold to the core. His distaste for Michael grew more and more every day.

"Let's go Castiel." Michael spoke, his speech short as he composed himself, ready for the day's events to proceed. The two walked to the middle of camp together, Castiel walking a few paces behind Michael, as a show of respect.

If Castiel walked next to Michael, he'd probably knock him out. He really cared about appearances, about being on top. He was the strongest and no one wanted to test that theory.

The morning ceremony commenced with no problems. The only problem right now seemed to be Anna. She didn't attend the ceremony and the pair had found her trembling in the corner, her eyes blown with insanity.

"Anna?" Michael's voice was firm as she snapped her head up. Her face brightened a little as she smiled, tilting her head.

"Michael I did it."

"Did what?"

"I killed him. Now… Now he can't get in your way. We won't have any problems with those brothers changing fate."

Just then the two realized the rotten smell of flesh, and the dead body of Inias next to her. He was bloody and beaten. No chance of survival, if he wasn't dead already. When did she do this? Castiel tensed up along with Michael.

"Anna…" Michael's face contorted as he realized the full extent of what she's done. Her face now twisted with concern.

"Michael?" Anna stood up, walking towards him, motioning to poor Inias's body.

Michael just shook his head, reaching for his knife on his belt. Anna had to be stopped. Quickly jabbing her chest, where her heart would be, she let out a wrenching scream, as if she was being burned from the inside out.

Castiel assumed it was the drug making things worse for her. At least they knew what to check off the list of usable herbs.

Michael turned away from the bodies, leaving them there.

"Clean these up Castiel." A short grunt was his only response as he closed Anna's open eyes. Feeling her body still warm destroyed him. Why? Why did they have to do this? What was Michael thinking?

They had lost so many people due to the experiments and he almost couldn't bear any more of it. He wanted out. He cleaned up the bodies of his dear brethren and he went to shower, before heading off to Michaels cabin again.

That would be the last time he met with Michael.

After what he just witnessed, he could no longer stay.

Walking into Michael's room, Castiel trembled slightly. Making eye contact with him, he could tell Michael knew something was off. "Is everything alright Castiel?"

"I'm leaving."

Silence.

The words seemed to be running through Michael's head. A smile appeared on his face as he let out a short laugh.

"Oh Castiel you have too much of a serious demeanor to crack jokes."

"I'm not joking Michael. After what just happened with Anna… I can't do this anymore. I can't stand idly by as you kill off our kin. I know it's not what you intend, I know you have good intentions overall, but I just can't do it anymore."

Michael's face contorted as he realized this was no joke. He clenched his fists and took a few steps toward Castiel.

"Excuse me? You have no right to judge my actions. God sent me. Not you. Who are you to decide whether or not you can leave? Castiel you have no room to speak against me or to leave."

Castiel felt a tremble wrack his body. He wasn't going to lie, Michael terrified him and he knew the damage he was capable of doing. But he couldn't stand down. Standing tall against Michael, he had the look of rebellion in his eye.

"No Michael. It's not right, no matter how shitty our lives have become, it gives us no right to experiment on others, to ruin their lives because we want better ones. I understand it helps but we just can't keep experime-"

Michael's fist connected with Castiel's jaw, nearly dislocating it. He fell the ground with a thud as he felt his cheek sting. Michael now towered over him as he grabbed a fist full of hair and slammed his head into the ground.

His face stung and he knew he was bleeding, but he wasn't giving in.

Castiel tried to push him away, but Michael soon stomped on him with his foot, kicking his stomach next.

"I've done everything for you Castiel! I've cared for you more than anyone else, and this is my repayment? For you to abandon me, to tell me that I'm the one in the wrong? How dare you."

Another kick to the gut, Castiel could feel himself losing consciousness as Michael picked him up by his shirt.

"Go back to your room and don't you dare bring this topic up to me again. Understand?"

Tears were freely flowing from his eyes as he nodded. Michael tightened his grip on the shirt as he soon pushed Castiel roughly away, sending him away, still seething with anger. Castiel maintained his composure as he retreated to his cabin.

He'd leave at midnight.

Castiel left out a lot. But from the look of Dean's face, he wasn't sure how much more the man could take.

"Wait. So that asshole forced himself on you? Cas that's just fucking wrong." Dean's hand now squeezing Castiel's, he was trembling with anger. Castiel almost wanted to laugh. Dean didn't even know the half of it.

"I… I was lucky to get out of camp that night. Michael must've thought I wasn't seriously going to leave, otherwise he would've guarded my room. I wish I could have seen the look on his face when I didn't show up the next morning. I ran as fast as I could with the little provisions I had. I made it to Big Springs. I only stopped a little for a short rest and food. About 2 hours from the camp in Topeka, I slowed to a walk. Michael wouldn't be up till 6 am, so I was good on time. Though once I made it to Big Springs, I stayed a few nights at a friendly camp. They fed and rested me, thankfully. They wanted me to stay, but I couldn't. Michael would find me there, so I kept going until I found your camp here in Lawrence…"

A shy smile appeared on his face. He was truly happy that he found Dean and his camp. It was so much better than he could have asked for. But it worried him that Michael sent Samandriel, Lawrence was 9 hours away on foot, but Dean's camp was about 12 hours and according to Michael, God didn't believe in using motor vehicles.

Michael must be desperate to get him back. Why? The question probed Castiel's mind. What did he have that Michael so desperately needed? He was so easily replaceable. Tightening his grip on Dean's hand caused the freckled man to look up.

His anger subsided as he breathed in and out, calming himself. Meeting those dazzling green again, Castiel didn't ignore his heart thumping. Though what came from Dean next surprised Castiel.

"I won't let him have you." Castiel felt emotions bubbling in him. Why did Dean care so much? He couldn't help as he felt the tears stinging at his eyes. He looked up at Dean with confusion swimming in his blue eyes.

"…Why?" The words barely came out as the tears overflowed, streaking his cheeks. He couldn't understand this man. This wonderfully beautiful man, who seemed to care more about him than anyone had.

Dean reached his free hand out and wiped a tear away, his hand lingering on his cheek as he subconsciously licked his lips. Castiel was mesmerized by those green eyes, now swirling with an unknown emotion.

He pretended not to notice how their faces slowly inched closer, until he could feel Dean's breath on his lips. His breath hitched as he closed his eyes, feeling Dean's warm lips press against his.

Finally.

A/N: Oh lord. I'm sorry. I just… I couldn't help myself. This chapter didn't turn out exactly as I planned and it's kind of all over the place, but I cut a lot out that seemed to be excess information that wasn't really needed. I wanted to get the whole Michael obsession thing with Cas though. Oh, I am sorry about Anna. I just couldn't help myself c: Thanks for reading this far! The next chapter will be fluffy and smutty. Finally right? Then we delve into more plot! I'm hoping it's only a few more chapters! I have so many ideas it might end up with a sequel involving a demon camp. Alright, please R&R! It really fuels me, even just follows or favorites really helps!