And we are back! Hope you all are having a good weekend, mine's been swell. Thank you to Akayuki Sawada, Air Guitar Pixie (do you always stay up that late? As for your theory….), Dancerline (glad it didn't though!), Kather-Swine( that's the pain of a reader, not knowing!), Deer Topus C. VonZenHousen( I do know about the badassery that was Anna Bonny, and of course I wouldn't take it the wrong way), fictionfairytalesfantasy4921( all these theories about Sammy, you all must truly miss the moose huh?), mywarisalreadywon(do not fret, we have not seen the last of our sweet-loving big brother), and The Mysterious Shadow(thank you!). Now, let us resolve that nasty little cliffhanger I left you guys ;)
"I'm serious," the former sailor argued, "it is not fair to pull a firearm during a sword fight." Once more Dean burst into laughter, and this time he found himself hugging his sides. His eyes met with a pair of blue eyes that were completely annoyed, but still the captain laughed until he managed to calm down.
"Sorry, but you sounded very child-like just then," Castiel was about to argue but Dean continued before he could interrupt "I haven't seen such a serious face over such a thing like that since Sa-"
Castiel watched as Dean Winchester froze, leaving the last of his sentence open. The pirate was silent, dropping his head down and looking at the desk with a sudden interest.
Privately the young Novak began to tear at the new information. At first he had tried to anger Dean, wanting to get a reaction out of him, let him slip up through his emotions and reveal something-anything to him. Of course Castiel had been surprised that instead of angering the pirate he had caused him to laugh.
Castiel had almost enjoyed hearing Dean's laughter, it was loud and full. A kind of laugh that he would expect Dean Winchester to only use when he wasn't hiding behind his constant jokes and sarcasm. And laughter was the key apparently, unlocking the door and allowing the former sailor to catch a glimpse into whatever Dean was hiding.
Quickly he was drawn out of his thoughts as he noticed that Dean had been looking at him as his mind tried to organize itself. Castiel almost felt embarrassed to be caught staring off as he was thinking, but he was able to keep the color from rushing to his face.
Remaining calm, Castiel raised an eyebrow at the pirate, trying to signal as to why he had stopped mid-sentence. He frowned slightly as he saw the guarded look back in Dean's eyes, surprised to find that he missed the honest laughter that had been residing in them moments before. The pirate cleared his throat, eyes glancing back down at the desk.
"Nevermind. Look, Cas, I don't know what to do about you. Gabriel getting out is one thing…" Castiel watched as the Winchester didn't complete his sentence, and Castiel knew that so many possibilities could have finished that statement.
"And you don't want to kill me," the former sailor added, another curious thread that Castiel desperately wanted to unravel. Green eyes met with his own, and he noticed how Dean's lip tugged upwards, wanting to smirk like he always seemed to do. But the pirate resisted and nodded.
Weariness began to spread across Dean's face, and Castiel just noticed how tired his own body was. It seemed like months had passed since he had first caught sight of Dean, and yet that was only just this afternoon. The pirate seemed to read what Castiel was thinking, and he smiled slightly.
"Long day," the infamous captain remarked, and the former sailor was about to nod in agreement when he caught himself. This man was Dean Winchester, infamous pirate captain, not an ally! This was no time for camaraderie, especially with the enemy!
But Castiel's own eyes remained on Dean's tired green eyes. He noted how the captain's eyelids were drooping a bit, although Dean seemed to be fighting to keep them as open as possible. He sighed, shaking his head and closing his eyes. Half of him wanted to scream, to drag Dean's ass back into Darton's prison and drop him into the darkest pits available. The other half wanted to continue to talk to him and find out all of his secrets, to see what exactly Dean Winchester was hiding. Taking a deep breath, he cracked open his eyelids and immediately his eyes landed on Dean's. He tried to throw fire into both his look and his words.
"I'm not going to stay here forever, Dean. Try as you might I will get out eventually, and I don't plan on staying in the supply room next time." Although his face was serious, he almost wanted to smile at his challenge. Dean even smiled slightly, despite his growing weariness that was becoming more obvious by the second.
"Go ahead and try," the Winchester responded.
That was it, all that needed to be said about it between them. A challenge had been issued and accepted. In a sense it was almost like a game, and the two players were both confident on their chances.
Wordlessly Dean walked out from behind his desk and walked up to Castiel. He didn't grab a hold of his arm, no threatening look in his eyes as he stepped up to the former sailor.
"I'll walk you back," Dean explained and he observed how Castiel remained silent. Vibrant blue eyes still burning to the captain's surprise, the former sailor simply nodded and the look in his eyes dulled. Replacing the fire was exhaustion, although the previous flames that had controlled his gaze flickered behind the fatigue; the flames seemed to be immortal.
Together the two headed towards the door, Dean walking slightly ahead of Castiel until they reached the door. Winchester's hand rested on the knob before he twisted it and held it open. Jokingly the pirate even took off his hat and held it against his head.
"After you, good sir," Dean offered, a smile plastered onto his face. Weariness was met with light in the pirate's eyes. Castiel paused, staring at Dean with his typical look before slowly walking out the door. Rolling his eyes, the captain placed his hat back on his head and closed the door.
Walking behind Castiel, Dean noted how the former sailor's head was tilted up, taking slow steps. It was easy for the captain to figure out that Castiel was staring at the stars, and taking his sweet time also. Reaching the stairs, he watched how the former sailor took one last longing glance at the night sky before he made his descent; Dean following.
As they reached the bottom, Dean glanced around the room. He smiled slightly at the sight of a slumbering Bobby, along with a few others that slept scattered about the room.
With hushed steps the captain led Castiel around his crew and down the hallway. Pulling a key from his pocket, Dean unlocked the cell next to Castiel's previous one, and opened the door for the former sailor. Wordlessly Castiel walked into it, Dean watching as the former sailor's eyes raced around the whole room. A smile began to grow on the pirate's face at the sight of blue eyes constantly moving, but he managed to cover it before closing the door.
An old song began to stir inside of him, and Dean began to whistle as he walked away from an observant Castiel. As the pirate walked up the stairs, he decided to say farewell to the former sailor.
"See ya, Cas," Dean called, his boots hitting the wooden boards that formed stairs as he casually walked up. Pausing slightly, the pirate waited to see if Castiel would answer. After silence began to gather, Dean smirked and shrugged his shoulders before picking up where he had dropped the tune. The lyrics whispering quietly in his head as he carried out the anthem.
The sea, she provides the man's greatest desire.
If he so loves the sea as she do he.
The sea, she will care, she will cry and she will fall and rise.
But she will provide for those she loves
Sailors, serve the sea. And so does, the sea reward thee.
Oh the sea provides
Ten days. For ten days Castiel and Dean were constantly playing their game. Neither of them had forgotten the challenge that both had written. Castiel had promised that he would get off the boat, and Dean simply made countermeasures to provide a challenge. Ever since their late night chat, the former sailor would find a way to slip out of his cell. And every time, there would be only one obstacle that stood in Castiel's way. The rather obnoxious captain that was Dean Winchester.
It seemed that no matter how different Castiel tried to make his way off of the ship, that blasted pirate was always there to stop him. Even when he could sense that victory was near, a tall black boot would squash it like the small chance it had been. The crew even started keeping tally, which only frustrated Castiel further.
The lousy hooligans knew that by Castiel's fifth attempt that Dean Winchester was only toying with the former sailor, they knew that their captain couldn't be beaten. The confidence and trust in their leader drove Castiel mad; how could that man gain so much from his crew?
On the tenth night, Castiel stood on the deck with a stranger's blade in his hand. And across from him, with the ever-present smirk, stood his most frustrating adversary. With narrowed eyes the former sailor watched as the pirate captain began to take a step to his left, the well-crafted blade resting in the grip of his right hand. Soon the two were circling each other, Castiel's eyes burning with annoyance and determination while Dean's were filled with nothing but confidence and mischief.
"How'd you get out this time?" the pirate asked casually, his shoulders relaxed compared to Castiel's tense ones.
"Balthazar left the bench in this time. Required a little bit more muscle, but it was the same as the first time; rather easy." Castiel almost felt nostalgic at the mention of the first time he had broken out of the brig with Gabriel. He felt one of his heartstrings twinge, there had yet to be any sign of his elder brother or the Royal Navy. So Castiel relied on himself to get out, he wasn't going to be stuck on this ship forever. At least that was the idea, but considering his predicament being stuck on a ship commanded by Dean Winchester, it sounded a lot better in his head.
"Well that takes me back," Dean replied before lashing forward with his sword. Castiel easily deflected the shot, responding with an offensive maneuver of his own.
"You know, back then I actually thought you were a fearsome pirate," Castiel began as he continued to swing at the pirate, "but you're just a man with a strange humour." Dean feigned a look of hurt before turning onto the offensive, the two of them waltzing on the deck. The two's blades swung against each other, bringing each other closer. Castiel observed as his look of hurt changed to one of confidence.
"There ain't no other men like me," the pirate countered as he shoved Castiel away. Taking a moment, the two stood away from each other. Both tense and waiting for one to strike first, Castiel tried to collect himself as he breathed heavily. Another smirk appeared on Dean's face.
"Already tired?" The pirate wiggled his eyebrows at the former sailor, and Castiel could feel the hold on the rage that had been building up for the past ten days inside of him break. Anger overtook him as he charged towards Dean.
"You're such an ass!" Castiel snarled as he continued to lash out angrily at the pirate. Blow after blow he tried to land on Dean, who still maintained a face full of mischief and smiling at Cas. The younger Novak's eyes were filled with nothing but irritation, the urge to hit the Winchester motivating him. Yet Dean still blocked shot after shot that Castiel made to try and land a blow on him.
"Come on pretty boy, you need to try harder!" Dean teased, and Castiel seemed to quiver with anger as the pirate's eyes twinkled as if there were stars in them. Castiel paused, grabbing a fistful of hair on his head with his left hand.
"Aaahh!" He shouted as he sped up his pace, going faster and faster with his strikes. Feelings of excitement soon overwhelmed Castiel as he noticed how the mischievous look in Dean's eyes faltered. Yet the pirate's face soon grew serious, and they were soon both lashing and blocking each other's blows with incredible speed.
Castiel's heartbeat began to race faster as Dean began to push the former sailor back from his gain on the pirate, causing him to take a couple of steps back. Confidence began to fill the captain's eyes, and he pushed Castiel back, further and further until they were near the steps that led up to the wheel of the ship.
The two crossed swords, Castiel's glaring at the now confident pirate, but he was too slow to avoid the boot-covered foot that swung towards him. Landing on his abdomen, the former sailor was thrown back into the steps, his head hitting one of the many steps that he lay across.
Trying to recover the air that had left him, Castiel coughed and struggled to sit up. But a blade that was not his own stopped him from rising, leaving him to rest on his elbows. Dean kept his eyes locked on Castiel's as he bent down and pulled the sword out of the former sailor's hands.
"This is Balthazar's too, isn't it?" Dean asked while examining the blade. Castiel began to stand up, Dean's attention focusing back on the former sailor as he raised his sword; keeping it level with Castiel's chest. He eyed the sword that Dean continued to point at his chest, but there wasn't any threat in it.
"You know there's no need to point that thing at me you ass. We both know you aren't going to kill me," the small smirk on Dean's face confirmed Castiel's notion. Slowly the pirate let the sword hang on his side, both swords now in his hands. He didn't sheath either, they were there as a warning for the former sailor.
"It's too bad that you're still on a losing streak," Dean jabbed, his face victorious and cocky. Castiel clenched a fist, but he held back a vicious retort. Instead he looked up at the sky, releasing a large breath as he examined the stars. Bringing his attention back to the captain, Castiel noticed how the pirate was in a relaxed position once more.
"Where are you headed, Dean?" the former sailor asked as he cast his eyes about the ship and surrounding water she sailed on. It seemed that darkness was the only time of day that Castiel got to see above deck, beforehand he always had to figure out a new way to free himself; but slowly his ways out were diminishing. It was thanks to lady fortune for him to get out this night due to the first mate's mistake.
A wolfish grin appeared on Dean's face, and Castiel once more felt the urge to hit the pirate; but he resisted as he glanced at the two swords still being held onto by the captain. Sure, the pirate wouldn't kill him, but he said nothing about severely injure.
"I've got to make a stop, got to see a man about a horse," the pirate alluded, leaving his answer open to hundreds of possibilities. Frustration building up inside of Castiel again, the former sailor's eyes narrowed at Dean. But cracks quickly raced through the frustration, and Castiel's heart sank into defeat. He was just so tired, tired of trying to be a free man repeatedly only to have his efforts wasted because of the infamous pirate before him.
"Just let me go," Dean was surprised at the pleading in Castiel's voice, he'd never heard such defeat in the man's voice before. "Just let me go," the former sailor repeated before sinking down onto the steps that he stood on. Dean watched as Castiel rubbed his hands against his face, and he could see that he was trying not to cry.
His heart faltered, his previous mood being washed away by distress and confusion at the sight. Green eyes remained on a broken man who refused to look at only the edge of his coat. Dean's heart was split as he watched Castiel twist and play with his tan coat.
Before he knew Dean was sitting next to Castiel, swords left where he had previously stood. Running a hand through his hair Dean cursed, unable to decide what to do or say.
"Cas," he began as he looked at the fallen face that had settled on the other man, "Look man, I understand. It sucks, you were pulled away from those you know and love and you're stuck on a ship with people you never wanted to be with. I'm not gonna say it gets better, and I just don't know if I can promise you anything."
The pirate felt his stomach twist into several knots, he wasn't used to this type of conversation. Closing his eyes, Dean took a deep breath and became silent. The sounds of the ocean were soothing, the way they lapped at the boat's frame and rocked the mighty vessel ever so slightly. Never had Dean felt so at home than when he was here on the Impala.
Absorbed with the sounds of the ocean and his ship, it took Dean a moment before he heard something else that caused him to open his eyes. Slowly, the pirate turned his head to look at Castiel.
"Son of a bitch," Dean whispered with wide eyes at the sound of the former sailor snoring softly, his hair covering his closed eyes while his chin was tucked into his chest. Unable to stop himself, Dean chuckled quietly, trying to hold in his usual loud laughter.
And for a while Dean allowed it to remain that way. A beautiful night sky rested above them while the ocean and the Impala sang together; joined with Castiel's snoring.
A warm feeling began to blossom in the pirate's stomach. It was a feeling that he couldn't quite identify, but he didn't mind. It was a nice feeling, after all. Casting another glance at Castiel, Dean smiled a bit to himself.
Never had Dean felt so at home in a long time.
Awwww, isn't that adorable? Thank you all for reading! Follow, favorite or drop a review if you want to! Have a lovely day everyone, thanks again!