Author's Note:
I wasn't going to add this but there was enough interest in another past Cas POV that I decided I had to do it for you all. This chapter is for you guys, because I love you and I write for you as much as I do myself, probably more. That being said, the next chapter was long written so it'll be up later
Castiel followed Dean's steps from behind, clinging to his new safety with only a little bit of worry. He didn't know exactly where they were going, he didn't know who Dean was talking to but the new stranger was getting closer. The new person kinda smelled like Dean, they must have been close. Cas didn't like it though; no one else should be that close to Dean that they smell like him.
The new person was large, Cas could see right away that he was taller than Dean and he wasn't stopping. As soon as he was close enough he and Dean started to struggle and make loud, aggressive noises. Cas' first thought was that Dean was in trouble, this stranger was trouble, he might hurt Dean.
Cas cried out and tried to smack the stranger away from Dean, it worked; Dean and the other person were separated pretty quickly once he intervened. Dean quickly said the thing that Cas recognized, "It's okay, Cas." He kept talking but it slipped right out of Cas' understanding.
Dean and the tall one were talking again and Cas just kept himself tucked behind Dean, watching the stranger with uneasiness. He didn't understand why Dean was so close to this person, he didn't understand their relationship that could go from friendliness to fighting like that. In fact, he was so unused to thinking about those things he wasn't even sure if he was doing it right. All he knew was that he didn't trust this new person yet.
He followed Dean's lead as they continued down the corridor but kept his eye on the stranger, he didn't like that the tall one was behind him. He didn't say anything about it but he kept an eye out, ready to run or fight if he needed to.
The following events were such a blur to him. He was so overwhelmed by the area around him he wasn't paying attention to anything but where Dean was walking. The floor was the same hard, cold grating but the lights were so different than his home. They were far brighter, there were so many sounds and smells, and Castiel just couldn't focus on any of them. He could smell his old master lingering in the space, he could hear weird electric sounds similar to his testing room, but it was all different somehow. Dean's presence changed it, Dean's scent was new and comforting and because of that Cas felt he was safest while holding onto Dean's shoulders.
There was another person who started to speak and Cas jumped a little. He didn't realize they'd gotten so close. This new one sounded harsher than Dean, not as kind, but he didn't touch Dean so Cas thought maybe he wasn't so bad.
The sound of a familiar plastic had Cas' ears burning. He looked at the stranger who held the same food that Dean had given him and his stomach twisted in delight. He tried to tell Dean he was going to go and get it but he was pretty sure Dean didn't understand. Regardless he hurried over to the stranger and realized as he got closer that this person was different; this newest stranger was tall like the other one but his skin was darker and his expression sharper. Cas sensed something about him that felt familiar, though. Like his old master was involved with this person somehow, but not in a bad way, more in the way that Cas had been involved.
But he still couldn't be sure, maybe this person was trying to coax him closer and would attack or something. He stared intently at the wrapped food and decided to go for it; he reached and snatched it up quickly before retreating back to Dean. He got it, the food was his.
Cas tried to bite it and realized again that it was wrapped, like the one Dean had was at first. He held it tightly and tried to bite the wrapper off but it wasn't working. He didn't want to destroy the food inside before he even got a chance to taste it so he wasn't going to tear it apart like he'd done to other things. Instead he bit at it and pulled and tried everything else with his teeth but it wasn't working.
Frustrated and enraged he growled and snarled at the food, he was hungry and it wasn't listening to him. He wanted to just snap his jaw shut and rip it to shreds, teach it a lesson.
But then Dean was looking at him, Cas knew Dean could do it no problem but they'd given it to Cas thinking he could do it on his own. He couldn't get at the food, though. He failed that test. What if Dean would put him back? What if they were just seeing if he could survive on his own and he couldn't? Would Dean leave him?
"Here Cas, …" Dean spoke gently and had his hand extended. Castiel gave the bar to him sadly and turned away; he couldn't feed himself, why would Dean want him around? They were taking the food away because he'd failed the test.
Then he heard the plastic tear and smelled the food inside. His eyes watered and he spun around, leaping onto Dean with stifled excitement. Dean opened it for him; Dean was going to give it to him without a test. Maybe it wasn't a test at all; maybe Dean would never test him that way? He looked pleadingly at Dean and with the sweetest smile Dean offered him the food. Castiel took it without hesitation, grateful for Dean's kindness.
He followed Dean around after that, even up the stairs and to a door he'd never seen before. Cas didn't know what was beyond it, he didn't know what he might encounter with Dean but he decided that he'd follow anyway. Dean was trustworthy, Dean was gentle and Cas was sure Dean wouldn't ever try to hurt him. Not on purpose.
The new door opened to brand new smells, some of them were definitely mixed with his old master but there were others he couldn't recognize. Dean spoke softly to him as he stared at the new space; both of the other strangers had already walked into the area and were completely unharmed. Cas hadn't felt that type of ground before, he didn't know most of the smells and the one he did know frightened him. He held tightly to Dean and listened to his voice.
Dean didn't seem to be in danger though; he was very relaxed and even laughing. Cas tried to calm down but couldn't quite pry himself away from Dean's side. That was good enough for him, he had the courage to walk into new places but he could keep the safety that Dean brought. Maybe it was okay. He repeated the words he'd understood Dean say, it's okay, it's okay. He looked around and slowly stepped away from Dean's side, letting go of his shoulders and feeling the growing freedom.
He didn't have to stay by Dean, not if he didn't want to. No one was upset with him moving on his own, no one was bothered by it. He walked down the hall and it was fine, Dean didn't yell and the first tall one just walked behind him. Cas felt a little better about the tall ones, they weren't as nice as Dean but they weren't mean either.
The hall opened up to high ceilings and warm lighting; there were large windows and several levels above him. It was so open and Castiel could feel free, his wings fluttered and spread out. He hadn't had a chance to truly fly in ages, he couldn't remember the last time he was given free range to explore, and at that moment he felt nothing could stop him. He looked back at Dean for some approval, a smile on his face as he waited. Dean smiled back and Cas took that as his sign. He stretched his wings and flew up to the highest point. He looked over the space around him and marveled at its beauty. Nothing seemed dark or scary; it was all so comfortable and soft.
He wanted to explore, he wanted to open everything and look inside. He wanted to do it and he could do it. Dean called up to him, Cas couldn't understand but it didn't sound demanding or angry so he excitedly took off. Dean was okay with his freedom so Castiel would investigate that feeling while he still had it.
His investigations and exploring led him to new rooms and past so many cool looking things he couldn't stop and stare at them all. He rushed about trying to get as much out of the experience as he could before going back to Dean. He could hear Dean looking for him but couldn't stop what he was doing; he was sure Dean would catch up to him soon. He spotted Dean down the hall and called to him to give an idea as to where Cas was headed.
There was one room that he got into that had a weird platform type thing in the middle. He jumped onto it and surprised himself when it sunk under his weight. He leapt off in fear, it could've been some kind of trap or something left by his master. He hit it but nothing happened, in fact it was very strange. He tapped at it again to check and still nothing. Maybe it was just a weird surface, like the floor or the fuzzy ground.
Dean said something that was a little encouraging, Cas couldn't make it out but he could tell by Dean's voice and the look on his face. Cas slowly let his hand sink down onto the bed, part of him worried it'd swallow him entirely but eventually the surface stopped giving in to his weight. He pulled back and watched his hand print slowly lift back up into a more wrinkled surface. It didn't hurt him or try to eat him; it was just soft.
He joyfully looked at Dean again and saw a smile on his face. Cas knew it was safe; Dean wouldn't let him do something that wasn't safe. Cas jumped onto the platform and rolled around on it, he'd never felt something so soft and welcoming. It bent under his weight and he felt like its softness was wrapped around him. He realized the top layer was moveable and rolled around in it, it smelled clean and sweet as it surrounded him. It was smooth and caressing to his skin, he loved it. It was like his burrow but warmer and more comfortable.
Cas was very happy to stay there; he'd never felt so warm before. He could smell Dean in the room and he knew that he was safe. Feeling so content was new to him and he relished in it.
Dean eventually peeked down at him after moving the fabric; Cas smiled and tried to tell Dean how amazing it was. He was so happy and cozy, maybe Dean would join him?
But then he realized he couldn't move, the top layer had ensnared him and he couldn't get out of it. Cas felt his joy drain rapidly and panic took over, he flailed inside his prison and as he started to really worry and freak out he felt Dean's hands on his face. Cas looked up tearfully as Dean hushed him calmly, it was so gentle that Castiel couldn't help but listen to it. He heard those words again, "It's okay," Dean whispered undoubtedly sweet things to him as the fabric prison was unwrapped.
Castiel slowly sat up again as he regained his freedom, watching Dean with adoring eyes. Dean had come down to get him out of his dome, fed him, and let him run loose without any tests or harmful tendencies. Dean had done nothing but nice things and now he freed Cas one more time and didn't seem to expect anything in return. Cas tried to whisper his thanks but he knew it didn't come out in the language Dean would understand. Words wouldn't show his gratitude, Cas realized. He inched closer to Dean, pausing every now and then to show he wasn't trying to be reckless.
Dean didn't understand what Cas was doing, at least not until Cas nuzzled his cheek. A little purring accompanied with physical affection did the trick, Dean laughed and nuzzled back, it made Cas happy.
The next thing he knew there was more food, Dean was giving him more food and it smelled amazing. Cas kinda understood the word 'pizza' but he didn't know what it meant or if he'd heard it right. But whatever, after having one bite he knew that he loved pizza. He wound up eating everything that Dean and the two tall ones did eat, it was delicious. He'd never had a treat like that before and it made him boundlessly happy.
Happy, and sleepy. Cas couldn't remember the last time he'd been so full and he just wanted to lie down, except Dean wasn't sleeping yet so he followed Dean around some more, checking out other rooms and so on. Cas found the energy again to investigate every little thing, it didn't seem to be too pleasing to Dean but he couldn't help it. It was all new, he wanted to pick it all up, feel it and smell it, figure out what was causing what scent. He wanted to listen and see if anything made any new noises.
While he was stilly super excited to see everything that was new, Cas was grateful for when Dean settled on something soft. Cas quickly curled up against him and with enough shifting around he found the perfect position. His wing draped over him and he fell asleep. It was the first time he slept in the presence of other people like that; they were in the same room and had every chance to harm him if they wanted. But none of them did and Cas had a feeling that none of them would.
Dean was nice to everyone. Cas caught that one of them was named 'Sam,' and the other 'Jet.' He was proud of himself for learning that much, and for realizing that Dean was close to these two people. They weren't threats, maybe they could be friends? Cas wasn't sure, but for now he trusted Dean and that was good enough.
His peaceful sleep didn't last as long as he wanted it to. Dean started to poke at him and pushed his hands into Cas' feathers. It was strange to feel someone touch him like that and it tickled more than anything. Cas struggled against the feeling but it wasn't enough to stop Dean from doing it and eventually the tickling became too much. Cas squealed and knocked Dean off the couch, a tired, grumpy look on his face as he went to cleaning his feathers.
It was a very rude way to wake up, not painful but still rude. He could forgive Dean for being stupid.
While he cleaned his wings he noticed Dean was getting up and walking off, he watched to see how far Dean would go. If Dean was staying in the room and just wandering around he'd stay put, but if Dean was leaving then Cas would have to follow. He had his answer within a few seconds and hopped off the couch, following Dean's lead.
They wandered the halls for a little bit before Dean finally opened a room for them, he pushed Castiel inside first, which left Cas wondering curiously what Dean wanted. Cas looked from Dean to the bed and saw the expression Dean had, clearly he wanted Cas on the bed.
Happy to do what Dean wanted, Cas hopped onto the mattress, it sunk like the last one and he knew it'd be comfortable. He smiled and waited for Dean to join him, except that wasn't what happened. Instead Dean smiled and closed the door, saying something as he walked away. Castiel stared at the door as a whine started in his throat.
Dean abandoned him? Why would he close the door like that? Was it a new cell?
No, Dean wouldn't do that.
Dean said something on the other side of the door again and Cas ran to it as fast as he could. He didn't care that it wouldn't budge for him, he charged into it anyway. It was more a display to show Dean his distaste for the lonely room. It was dark and strange and he wanted Dean by his side. He whimpered again and started wailing when he realized Dean wasn't going to open it.
Dean abandoned him there. That was his new home now, a squishy place to sleep and no people. He couldn't see outside this room except for the small bit of glass on the wall.
He wanted Dean to come back. He didn't want to be alone.
Then the door opened, Cas quickly zipped out and sat behind Dean.
Maybe Dean didn't want to abandon him after all? Maybe Dean just wanted space? Cas didn't want to give Dean space though, he wanted someone around. He wanted Dean to be there. Dean didn't seem too pleased but he took Cas by the hand anyway, leading him to another room.
Did Dean think he was stupid or something? Cas stopped and refused to go inside, he wasn't going to fall for that again. Dean tried to pull him but Cas pulled back, he spread his wings to help his balance and to ensure he wouldn't fit in the doorway. He was not going inside another cage room.
Dean gave up and let go of him with some kind of grumbling Cas didn't get, but he understood the exasperation it portrayed. He watched defiantly as Dean went to the bed and dropped onto it, he wasn't going to fall for it. Dean would probably just wrap him in that fabric trap and leave or something.
Castiel stayed where he was for a few minutes and noted that Dean made no moves to do anything. There wasn't a sign of sabotage or traps, Dean actually looked pretty tired. Maybe Dean wanted to sleep now and he let Cas stay in the same room? Cas was hesitant as he inched inside, Dean might still spring up and leave him again.
He got close enough to Dean that any action was possible, but still Dean didn't do anything. Cas started to feel a little foolish for thinking Dean might try something like that, he leaned up close to Dean's face and stayed there for a moment. Dean was looking back at him, pretty green eyes and a spotted face.
Cas liked Dean's face; it was warm and open and made him feel comfortable with a smile. He knew that he didn't know much about Dean, he knew that Dean was quite the mystery but in such a short amount of time Dean had saved him and shown kindness in ways that Cas hadn't seen as far back as he could remember. He'd never felt so safe, as far as he knew.
Dean brought him freedom.
Dean saved his life.
Dean was beautiful and gracious.
Cas thought about his old master and how in the time they were together he never once thought those things. He never once believed he was lucky or getting something he deserved. But Dean made him feel special, Dean treated him right and Cas was sure he wanted Dean to be with him forever.
But he didn't want Dean to be his new master; he didn't want a master anymore. He wanted Dean to know what he was thinking, how he felt about it all. Cas decided to do the first thing that came to mind; he leaned in close and sniffed a little – he loved the smell of Dean. Then without a second thought he licked Dean's mouth, his sign of respect and gratitude toward someone he loved.
He was satisfied with that; a soft sound of comfort escaped him as he nestled into the bed again. It felt even cozier with Dean next to him.