Trick of the Trade Part 9

[gedry]

Title: Trick of the Trade Part 9

Author: Gedry
Pairings: Dean/Cas, Sam/Gabriel
Rating: PG-13

Word Count: 1387
Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me. I am making no profit from this fanfiction.
Spoilers:  None
Warnings: None
Summary: For vaderina who asked for Castiel is an angel assassin who comes after Dean because he thinks Dean did something to his brother Gabriel.  But Gabriel really just defected to be with Sam.  (Because I loved this so much I’m calling it a mini-verse. No really people MINI-VERSE!)

Thanks to catnmaus for the beta work that made this much better!


Trick of the Trade Part 9

To call it beautiful would not do it justice.  The garden is astounding; lush plant life all around them and a waterfall with a clear pool of crisp water settling around it.  He hears Sam’s sharp intake of breath and Gabriel literally drops his sword in wonder from what he sees.  Castiel stands frozen in awe at the sight before them and feels the terrible fear he’s been carrying with him since he chose his mate start to ease away.

“We found it,” he breathes in relief.

“You found it,” Dean smiles to the angel as he squeezes the angel’s hand tightly, then brings it to his lips to place a kiss on the back of it.

“You’re injured and tired,” Joshua comments as he watches them absorb their surroundings.  “Might I suggest you take the evening to wash away your troubles and relax?  I believe our more detailed negotiations can wait the few hours until morning.”

Sam bristles, throwing a protective arm around him mate and bearing his teeth before growling “How do we know we can trust you?”

Castiel opens his mouth to apologize for the demon’s horrible comment but Joshua waves him into silence and smiles gently at them.  “You don’t.  But sometimes we simply need to have faith,”  he answers and with a quick touch of the wind against their cheeks Joshua is gone.  In his wake is a fallen log now over-run with food the likes of which Castiel has never seen.  There are also towels, with clean clothing hidden underneath them.  They see pallets with soft blankets on either side of the lake hidden by thin screens; close enough for them to stay in contact but far enough away to offer privacy.  It’s a weighty gift from an angel so shrouded in mystery.  Castiel is speechless.

Unlike his younger brother, Gabriel has no such issues.

“Oh, this food is so good!” the angel announces before taking a long swig of his wine.  “This is divine.  I don’t think I care what happens next, I’m planning on dying of happiness tonight or living the rest of my days out here.”

Sam laughs “Come one Gabriel, let’s take a swim.  We can eat later.”

“Can I use you as a plate?” Gabriel smirks while he mumbles around a mouthful of something Castiel thinks must be a dessert.

“You can do whatever you want but I want to be clean,” Sam smiles.

“Kill me,” Dean mutters to Castiel and it startles a bark of laughter from the wounded angel.   They ease down by the food and drink that never seems to run out while their brothers splash at each other and play in the water like children.  “You look younger,”  Dean murmurs and Castiel raises a wing in curiosity.

“What do you mean?”

“You just seem more relaxed and content than I’ve ever seen you.”  Dean shrugs “It’s a good look on you.”

Castiel feels the heat in his face and knows that he must be blushing.  “To be fair the whole of the time we have known each other I’ve been preparing for my impending death.”

Dean snorts and then smiles in a way that seems intimate and meant just for Castiel.  It makes his feathers puff out in a pleased reaction to his mate’s joy.  “Was that a joke Cas?” Dean teases.  “You make jokes now?”

“Cas?” the angel asks.  He can't seem to recall anyone in the whole of his life ever shortening his name before the demon came into his life.

“Yeah,” Dean squirms, “It’s a thing I do for important people.  Um, you know like…”

“...Family.” Sam finishes as he drops down beside his brother and grabs some grapes.  “He does it for family; for people that mean a lot to him.  So of course he has a name for you.  You’re his mate.”

“SAM!” Dean hisses but he doesn’t deny the comment or refute what Sam’s said.  Castiel closes his eyes and exhales slowly, trying to find some sense of balance within himself now that his life is so turned around.  He’s less then successful and spends several minutes trying to soothe his agitated grace.  He’s so preoccupied with his internal struggle that he’s shocked at the feeling of Dean's fingers gently stroking down his cheek.  “Cas?” the demon whispers, “Lets go get cleaned up okay?”

He turns around but Gabriel and Sam are no where to be seen.  “Where did they go?”

“To their sleeping space,” Dean murmurs “They wanted to give us some privacy.”

Castiel opens his mouth to ask ‘why?’ but then he sees the hopeful, passionate look in Dean’s eyes and he understands.  His mate wishes to be intimate with him; it’s a chance Castiel isn’t willing to pass over.

“Oh,” he manages to whisper as Dean helps him to his feet and then helps him in struggling out of his shirt.  Gabriel’s grace had done much to aid in his healing but Castiel’s body is still aching and raw in places.  His wing especially is painful after the effort to get to this magical place.  He eases his way into the cool water and moans in bliss as heat and comfort immediately seep into his grace.

When he surfaces for air he finds Dean waist deep in the pool watching him with laughter in his eyes.  “You seem happy,” the demon chuckles.

“I’m more than happy,” Castiel answers as he thrusts his wings out of the water to shower his mate with flecks of water.  “I’m healed.”   He wades his way toward Dean and extends his wings for his lover to check them over.  “The water?” Dean questions as he slides damp hands through Castiel’s slick feathers.  The sensation is so intense with the absence of pain the angel sways toward his demonic mate and then whimpers as the whole of their naked bodies brush against each other.  “Dean,” he breathes out while his mate dips his head and laps the wetness from his shoulder.

“Cas,” Dean groans in return, “I want this...want you so much.  Let me be your mate for real.  I want more than just the title; I want the bond with you.  I don’t know how much time we’ve got but I want to spend whatever time we have left together.”  Castiel answers his mates request with his lips and tongue and clinging hands; with an outpouring of his grace towards Dean’s waiting soul.  He gasps into Dean’s mouth as his grace is welcomed with an unheard of ease into the core of Dean’s very being.  Castiel’s found what’s been missing from his grace for the whole of his very long life.  He has a home now, a center, a place to orbit, and he shakes with the explosion of joy the discovery causes him.

Dean scoops him up while Castiel clings to him and drags them both from the pool and over to the canopied sleeping area before he drags the netting shut behind them.

*****

Castiel wanders sore and content out into the daylight the next morning.  Sam is still sleeping but Gabriel is perched on a rock hanging his feet in the clear water of the pool.

“I’m healed,” Castiel announces excitedly while he waves his wings.

“What you are is LOUD,” Gabriel grouches before kicking his feet and showering Castiel with water.

“I take it you have enjoyed your evening,” Joshua comments as he walks out from nowhere.

“Thank you,” Castiel says; his voice heavy with gratitude.

“My pleasure,” Joshua answers with a nod, “We need to speak before your mates awaken.  There are things that we must discuss that are not for their ears to hear.”

Gabriel and Castiel share a look of concern.  They don't really have any other choice but to follow the other angel as he turns and walks away.