Children of the Wild Ones

[reticentric]

Chapter Ten

Ditching chicks right after sex or close to after sex meant that there wasn’t a lot of cuddling going on even though Dean considered himself a tactile person. He enjoyed touch-when it wasn’t painful-but usually kept shit like that to himself because John Winchester wouldn’t have approved. He’d stopped being the hugging type of father a few years after the fire, only doling them out when one of them didn’t die in some attack. Now it was just second nature for Dean to do the same.

Still there was something comforting when it came to waking up after a night of amazing sex to a warm body snuggled close. Castiel was wrapped around him like a vine, his face pressed against the skin of Dean’s throat, his left wing serving as another fluffy blanket. Their legs were kinda tangled together and as far as Dean could tell, things were calm outside. There was no need to sneak outta bed and get dressed outside the door with a bitch facing Sam already waiting in the Impala. He could just relax and play with the feathers he couldn’t seem to get enough of. They were soft and smelled good!

Yawning, he ran his fingers through the angel’s soft dark hair and peeped at his face. He appeared to be sleeping but Dean wasn’t too sure. Out of the few things Cas had accepted about himself when it came to his dwindling powers, sleeping had not been one of them. Dean sorta got the feeling he was nervous about it; about giving up the security of always being alert and trusting four bedroom walls to protect him incase anything happened. It was probably the worst type of hindering but Dean never pressed him on it. As far as he was concerned Cas could fight sleep for as long as he wanted. Dean would gladly keep grace sharing with him if it helped.

Besides it wasn’t like he was suddenly embracing the side of his powers that would keep him awake forever and never hungry.

Dean couldn’t really believe the direction his life had taken, and he just didn’t mean being in bed with a fallen angel. Back when he used to hunt it was clear that it was more than a job to him. He was pretty sure that if Sam had went back to school after the yellow eyed demon was dead-and there’d been no deal-he would have just kept on with the family business of trying to save people. It was weird to say but hunting made him happy, and he was damn good at it. He would have gunned his baby down highway after highway, burning bones and keeping idiot teens from going into haunted houses.

They only difference was that he would have been doing it all alone.

Life would have been a damn sight simpler but picturing days and nights not even knowing Castiel existed didn’t sit right with him. Sam would have eventually met someone else and became a big shot lawyer, and even if their relationship were totally okay he still would have been on the outside looking in. Thinking random hook ups were the way to go because he’d never really had anything else; nothing like what he had with Cas anyway. He couldn’t imagine not knowing Cas. He couldn’t imagine not having some little half nerdy dude with a killer right hook watching his back, giving a disapproving frown to things he didn’t understand.

Mary had always said to him “angels are watching over you”. He couldn’t help but wonder what she thought of everything now. Would she support their relationship? Or was she just happy that he was happy? A part of him wished he could find out while the other was okay with guessing.

Digging the sleep out of his eyes, he brushed his lips across Castiel’s forehead. After the talk with Crowley he’d turned his attention to helping with camp duties so he and Sam had not gotten a chance to go out for the sake of going out. Maybe today he could check out Bobby’s; there were still things at his house they needed to salvage. Panic room stuff. Either way he just needed to see the state of the world.

Maybe pick up some condoms for Sam.

That thought made him chuckle lowly and he glanced down as Castiel smoothed a hand across his stomach. “Mornin’.”

“Good morning, Dean.” Castiel murmured. “Did you sleep well?”

Dean grinned. “Best night’s sleep I’ve had in a long time.”

Castiel kissed his chin and cuddled closer, idly brushing a hand across the hunter’s nipples. “Good. This is nice.”

Dean nodded. “Yeah it is, isn’t it? Not something you did a lot in Heaven huh?”

Castiel shook his head slowly. “No. Other angels spent time together in which they would groom each others’ wings but it was nothing like this. The intimacy was missing.”

Not surprising to hear. “Even with the wing stuff?”

Castiel traced a finger along Dean’s tattoo. “It was simply to remove debris and keep them manageable. I much prefer when you touch them.”

Dean smirked, diggings his fingers into the mass of feathers lying across him. “I prefer it too. I feel like I should be ashamed because I’m so into them but I’m not.”

Castiel chuckled and purred at the attention. “I see no reason for you to be ashamed, Dean. I am happy that they not only bring you comfort but also excite you.”

His words made Dean blush. “Heh, that makes me sound like a pervert. But I guess it’s no worse than liking Busty Asian Beauties. Dude can you imagine if like they had angel wing magazines? Like Hot Feathers or Sexy Wing Sluts? I’d be so into them.” Pause. “Still I kinda like that this is our thing.”

Castiel arched a brow. “You are a complex individual.”

Laughing, Dean gently eased Castiel to the side and sat up, scrubbing a hand through his wild hair. He jerked, startled at his own wings drooping close and tried to play it off. “Never gonna get used to having my own set.”

Castiel pushed his feathers back into order. “You may eventually. I wish you would let me teach you how to fly.”

“Ooh no.” He said. “Teleporting is one thing-I can do that. Flying? No way. Being strapped inside of a giant mental death machine is bad enough but flittering around with just these? No seat belt or anything?”

“I’d never let you fall.” Castiel replied sincerely. “The freedom is unimaginable however. Feeling the elements…being able to cross great distances and travel to worlds where no man has ever been...”

Dean could read between the lines of Cas’ words; aka that losing his wings would rob him of something very dear. Even though he didn’t flutter around like he used to at least he still had the option. “Maybe I’ll let you give me a trial run. Once.” He glanced out the window and then said screw it, rolling over on top of Castiel and nuzzling him.

Castiel raked his nails down Dean’s back, locking his heels around his thighs. “This is violating your personal space rule.”

Dean snickered, nipping at his neck. “You hear me complaining though? Some rules are made to be broken.”

Castiel hummed happily. “I see. What are others?”

“Hm. Sometimes it’s okay to have dessert before dinner, especially if it’s pie.” He found a spot on Cas’ throat he liked and sucked, grinning when the angel arched against him. “I pretty much make and break ‘em as I go along.”

“Of course…” Castiel said breathlessly.

Dean sniggered and lifted up onto his elbows, poking his nose against Castiel’s cheek. “You okay with that?”

Castiel touched his handprint. “Yes. I did break several rules for you after all.”

Dean mock glared at him. “But look at this awesome reward you have on top of you right now.”

The angel chuckled. “It is very nice.” He rubbed at the hunter’s scruff. “Thank you.”

“You’re such a sap, Cas.”

“I could punch you if it would make the moment less uncomfortable.”

“Nah, it might just turn me on. Speaking of which…” He wiggled his brows and slid a hand down Castiel’s chest. “How about I teach you the joys of morning sex?”

“I would like that very much.” Castiel whispered with a hint of a tiny grin.

~*~

It felt freaken awesome to be on the road again, to have the Impala roaring all around him. True it wasn’t the same as when he could go anywhere or pull up to a drive thru and order way too much greasy food, but it was still nice to be driving his baby again. Sam had opted to stay behind with Sarah-not that Dean was at all surprised by that-so naturally Castiel had agreed to go with him. Dean couldn’t help but think this is how life would be if the world was normal. If Sam got married and wanted to settle down, quit hunting. It made him a little sad to be honest-just the thought of it-but it wouldn’t have been so bad. As long as everyone was happy.

Anyway though their trip wasn’t important; just Dean needing to stretch his legs and get a look at things. See if Crowley was being truthful or just pulling their leg to keep them isolated so he could play around. Yeah he kinda got that was wishful thinking.

Bobby’s house was still standing when they reached it; hadn’t even been looted yet. The area was quiet with no army guys around barking orders or setting up road blocks. Dean wagered either nothing had happened here yet or people had moved on when things on the news started getting a little too real. It was odd to think of a town as deserted like in the movies but he figured it was better than the alternative. Let people run wherever they wanted for as long as they could until they angels could get to them. It made no sense for the government to try to intervene. Packing everyone up like sardines with nothing but guns wouldn’t do them any good. Especially if one, just one, of the survivors was already infected.

Driving the Impala was probably a gamble because it was such a well known car among the fucked up but Dean would have rather bitten off his own foot than driven anything else. The trunk was nice and wide so they could fit in anything they needed though. Except the panic room which was a bummer.

They didn’t dawdle however. Castiel helped him load up boxes of anything and everything from pots and pans to lamps. They could always use more lamps. He cleaned out drawers full of obscure books Bobby had forgot and left Castiel to get a few vintage records while he went outside and siphoned gas from some of the wrecked vehicles. He kept a wary lookout for anything strange or ravenous, getting the feeling of déjà vu from when zombies had attacked him and Bobby.

I wonder if Death could stop the Crotes? There’s gotta be a way to contact him, not that I wanna. If he’s anything like his brothers he’d just be a major douche and make things worse.

Shaking his head, he placed the small red can of gas into the trunk beside the others and snapped it shut, pulling a bottle of whiskey out of the backseat. He took a big gulp and swished it around in his mouth to get rid of the gasoline taste, spitting it off to the side. “Ah. Woo.”

Castiel walked out of the house with an armful of plates. “Do we have everything?”

Dean tossed the bottle back into the car. “I think so. This trip was more just to get out really but no sense leaving this stuff when we can use it.”

Castiel nodded, slowly placing the plates into the large foot wells. “Bobby will be happy to know his house is still in good condition. Though I am sensing an atmospheric disturbance about fifteen miles from here.”

Dean snickered. How can he think he’s not still kick ass? Even half an angel he’s better at it then I am. “Guess we should get back on the road then.”

The angel opened the passenger side door. “Animals are running. I would not be surprised if there are more around the camp since it is a safe area.”

Dean arched a brow as he climbed behind the wheel. “Like deer? Or are we talking giant rats?”

“Everything.”

“Heh that should be interesting.”

Starting up, he pulled away from Bobby’s old paint peeling house, drifting back onto the highway. He’d traveled this road so much without giving it any real thought; Sammy riding shotgun almost every time. It had never occurred to him that one day he probably wouldn’t be able to. Not even when he was headed to Hell. One day things would be too fucked up to just go out and look around. The Crotes would come to outnumber them and something as simple as getting food would be a life or death situation. Fuck it kinda already was in some parts.

He’d get Inias to go with them then. Extra fire power until he could control his own wouldn’t hurt.

Castiel shifted to face him. “Are you alright? You look pensive.”

The hunter shrugged. “Just thinking about what we’re really in for I guess. I don’t think it’s hit me that we’re fucked. I mean things aren’t totally wrecked yet-not like they were in my future trip.” Pause. “Ridin’ along and everything is quiet; easy to get fooled.”

Castiel glanced out the windshield. “If you look hard enough you can see the differences. The air smells different. Sour. The birds aren’t singing. The insects are migrating.”

Dean cut his eyes to him. “So you’re saying things are too quiet? Makes sense. I can handle the bullshit though. Future me did it for four or five years. Figure I’ve got just as long in me.”

Castiel squeezed his thigh. “Longer because you are not alone. I will help you in any way that I can, Dean. As will the other angels and the other survivors.”

That put him a little at ease though it begged the question, what would happen when he eventually died? If he could die now. Who would take care of everyone? Who would lead them? “Heh, yeah.”

The next few miles were covered in silence but Castiel did not remove his hand and Dean was sorta glad for it. He’d never thought he’d be able to admit it but it was comforting, grounding. It was nice having someone have his back because they wanted to, not because of some familial obligation.

The Salvage Yard was on the outskirts of Sioux Falls probably because Bobby had needed the room for all of his junkers and stuff. It really did make him come off like a crazy hobbit man though, especially once you got into the neighborhoods of groomed yards and neatly kept houses. It reminded Dean of those tv shows he’d catch as a kid sometimes while dad was out on a hunt, where everyone said howdy neighbor and grew flowers in their flowerbeds. He’d wondered once if that was how his life would have been if his mom hadn’t died. If the Yellow Eyed Demon hadn’t fucked it all up.

He was rounding a curve, lost in thought when Castiel called his name and pointed to the young girl running along the sidewalk, waving her arms and yelling at them. Dean slammed on brakes and the tires squealed as the car came to a stop. He was out in seconds, crossing to where she was standing trying to get her breath back.

“What’s wrong?” Dean asked her. “What are you doing in town? Didn’t everyone leave?”

She couldn’t have been more than sixteen, seventeen at the oldest, her long blonde hair in a messy ponytail. “Yes but-but we couldn’t. My mom is in a wheelchair and no one would help us. We-I saw on the news where people were going crazy and then everyone started leaving town.” She wiped at her wet eyes. “It’s so quiet and nothing has happened but we’re running out of food and I’m getting really scared. My dad is away on a business trip. He-he was in one of the quarantined places.”

Dean licked his lips but didn’t say what he was obviously thinking. “Okay. We’ll get your mom and get the hell outta here. What’s your name?”

She looked so grateful for the help. “Emily.”

He nodded. “Hi Emily. I’m Dean and this is Cas. Take us to your mom.”

Emily jumped to obey, scurrying inside and leaving the door open so that they could follow. “She’s upstairs with my little sister!”

Dean and Castiel made their way behind her, into the quaint little home with its white picket fence and lace curtains. There were pictures lining the walls and inside of what was the master bedroom sat an older brunette version of Emily with a small child on her lap. She looked shaken and a bit afraid, eying them suspiciously.

“Mom this is Dean and Cas.” Emily gestured to them. “They’re gonna take us outta town.”

Her mother pressed her lips together. “You should have let them go. How do we know we can trust them?”

Dean sighed. “Are we murdering you? No. Also you don’t have anything we want so…”

She blinked. “Charming. Sorry I’m just…” Trailing off, she swallowed hard. “Weird things are happening and as you can see I’m not as light on my feet as I used to be. Skiing accident-broke both legs. I’m Meredith.”

Dean nodded. “It’s cool. But trust me, we just wanna help.”

Meredith chanced a smile. “Do you know what’s going on? We’ve been watching the news but I haven’t been able to make heads or tails of it. Some kinda virus has gotten out?”

He rubbed his chin. “Yeah. I’m not gonna lie to you it’s bad. Once you get it you’re pretty much a goner. There is no cure.”

Her lowered lip quivered but she held it together. “So don’t catch the killer disease. Check.”

He smiled; this chick was alright. “We’ll carry you to the car. You might have to sit on some shi-uh-stuff but you’ll be okay. We have a sorta safe house we’re talking people to.”

“Okay. Do I-do I have time to grab anything? And what if my husband comes home? He-I wanna leave him a note.” She stammered. “Emily, quick. Leave your father a note on the fridge in case he comes here looking for us.”

Dean didn’t see the point but he wasn’t about to say that out loud. “Tell him we went to Camp Chitaqua.”

As Emily fumbled with a notebook for a piece of paper, Castiel drifted over to the window and looked out. “Dean. I hear running.”

Dean cursed and stepped up beside him. “Please tell me it’s animals.”

Castiel shook his head slowly. “Open your senses, Dean. The air is filled with sulfur.”

Fuck! “We gotta get out of here now.” Meredith started to protest but Dean shut her down. “Look we got whatever you need at the camp, but if we don’t get out of here right now you’re all gonna die.”

A snarl sounded from outside and Dean immediately reached for the gun strapped to his thigh, pushing back the curtain to see a lanky man in tattered clothes hobble into the yard. He was red eyed and crazed, foaming at the mouth like he had rabies and covered in bleeding gaping wounds. Dean considered just shooting him and maybe making a break for it to the car but knew the sound would just bring more. As it was he didn’t have to wait because more came anyway, lumbering out of the woods after a frightened deer that sprinted between houses.

Least we know what led them here.

“What’s that noise?” Emily whispered, grabbing her mom’s hand. “Th-they’re here, aren’t they? Those things from tv.”

Castiel headed for the doorway. “I will take care of them.”

Blinking, Dean caught his arm, surprised that he could actually pull him back. In the past it would have been like trying to move a mountain. “Are you outta your fucken mind? Those things will tear you a part.”

Castiel frowned. “I am an angel, Dean. They cannot harm me.”

Dean growled. “I know that but we should stick together. Pick ‘em off one by one and then get to the Impala.”

The angel looked away. “There won’t be time. They know we are here and more will come.” A beat. “However I can buy you some time to teleport Meredith and her children to the camp. The Crotes must be destroyed.”

Dean didn’t like anything he was hearing. “Why don’t you take them while I stay here and fight? Pretty sure I can’t be infected.”

Something crashed through a window downstairs causing all of them to jump, the little girl in Meredith’s lap bursting into tears. Castiel gently pried Dean’s hand away. “I may not be powerful enough to take them all but you are. They need you, Dean. I will hold the Crotes off until you return.” Nodding, he turned and waltzed out of the door, closing it behind him. There was a deep scraping sound from the hallway which had to be Cas pushing the wardrobe he’d spied earlier in front of the door.

“Goddamn it, Cas!” Dean shouted after him. “You promised we’d fucken stick together!”

Emily was crying. “What’s going on?”

Dean balled his hands into fists but forced himself to remain calm. Cas would be okay. Cas would be okay and he was right, Meredith and her kids needed him. They were innocents that he had to save. It was time to do the family business one more time.

With the sounds of a brawl beginning downstairs, Dean stalked over to Meredith and put his hand on her shoulder. “Emily, take my hand.” She did so without question. “This might feel weird but bear with me.”

His mind was racing and all he could think about was Castiel fighting, Castiel getting hurt or Castiel dying before he could do anything to help. But he knew that wouldn’t get him moving and the longer he fucked around the more Cas was on his own against those sons a bitches. So Dean exhaled deeply and pictured the camp in his mind. Pictured Sam teaching Sarah to shoot and Chuck fretting over their supplies. Pictured Bobby letting Jodi boss him around.

And then he pictured his cabin---the one he shared with Castiel. The one they’d christened for the first time last night. The one he called home.

Power jerked him forward and he held tight to Meredith and Emily so that he wouldn’t lose them. They all gasped when the scenery changed and they were suddenly in the middle of the camp with people looking on in awe.

“How did you do that!?” Emily exclaimed.

Dean stumbled away from them. “Ask for Sam. I gotta get back to Cas!” Intense blue eyes flashed in his mind and he was gone, landing beside the Impala with a loud thump. “First time not wiping out. Cas!”

The front of Meredith’s house looked like a horror movie had exploded all over it with bloody handprints smeared against what was left of the door where it hung off the hinges. He was just about to call out to Castiel again when a body flew at him from the bushes, grabbing for his face. His gun was in his hand in seconds, the bang bang echoing throughout the neighborhood as he put two in the Crotes head.

Another rounded on him from behind, tackling him to the ground and knocking his weapon away. It was a woman that probably had hair at one point but now only had bloody patches on her scalp. She wrapped her hands around his neck and squeezed, laughing manically, trying to crush his wind pipe. Dean sputtered for air and slapped his palm against her forehead, feeling heat and watching as she erupted into flames from the inside out. He shoved her off of him and skidded through the doorway, panting hard, eyes widening at the trail of at least twenty trampled bodies leading into the kitchen.

“Cas!” He yelled stepping over them, ignoring the way their bones felt like jelly under his boots. Cas had utterly decimated them.

Dean found the angel slumped against the sink cabinets, pale and bleeding from his nose. There were purplish bruises on his face and he appeared to be unconscious but breathing so that was something. “Cas! Cas!” The hunter shook him, cupping his feverish face with his hands. “C’mon, Cas. Don’t do this to me. I need you, man.”

What if fighting drained him and he’s human now? What if he got infected? “Castiel. Open your eyes. Castiel!”

“Dean?” Castiel’s lashes fluttered open slowly, and he smiled with red tinged lips. “I-I killed them.”

Dean grinned at him, sagging with relief. He didn’t wanna think what he would do if he lost Castiel for good. “Yeah you did, man. You showed them who was boss. You’re my hero.”

Castiel chuckled wetly. “Are-are Meredith and her daughters safe?”

Dean nodded. “Yeah I dropped them off at the camp and then hauled ass back here. Where does it hurt?”

Castiel groaned softly. “I’ll heal. I can already feel it.”

Oh thank God. “Here.” He kissed Castiel’s forehead, flooding him with healing grace. “Don’t do that again, asshole. Scared me half to death.”

Healed but still a bit weak, the angel lowered his head demurely. “You would have done the same to save those people. If I am to be a hunter then I need to start behaving like one.”

Dean snickered. “Yeah but even hunters start at the bottom of the food chain. We should be getting out of here.” He slipped his arm around Castiel’s waist and hoisted him up, letting him lean heavily against him. “C’mon.” Slowly they made their way back through the hallway and out onto the porch before stopping dead in their tracks.

Standing on Meredith’s lawn and half in the street was a small army of infected, twitching and filthy with crusted gore stuck to their clothes. Some were smiling crazily while others looked itching for a fight, though honestly they were all looking for a fight. Or at least looking to get off on causing a lot more damage. There didn’t seem to be anyone home behind their dead, wide eyes. They were running on rage not even noticing their oozing wounds or broken bones.

Did they even feel pain?

“Pop back to camp?” Dean inquired lowly. “Get the car later…if they haven’t shit all over it.”

“They need to be destroyed.” Castiel said gravely. “A mob this size could wipe out an entire town and critically damage the ecosystem. I-I can-”

Without warning the Crotes rushed at them, falling atop one another in their hurry to get to their victims. Dean let Castiel slide to the ground behind him as his golden wings flared out protectively, blocking the angel from view and casting an enormous shadow across the yard. He thrust his right hand out and exhaled without thought, his entire body jerking forward as a blinding white light blasted from his palm, sweeping through the oncoming crowd like a massive mushroom cloud. His eyes were iridescently radiant and inhuman, the green completely swallowed by the shine.

The sound his energy caused when it made contact with all of the twisting bodies was downright deafening; like a missile striking its target. Windows in houses all along the street shattered inwardly as solid brick walls crumbled like wet dirt. The roof of Meredith’s house whined and broke a part, tumbling down around them. The concrete of the road buckled up and hit a fire hydrant, sending clear water gushing up several feet into the air. And Dean watched the Crotes shriek before being reduced to nothing but smoking piles of black dust.

Panting, he swallowed hard and dropped to one knee when it was over, trying to get his hammering heartbeat under control. His hands were shaking and his mouth was dry, and he could see like never before. Shooting stars and Saturn’s rings, roping flares diving along the surface of the sun, each individual crater on the moon; it was almost too much for him to handle. But at the same time it was so infinitely beautiful that he wondered how he’d ever gone without it.

Dean felt a hand on his shoulder and he glanced back at Castiel, staring at the white glow that gleamed along the surface of his skin. Talk about infinitely beautiful…“Not bad for a newbie, huh?”

Castiel smiled and kissed him. “It was…” He trailed off. “Well it would definitely do more damage than black out the Eastern seaboard.”

Dean laughed lightly, cringing as a light pole pitched to the ground. It was then he noticed all of the light and telephone poles were down as well as the few trees. Meredith’s house had been completely demolished…the others hanging on by a stray plank of wood. “Shit. It’s like a tornado blew through here. I don’t-it’s like I just knew what to do.”

“I think you will always know what to do Dean, when someone’s life is in danger. Your sense of preservation and heroism will override everything else, thereby making your access to Michael’s grace that much easier.” Castiel hypothesized. “I know you don’t care but I think Michael would be proud of you and the legacy you are creating.”

The hunter snorted but took the compliment anyway. He stood and folded his wings against his back, holding out a hand to help Castiel up. “I only care about what you think of me, Cas. If you’re not worried then I’m good.”

Castiel let himself be hauled up. “I’m not worried at all. I have nothing but faith in you, Dean.”

How can words be comforting and terrifying at the same time?

Dean wet his lips before saying softly, “C’mon. Let’s get you home.”

~*~

Some people would find Dean looking out for them to be smothering or him questioning their ability to take care of themselves. Castiel could admit that was how he first viewed it but now he knew it had less to do with him and more about Dean’s fear of losing those he loved. So it was easier to let Dean fuss over him for the next few days, making sure he was one hundred percent healed after his encounter with the Crotes. Giving him wisps of grace as they kissed and grooming his wings to perfection. He realized it was just as much for Dean as it was for him.

Killing all of those infected however had made Castiel feel truly like an angel again. Even though their punches and scratches hurt he’d continued, breaking their bones and stabbing them in the eyes with his sword. Refusing to give up until they were all dead. Yet the best part came after engaging in a skirmish like that; getting to relax on his own and do whatever he wanted to do. Like work on his garden.

Meredith and her daughters were fairing well. They were still confused with many questions but safe. Dean didn’t think her husband was still human but he had Inias on the lookout for him anyway.

According to his brother however two of the army outposts for survivors had been overrun with Crotes when infection broke out. The soldiers panicked and opened fire on everyone whether they were showing symptoms or not. All flights had been grounded until further notice so people were trying to charter boats to get overseas. Meanwhile foreign governments were promising to jail those that made it.

Crowley said he heard word of a small suburb in California with a hot spot which meant it was only a matter of time before California was lost. He thought they were all lost though.

Castiel stood on the porch of his cabin and gazed out as people did the jobs they’d been assigned. He pulled at his t-shirt and shoved his hands into his pockets, spying Sarah and Sam burning trash in a can. Rachel was out checking on the status of the other camps and Chuck looked anxious for her to return. Jodi with a fishing pole in her hand was following Bobby down to where the lake was, bickering about what bait they should use. Everyone seemed…okay. Like they were making the best out of their situation. Honestly he didn’t know if they could ask for more than that.

“What cha doing?” Dean asked as he came up behind him, wrapping his arms around him. He didn’t appear to care if anyone saw.

Castiel smiled and leaned back against him. “Wondering if Bobby and Jodi will catch any fish.”

Dean laughed. “Heh I dunno. If they can stop arguing over worms or crickets long enough to actually bait their hooks, maybe.”

Castiel traced the back of Dean’s hand with his fingers. “Dean, I had a thought earlier. With your powers you could go back in time and change things. Stop the Croatoan virus from ever getting out. Find the source and destroy it before it spreads.”

Dean rested his chin to his shoulder. “I might be able to figure it out but, all of this would be different. You and me I mean. I’d remember but you wouldn’t.”

Castiel nodded. “Yes but I suppose you could make me remember. Or we could simply start over.”

“Well that would be boring.”

Castiel blinked at the sight of Balthazar suddenly beside them. “Hello Balthazar. Back to check in?”

His friend grinned. “Something like that.” His blue eyes drifted to Dean. “Shall I bow?”

Dean snorted. “Only if you think you won’t throw your back out.”

Balthazar chuckled. “I do so love the funny ones.” Pause. “Anyway I have come to ask for asylum from our Heavenly Prince.”

Dean arched a brow, suspicious. “Why would you need asylum? And from who?”

Clearing his throat, Balthazar waved a hand. “It appears that Raphael finally noticed a few of Heaven’s…choice toys were missing.”

Castiel sighed deeply. “Please tell me you did not steal heavenly weapons.”

Balthazar shrugged in a what can you do sort of way. “I borrowed them when I faked my death just in case one of our intrepid brothers found me and tried to punish me. I was going to give them back but I got caught up in all the sex, drugs and rock and roll. Anyway Raphael knows I took them and he knows that I am alive.” Pause. “However he might be less inclined to smite me out of existence if I am here serving our great General.”

Dean huffed before his expression turned calculating. “What kinda weapons are we talking about here?”

Balthazar considered his question. “The staff of Moses for one; known for conjuring up the seven plagues of Egypt. Basically a whole lot of things that were used to either demand order or kill a bunch of people.”

Castiel could see an idea forming behind Dean’s green eyes. “What is it, Dean? What are you thinking?”

The hunter wet his lips. “Could there be anything that would get rid of the Crotes? Like wipe ‘em all out?”

Balthazar rubbed his chin. “Perhaps. Some haven’t been used since the dawn of time so I can’t be sure.” He grinned cheekily. “You keep Raphael from splattering me across the universe and they are yours.”

Dean grunted but agreed. “Fine. If he shows up I’ll convince him not to kill you.” A beat. “You take off without helping and I’ll find you and kill you myself.”

Balthazar smirked. “Yes sir. I suppose I’ll go introduce myself then to the masses. She looks interesting…” He strolled off the porch and towards the woman called Risa, a former physical trainer Rachel had rescued. Dean had been jumpy around her at first before admitting he’d seen her in his future trip.

Castiel turned to face him. “I will help you with the weapons. And Raphael.”

Dean carded his fingers through the angel’s hair. “I know. You can be my second in command or whatever. Jesus, Cas…” He smiled slowly. “This could be an actual break. I don’t wanna get my hopes up but, who knows? With my mojo and these weapons I might be able to actually stop those bastards from turning anymore people.”

“It is a plan worth looking into.” Castiel mused. “If anyone can make it work you can.”

“Yeah yeah.” Dean kissed him softly. “C’mon. We gotta tell Sam what’s up. Time to save the world again, Cas.”

“And if we succeed? Then what?” Castiel inquired innocently, letting himself be pulled along.

Dean glanced at him over his shoulder, winking. “Celebration sex of course. Duh.”

Castiel laughed, squeezing his fingers. “Then I hope we win.”

Dean made a noise in his throat. “Even if we don’t we’ll still have some type of sex. Sex is a part of us now, Cas. No worries.” Stopping, he ducked his head but met Castiel’s gaze. “I could never go back to how we were. You’re not just Cas anymore. You’re…Cas. You’re a part of me and…shit…I need you with me.”

Castiel went with the urge to hug him, inhaling the smell of grease and leather, knowing exactly what that look meant. He didn’t know what was going to happen or if Balthazar’s weapons would help in their new war against the Crotes, but as long as Dean was willing to fight then he would fight with him. There was no other place he wanted to be than by Dean’s side. Always.

The End

Masterpost