Fic: Prisoner of Love (20/?)
MASTERPOST / AO3
Chapter Summary: Castiel meets his new family and receives a new task.
A/N: I know you're probably sick of my apologies by now, but I still need to apologize for the long absence. And thank you very much for all your reviews. They mean a lot to me.
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Castiel dreaded the visiting room. The first time he had stepped into this hall, he had learned of his sister's death. He wasn't sure if he was ready for another visit so soon.
Dean was sitting on a table opposite a big guy with slightly long hair. Once the taller man noticed him, he let Dean know with a nod of his head.
He didn't miss the troubled look on Dean's face, which was rapidly replaced with a wide grin upon catching sight of him.
"Hey Cas," Dean greeted warmly. He got up and approached the new visitor. His arms parted as if Dean was going to embrace him, but they were dropped just as quickly. One hand, instead, reached up to toy with a lock of hair behind Cas' ear.
"Is everything alright?" Castiel asked softly as he stepped a little closer to search Dean's eyes, worried. The only time Dean would drop his no PDA rule was when something really bad happened, otherwise Dean would never touch him in public, no matter how subtle it was.
"Yes, yes, of course, it is," Dean replied, a little too quickly. Castiel didn't expect otherwise, so instead he tried to read an answer from Dean's face.
"What did Crowley want with you?"
Dean had been very happy this morning. It must have been the visit to the warden's office that was the cause of his queasiness. Castiel was certain Dean hadn't been here long enough for Sam to give him any devastating news.
"Nothing," Dean brushed off. Castiel resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Come on. Let's go see the Sasquatch."
Then he was led to the table Dean previously sat. Sam, he supposed, was much bigger than he thought, when standing tall.
"Cas, this is my brother, Sam. Sam, Cas," Dean introduced the two of them.
"I've heard a lot about you," Cas politely commented, shaking the hand Sam offered.
"Good things, I hope?" Sam replied with a diffident smile. Despite his large physique, Castiel noticed, Sam sported a civil manner Dean seemed to lack.
"Dean speaks very highly of you," he affirmed. The baffled look on Sam's face, however, was unexpected. Perhaps Dean didn't let Sam in on how much he actually treasured his brother.
Dean cleared his throat, interrupting whatever dubieties hung between the two strangers. "Cas here is going to be your brother-in-law," he blurted in one breath, looking nervously everywhere.
"Okay"
"Shut it, Sam," Dean snapped. "If I'm going to be stuck here for the rest of my life, you have no say in who I choose to spend it with."
"Dean," Sam said simply, a faint chuckle audible in his voice. "I said okay."
Dean's face went blank, then beet red. He cleared his throat again, loudly, hand flinging randomly in the air. "Yeah, good," he grumbled, trying and failing to will the embarrassment away. "Get Jo's ass down here, too. He'll need to meet her."
Sam turned to his new in-law with an amused grin. "Jo will be very pleased to meet you," he said. It was then, behind those knowing smiles they exchanged, that Castiel knew they were going to get along well.
"Stop flirting, you two," Dean cut them off self-consciously. "Sit down"
Sam moved to the chair he previously sat at, but not before giving Dean a light smirk. Once the two inmates were seated on the bench opposite him, he started, "Where's Gabriel?"
"He said he'll meet with you later," Cas relayed the message his mentor had given him.
"Why can't he meet Sam with us present?" Dean glowered at Castiel, whom, Sam couldn't help but notice, slightly flinched at the abrupt tone in Dean's voice.
"I don't know, Dean," Sam feigned innocence, putting on what his brother called a 'bitch face', knowing it would get under his skin, "because you keep barking at him like a guard dog?"
Dean snorted. Cas looked between the two brothers as if he had missed some inside jokes. Sam took pity on him and decided to ignore his idiot of a brother.
"Okay," Sam burst out, rubbing his hands in front of him. "Good news first. We have a case, and you're in on it, the both of you."
Dean and Castiel lit up in synchronization at the announcement. It was so endearing that Sam couldn't resist the smile on his lips. "And since we need you both on the case, there'll be no more transfer orders."
A faint shriek of delight slipped past Castiel's lips; Dean responded with a matching beam. The way they leaned into each other in relief, foreheads nearly touching, could have melted Sam on the spot. One of Dean's thumbs traced loose circles on Cas' stubble as they whispered to each other what Sam guessed was words of joy. Their eyes gleamed with elation.
Sam wasn't sure he had ever seen his brother this happy - this vulnerable. Dean, who masked all his emotions behind a stoic expression, could conceal nothing when it came to a certain Mr. Milton. No wonder Castiel was targeted. Everyone with an eye could see how much he meant to Dean.
The golden moment didn't last long, however. Dean turned back to him and asked, "What do we got?"
Sam gave a firm nod, collecting himself back to business mode. "We gave the drug sample to Ash to analyze," he let on. "Turned out the drug was in strange combinations, not the kind you would find in DEA databases. Word on the street is that somebody is trying to cook a new product and take over the market."
"That's huge," Dean whistled silently. "Do we know who this someone is?"
Sam shook his head. "Nobody has actually met him. He is referred to as 'The King of Hell' so I guess we all know who that is."
The whole table went silent as the graveness of the matter slowly sank in. "You mean the…" Cas trailed off dumbly.
"Yes, that's him," Dean interjected. "He can't be doing this alone, can he? Something this big, he must have partners."
"Maybe or maybe not," Sam replied with a shrug. "We do not know what his role is exactly in this business, but an educated guess is that he is the one who supplies drugs in the house, making profit. You know how insanely expensive this thing is in prison. At the same time," Sam held out a finger before Dean could interrupt him, "testing his new product on live subjects - inmates - killing two birds with one stone."
"Jesus," Dean cried, looking away. He rubbed his face in frustration. So that was the reason the infirmary was rife with drug or overdose cases. "You're saying that whatever he was given," Dean flung his hand in Castiel's general direction, "was an unstable product that could have easily killed him?"
Sam pursed his lips and Cas could only stare at the table. "Jesus, fuck," Dean spat. He got up, turning his back to his company, running his hand over his head. Crowley wanted to expand his market into Dean's block, no doubt. That must have been why he said he would keep Cas unharmed as long as Dean kept his nose out of his business.
Dean whirled around and bawled, "Do we have anything to nail that son of a bitch?"
Sam looked to Cas once before looking back at his brother. "We searched his house and-"
"We who?" Dean cut in.
"What?"
"Sam, I know if the house was searched with a warrant, Crowley would know he's got his butt sniffed. But, as far as I see, he seems clueless. There are only a few people I know who could search a house and leave it as if it hasn't been touched."
Sam fidgeted under Dean's scowl. After what felt like forever, the younger man deflated. "Alright," he admitted. "I did it."
"What the hell, Sam?" Dean was on him in an instant. He grabbed Sam's shirt with both hands and barked into this face, "Who do you think I rot in here for, huh? What part of 'we quit' don't you understand?"
"I had to, Dean," Sam retorted. "We can't spook him. And the only person who is better at this job than me is rotting here in jail. Who do you think I did it for?"
"Come on, Dean, sit down." Castiel got up and carefully unwound Dean's fingers. Dean huffed before letting go and slumped back down.
"You found anything in there?" Cas continued the conversation while Sam smoothed his shirt and Dean crossed his arms over his chest, fuming.
Sam shook his head as he calmed himself. "A few things, but none that could tie him to the crime happening here. We assume whatever records he keeps, it must be kept here, in his office."
"Hello, Handsome"
It all happened so fast. Sam only heard a soft greeting from somewhere near Cas. Next thing he knew, Dean was looming over someone; hand fisted into the guy's shirt. Sam leaned over to get a better look on the face.
Lucifer
"The only reason you're still alive," Dean hissed, the menacing look ablaze in his eyes, "is because Cas asked me to. But if you ever so much as breathe the same air he does, I'll make sure you never breathe again. You hear me?"
The Devil just smirked. If he was in any way intimidated by Dean's words, he did a very good job of concealing it - or maybe he simply wasn't afraid.
From the corner of his eye, Sam could see Castiel sit motionless. But when he turned to get a good look at him, Cas' posture stiffened. His body tensed to the point of trembling.
Sam cautiously called his brother, keeping his eyes on his new friend for fear of him getting a panic attack. When Dean finally saw what was happening, Sam took over throwing the scumbag out of the visiting room, while Dean rushed to his boyfriend's side.
"Cas, Cas, baby, look at me, please," Dean's voice was soft as he gently patted Castiel on the cheek. Quiet murmurs never failed to fall from his lips, as if it was the only thing guiding Castiel back to the land of the living. "That's it. You're with me, babe? We are in the visitor's hall. We came to see Sammy today, remember?"
Sam could see it clearly, the moment Cas' eyes turned from glazed to focused. "Dean?" Castiel mumbled softly. A flood of relief washed over Dean's face. "Yes, baby, it's me, Dean. You're safe now. I'm here with you." Dean gently brought Cas' hand up for a light kiss. "You see where we are now? Sammy is just over there. There's no one else but us."
When Dean turned to him as if to ask if Lucifer was gone, Sam gave a reassuring nod. Castiel carefully turned his way, too. It was heartbreaking to see such fear dance in those bright blue eyes.
Then Castiel slumped onto Dean's shoulder. Dean quickly embraced him, rubbing his back and whispering nonsenses that would be calming to the afflicted, but hurtful for beholders to hear.
"Do you want to go back to our cell first?" Dean asked when they broke slightly apart. Castiel shook his head lightly. "I'm fine," he said, but the way he still clung to Dean betrayed it. "Let's get this over with."
It wasn't until a short while later that the both of them turned fully back to Sam. Castiel leaned heavily on Dean's side. Their hands disappeared under the table where Sam assumed remained firmly clasped.
"So, where were we?" Dean finally asked.
"Right," Sam cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably. It was, admittedly, disturbing to witness the scene that had unfurled before him. "So, we searched his house and Jo is working with the DEA on the outside as we speak, but we need something that ties him to his business inside."
Jo and her team could bring down the ugly business on their own all right, but that wouldn't help Dean walk out of here, which was, frankly, what Sam cared most about now.
"We tried to remote access his computer," he went on. "But it's never connected. The guy must be overly cautious. I had Garth sneak in to copy his whole hard drive. It seems like his computer exists for nothing but porn - of the most improper kind." Sam visibly shuddered at his last words. How Crowley could access such films without internet connection was beyond him.
"Did Garth go back to search his office?" his brother asked, slightly cringing at Sam's information as well.
Sam shook his head. "Can't. It's too risky. He almost got caught last time. He needs to lay low."
Silence fell over the three of them as they pondered the briefing and tried to conjure something. Setting up a drug bust in prison was impossible, and they wouldn't be able to get anyone to testify because in here a snitch was dead meat. They needed to do this on their own.
"I'll do it," Dean stated. "I'll search his office."
"He can do it."
"Fuck, no, Sam"
"I can do what?" Castiel asked, perplexed.
If the death glares Dean sent his way could materialize and shoot themselves, Sam would be shredded cheese by now. Pointedly ignoring them, Sam explained to Castiel, "Dean said Crowley wanted you to work as his personal assistant."
"He what?"
"Fuck it, Sam. Not gonna happen."
"I'll just have to search his office, right?"
"No way!" Dean all but barked at Castiel, seemingly horrified at the turn of events. "I won't let you do it."
"What do I have to look for?"
"Anything that could tie him," Sam shrugged. "A suspicious account book, a record of his 'experiment', a journal, something that he uses to keep track of his business. It could be kept in his office or on his person."
"Shut it, the both of you!" Dean banged the table harshly, irritated that the conversation continued as if he hadn't spoken. "No one is doing anything but me."
"Dean," Sam sighed with weariness in his voice. "If you wanted him on the case, he must contribute something, else I couldn't get him out if I try."
"Are you fucking out of your mind?" Dean snarled, his glare fierce enough to burn through the back of Sam's skull. "Didn't you see how he was?"
"Come on, Dean," Sam whined. "He'll just have to search the office that he is required to be in, when Crowley is not around. How hard could that be?"
"How ha-" Dean scoffed drily, throwing his hands in disbelief.
"I can do it, Dean. I am not afraid of the warden," Cas gave Dean needed reassurance. He was, in fact, not afraid of anyone save for his former attacker - a fact that would've remained irrelevant to Dean if Lucifer hadn't shown up when he did.
Dean cast them black looks. How could they be sure that Cas would not freak out again, and specifically, while being alone in Crowley's office, who had a collection of filthy porn in his computer? How was that not unsettling?
"Unless you can find a way for me not having to be Crowley's assistant," Castiel turned fully to Dean now, a hint of dare in his voice, "I'd say it's a perfect opportunity." Besides, given his former profession in finance, he'd know a foul account when he saw one.
"This is not a fucking debate, Cas." Dean hissed through gritted teeth. It was bad enough that Cas had to be The Toad's gofer and Dean could do nothing about it; he didn't need Cas rubbing it in, too.
"Please, Dean, let me do it," Cas resolved to begging. "I want to get out of here. I need to get out of here. Please, I don't want to be here anymore."
The defeated tone in Cas' voice softened him. Dean pulled Cas into a hug. He, too, wanted Cas out of here, where there were constant dangers and incessant threats. Maybe more than Cas wanted out himself.
"I know," Dean cooed, stroking the back of Castiel's head. "That's why I'm doing it. I'll get us out of here."
To both of the Winchesters' shocking surprise, Cas shoved Dean away, hard.
"You need to stop!" Cas shouted. "You can't keep doing this, Dean. You can't coddle me forever. It was one big mistake. One! But you never forgive me. You never believe I can take care of myself no matter how much I try proving it to you."
"Do you know what will happen if you fail, huh?" Dean retorted, just as loudly. "What he will do to you when he finds out?"
"It'd be the same things he'd do to me if you failed. Why would you think I'll fail and you won't?" Castiel countered, affronted. "You may think I'm helpless, Dean, but I am not. I'm as good a fighter as you are. If you want, I can take you down, right here, right now."
Dean glowered, but beneath his anger, he knew Cas was right. Cas was much, much stronger than Dean was. He got through assaults, more than once. He'd get through it again. Dean, on the other hand, wasn't sure if he could take another blow.
"I don't like any of this," he muttered under his breath before storming away.
Castiel heaved a dejected sigh, hanging his head low. He never wanted to lash out at Dean, let alone did it in front of his family.
"I'm sorry about him," Sam said quietly. "Dean has his… issues," he fumbled. Whatever baggage Dean carried was more complicated and deep-rooted for words. "Prison only makes it worse."
Cas nodded in understanding. He could guess how protective Dean could be, from the way Dean prided himself in raising and keeping his baby brother well. It never bothered him. His sibling was worse, and he had handled it. If anything, he was responsible for Dean's issues as much. Dean only got unduly smothering after his incident with Lucifer.
"Hopefully he'll get better once he is out of here," Sam remarked with sanguine undertones. Whatever doubts Sam had had about Castiel, it was all bygone now. The way Cas stood his ground and took none of Dean's shit just earned himself a special place in Sam's book.
"I'd like to believe so," Cas agreed, his sigh this side of wistful. "It might not be easy, but at least you'll be there for him, right?"
"Every step of the way"
Castiel found himself returning Sam's dimpled smile with one of his own. He secretly admired how Sam managed to keep his optimism despite the length of time Dean had been incarcerated.
"Cas! Come on, let's go." Dean, who had left the visitor's hall, was now hovering at the exit, bellowing for him to follow suit.
"It was nice meeting you, Sam," Castiel bid his farewell, shaking hands with Sam one more time, his words by no means a stock expression. He was glad to see that Sam was nothing short of the good kid Dean had been so proud of.
"You too. I'll check in every day."
When Sam shoved his hands into his pant pockets, Castiel took it as his cue to leave. As he retreated, he saw Dean waving his brother goodbye.
"Cas, wait."
Turning back at the voice, Castiel frowned when he saw Sam walking up to him. They were still far from the door, possibly out of Dean's earshot.
Sam seemed hesitant. He dropped his gaze to the floor before mumbling coyly, "I'm sorry."
Cas tilted his head. If it was about Dean, Sam already said his apology.
"About your sister," Sam elaborated.
Castiel swallowed the pang in his chest. Dean must have told his brother before he arrived. That must be why Sam so readily accepted him. Sam might be his new family, but it was definitely nothing like the old one. Still, he appreciated the sentiment.
He gave Sam a slight nod and a tight smile, rushing away when Dean hollered for him one more time.
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A/N: Pretty please throw me some bottom!Cas fics. I need my bottom!Cas fix.
Chapter Summary: Castiel meets his new family and receives a new task.
A/N: I know you're probably sick of my apologies by now, but I still need to apologize for the long absence. And thank you very much for all your reviews. They mean a lot to me.
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Castiel dreaded the visiting room. The first time he had stepped into this hall, he had learned of his sister's death. He wasn't sure if he was ready for another visit so soon.
Dean was sitting on a table opposite a big guy with slightly long hair. Once the taller man noticed him, he let Dean know with a nod of his head.
He didn't miss the troubled look on Dean's face, which was rapidly replaced with a wide grin upon catching sight of him.
"Hey Cas," Dean greeted warmly. He got up and approached the new visitor. His arms parted as if Dean was going to embrace him, but they were dropped just as quickly. One hand, instead, reached up to toy with a lock of hair behind Cas' ear.
"Is everything alright?" Castiel asked softly as he stepped a little closer to search Dean's eyes, worried. The only time Dean would drop his no PDA rule was when something really bad happened, otherwise Dean would never touch him in public, no matter how subtle it was.
"Yes, yes, of course, it is," Dean replied, a little too quickly. Castiel didn't expect otherwise, so instead he tried to read an answer from Dean's face.
"What did Crowley want with you?"
Dean had been very happy this morning. It must have been the visit to the warden's office that was the cause of his queasiness. Castiel was certain Dean hadn't been here long enough for Sam to give him any devastating news.
"Nothing," Dean brushed off. Castiel resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Come on. Let's go see the Sasquatch."
Then he was led to the table Dean previously sat. Sam, he supposed, was much bigger than he thought, when standing tall.
"Cas, this is my brother, Sam. Sam, Cas," Dean introduced the two of them.
"I've heard a lot about you," Cas politely commented, shaking the hand Sam offered.
"Good things, I hope?" Sam replied with a diffident smile. Despite his large physique, Castiel noticed, Sam sported a civil manner Dean seemed to lack.
"Dean speaks very highly of you," he affirmed. The baffled look on Sam's face, however, was unexpected. Perhaps Dean didn't let Sam in on how much he actually treasured his brother.
Dean cleared his throat, interrupting whatever dubieties hung between the two strangers. "Cas here is going to be your brother-in-law," he blurted in one breath, looking nervously everywhere.
"Okay"
"Shut it, Sam," Dean snapped. "If I'm going to be stuck here for the rest of my life, you have no say in who I choose to spend it with."
"Dean," Sam said simply, a faint chuckle audible in his voice. "I said okay."
Dean's face went blank, then beet red. He cleared his throat again, loudly, hand flinging randomly in the air. "Yeah, good," he grumbled, trying and failing to will the embarrassment away. "Get Jo's ass down here, too. He'll need to meet her."
Sam turned to his new in-law with an amused grin. "Jo will be very pleased to meet you," he said. It was then, behind those knowing smiles they exchanged, that Castiel knew they were going to get along well.
"Stop flirting, you two," Dean cut them off self-consciously. "Sit down"
Sam moved to the chair he previously sat at, but not before giving Dean a light smirk. Once the two inmates were seated on the bench opposite him, he started, "Where's Gabriel?"
"He said he'll meet with you later," Cas relayed the message his mentor had given him.
"Why can't he meet Sam with us present?" Dean glowered at Castiel, whom, Sam couldn't help but notice, slightly flinched at the abrupt tone in Dean's voice.
"I don't know, Dean," Sam feigned innocence, putting on what his brother called a 'bitch face', knowing it would get under his skin, "because you keep barking at him like a guard dog?"
Dean snorted. Cas looked between the two brothers as if he had missed some inside jokes. Sam took pity on him and decided to ignore his idiot of a brother.
"Okay," Sam burst out, rubbing his hands in front of him. "Good news first. We have a case, and you're in on it, the both of you."
Dean and Castiel lit up in synchronization at the announcement. It was so endearing that Sam couldn't resist the smile on his lips. "And since we need you both on the case, there'll be no more transfer orders."
A faint shriek of delight slipped past Castiel's lips; Dean responded with a matching beam. The way they leaned into each other in relief, foreheads nearly touching, could have melted Sam on the spot. One of Dean's thumbs traced loose circles on Cas' stubble as they whispered to each other what Sam guessed was words of joy. Their eyes gleamed with elation.
Sam wasn't sure he had ever seen his brother this happy - this vulnerable. Dean, who masked all his emotions behind a stoic expression, could conceal nothing when it came to a certain Mr. Milton. No wonder Castiel was targeted. Everyone with an eye could see how much he meant to Dean.
The golden moment didn't last long, however. Dean turned back to him and asked, "What do we got?"
Sam gave a firm nod, collecting himself back to business mode. "We gave the drug sample to Ash to analyze," he let on. "Turned out the drug was in strange combinations, not the kind you would find in DEA databases. Word on the street is that somebody is trying to cook a new product and take over the market."
"That's huge," Dean whistled silently. "Do we know who this someone is?"
Sam shook his head. "Nobody has actually met him. He is referred to as 'The King of Hell' so I guess we all know who that is."
The whole table went silent as the graveness of the matter slowly sank in. "You mean the…" Cas trailed off dumbly.
"Yes, that's him," Dean interjected. "He can't be doing this alone, can he? Something this big, he must have partners."
"Maybe or maybe not," Sam replied with a shrug. "We do not know what his role is exactly in this business, but an educated guess is that he is the one who supplies drugs in the house, making profit. You know how insanely expensive this thing is in prison. At the same time," Sam held out a finger before Dean could interrupt him, "testing his new product on live subjects - inmates - killing two birds with one stone."
"Jesus," Dean cried, looking away. He rubbed his face in frustration. So that was the reason the infirmary was rife with drug or overdose cases. "You're saying that whatever he was given," Dean flung his hand in Castiel's general direction, "was an unstable product that could have easily killed him?"
Sam pursed his lips and Cas could only stare at the table. "Jesus, fuck," Dean spat. He got up, turning his back to his company, running his hand over his head. Crowley wanted to expand his market into Dean's block, no doubt. That must have been why he said he would keep Cas unharmed as long as Dean kept his nose out of his business.
Dean whirled around and bawled, "Do we have anything to nail that son of a bitch?"
Sam looked to Cas once before looking back at his brother. "We searched his house and-"
"We who?" Dean cut in.
"What?"
"Sam, I know if the house was searched with a warrant, Crowley would know he's got his butt sniffed. But, as far as I see, he seems clueless. There are only a few people I know who could search a house and leave it as if it hasn't been touched."
Sam fidgeted under Dean's scowl. After what felt like forever, the younger man deflated. "Alright," he admitted. "I did it."
"What the hell, Sam?" Dean was on him in an instant. He grabbed Sam's shirt with both hands and barked into this face, "Who do you think I rot in here for, huh? What part of 'we quit' don't you understand?"
"I had to, Dean," Sam retorted. "We can't spook him. And the only person who is better at this job than me is rotting here in jail. Who do you think I did it for?"
"Come on, Dean, sit down." Castiel got up and carefully unwound Dean's fingers. Dean huffed before letting go and slumped back down.
"You found anything in there?" Cas continued the conversation while Sam smoothed his shirt and Dean crossed his arms over his chest, fuming.
Sam shook his head as he calmed himself. "A few things, but none that could tie him to the crime happening here. We assume whatever records he keeps, it must be kept here, in his office."
"Hello, Handsome"
It all happened so fast. Sam only heard a soft greeting from somewhere near Cas. Next thing he knew, Dean was looming over someone; hand fisted into the guy's shirt. Sam leaned over to get a better look on the face.
Lucifer
"The only reason you're still alive," Dean hissed, the menacing look ablaze in his eyes, "is because Cas asked me to. But if you ever so much as breathe the same air he does, I'll make sure you never breathe again. You hear me?"
The Devil just smirked. If he was in any way intimidated by Dean's words, he did a very good job of concealing it - or maybe he simply wasn't afraid.
From the corner of his eye, Sam could see Castiel sit motionless. But when he turned to get a good look at him, Cas' posture stiffened. His body tensed to the point of trembling.
Sam cautiously called his brother, keeping his eyes on his new friend for fear of him getting a panic attack. When Dean finally saw what was happening, Sam took over throwing the scumbag out of the visiting room, while Dean rushed to his boyfriend's side.
"Cas, Cas, baby, look at me, please," Dean's voice was soft as he gently patted Castiel on the cheek. Quiet murmurs never failed to fall from his lips, as if it was the only thing guiding Castiel back to the land of the living. "That's it. You're with me, babe? We are in the visitor's hall. We came to see Sammy today, remember?"
Sam could see it clearly, the moment Cas' eyes turned from glazed to focused. "Dean?" Castiel mumbled softly. A flood of relief washed over Dean's face. "Yes, baby, it's me, Dean. You're safe now. I'm here with you." Dean gently brought Cas' hand up for a light kiss. "You see where we are now? Sammy is just over there. There's no one else but us."
When Dean turned to him as if to ask if Lucifer was gone, Sam gave a reassuring nod. Castiel carefully turned his way, too. It was heartbreaking to see such fear dance in those bright blue eyes.
Then Castiel slumped onto Dean's shoulder. Dean quickly embraced him, rubbing his back and whispering nonsenses that would be calming to the afflicted, but hurtful for beholders to hear.
"Do you want to go back to our cell first?" Dean asked when they broke slightly apart. Castiel shook his head lightly. "I'm fine," he said, but the way he still clung to Dean betrayed it. "Let's get this over with."
It wasn't until a short while later that the both of them turned fully back to Sam. Castiel leaned heavily on Dean's side. Their hands disappeared under the table where Sam assumed remained firmly clasped.
"So, where were we?" Dean finally asked.
"Right," Sam cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably. It was, admittedly, disturbing to witness the scene that had unfurled before him. "So, we searched his house and Jo is working with the DEA on the outside as we speak, but we need something that ties him to his business inside."
Jo and her team could bring down the ugly business on their own all right, but that wouldn't help Dean walk out of here, which was, frankly, what Sam cared most about now.
"We tried to remote access his computer," he went on. "But it's never connected. The guy must be overly cautious. I had Garth sneak in to copy his whole hard drive. It seems like his computer exists for nothing but porn - of the most improper kind." Sam visibly shuddered at his last words. How Crowley could access such films without internet connection was beyond him.
"Did Garth go back to search his office?" his brother asked, slightly cringing at Sam's information as well.
Sam shook his head. "Can't. It's too risky. He almost got caught last time. He needs to lay low."
Silence fell over the three of them as they pondered the briefing and tried to conjure something. Setting up a drug bust in prison was impossible, and they wouldn't be able to get anyone to testify because in here a snitch was dead meat. They needed to do this on their own.
"I'll do it," Dean stated. "I'll search his office."
"He can do it."
"Fuck, no, Sam"
"I can do what?" Castiel asked, perplexed.
If the death glares Dean sent his way could materialize and shoot themselves, Sam would be shredded cheese by now. Pointedly ignoring them, Sam explained to Castiel, "Dean said Crowley wanted you to work as his personal assistant."
"He what?"
"Fuck it, Sam. Not gonna happen."
"I'll just have to search his office, right?"
"No way!" Dean all but barked at Castiel, seemingly horrified at the turn of events. "I won't let you do it."
"What do I have to look for?"
"Anything that could tie him," Sam shrugged. "A suspicious account book, a record of his 'experiment', a journal, something that he uses to keep track of his business. It could be kept in his office or on his person."
"Shut it, the both of you!" Dean banged the table harshly, irritated that the conversation continued as if he hadn't spoken. "No one is doing anything but me."
"Dean," Sam sighed with weariness in his voice. "If you wanted him on the case, he must contribute something, else I couldn't get him out if I try."
"Are you fucking out of your mind?" Dean snarled, his glare fierce enough to burn through the back of Sam's skull. "Didn't you see how he was?"
"Come on, Dean," Sam whined. "He'll just have to search the office that he is required to be in, when Crowley is not around. How hard could that be?"
"How ha-" Dean scoffed drily, throwing his hands in disbelief.
"I can do it, Dean. I am not afraid of the warden," Cas gave Dean needed reassurance. He was, in fact, not afraid of anyone save for his former attacker - a fact that would've remained irrelevant to Dean if Lucifer hadn't shown up when he did.
Dean cast them black looks. How could they be sure that Cas would not freak out again, and specifically, while being alone in Crowley's office, who had a collection of filthy porn in his computer? How was that not unsettling?
"Unless you can find a way for me not having to be Crowley's assistant," Castiel turned fully to Dean now, a hint of dare in his voice, "I'd say it's a perfect opportunity." Besides, given his former profession in finance, he'd know a foul account when he saw one.
"This is not a fucking debate, Cas." Dean hissed through gritted teeth. It was bad enough that Cas had to be The Toad's gofer and Dean could do nothing about it; he didn't need Cas rubbing it in, too.
"Please, Dean, let me do it," Cas resolved to begging. "I want to get out of here. I need to get out of here. Please, I don't want to be here anymore."
The defeated tone in Cas' voice softened him. Dean pulled Cas into a hug. He, too, wanted Cas out of here, where there were constant dangers and incessant threats. Maybe more than Cas wanted out himself.
"I know," Dean cooed, stroking the back of Castiel's head. "That's why I'm doing it. I'll get us out of here."
To both of the Winchesters' shocking surprise, Cas shoved Dean away, hard.
"You need to stop!" Cas shouted. "You can't keep doing this, Dean. You can't coddle me forever. It was one big mistake. One! But you never forgive me. You never believe I can take care of myself no matter how much I try proving it to you."
"Do you know what will happen if you fail, huh?" Dean retorted, just as loudly. "What he will do to you when he finds out?"
"It'd be the same things he'd do to me if you failed. Why would you think I'll fail and you won't?" Castiel countered, affronted. "You may think I'm helpless, Dean, but I am not. I'm as good a fighter as you are. If you want, I can take you down, right here, right now."
Dean glowered, but beneath his anger, he knew Cas was right. Cas was much, much stronger than Dean was. He got through assaults, more than once. He'd get through it again. Dean, on the other hand, wasn't sure if he could take another blow.
"I don't like any of this," he muttered under his breath before storming away.
Castiel heaved a dejected sigh, hanging his head low. He never wanted to lash out at Dean, let alone did it in front of his family.
"I'm sorry about him," Sam said quietly. "Dean has his… issues," he fumbled. Whatever baggage Dean carried was more complicated and deep-rooted for words. "Prison only makes it worse."
Cas nodded in understanding. He could guess how protective Dean could be, from the way Dean prided himself in raising and keeping his baby brother well. It never bothered him. His sibling was worse, and he had handled it. If anything, he was responsible for Dean's issues as much. Dean only got unduly smothering after his incident with Lucifer.
"Hopefully he'll get better once he is out of here," Sam remarked with sanguine undertones. Whatever doubts Sam had had about Castiel, it was all bygone now. The way Cas stood his ground and took none of Dean's shit just earned himself a special place in Sam's book.
"I'd like to believe so," Cas agreed, his sigh this side of wistful. "It might not be easy, but at least you'll be there for him, right?"
"Every step of the way"
Castiel found himself returning Sam's dimpled smile with one of his own. He secretly admired how Sam managed to keep his optimism despite the length of time Dean had been incarcerated.
"Cas! Come on, let's go." Dean, who had left the visitor's hall, was now hovering at the exit, bellowing for him to follow suit.
"It was nice meeting you, Sam," Castiel bid his farewell, shaking hands with Sam one more time, his words by no means a stock expression. He was glad to see that Sam was nothing short of the good kid Dean had been so proud of.
"You too. I'll check in every day."
When Sam shoved his hands into his pant pockets, Castiel took it as his cue to leave. As he retreated, he saw Dean waving his brother goodbye.
"Cas, wait."
Turning back at the voice, Castiel frowned when he saw Sam walking up to him. They were still far from the door, possibly out of Dean's earshot.
Sam seemed hesitant. He dropped his gaze to the floor before mumbling coyly, "I'm sorry."
Cas tilted his head. If it was about Dean, Sam already said his apology.
"About your sister," Sam elaborated.
Castiel swallowed the pang in his chest. Dean must have told his brother before he arrived. That must be why Sam so readily accepted him. Sam might be his new family, but it was definitely nothing like the old one. Still, he appreciated the sentiment.
He gave Sam a slight nod and a tight smile, rushing away when Dean hollered for him one more time.
~:~:~
A/N: Pretty please throw me some bottom!Cas fics. I need my bottom!Cas fix.