Fic: Speakin' Out (2/2)
Title: Speakin' Out
Author: tolkien_fan195
Recipient: bexi_jade
Pairing: Dean/Cas
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Bastardization of Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales.
Spoilers: Through 6.16 (vague references to plot and characters)
Word Count: ~6,000
Notes: This was written for bexi_jade's Everlasting Birthday Challenge!!! Happy birthday! I hope you enjoy it!
Disclaimer: I own nothing that I reference in this and I'm not making any money off it.
Prompt: Castiel is cursed mute, and the only way to break the curse is to make Dean figure out he loves him. Cas has to employ methods such as leaving love letters, baking heart-shaped cookies, and playing love songs for the oblivious hunter.
Summary: A cursed Castiel tries to lure Dean into being his Prince Charming without a voice; Dean's still stuck on the fact that Cas is playing the role of a Disney Princess.
Continued from here.
August 24
When Cas woke up the next morning, the pain was thrumming steadily under the surface. Thankfully, it wasn't sharp, so he struggled out of bed and dressed for the day. He made his way to the kitchen where Dean was making breakfast (read: bacon).
The hunter glanced at him before grumbling a 'morning.'
Cas narrowed his eyes at the underlying hostility in Dean's tone. Dean hadn't sounded anything more than perturbed with him since before the end of the War.
He grabbed the nearest pen and paper and wrote a quick message. Tapping until Dean looked, he handed the note over.
'Something wrong?'
A muscle in Dean's jaw twitched. "No, Cas, everything is fine."
He stomped out of the house.
Cas' eyebrows drew together and he huffed in frustration. What is his problem? He's not the one trying to force-feed someone with knowledge of his affections.
But he simply saved the bacon from burning and ate in silence. Sam came downstairs as Cas was beginning to despair again.
Cas glanced at him and passed a note, 'I hope you have a plan for today.'
Sam nodded, "Yeah, I do. You're going to go hang out with Dean, and tonight you guys are going into town for dinner."
Cas raised an eyebrow, 'That is your plan? Do you think I really have a chance of success, or are you just trying to keep me occupied until I die?'
Sam looked guilty, "Cas, you know Dean. Any mention of being anything other than straight sends him into heteronormative overdrive."
He sighed and continued, "Dean loves you, Cas, he really does. But I don't know if it will be the way you need it to be. You're family, though, and I know that if he figures it out he will try."
Cas' heart stopped- I really wish it would stop doing that- and he floundered a bit. He hadn't expected Sam to be quite that honest with him. He closed his eyes, breathing through a flare of pain.
So he was going to die in less than 48 hours and the person he most wanted to be with was going to avoid him because he was going to die and Dean thought there was nothing he could do.
Cas nodded to Sam and went to the yard, careful to bring his paper with him.
He found Dean working on the Impala- why only God would know; it was better maintained than most NASA equipment.
Apparently the late-August air was getting to Dean, because he had shed his outer shirt. Cas swallowed hard. Sweat was causing the already light t-shirt Dean was wearing to cling to his body even more.
Physical attraction had always been second to a balance between logic and emotions when it came to his dealings with Dean, but it had been an increasing problem over the last six months- since he'd become a human. He pushed those thoughts aside; better to not get those hopes up.
He walked the rest of the distance and made his presence known. Dean gave him a questioning look and he gave a half-smile. He leaned against the car, enjoying that he had the privilege of doing so, and wrote: 'Is anything actually wrong with her?'
Dean grinned, "Nah, just making sure she's ready for us to head out in a few days."
A dark look shadowed his face and Dean leaned back over the engine and mumbled "But I guess you probably won't be coming with us."
Cas froze before glaring and frantically scribbling a note. Knocking on the car, he drew Dean's attention once more.
'Giving up on me already?'
Dean looked bewildered, "What?"
Cas huffed, 'I realize my being cursed has slowed us down but I'd hoped my potentially dying was a bit more important than hunting for five days'
Dean looked angry. "Whoa now Cas, what are you talking about?"
'Why would you assume I wouldn't be with you?'
Dean's jaw clenched and he ducked down. The silence reigned and Cas was willing to leave it be for a bit. Really, it's not like pushing it would do him any good even with his limited time.
When lunchtime rolled around, Cas went inside and got food for both of them.
They ate together, Dean telling random stories about Sam and their dad; Cas would mostly just nod or laugh silently.
It was around five that he finally wrote another important note.
'It seems that this is another possible "last night on Earth." I would like to go somewhere.'
Dean read the note and quickly looked away. For a moment, Cas was concerned he would refuse, but then Dean nodded.
That's how he ended up going to dinner and then a bar in Sioux Falls with Dean. Like the rest of the day, as long as the curse didn't come up, they were just hanging out and having a good time.
Unfortunately, the drive back was tense.
Before Dean began driving Cas slipped him a note. 'Why do you think I won't be here?'
Dean's hands tightened on the keys and he exhaled. "What's there to stick around for? Jesus Cas, what are you even doing with us? Why aren't you out there finding your true love and living 'happily ever after.'"
His eyes snapped to Cas', "Unless…they're already around?"
Cas looked away, not wanting to see Dean as he nodded.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Dean move and start the car.
Halfway home, he took out the tape Sam had given him with the message "Don't forget the body language ;)"
Leaning half on Dean all night hadn't gotten the message across apparently.
He popped in the cassette, well aware he was breaking a cardinal rule of the car. But Dean didn't say anything until the first song began playing.
"Every night in my dreams,
I see you, I feel you
That is how I know you go on…"
Dean's knuckles turned white and he ground out "You get this from Sam?"
Cas nodded before looking out the window again.
"Son of a bitch."
Cas had to admit, the entire tape was pretty awful. Dean began fast-forwarding through the songs.
"You're here, there's noth-"
"Where do I begin, to tell a story of how great a love-"
"Hopelessly devoted to you-"
"Go on and kiss de girl-"
Dean angrily ejected the tape and threw it on the backseat.
Cas would bet money that wasn't how Sam saw this going. Step Two: Love Songs, was an utter failure.
~~~
August 25
When Cas woke up the next morning, pain was the only thing he registered. Everything hurt.
And this was how he started the last day of his life? That's pretty shitty.
He managed to grab his phone and sent a text to Dean. God, the pain had knocked him out until noon. Oh well, at least I still have nine hours until sunset.
Dean rushed into the room as he collapsed against his pillow. "Cas?"
He grimaced and made a grabbing motion towards his notepad. Dean immediately complied, handing him his tools.
'I don't think I can move, Dean.'
If looks could kill, the glare Dean shot at the paper would have been sufficient to do so. He nodded and turned to the door, "I'll go get Sam."
He left the room, closing the door roughly behind him.
So that was it, then? Dean knew and wasn't going to say anything? He knew he shouldn't cry, nothing was over quite yet, but he couldn't help it.
He wiped away the few tears that managed to escape. There's only one chance left, he thought as he looked at his paper. He was going to write everything out and present it to Dean - Maybe it would be enough. Maybe Dean was concerned it was about the curse and Cas could convince him it really wasn't.
Sam entered the room looking concerned and confused. He sat down on a chair beside the bed. "Cas, why did Dean just tell me to come be your 'Prince Charming'?"
He was dumbfounded. Had Dean really misunderstood everything? If I ever get my voice back there will be words.
He glared at Sam, even though he knew it wasn’t Sam’s fault Dean was being an idiot.
'I am going to write him a letter. Would you please ask him to come see me?'
Sam nodded and left. Cas turned to a new page, completely prepared to write out…everything.
The door opened and Cas was surprised to see Bobby enter the room.
He sat on the chair and it struck Cas that he hadn't seen the man in two days. Bobby extended a fresh pad of paper.
"Sam told me you were gonna write a letter, figured you'd need more paper."
Cas' mouth twitched and his eyes burned. It hadn't felt real before now. Not with the inability to speak, not with the pain; not until this moment when Bobby couldn't meet his eyes and his voice was rougher than normal.
He blinked away more tears and wrote: 'Where were you?'
Bobby snorted and gave him a stern look, "Summoning every angel and demon we know trying to get them to break the curse. Dean went with me a couple days ago to see Balthazar and Meg- still don’t know why he thought those two would be the best bets; something about you and them getting' busy?"
Cas blushed, but before he could explain he hissed and grabbed at his chest.
Today was not going to be a good day.
Bobby stayed a while longer, patting Cas' shoulder. He was about to pull away when Cas grabbed his hand and handed him a note.
'Thank you for everything.'
Bobby hugged him for the second time ever, and he held him as tight as he could. They pulled apart just before Dean came through the door. Bobby excused himself and Dean dished Cas a piece of the pizza he'd brought with him.
Spinach and artichoke, a guilty pleasure Cas thought he'd hidden from Dean. Apparently not well enough. Still, he was surprised at Dean's thoughtfulness, usually Dean would order something covered in about five different meats.
He wrote a thank you note and received a grunt from Dean. They finished the pizza and beer and Dean left him to write his letter.
2 PM
Cas began writing out every thought, feeling and memory he had regarding Dean Winchester. He poured out the frustration, hopelessness, loyalty, joy, and the love that had cause him to fall hard and fast.
He stopped and started many times, facing that rational doubt, but still he pushed on, so absorbed in his task he didn’t even notice as the three other men came and left.
7 PM
Surrounded by wads of paper and holding six sheets of writing covered in crossed out lines and scribbling, Cas sent Sam a text.
When he entered, Cas practically shoved the letter at him. He looked at Sam with both desperation and determination in his eyes. He wrote another note.
'Please give this to Dean.'
Sam nodded and turned to the door, he paused and looked back. "Cas…if this doesn't work out, well, thanks for helping us. Thanks for everything, really."
Cas smiled and shook his head. He had only done what was right, after all.
He watched Sam leave and listened to him walk down the hall to Dean's room. He struggled against his pain as he sat up. He felt an intense desire to scream out and have Sam return the letter to him- he wanted to be there when Dean read that letter.
He took a deep breath and quietly shuffled out the door and down the hall.
"-he better now?" He heard Dean's muffled voice through the door.
"No, Dean, he isn't." Sam responded, somehow managing to sound both calm and extremely put upon.
"What the hell, Sam? What are you waiting for? Did you forget that Cas is in pain and dying right now?"
Sam sighed, "Of course I haven't forgotten, Dean. And what do you mean what am I waiting for? What are you waiting for?"
Cas could only imagine the confused looks on both their faces. "He made you cookies, and you made him that god-awful mix tape."
Silence. Cas slid down the wall, and sat on the floor outside the door. He listened, the pain increasing with every breath he took
"Seriously, Dean? You thought Cas was in love with me? Do you remember him saying you two have a 'Profound Bond'?"
"Well yeah, but-"
"And he wanted to hang out with you yesterday and today."
"Okay-"
"And no matter how busy he got he would come for you."
"Yeah, and use the both of us-"
"And he pulled you out of Hell, and rebelled against Heaven- on your request."
"He was just doing what seemed right! He wants you! He never would have come back if not for you."
"Why are you so afraid, Dean? Do you really think he's going to just…leave?"
There was no response, just the sounds of three people breathing heavily. Then a scoff.
"Whatever, I'm not going to stand here and listen to you justify letting your best friend die. Whether you admit it or not you've been pissy ever since he got cursed. Maybe you want to think about why you’re so upset instead of just sitting here while someone who loves you is dying just because you're too scared to admit that you feel the same way."
The door slammed shut and Sam stormed past him. He looked down at Cas, horrified to see him sitting against the wall on the floor.
Cas tried to feel guilty for eavesdropping, but he couldn't. He stood shakily and allowed Sam to help him back into his room.
If he was going to die because of a rejected love letter, he certainly wasn't going to do it on the floor like some pathetically desperate teenager in a movie. (Not that he wasn't pathetically desperate- but only because he was dying!)
He glanced out the window; he probably had about fifteen minutes before sunset. Cas grabbed Sam's arm and nodded his head toward the window.
Sam pursed his lips and said "Yeah, sure thing, Cas."
~~~
Cas sat down to watch the sunset outside, enjoying the fresh air. The sun was just beginning to touch the horizon when pain flared and a spasm ran through his entire body. He closed his eyes and screamed silently.
The pain drowned out the sound of feet pounding down the stairs and voices calling his name.
Everything went black as he fell to the ground.
~~~
August 26
Sam knocked on the door, "Dean?"
He heard shuffling inside the room before the door cracked open. Dean looked exhausted, probably up all night after what happened. He gave him an apologetic look, "I brought you some coffee, thought maybe you'd need it."
"Thanks, Sammy." Dean rasped out, carefully taking the mug before shutting the door and returning to the center of the room.
He set the mug down and sat in the chair again, eyes never leaving the body lying on the bed.
He'd barely reached Cas in time last night. He caught his body as he was falling and had frantically kissed him, hoping he wasn't too late.
Cas had continued breathing, but he was still unconscious.
Usually, this was the part where he would pray to Castiel to make things better. But Castiel was apparently an idiot in love with an even bigger idiot that he had given up everything he knew for.
Dean leaned forward, placing his head into his hands.
Cas began groaning, but he'd been doing that periodically so Dean ignored it. It was the gasping that had him looking back at the bed.
"Cas?!" He sat beside him on the bed, and looked into squinting blue eyes.
"Dean?" His voice was hoarse; his throat must be killing him from all the screaming. Cas' eyes went wide at the sound of his own voice.
Dean smirked, "It's okay, Cas. The curse is br-"
Cas pulled him down and kissed him with everything he had. Dean clung to him, gripping Cas' shirt with as much strength as he could muster.
Between kisses he murmured things about Cas having girly handwriting and not being allowed to talk to Sam about music ever again.
It didn't matter that Dean was insecure enough to have a freak-out in the next few days or that Sam and Bobby would be making fun of him forever for finally realizing something this important because of a Disney Princess curse.
All that could wait, for now he just had to assure himself and Cas that this wasn't just a joke- Cas was alive and Dean loved him.
He might not be able to confess it outright, hell he hadn't even really known before last night. But he'd almost lost Cas for the fourth time, and he wasn't about to ignore everything that had happened.
At least…until a clicking sound made both men look toward the door where Sam stood with a camera and a shit-eating grin. Without a word Dean shot towards the door to destroy the offending object but ended up chasing his brother down the stairs, leaving Cas alone to hear Bobby shouting that they were idjits and needed to stop running inside the damn house.
It would take a little more work, but they'd get the hang of it eventually.
And they would all live happily ever after