FIC: The Request, Dean/Castiel, 3/9
Jan. 20th, 2010 04:57 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cloudy_ficTitle: The Request, 3/9
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
jenniferlupin
Pairing/Characters: Dean/Castiel, Sam/Jess, Anna, Michael
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: AU, angels that aren't like angels from Supernatural or the Bible or really anywhere, but this story
Word count: approximately 36,000
Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me. I'm making no profit from this fanfiction.
Status: Complete. I'll be posting a chapter a day for the next eight days.
Summary: When Sam Winchester prays for his brother, Castiel is finally sent on his very first assignment. But what should be a simple love match turns into much more and Castiel finds himself risking everything to ensure the happiness of his extremely frustrating charge.
Author notes: Oh I see you noticed the chapter count changed. I somehow copied and pasted the same chapter twice into my wordpad and then I had one giant weird chapter and the dog ate some of my homework....but I think I might squeeze the posting schedule so its still eight days to make up for my lunacy. Sorry about the mix up! Thanks to everyone who's been reading!
Castiel faces the first true test of his powers almost as soon as they arrive at Dean's workplace.
The arriving itself is not something Castiel enjoys. The police station is a one story brick building located in a busy section of downtown Lawrence and the streets are thick with every kind of transport vehicle imaginable, including the bulky black car Dean drives. It's much larger than many of the cars around it. Which means there's room for Castiel's wings, but also means Castiel becomes worried they'll crush one of the smaller cars. Castiel doesn't like the way those cars drive close behind them or slide by with barely an inch of space to separate them. By the time they reach the police station, his wings are curled protectively around his body.
"You okay?" Dean asks when he sees Castiel's rigid stance.
"I think I should transport us next time," Castiel says tightly.
"You gotta be kidding me," he says with exaggerated disbelief. "Driving is one of the greatest joys of being human. I'd never leave my girl behind."
Then he pets the car as if it were a living organism. Castiel considers asking why the car is female, then decides he doesn't care. He just wants to be away from it. Dean snorts at the way Castiel glares at the car as he walks a wide circle around it to Dean's side.
"Come on, you big baby," he says, but he sounds fond. He gives Castiel's folded wings a speculative glance and Castiel senses in him an odd shot of nervous energy right before he does something that shocks Castiel's mind into blankness.
One hand falls gently at the base of his left wing near where it attaches to his back. His clothes stop Dean's fingers from stroking over the incredibly sensitive skin of the joint itself, but Castiel shivers nonetheless. Imagining the sensation, picturing those gentle fingers caressing the naked flesh of the wing joint is enough to make Castiel's steps falter.
"You should calm these things down," Dean says softly and then he drags his palm down the wing in one single stroke.
An astonishing and peculiar kind of heat he's never felt before blossoms through Castiel's body. He stops without thinking, his breath caught in his chest and it makes Dean inadvertently press his hand into Castiel's wing even harder. The heat turns overwhelming and Castiel is forced to tear himself away from Dean. There's a flash of disappointed hurt in Dean's eyes, but it's gone almost instantly.
"Sorry about that," Dean says, his voice thick. Castiel just shakes his head because he doesn't quite trust himself to speak. It doesn't make sense. Of course, every angel likes to have their wings petted. His brothers don't much like his wings, but they love him enough to overcome their disgust at touching them. When Castiel was very young, newly made, Anna used to stroke his wings while he fell asleep. Sometimes when Castiel feels useless and unworthy, Michael pats his wings to boost his confidence. He even likes it when Uriel flicks his feathers in passing just to annoy him. His brothers' touches make him feel safe and loved and happy.
They never made him ache inside.
"Right." Dean runs his fingers through his hair. "We should go."
The first person they see when they walk into the police station is a female with long brown hair. She gives Dean a leering grin that Dean returns with a wink. Castiel frowns. He senses in Dean no particular interest towards this woman beyond a faint sexual attraction, but he appears to be engaging in flirtatious behavior towards her. Perhaps it's worth seeking their future, just in case.
The process of future-seeking takes an experienced angel mere seconds to complete. Castiel passed his future-seeking courses with a perfect grade, but only practiced on angels posing as humans. This is the very first time Castiel will use his powers in a significant way on a real living human.
It makes him so nervous that his left wing gives one wild flap.
"Problems?" Dean asks in an undertone.
"No," Castiel whispers back.
He shuts himself off to outside influences, including the way Dean moves closer to him as the woman approaches. Castiel calculates he has just above three seconds before the woman begins talking. It is more than enough time. The future sense gathers around him, crackling through his grace like lightning and Castiel grabs it, twisting it around both Dean's soul and the woman's. They bind together for a split second and Castiel peers into it, stretching time long enough so he can read their chances together.
What he sees is a brief relationship based almost entirely on sex. A few months worth of constant and even experimental sex and then it ends. It is an amicable break because both know they don't want to spend their lives together, but it is a break nonetheless. The woman is a good friend, but nowhere near Dean's soul-mate.
Castiel withdraws from the future sense with a jolt of excited disbelief. His very first time reading the future and it went perfectly! Maybe his Father was right to give him this job after all. Dean tilts his head and when Castiel glances at him, he sees that Dean's gaze is fixed firmly on the big smile curling Castiel's lips.
"Hmm, whose your friend, hot-pants?" The woman asks as she saunters up. Her eyes travel down Castiel's body and then back up. It makes his left wing flap again.
"This is Cas," Dean says. His hand falls on Castiel's back, but far enough down that he's not touching Castiel's wings for which Castiel is very grateful. "He's...Well, he's an angel."
"Yes, I can see that," she says, smirking at his wings. "I'm Pamela."
She holds out her hand and Castiel remembers more quickly this time to take it. Instead of shaking it, however, she only holds it and narrows her light green eyes at him. It's strange, but it reminds Castiel of the way Michael sometimes looks at him when Castiel isn't in the mood to talk about his problems. Like she can see right through his skin right down to his very grace.
"Interesting," she murmurs, but it's Dean that receives her knowing smile.
"Pam's a psychic," Dean explains, seemingly oblivious to her secretive look. "She helps us with cases sometimes."
"Oh," Castiel says, thoroughly fascinated. He knows of humans with power, of course, but he didn't expect to meet one on his first outing. This would be a good time to ask about her powers, but then Castiel realizes she's still holding his hand. The tip of one finger brushes along the inside of his palm and it yanks all the words out of his mind.
"Alright, alright, quit molesting the angel," Dean says and even though he sounds teasing, Castiel thinks he really means it. Pam grins and winks at Dean, but she lets go of Castiel's hand without complaint.
"Don't worry, grumpy. I'm not trying to damage the goods," she promises. Castiel isn't sure what she means. Touching his palms won't ruin him. It just felt odd and uncomfortably intimate. Angels may enjoy wing strokes, but they rarely touch each other's skin.
Dean gives her a look Castiel doesn't understand, but it makes Pamela chuckle and nod as if Dean had spoken aloud. Castiel knows he could discover the message if he looks harder, further below the surface emotions he can't help gleaning from Dean. But once again, he's held by the promise he made. The troublesome promise that's keeping Castiel out of the loop. Humans are far too secretive.
"I don't suppose there's any way you don't already know what he's here for," Dean says and now he sounds grouchy. It just makes Pamela laugh again.
"Nope. Sorry. But your secret is safe with me. If not for your sake, than for Black Beauty over here," she says, jerking a nod towards Castiel. He startles. Not only is that the second nickname's he's received in one day, but it's the first time in his entire existence that anyone's ever used the word 'beauty' to refer to his wings. It brings a warmth to his face that he suspects is turning his cheeks red.
Dean rolls his eyes. "Well, whoever it's for, thanks." He pushes on Castiel's back where his hand still lingers. "C'mon, Cas."
They turn to leave, but before they can, Pamela catches Castiel's arm.
"Just wanted to say something," she says and for the first time in their brief acquaintance, Pamela is utterly serious. "Only fools refuse free gifts."
"I don't understand," Castiel says slowly when she doesn't clarify.
"Me either," Pamela admits with a shrug. "But you should remember that."
"Um, okay," Dean cuts in, now tugging on Castiel's coat. "Seriously, come on before she starts doing your star chart or something."
"Don't tempt me," she calls after them, her tone much lighter than before.
"Star chart?" Castiel asks. Dean leads them down a hallway with pale green floors and squares of white light built into the ceilings. It's empty, so for the moment, they are free from further introductions.
"You know, astrology," Dean says. At Castiel's blank look, he huffs a sigh. "It's that stupid crap about signs or whatever. Pam made me do one last year," he says in the same aggrieved tone one might use to speak of a serious illness or world hunger. "I'm an Aquarius. Apparently that means I'm unpredictable or something," he says, shaking his head before glancing at Castiel. "Do they even have that in Heaven? I mean, you got a birthday right?"
"Oh, yes," Castiel confirms. "I was born on Thursday."
Dean raises his eyebrow. "Any particular Thursday?"
"I don't know," Castiel says. The look Dean gives him, like he's a little crazy, makes Castiel wish he knew. He doesn't like disappointing Dean. "We don't celebrate the dates of our birth," Castiel explains. "The only reason I know my particular day of birth is because it decided which garrison I was assigned to. All the angels in my garrison were born on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday."
"Oh," Dean says. His emotions shift uncomfortably across his aura. "I don't guess I know much about how that all works up there."
"There are three garrisons," Castiel explains in the same tone Michael uses to teach class. "The Archangel Michael leads my garrison. He is the most powerful of the three Archangels, which is why our garrison is the largest," Castiel says with tremendous pride. He may not be able to contribute much to his garrison, but Castiel still feels honored to be counted as one of its members. "The other two garrisons are led by the Archangels Gabriel and Raphael. Angels born on Monday and Tuesday are in Gabriel's garrison and those born on Saturday and Sunday are in Raphael's."
Dean pauses in the hallway just outside of another door and gives him a very odd look. It's contemplative, almost curious, but also disbelieving; as if Dean is having trouble accepting that he's interested in what Castiel is telling him. Castiel hopes he asks more questions. He would very much like to use knowledge to dispel the anger Dean carries towards angels.
"I was born on Wednesday," Dean comments. "So if I were an angel..." He trails off and his eyes flick away in embarrassment.
"You would be in my garrison," Castiel says, pleased that the thought occurred to Dean. "And your brother prayed to us on a Thursday, which is why his prayer was sent to our garrison and why an Angel of Thursday was sent to answer it. It’s how our Father keeps all the requests organized and divided fairly."
"So...anyone praying on those days, they'd get someone from your garrison?" Dean asks, his gaze suddenly intense. Castiel nods.
"Yes. We don't ever see the prayers sent to Gabriel or Raphael, although Michael says they exchange stories sometimes when they visit," Castiel says, recalling the lengthy stories Michael sometimes tells Castiel while they separate prayers in the mornings, the glasses slipping down the end of Michael's nose as he laughs at his closest brothers' antics. "I've only met them once myself."
"Aren't you all related or something?" Dean asks absently. His eyes are flicking over the walls and Castiel gets the impression Dean is distracted by something.
"We are all brothers under our Father's protection, yes," Castiel confirms. His disobedient left wing twitches again against the desire to flutter under Dean's chin, to tip his face up so that Castiel once again has his attention. "Dean?"
Dean shakes himself. "Sorry about that, Cas. Mind's wandering. C'mon, we got more people to meet."
In fact, they meet a great deal many more people. Dean's one of a full team of homicide detectives that are led by an older human male named Bobby Singer, who has a gruff demeanor. He gives Castiel's wings one look and just snorts, telling Dean to make sure Castiel doesn't break anything with them before disappearing into his office.
There's a young female cop named Jo who Dean calls a rookie. When Dean refuses to tell her why Castiel is trailing after him, she plants her fists on her hips and promises she'll 'get to the bottom of this' sooner or later. Castiel believes her.
Another member of their team is an intense man named Gordon who has frightening dark eyes Castiel doesn't like. He doesn't say anything to Castiel, only glares at him before stalking off to the other side of the room to read from a computer screen. Dean tells Castiel under his breath that Gordon's obsessed with a particular case right now and is normally pleasant enough.
There's grim-faced older cop named Rufus, a young pretty sketch artist called Sarah and a scruffy distracted man named Chuck who turns out to be a beat reporter. The most important member of the team, given the level of trust and affection Castiel senses in Dean during this particular introduction, is a man named Victor. He is neatly dressed in a three-piece suit and though his upright and direct manner is very different from Dean's, Dean tells Castiel that Victor is his partner. At first, Castiel misunderstands his meaning and finds himself thoroughly annoyed by this turn of events because if Dean already has a partner, then he'd been lying to Castiel. But Dean drags Castiel to one side and clarifies that Victor is his work partner, which means that they are paired up for their investigations. The relief Castiel feels at this knowledge pours over him like cool refreshing water.
By the time Castiel meets everyone, he is exhausted. It's so many humans at once. So many emotions overwhelming his grace, a confusion of futures to seek. It seems like Dean is attracted to everyone they come across, even the humans too old to be viable life partners. Every time Dean introduces him to a new person, Castiel meets his eyes and senses a spark of sexual attraction. Which means he has to future-seek seven times in less than fifteen minutes.
None of them are right. The closest Dean comes to bliss in any of his possible futures is with Jo. She is the only one that Dean actually marries, but even though much of their marriage is content, Castiel can't sense true happiness in either of them. There is something missing. They eventually divorce and strangely become closer friends after their failed marriage than they were during it.
Some of the matches are downright disastrous. Castiel winces at the tempestuous future he sees between Dean and Gordon and resolves to steer clear of Gordon at all costs. And he doesn't much care for the string of drunken one night stands he shares with Chuck.
Others don't ever go anywhere. Like in Dean's future with Bobby Singer where they never actually have a romantic relationship, just end up two cranky bachelors who live together out of convenience when Bobby decides he's gotten too old to take proper care of his large home. Or his future with Victor, who declines Dean's invitation to dinner since he's not interested in dating men. Castiel is pleased to see the rejection doesn't affect their close partnership. Dean needs to work with someone he can trust completely, even if awkward feelings arise between them.
All in all, Dean's true partner is decidedly not someone at work. It's probably a good thing. The updated lesson plans for match-making mention that 'office romances' are not a good idea.
"So how'd we do?" Dean asks once they make it to his own small office. There is a wooden desk at its center that boasts a laptop computer and a green lamp, but the overwhelming feature is the heaps of precariously stacked files scattered across its surface. Castiel instantly worries his fussy wings will make one wrong move and bury them in paperwork.
"None of your work colleagues are appropriate," Castiel says as he gathers his wings into his arms to hold them steady, just in case.
"I'm kinda relieved," Dean says, flopping into his desk chair. "I'd hate to think my perfect partner had been right under my nose the whole time."
He glances up and frowns at Castiel's armful of feathers.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"I'm trying to prevent a mess," Castiel informs him.
"Good thinking. Planning ahead," Dean says as he starts shuffling through the papers. "On the other hand, I don't care about mess. Clearly," he adds as one stack slips off the edge of his desk. Castiel catches some of them and together they begin picking up the rest.
"Anyway, you shouldn't sheath those bad boys on my account," Dean says casually. "If they don't move, I can't tell what you're thinking."
"Is that important to you?" Castiel asks in surprise. This concept isn't taught in Heaven. Humans require protection and service. They don't really care what angels think, nor should they.
"Well, if you're going to be following me around, yeah," Dean says as if this is obvious.
"Oh," Castiel says and out of all the strange and exhilarating things that have happened today, this is his favorite. He stands up and sets his gathered pile of papers on the edge of Dean's desk. "Then I won't 'sheath' them."
"Great," Dean says distractedly. He is still kneeling on the floor because a file has fallen under his desk and he is stretching to reach it. Just as he grabs it, Castiel hears a light knock at the door and he glances over his shoulder. Dean hears the knock too and leans over, peering past Castiel's hip.
It's Victor. He stops still, hand raised against the doorframe and he lifts an eyebrow.
"I'm sorry. Am I...interrupting?" He puts a curious twist on the word 'interrupting' that makes Castiel reach out with his grace. He gets nothing more than a general sense of surprise and a desire to lightly mock Dean. Mock him about what, Castiel doesn't understand.
Dean obviously does because he pops up from the ground, fingers raking nervously through his hair.
"No," he says, coughing into his hand. "What's up?"
"I don't know what's going on here exactly," Victor says, waving a hand to indicate both Dean and Castiel. "So I'm sorry if this is bad timing, but you'll want to hear this. Rufus heard something last night. Just a rumor, but..."
"But what?" Dean prompts urgently.
"I think it might be a lead on Y.E.D."
There is an immediate change in Dean. From relatively relaxed to intensely focused, his mood shifts lightning quick and it makes Castiel nervous.
"Y.E. D.?" he asks.
"I'll explain later," Dean says, breathless, his attention glued to Victor. "I gotta work now, okay?" He flicks a glance in Castiel's direction. "Come find me later. Probably tomorrow. We always work late on these leads."
"You…want me to leave?" Castiel asks in confusion and oddly, the slightest bit of hurt. It draws Dean's focus away from Victor, who mutters something about being in his office. Dean curls a hand over Castiel's shoulder and squeezes.
"If this was any other case...but I gotta concentrate on this. You're...well, you're kinda distracting," Dean says. Before Castiel can become alarmed, Dean continues. "It's the wings," he says with a smile that fades almost as soon as it appears. "It's not like you can do much today anyway if I'm not supposed to hook up with any of them," he adds, nodding towards the larger room.
He has a point, but Castiel can't help feeling ill at ease. The mention of this case and the Y.E.D., whatever that may be, has Dean feeling nearly frantic with anticipation. It can't possibly be safe to investigate dangerous criminals with that kind of reckless energy coursing through your veins.
"Are you sure?" Castiel asks, his wings once more aching to reach out to Dean, to protect him from something Castiel doesn't truly understand.
"Yeah," Dean says, already heading towards the door. "Don't worry. These damn rumors rarely come to anything."
"Alright," Castiel says, but Dean is already gone. He sighs and looks down at the file still abandoned on the floor.
Pamela was right. Dean is unpredictable.
**********************
Castiel isn't in Dean's apartment when he wakes up the next morning. It's a little scary how annoyed his absence makes Dean.
It's probably because the previous night was such a colossal waste of time and it'd be nice to complain to someone who'd really listen. Not that Sam wouldn't listen to Dean, of course, but there's something different about the way Castiel listens. His focus is absolute, like Dean is the most fascinating thing he's ever seen. Hell, Dean might just be, if Castiel had never been to Earth. Which Dean doesn't understand because it's not like the guy's doing a bad job so far. Sure, they haven't found anyone yet, but honestly, Dean's kinda relieved. When he'd signed up for this Angel Cupid ordeal, he hadn't thought about how humiliating it really is to have a featherhead pick out a spouse for you. Praying for love is something dowdy old spinsters or divorced mothers or teenage girls do. Dean never thought he'd be one of those people. He'll be signing his Lifetime movie deal any day now.
Then again, if the featherhead in question fails, then that means Dean is even more pathetic than he suspected.
Either way, it's just better if Castiel hangs around to keep looking.
Dean is fresh from the shower and watching the news in his underwear when Castiel makes an appearance. He explodes into existence with a gust of wind, his hair pointing in all directions and his wings tangled together at the bottom. He's wearing a similar outfit to the last two times, but the trench coat is tugged half off and his tie is twisted round and loose at the collar.
He looks like someone dragged him into a nearby closet and tried to have their way with him.
The thought makes Dean uncomfortably aware that he's mostly undressed.
"Um," he says and he stands from the sofa. He wants to say he's going to go change, but those aren't the words that come out of his mouth. "What happened to you?"
Castiel is staring. Of course he's staring, but instead of being contemplative, he looks surprised. And his eyes aren't staying on Dean's face. Oh no, they are roaming freely over Dean's body, from the tip of his head all the way down to his bare feet and back again, pausing to linger at Dean's hips. It's like he's never seen a man's body before and Dean realizes with a start that he probably hasn't. The hairs on Dean's arms stand on end and when a powerful wave of heat follows, Dean is forced to mentally scold himself and think unsexy thoughts about grandmas and cockroaches and Sam. Getting hot and bothered over angels is just plain wrong.
"The launch pad was malfunctioning," Castiel says and he sounds breathless. "I was flying blind and I think I may have run into a storm, but I was going so fast, I can't be sure."
"You actually have a launch pad?" Dean asks, but that's not really the first thought on his mind. He walks forward, forgetting about the near-nudity and the staring. "Are you alright?" he asks worriedly and he reaches out to straighten Castiel's tie.
Castiel looks down at his hands, his eyes confused. "Why are you doing that?"
"You look..." The truth is, Dean has no idea why he's doing it. Just that Cas looks like he could use it and maybe Dean doesn't like the thought of Cas being hurtled through the air with no idea of where he's going or how to stop.
"You look messy," he says, refusing to meet Castiel's eyes as he pulls the coat back up around his shoulders.
'You were worried about me," Castiel says in wonder. Dean scowls at him.
"You don't have to sound so amazed," he snaps. "You really think humans are heartless, don't you?" he says, remembering how shocked Cas had been that Dean cared what he thought.
"Of course not," Castiel says and now he sounds a little annoyed. "But we are servants. Humans pray for help, not to become friends with angels."
"I didn't pray for you," Dean growls, angry at himself because Cas is right. Dean never cared what angels thought before. Ever since he was a child, he's been pissed at the only angel he ever met because she didn't do exactly what Dean wanted her to do.
"Even so," Castiel says stiffly, his expression closed down. He steps away from Dean and it's stupid, but all Dean can think is that he managed to upset Cas before Dean had the chance to comb out his wings.
"Look, don't do that," Dean says, shifting in discomfort. Relationship discussions are not his forte. Another reason there's a full-fledged and kinda pouty angel standing in his living room. "I'm just hacked off about last night."
"What happened?" Castiel asks. His irritation is instantly gone in favor of deep concern. The instant change startles Dean. Most people take a few minutes to get over being insulted.
Not that Castiel is people.
"The same thing that always happens," Dean says, reaching down finally to snatch his shirt off the sofa. "The rumor was a hoax, I spent twelve hours chasing after smoke and I ended up back at square one." He shrugs into the shirt, a faded old KU police tee. Castiel's eyes follow his every movement. The focus thing is nice, but it's also a bit unnerving. Dean turns around before he steps into the pants so he doesn't have to see Castiel examining him.
"You did not catch the Y.E.D.?" His voice is a lot closer than Dean expects, rasping low in his ear and sending a shiver down his spine.
Sure enough, when Dean glances over his shoulder, Castiel is right behind him, his head cocked at a slight angle and his eyes seeming bigger and bluer than ever.
"Whoa, there, cowboy," Dean says, reeling back a little. Cas is so close that Dean can tell his body is warm, like crazy hot and because Dean's brain is no longer under his control, he thinks to himself that it'll be nice on cold mornings in winter.
It's possible he's losing it.
"Seriously, personal space."
Castiel's expression turns troubled. Not quite hurt, but something close to it. Like a painful confusion over some kind of negative feeling Cas doesn't quite understand. He backs up a step, leaving Dean chilled and displeased. Castiel makes Dean feel like a frigging yo-yo.
"Forgive me," Cas says. "It's difficult to remember all the rules that govern your society."
Dean almost tells Cas to forget it. That he doesn't mind as much as he lets on, but then he imagines Castiel sliding in close to stand beside a stranger in a bar or a store and Dean changes his mind. Instead, he scratches the back of his neck and looks away from the faint disappointment in Castiel's eyes.
"It's okay," Dean says. He's certain an awkward silence will follow, but he realizes a second later, he shouldn't forget that Castiel isn't human. Awkwardness doesn't seem to matter to him very much.
"I'm still concerned about your previous evening," Castiel says in a matter-of-fact way. His voice is flat and his expression apparently back to normal. But there is something different about him. Something Dean can't pinpoint for a split second until his eyes inevitably wander over Castiel's wings. Dean can't seem to keep his gaze from flicking over the damned things every five seconds. They're just so big and they look so soft and they're always moving. Which is what clues Dean into the difference.
The wings are stock still and held stiffly against Castiel's back.
Dean almost smiles. This is Castiel's version of masking his feelings.
"Don't worry about last night," Dean says. Maybe he can't tell Castiel it's okay to stand close to him, but Dean can't help offering a slight peace offering. As he walks past Castiel to retrieve his shoes, he brushes his shoulder along Castiel's, bumping his wings in the process. A ripple of some kind of emotion passes through Castiel and when Dean turns back to the sofa, shoes in hand, Cas is more relaxed. There's a smile in his eyes and his left wing is fluttering gently as if in a soft breeze.
"Let's go have breakfast instead," Dean says, stupidly pleased. "I'm off today, so we can do the whole...you know, hit up my regular joints."
"Oh yes," Castiel says as if he'd forgotten he has a job to do.
Dean had almost forgotten about that himself.
Next chapter
Author:
jenniferlupinPairing/Characters: Dean/Castiel, Sam/Jess, Anna, Michael
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: AU, angels that aren't like angels from Supernatural or the Bible or really anywhere, but this story
Word count: approximately 36,000
Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me. I'm making no profit from this fanfiction.
Status: Complete. I'll be posting a chapter a day for the next eight days.
Summary: When Sam Winchester prays for his brother, Castiel is finally sent on his very first assignment. But what should be a simple love match turns into much more and Castiel finds himself risking everything to ensure the happiness of his extremely frustrating charge.
Author notes: Oh I see you noticed the chapter count changed. I somehow copied and pasted the same chapter twice into my wordpad and then I had one giant weird chapter and the dog ate some of my homework....but I think I might squeeze the posting schedule so its still eight days to make up for my lunacy. Sorry about the mix up! Thanks to everyone who's been reading!
Castiel faces the first true test of his powers almost as soon as they arrive at Dean's workplace.
The arriving itself is not something Castiel enjoys. The police station is a one story brick building located in a busy section of downtown Lawrence and the streets are thick with every kind of transport vehicle imaginable, including the bulky black car Dean drives. It's much larger than many of the cars around it. Which means there's room for Castiel's wings, but also means Castiel becomes worried they'll crush one of the smaller cars. Castiel doesn't like the way those cars drive close behind them or slide by with barely an inch of space to separate them. By the time they reach the police station, his wings are curled protectively around his body.
"You okay?" Dean asks when he sees Castiel's rigid stance.
"I think I should transport us next time," Castiel says tightly.
"You gotta be kidding me," he says with exaggerated disbelief. "Driving is one of the greatest joys of being human. I'd never leave my girl behind."
Then he pets the car as if it were a living organism. Castiel considers asking why the car is female, then decides he doesn't care. He just wants to be away from it. Dean snorts at the way Castiel glares at the car as he walks a wide circle around it to Dean's side.
"Come on, you big baby," he says, but he sounds fond. He gives Castiel's folded wings a speculative glance and Castiel senses in him an odd shot of nervous energy right before he does something that shocks Castiel's mind into blankness.
One hand falls gently at the base of his left wing near where it attaches to his back. His clothes stop Dean's fingers from stroking over the incredibly sensitive skin of the joint itself, but Castiel shivers nonetheless. Imagining the sensation, picturing those gentle fingers caressing the naked flesh of the wing joint is enough to make Castiel's steps falter.
"You should calm these things down," Dean says softly and then he drags his palm down the wing in one single stroke.
An astonishing and peculiar kind of heat he's never felt before blossoms through Castiel's body. He stops without thinking, his breath caught in his chest and it makes Dean inadvertently press his hand into Castiel's wing even harder. The heat turns overwhelming and Castiel is forced to tear himself away from Dean. There's a flash of disappointed hurt in Dean's eyes, but it's gone almost instantly.
"Sorry about that," Dean says, his voice thick. Castiel just shakes his head because he doesn't quite trust himself to speak. It doesn't make sense. Of course, every angel likes to have their wings petted. His brothers don't much like his wings, but they love him enough to overcome their disgust at touching them. When Castiel was very young, newly made, Anna used to stroke his wings while he fell asleep. Sometimes when Castiel feels useless and unworthy, Michael pats his wings to boost his confidence. He even likes it when Uriel flicks his feathers in passing just to annoy him. His brothers' touches make him feel safe and loved and happy.
They never made him ache inside.
"Right." Dean runs his fingers through his hair. "We should go."
The first person they see when they walk into the police station is a female with long brown hair. She gives Dean a leering grin that Dean returns with a wink. Castiel frowns. He senses in Dean no particular interest towards this woman beyond a faint sexual attraction, but he appears to be engaging in flirtatious behavior towards her. Perhaps it's worth seeking their future, just in case.
The process of future-seeking takes an experienced angel mere seconds to complete. Castiel passed his future-seeking courses with a perfect grade, but only practiced on angels posing as humans. This is the very first time Castiel will use his powers in a significant way on a real living human.
It makes him so nervous that his left wing gives one wild flap.
"Problems?" Dean asks in an undertone.
"No," Castiel whispers back.
He shuts himself off to outside influences, including the way Dean moves closer to him as the woman approaches. Castiel calculates he has just above three seconds before the woman begins talking. It is more than enough time. The future sense gathers around him, crackling through his grace like lightning and Castiel grabs it, twisting it around both Dean's soul and the woman's. They bind together for a split second and Castiel peers into it, stretching time long enough so he can read their chances together.
What he sees is a brief relationship based almost entirely on sex. A few months worth of constant and even experimental sex and then it ends. It is an amicable break because both know they don't want to spend their lives together, but it is a break nonetheless. The woman is a good friend, but nowhere near Dean's soul-mate.
Castiel withdraws from the future sense with a jolt of excited disbelief. His very first time reading the future and it went perfectly! Maybe his Father was right to give him this job after all. Dean tilts his head and when Castiel glances at him, he sees that Dean's gaze is fixed firmly on the big smile curling Castiel's lips.
"Hmm, whose your friend, hot-pants?" The woman asks as she saunters up. Her eyes travel down Castiel's body and then back up. It makes his left wing flap again.
"This is Cas," Dean says. His hand falls on Castiel's back, but far enough down that he's not touching Castiel's wings for which Castiel is very grateful. "He's...Well, he's an angel."
"Yes, I can see that," she says, smirking at his wings. "I'm Pamela."
She holds out her hand and Castiel remembers more quickly this time to take it. Instead of shaking it, however, she only holds it and narrows her light green eyes at him. It's strange, but it reminds Castiel of the way Michael sometimes looks at him when Castiel isn't in the mood to talk about his problems. Like she can see right through his skin right down to his very grace.
"Interesting," she murmurs, but it's Dean that receives her knowing smile.
"Pam's a psychic," Dean explains, seemingly oblivious to her secretive look. "She helps us with cases sometimes."
"Oh," Castiel says, thoroughly fascinated. He knows of humans with power, of course, but he didn't expect to meet one on his first outing. This would be a good time to ask about her powers, but then Castiel realizes she's still holding his hand. The tip of one finger brushes along the inside of his palm and it yanks all the words out of his mind.
"Alright, alright, quit molesting the angel," Dean says and even though he sounds teasing, Castiel thinks he really means it. Pam grins and winks at Dean, but she lets go of Castiel's hand without complaint.
"Don't worry, grumpy. I'm not trying to damage the goods," she promises. Castiel isn't sure what she means. Touching his palms won't ruin him. It just felt odd and uncomfortably intimate. Angels may enjoy wing strokes, but they rarely touch each other's skin.
Dean gives her a look Castiel doesn't understand, but it makes Pamela chuckle and nod as if Dean had spoken aloud. Castiel knows he could discover the message if he looks harder, further below the surface emotions he can't help gleaning from Dean. But once again, he's held by the promise he made. The troublesome promise that's keeping Castiel out of the loop. Humans are far too secretive.
"I don't suppose there's any way you don't already know what he's here for," Dean says and now he sounds grouchy. It just makes Pamela laugh again.
"Nope. Sorry. But your secret is safe with me. If not for your sake, than for Black Beauty over here," she says, jerking a nod towards Castiel. He startles. Not only is that the second nickname's he's received in one day, but it's the first time in his entire existence that anyone's ever used the word 'beauty' to refer to his wings. It brings a warmth to his face that he suspects is turning his cheeks red.
Dean rolls his eyes. "Well, whoever it's for, thanks." He pushes on Castiel's back where his hand still lingers. "C'mon, Cas."
They turn to leave, but before they can, Pamela catches Castiel's arm.
"Just wanted to say something," she says and for the first time in their brief acquaintance, Pamela is utterly serious. "Only fools refuse free gifts."
"I don't understand," Castiel says slowly when she doesn't clarify.
"Me either," Pamela admits with a shrug. "But you should remember that."
"Um, okay," Dean cuts in, now tugging on Castiel's coat. "Seriously, come on before she starts doing your star chart or something."
"Don't tempt me," she calls after them, her tone much lighter than before.
"Star chart?" Castiel asks. Dean leads them down a hallway with pale green floors and squares of white light built into the ceilings. It's empty, so for the moment, they are free from further introductions.
"You know, astrology," Dean says. At Castiel's blank look, he huffs a sigh. "It's that stupid crap about signs or whatever. Pam made me do one last year," he says in the same aggrieved tone one might use to speak of a serious illness or world hunger. "I'm an Aquarius. Apparently that means I'm unpredictable or something," he says, shaking his head before glancing at Castiel. "Do they even have that in Heaven? I mean, you got a birthday right?"
"Oh, yes," Castiel confirms. "I was born on Thursday."
Dean raises his eyebrow. "Any particular Thursday?"
"I don't know," Castiel says. The look Dean gives him, like he's a little crazy, makes Castiel wish he knew. He doesn't like disappointing Dean. "We don't celebrate the dates of our birth," Castiel explains. "The only reason I know my particular day of birth is because it decided which garrison I was assigned to. All the angels in my garrison were born on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday."
"Oh," Dean says. His emotions shift uncomfortably across his aura. "I don't guess I know much about how that all works up there."
"There are three garrisons," Castiel explains in the same tone Michael uses to teach class. "The Archangel Michael leads my garrison. He is the most powerful of the three Archangels, which is why our garrison is the largest," Castiel says with tremendous pride. He may not be able to contribute much to his garrison, but Castiel still feels honored to be counted as one of its members. "The other two garrisons are led by the Archangels Gabriel and Raphael. Angels born on Monday and Tuesday are in Gabriel's garrison and those born on Saturday and Sunday are in Raphael's."
Dean pauses in the hallway just outside of another door and gives him a very odd look. It's contemplative, almost curious, but also disbelieving; as if Dean is having trouble accepting that he's interested in what Castiel is telling him. Castiel hopes he asks more questions. He would very much like to use knowledge to dispel the anger Dean carries towards angels.
"I was born on Wednesday," Dean comments. "So if I were an angel..." He trails off and his eyes flick away in embarrassment.
"You would be in my garrison," Castiel says, pleased that the thought occurred to Dean. "And your brother prayed to us on a Thursday, which is why his prayer was sent to our garrison and why an Angel of Thursday was sent to answer it. It’s how our Father keeps all the requests organized and divided fairly."
"So...anyone praying on those days, they'd get someone from your garrison?" Dean asks, his gaze suddenly intense. Castiel nods.
"Yes. We don't ever see the prayers sent to Gabriel or Raphael, although Michael says they exchange stories sometimes when they visit," Castiel says, recalling the lengthy stories Michael sometimes tells Castiel while they separate prayers in the mornings, the glasses slipping down the end of Michael's nose as he laughs at his closest brothers' antics. "I've only met them once myself."
"Aren't you all related or something?" Dean asks absently. His eyes are flicking over the walls and Castiel gets the impression Dean is distracted by something.
"We are all brothers under our Father's protection, yes," Castiel confirms. His disobedient left wing twitches again against the desire to flutter under Dean's chin, to tip his face up so that Castiel once again has his attention. "Dean?"
Dean shakes himself. "Sorry about that, Cas. Mind's wandering. C'mon, we got more people to meet."
In fact, they meet a great deal many more people. Dean's one of a full team of homicide detectives that are led by an older human male named Bobby Singer, who has a gruff demeanor. He gives Castiel's wings one look and just snorts, telling Dean to make sure Castiel doesn't break anything with them before disappearing into his office.
There's a young female cop named Jo who Dean calls a rookie. When Dean refuses to tell her why Castiel is trailing after him, she plants her fists on her hips and promises she'll 'get to the bottom of this' sooner or later. Castiel believes her.
Another member of their team is an intense man named Gordon who has frightening dark eyes Castiel doesn't like. He doesn't say anything to Castiel, only glares at him before stalking off to the other side of the room to read from a computer screen. Dean tells Castiel under his breath that Gordon's obsessed with a particular case right now and is normally pleasant enough.
There's grim-faced older cop named Rufus, a young pretty sketch artist called Sarah and a scruffy distracted man named Chuck who turns out to be a beat reporter. The most important member of the team, given the level of trust and affection Castiel senses in Dean during this particular introduction, is a man named Victor. He is neatly dressed in a three-piece suit and though his upright and direct manner is very different from Dean's, Dean tells Castiel that Victor is his partner. At first, Castiel misunderstands his meaning and finds himself thoroughly annoyed by this turn of events because if Dean already has a partner, then he'd been lying to Castiel. But Dean drags Castiel to one side and clarifies that Victor is his work partner, which means that they are paired up for their investigations. The relief Castiel feels at this knowledge pours over him like cool refreshing water.
By the time Castiel meets everyone, he is exhausted. It's so many humans at once. So many emotions overwhelming his grace, a confusion of futures to seek. It seems like Dean is attracted to everyone they come across, even the humans too old to be viable life partners. Every time Dean introduces him to a new person, Castiel meets his eyes and senses a spark of sexual attraction. Which means he has to future-seek seven times in less than fifteen minutes.
None of them are right. The closest Dean comes to bliss in any of his possible futures is with Jo. She is the only one that Dean actually marries, but even though much of their marriage is content, Castiel can't sense true happiness in either of them. There is something missing. They eventually divorce and strangely become closer friends after their failed marriage than they were during it.
Some of the matches are downright disastrous. Castiel winces at the tempestuous future he sees between Dean and Gordon and resolves to steer clear of Gordon at all costs. And he doesn't much care for the string of drunken one night stands he shares with Chuck.
Others don't ever go anywhere. Like in Dean's future with Bobby Singer where they never actually have a romantic relationship, just end up two cranky bachelors who live together out of convenience when Bobby decides he's gotten too old to take proper care of his large home. Or his future with Victor, who declines Dean's invitation to dinner since he's not interested in dating men. Castiel is pleased to see the rejection doesn't affect their close partnership. Dean needs to work with someone he can trust completely, even if awkward feelings arise between them.
All in all, Dean's true partner is decidedly not someone at work. It's probably a good thing. The updated lesson plans for match-making mention that 'office romances' are not a good idea.
"So how'd we do?" Dean asks once they make it to his own small office. There is a wooden desk at its center that boasts a laptop computer and a green lamp, but the overwhelming feature is the heaps of precariously stacked files scattered across its surface. Castiel instantly worries his fussy wings will make one wrong move and bury them in paperwork.
"None of your work colleagues are appropriate," Castiel says as he gathers his wings into his arms to hold them steady, just in case.
"I'm kinda relieved," Dean says, flopping into his desk chair. "I'd hate to think my perfect partner had been right under my nose the whole time."
He glances up and frowns at Castiel's armful of feathers.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"I'm trying to prevent a mess," Castiel informs him.
"Good thinking. Planning ahead," Dean says as he starts shuffling through the papers. "On the other hand, I don't care about mess. Clearly," he adds as one stack slips off the edge of his desk. Castiel catches some of them and together they begin picking up the rest.
"Anyway, you shouldn't sheath those bad boys on my account," Dean says casually. "If they don't move, I can't tell what you're thinking."
"Is that important to you?" Castiel asks in surprise. This concept isn't taught in Heaven. Humans require protection and service. They don't really care what angels think, nor should they.
"Well, if you're going to be following me around, yeah," Dean says as if this is obvious.
"Oh," Castiel says and out of all the strange and exhilarating things that have happened today, this is his favorite. He stands up and sets his gathered pile of papers on the edge of Dean's desk. "Then I won't 'sheath' them."
"Great," Dean says distractedly. He is still kneeling on the floor because a file has fallen under his desk and he is stretching to reach it. Just as he grabs it, Castiel hears a light knock at the door and he glances over his shoulder. Dean hears the knock too and leans over, peering past Castiel's hip.
It's Victor. He stops still, hand raised against the doorframe and he lifts an eyebrow.
"I'm sorry. Am I...interrupting?" He puts a curious twist on the word 'interrupting' that makes Castiel reach out with his grace. He gets nothing more than a general sense of surprise and a desire to lightly mock Dean. Mock him about what, Castiel doesn't understand.
Dean obviously does because he pops up from the ground, fingers raking nervously through his hair.
"No," he says, coughing into his hand. "What's up?"
"I don't know what's going on here exactly," Victor says, waving a hand to indicate both Dean and Castiel. "So I'm sorry if this is bad timing, but you'll want to hear this. Rufus heard something last night. Just a rumor, but..."
"But what?" Dean prompts urgently.
"I think it might be a lead on Y.E.D."
There is an immediate change in Dean. From relatively relaxed to intensely focused, his mood shifts lightning quick and it makes Castiel nervous.
"Y.E. D.?" he asks.
"I'll explain later," Dean says, breathless, his attention glued to Victor. "I gotta work now, okay?" He flicks a glance in Castiel's direction. "Come find me later. Probably tomorrow. We always work late on these leads."
"You…want me to leave?" Castiel asks in confusion and oddly, the slightest bit of hurt. It draws Dean's focus away from Victor, who mutters something about being in his office. Dean curls a hand over Castiel's shoulder and squeezes.
"If this was any other case...but I gotta concentrate on this. You're...well, you're kinda distracting," Dean says. Before Castiel can become alarmed, Dean continues. "It's the wings," he says with a smile that fades almost as soon as it appears. "It's not like you can do much today anyway if I'm not supposed to hook up with any of them," he adds, nodding towards the larger room.
He has a point, but Castiel can't help feeling ill at ease. The mention of this case and the Y.E.D., whatever that may be, has Dean feeling nearly frantic with anticipation. It can't possibly be safe to investigate dangerous criminals with that kind of reckless energy coursing through your veins.
"Are you sure?" Castiel asks, his wings once more aching to reach out to Dean, to protect him from something Castiel doesn't truly understand.
"Yeah," Dean says, already heading towards the door. "Don't worry. These damn rumors rarely come to anything."
"Alright," Castiel says, but Dean is already gone. He sighs and looks down at the file still abandoned on the floor.
Pamela was right. Dean is unpredictable.
**********************
Castiel isn't in Dean's apartment when he wakes up the next morning. It's a little scary how annoyed his absence makes Dean.
It's probably because the previous night was such a colossal waste of time and it'd be nice to complain to someone who'd really listen. Not that Sam wouldn't listen to Dean, of course, but there's something different about the way Castiel listens. His focus is absolute, like Dean is the most fascinating thing he's ever seen. Hell, Dean might just be, if Castiel had never been to Earth. Which Dean doesn't understand because it's not like the guy's doing a bad job so far. Sure, they haven't found anyone yet, but honestly, Dean's kinda relieved. When he'd signed up for this Angel Cupid ordeal, he hadn't thought about how humiliating it really is to have a featherhead pick out a spouse for you. Praying for love is something dowdy old spinsters or divorced mothers or teenage girls do. Dean never thought he'd be one of those people. He'll be signing his Lifetime movie deal any day now.
Then again, if the featherhead in question fails, then that means Dean is even more pathetic than he suspected.
Either way, it's just better if Castiel hangs around to keep looking.
Dean is fresh from the shower and watching the news in his underwear when Castiel makes an appearance. He explodes into existence with a gust of wind, his hair pointing in all directions and his wings tangled together at the bottom. He's wearing a similar outfit to the last two times, but the trench coat is tugged half off and his tie is twisted round and loose at the collar.
He looks like someone dragged him into a nearby closet and tried to have their way with him.
The thought makes Dean uncomfortably aware that he's mostly undressed.
"Um," he says and he stands from the sofa. He wants to say he's going to go change, but those aren't the words that come out of his mouth. "What happened to you?"
Castiel is staring. Of course he's staring, but instead of being contemplative, he looks surprised. And his eyes aren't staying on Dean's face. Oh no, they are roaming freely over Dean's body, from the tip of his head all the way down to his bare feet and back again, pausing to linger at Dean's hips. It's like he's never seen a man's body before and Dean realizes with a start that he probably hasn't. The hairs on Dean's arms stand on end and when a powerful wave of heat follows, Dean is forced to mentally scold himself and think unsexy thoughts about grandmas and cockroaches and Sam. Getting hot and bothered over angels is just plain wrong.
"The launch pad was malfunctioning," Castiel says and he sounds breathless. "I was flying blind and I think I may have run into a storm, but I was going so fast, I can't be sure."
"You actually have a launch pad?" Dean asks, but that's not really the first thought on his mind. He walks forward, forgetting about the near-nudity and the staring. "Are you alright?" he asks worriedly and he reaches out to straighten Castiel's tie.
Castiel looks down at his hands, his eyes confused. "Why are you doing that?"
"You look..." The truth is, Dean has no idea why he's doing it. Just that Cas looks like he could use it and maybe Dean doesn't like the thought of Cas being hurtled through the air with no idea of where he's going or how to stop.
"You look messy," he says, refusing to meet Castiel's eyes as he pulls the coat back up around his shoulders.
'You were worried about me," Castiel says in wonder. Dean scowls at him.
"You don't have to sound so amazed," he snaps. "You really think humans are heartless, don't you?" he says, remembering how shocked Cas had been that Dean cared what he thought.
"Of course not," Castiel says and now he sounds a little annoyed. "But we are servants. Humans pray for help, not to become friends with angels."
"I didn't pray for you," Dean growls, angry at himself because Cas is right. Dean never cared what angels thought before. Ever since he was a child, he's been pissed at the only angel he ever met because she didn't do exactly what Dean wanted her to do.
"Even so," Castiel says stiffly, his expression closed down. He steps away from Dean and it's stupid, but all Dean can think is that he managed to upset Cas before Dean had the chance to comb out his wings.
"Look, don't do that," Dean says, shifting in discomfort. Relationship discussions are not his forte. Another reason there's a full-fledged and kinda pouty angel standing in his living room. "I'm just hacked off about last night."
"What happened?" Castiel asks. His irritation is instantly gone in favor of deep concern. The instant change startles Dean. Most people take a few minutes to get over being insulted.
Not that Castiel is people.
"The same thing that always happens," Dean says, reaching down finally to snatch his shirt off the sofa. "The rumor was a hoax, I spent twelve hours chasing after smoke and I ended up back at square one." He shrugs into the shirt, a faded old KU police tee. Castiel's eyes follow his every movement. The focus thing is nice, but it's also a bit unnerving. Dean turns around before he steps into the pants so he doesn't have to see Castiel examining him.
"You did not catch the Y.E.D.?" His voice is a lot closer than Dean expects, rasping low in his ear and sending a shiver down his spine.
Sure enough, when Dean glances over his shoulder, Castiel is right behind him, his head cocked at a slight angle and his eyes seeming bigger and bluer than ever.
"Whoa, there, cowboy," Dean says, reeling back a little. Cas is so close that Dean can tell his body is warm, like crazy hot and because Dean's brain is no longer under his control, he thinks to himself that it'll be nice on cold mornings in winter.
It's possible he's losing it.
"Seriously, personal space."
Castiel's expression turns troubled. Not quite hurt, but something close to it. Like a painful confusion over some kind of negative feeling Cas doesn't quite understand. He backs up a step, leaving Dean chilled and displeased. Castiel makes Dean feel like a frigging yo-yo.
"Forgive me," Cas says. "It's difficult to remember all the rules that govern your society."
Dean almost tells Cas to forget it. That he doesn't mind as much as he lets on, but then he imagines Castiel sliding in close to stand beside a stranger in a bar or a store and Dean changes his mind. Instead, he scratches the back of his neck and looks away from the faint disappointment in Castiel's eyes.
"It's okay," Dean says. He's certain an awkward silence will follow, but he realizes a second later, he shouldn't forget that Castiel isn't human. Awkwardness doesn't seem to matter to him very much.
"I'm still concerned about your previous evening," Castiel says in a matter-of-fact way. His voice is flat and his expression apparently back to normal. But there is something different about him. Something Dean can't pinpoint for a split second until his eyes inevitably wander over Castiel's wings. Dean can't seem to keep his gaze from flicking over the damned things every five seconds. They're just so big and they look so soft and they're always moving. Which is what clues Dean into the difference.
The wings are stock still and held stiffly against Castiel's back.
Dean almost smiles. This is Castiel's version of masking his feelings.
"Don't worry about last night," Dean says. Maybe he can't tell Castiel it's okay to stand close to him, but Dean can't help offering a slight peace offering. As he walks past Castiel to retrieve his shoes, he brushes his shoulder along Castiel's, bumping his wings in the process. A ripple of some kind of emotion passes through Castiel and when Dean turns back to the sofa, shoes in hand, Cas is more relaxed. There's a smile in his eyes and his left wing is fluttering gently as if in a soft breeze.
"Let's go have breakfast instead," Dean says, stupidly pleased. "I'm off today, so we can do the whole...you know, hit up my regular joints."
"Oh yes," Castiel says as if he'd forgotten he has a job to do.
Dean had almost forgotten about that himself.
Next chapter
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Date: 2010-01-20 10:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-21 07:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-20 10:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-21 07:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-20 11:12 pm (UTC)Pamela knows something!
Wondering if it's a possibility for Cas to look into his and Dean's future. I guess we'll see....
I loved the glimpses into Dean's future with various characters.
Cas' wings get more and more adorable. And Dean is definitely flirting with Cas, even if he doesn't realize it.
This part was especially awesome:
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Date: 2010-01-21 07:59 am (UTC)Glad you're still enjoying it!
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Date: 2010-01-20 11:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-21 08:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-20 11:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-21 08:01 am (UTC)In all seriousness, your reviews are always so nice and thoughtful! I really appreciate them! Oh and I'm glad you like my police station. I love Victor so much, I was glad to have a reason to work him into a fic.
Thanks for reading!
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Date: 2010-01-20 11:30 pm (UTC)I was wondering is Cas can do that future see thing on himself with Dean or does someone else need to clue him in to what we all know anyway.
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Date: 2010-01-21 08:03 am (UTC)I'm glad you're enjoying this!
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Date: 2010-01-21 12:04 am (UTC)Cas' wings are just so cute. And it's obvious, or maybe it's just me, but Dean is flirting with Cas.
I hope Cas does that whole future seeing with him and Dean, I'm sure there's something interesting he should see.. to find Deans perfect match.
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Date: 2010-01-21 08:05 am (UTC)Thanks for reading!
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Date: 2010-01-21 12:30 am (UTC)I'm glad we get to see how Dean has become protective so quickly and how attentive and attached Castiel has become as well. I have to say the hints we've gotten over Dean's disappointment with Anna for not saving both his parents or his mom...or something (haven't figured that out yet) are great! Plus sneaky Tie-kink!
Every time Dean introduces him to a new person, Castiel meets his eyes and senses a spark of sexual attraction. Which means he has to future-seek seven times in less than fifteen minutes.
Lol am I reading this wrong or is that spark for Cas rather than the other people? Clueless Cas is adorable.
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Date: 2010-01-21 08:07 am (UTC)So glad you like the hints! It's never easy to tell when it's either too much or too little when it comes to stuff like this. I hope you like how it plays out!
Also, Dean totally sparks for Castiel. In any universe. ;)
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Date: 2010-01-21 12:43 am (UTC)"Sorry about that," Dean says, his voice thick. Castiel just shakes his head because he doesn't quite trust himself to speak. It doesn't make sense. Of course, every angel likes to have their wings petted. His brothers don't much like his wings, but they love him enough to overcome their disgust at touching them. When Castiel was very young, newly made, Anna used to stroke his wings while he fell asleep. Sometimes when Castiel feels useless and unworthy, Michael pats his wings to boost his confidence. He even likes it when Uriel flicks his feathers in passing just to annoy him. His brothers' touches make him feel safe and loved and happy.
They never made him ache inside.
Oh! How interesting! Poor boys!
"Just wanted to say something," she says and for the first time in their brief acquaintance, Pamela is utterly serious. "Only fools refuse free gifts."
"I don't understand," Castiel says slowly when she doesn't clarify.
"Me either," Pamela admits with a shrug. "But you should remember that."
Oh! That sounds quite interesting.
I just love this version of Castiel. He's just so eager to do his job and yet so clueless. What a great combination!
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Date: 2010-01-21 08:08 am (UTC)Thank you so much for reading!
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Date: 2010-01-21 01:20 am (UTC)&& Cas' wings!! GUHHH I JUST WANNA RUN MY FINGERS THROUGH THEM...LOLOL :X
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Date: 2010-01-21 08:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-21 02:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-21 08:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-21 04:10 am (UTC)And they are so in love already, eee.
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Date: 2010-01-21 08:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-21 04:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-21 08:11 am (UTC)Thanks for reading!
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Date: 2010-01-21 12:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-21 04:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-21 08:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-24 06:32 am (UTC)I love how they boys interact in this story. I love natural understand of each other. <3
(I'm behind on my feedback, so I've told myself I can't read the new chapter until I catch up. *g*)
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Date: 2010-02-02 05:47 pm (UTC)The tension between them is so amazing...Cas wanting to reach deeper into his mind and Dean obviously attracted to him but with his own barriers to breach, I guess they're the type of couple that everyone sees and knows what they mean to each other and know how they feel while they themselves as flailing about in either ignorance or denial XD
Ah, the physical presence and Dean's compromise was such a sweet thing to read, their natural attraction to each other and the way they go about showing affection is just adorable and realistic.
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Date: 2010-02-02 05:49 pm (UTC)And you description is a whole other part that I have to praise ^^ and the part about un-sexy thoughts of granny's and cockroaches gave me a good laugh =)
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Date: 2010-02-02 05:55 pm (UTC)This chap is prob my absolute favourite for all the content that made me smile~ the part about Dean touching his wings, not only is it wonderful in itself but Cas's thoughts on this...
the little description of Heaven and his brothers, their approach to his wings as something disgusting, the fact that they love him enough (showing how beautiful he is as an entity that his 'physical' appearance stops mattering), how Anna and Michael soothed him and Uriel (and this was the most adorable part I thought XD) flicking his wings in a playful, brotherly way...
<3 really, thanks for this fic, it's just such a joy to read
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Date: 2010-04-23 02:19 pm (UTC)AWESOME.
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Date: 2010-12-29 02:15 am (UTC)I'm loving this story. Off to the next chapter...
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Date: 2011-03-05 04:44 am (UTC)See ya soon little fanfiction
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Date: 2011-04-12 06:28 pm (UTC)And they are so adorkable around each other! XD