Work Text
Principal Novak stares at the boy leaning back in the seat across from his desk as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. The alpha subtly checks the time, making sure this impromptu scolding isn’t making him late. Satisfied he has plenty of wiggle room, he turns his attentions back to the smirking boy.“As we’ve already discussed Daniel, you’ll be suspended again for a week for vaping on school property.” The boy groans but this isn’t the first time he’s been caught, his consequence is warranted. “This is your last shot, if you’re caught again it’ll be an immediate expulsion. Ms. Bradbury has already called your mother to come get you, please wait outside.”Castiel watches the blonde beta, slump shouldered and frowning, shuffling his way out of the door and in Charlie’s direction. He wishes it weren’t true but he’s sure they’ll catch Daniel again, not every kid wants to change. In the time it takes the alpha to close out the rest of his affairs, his friend’s already gotten Daniel sent off with his mother and found her way into his office. “So, you’re really taking the week off? Are you sure that’s…wise?” Charlie starts with the usual questions. He wishes she’d stop and just be supportive for once. In lieu of a miracle, the alpha mumbles, “Yes, I’ll be back in a week…” shoving a folder into his bag as the silence following his statement lengthens.Charlie nods slowly, face masking her disbelief horribly, she pauses before asking, “Is Dean back yet?”His inner alpha whines at the reminder of his omega’s prolonged absence. Each time longer than the next. But, he knew what he was getting into being with someone in Dean’s profession. Castiel would never complain about Dean seeking justice, it just gets lonely at times. He shakes his head, trying to keep the melancholy from his voice, attempting to boost his orange and cinnamon back over to happy, responding, “No, he should arrive shortly after I get home. But, I won’t make it in time if you keep bugging me Ms. Bradbury…”Castiel turns a playful glare on the omega gaining a giggle from his friend before she nods knowingly. “Tell him I said hello,” She says, graciously leaving his office with her signature Vulcan salute. His friend’s not wrong to have concerns, but Castiel’s sure everything’s fine this time. Dean asked for the time off and the alpha already has Vice Principal Donna covering the school for the week. Smooth sailing. With that mantra on repeat in his mind, he grabs the rest of his things and heads for his car. The drive home is short and he’s pulling up in less than twenty minutes. Their home never fails to take his breath away. Nowhere close to how earth shattering Dean’s visage can be at times, but it’s still beautiful. The little additions that represent the many quirks of the couple add to its beauty, showcasing what each ‘mate’ brings to their relationship. When they met six years ago, Castiel was teaching at a high school back in D.C. while Dean was training to become an agent, something few believed he’d actually accomplish. Castiel knew he could. The triumphant energy surrounding him the day he graduated pushed the alpha to reveal how he felt for his friend that night almost two years ago. When Dean got orders sending him back to Kansas, it was easy to follow him. Easy to fall deeper in love, to propose mating. To buy this house and begin to build a life together. Castiel’s mind record scratches on the ‘easy to mate’ part of his internal monologue as his inner alpha whines in longing. Seemingly easy. Should be easy. Apparently, not so easy. The alpha pushes the thoughts from his mind, climbing from his car as he walks up the steps to the house. A fall breeze plays through his wild hair, skating across the porch, making the crunchy leaves dance. It sends a shiver down his spine as he lets himself inside the dark, silent house. The door closes behind him with an echo of a thunk. It never feels like home lately, not with the fading scent of his omega in the air. Sweet whipped cream and ripe strawberries, gone stale. Overrun with the constant low stink of pining sickness.
Home, sweet home.
The alpha drops his bags by the door, intent on making it smell less…desperately tortured…in time for Dean’s imminent arrival. Castiel opens all the windows he possibly can first, airing the place out as he cleans the stink out of the scrubbable surfaces. When all he can smell is his own sweat and a strong scent of tired alpha along with bleach, he’s satisfied. Castiel showers, shaves, and changes into a nicer pair of jeans and the blue button down he knows Dean loves. His spirits soar, starting to feel more like the alpha that swept Dean off his feet, or more accurately was swept away by the omega. After taking a moment to admire himself in the bathroom mirror, he heads to the kitchen to whip up something for dinner. It’s a special night, requiring a spectacular meal. Castiel wants to make it memorable for Dean, as it should be.*****The alpha shifts uncomfortably at the table nibbling on a roll. He doesn’t want to start eating unless he’s sure Dean isn’t coming but the omega’s over an hour late. By now, everything’s gone cold anyway. He sighs, cradling his head in his hands as his thoughts race. The recurrent theme, why does this keep happening and is it a sign that they should…no. Castiel won’t be finishing that sentence, he can’t entertain that thought not when they promised each other forever. Love doesn’t mean giving up at the first sign of trouble. Before he can follow that thread further, the alpha’s phone rings.
Dean.
Picking up, his questions burst forth rapid fire, “Where are you?! Are you okay? Did something happen?”Dean finally cuts in, “Cas…Cas, hey! Calm down, I’m fine,” the omega’s assurance helps marginally. “I’m sorry I didn’t call earlier but Singer needs me, there was another murder…”The alpha struggles against his spirits plummeting, it feels trivial in the face of a life lost. Castiel knew when he met the omega, he was up front about his goals in life. To actually make it into the FBI, in a position beyond just secretarial work like most omegas get pushed into. Dean’s living his dream, Castiel could never stifle that. Trying to support his future mate, even if the mating is once again on hold, Castiel reassures him, “It’s alright, I understand you can’t always call right away. We can…do it another time.”He hopes that hitch in his breath as he said the words wasn’t noticeable. The omega’s out in the field, the last thing he needs is to be worried about Castiel. He’ll be alright, truly. Maybe. The sharp stabbing pain in his gut is trying to scream otherwise but the alpha pushes it down. His inner alpha growls at him for telling half truths. One can never lie to themselves. And lying to Dean is beginning to hurt.Castiel couldn’t be prouder of his omega from a professional standpoint, making it in a field that isn’t known to have many omegas. But, the alpha is more than ready to start their lives together. Dean’s focus is purely on being an agent, without a second thought to how his actions are blocking their next step together. Castiel’s frustrated but he’s not sure how to express that without coming off like an ass in light of the reason why Dean isn’t here, why they waited in the first place.Against his better judgement, the alpha decides to try, “Dean, love,” he butters the omega up with the pet name knowing his points are about to dissolve away with his next words, “Isn’t there some way at least one of these times you could pass the case off to someone else? I’ve been waiting for…”“You’ve been waiting? Thought we were in this together…and I thought you understood, Cas. Once I start handing off cases all willy nilly for ‘personal reasons’ I’ll be sidelined for who knows how long,” Dean begins the familiar complaint. “Singer can only do so much, the assholes above him have wanted me out since day one and you know that…”Castiel cuts him off, anger getting the better of him, “What I know, Dean, is we’ve been trying to mate the way you want it for over two years. Frankly I’d be fine flying out to wherever you are and just getting it fucking over with but…”
Oh, shit.
“Getting it over with? That’s how you see our bond, Cas? I didn’t wait for…I can’t believe you just…” he struggles for words before giving up, “I called to tell you I’m not coming home tonight, I don’t have the mental capacity to deal with all this other shit you just dug up. I’ll text you when I’m coming home.” With that, the omega disconnects the call.Castiel is well aware he just completely fucked up.“Of course, it makes perfect fucking sense to discuss your boyfriend’s fucking virginity like it’s a chore you have to force yourself to do…uggghhh,” Castiel growls angrily at himself, swiping his plate of food off the table to the satisfying crack of the plate. Only to realize he just made another mess he’ll now have to clean up.
Fuck this.
The alpha stomps off to their bedroom, knowing he’ll just have it waiting in the morning, of course it'll be dried on by then. He has the week off, plenty of time to clean this entire house. Alone._______________________________________It takes Dean several ragged breaths, pinching the bridge of his nose with his eyes scrunched tight, to resist the urge to throw the phone at the wall.
Get it over with?
He’s talked to the man he already considers his mate for hours about this choice, his desire only to sleep with the alpha he chooses to mate, that alpha being Cas. It may seem silly, outdated even but it only took two of his friends teen pregnancies in high school and several getting life long STD’s in college for Dean to decide celibacy until mating was the way to go for him. Better than having a pup too early or gods forbid an incurable disease. Some may say he grew an untreated phobia, that’s actually what Sammy says all the time, but either way it stuck. The ideology followed him through college, even with everyone left front and center preaching condoms and birth control at him. The omega was deathly afraid of being that small percentage they talk about where that stuff doesn’t work. It could happen, it has happened. For awhile, it didn’t matter anyway. At twenty three, Dean just hadn’t met the alpha for him, until Cas. The cerulean eyed man gave him that look, gummy grin and sparkling eyes, and that was it. Friendship quickly became more until Dean knew he’d found the one. Cas never laughed at or had a problem with his ‘unique situation’, even when they got serious, the alpha’s been nothing but supportive. Until today, apparently. So, was that an utterance displaying his true colors or is his ‘mate’ just frustrated? He shakes his head in fond annoyance, already aware of the answer. Dean knows Cas too well by now, more than likely it wasn’t what he meant to say but that doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt.
‘Don’t you just wanna get it over with?’
‘You should just get it over with, no alpha wants a virgin…’
‘Get it over with, you don’t wanna seem inexperienced, do you?’
The old words swirl through his mind as he tries to settle it, reminders of many conversations in the same vein over the years. Now, he has the alpha, but the career he prayed for is sucking away all the time he wants to dedicate to officially becoming Dean Winchester-Novak. At this point, he’s sure their friends have some kind of bet going every time Cas takes time off without a mating bite on the omega’s neck to show for it. What’s going to be the reason Dean can’t make it this time? Though the photographs staring face up on his desk are good enough reason by themselves.The omega places his phone down on the worn wood winning the battle against chucking it into the nearest wall, picking up the glossy photos Singer sent over. What he didn’t get around to telling Cas is they need him specifically on this case. Singer admitted the higher ups are beginning to change their tune. Believe in his profiling abilities just like Bobby. But, he can’t keep that momentum if he shoves this case off on someone they all know would fuck it up. He and Cas will figure it out but there’s a family searching for answers attached to the lifeless body in the photos. Dean can’t let them down. A stab in his heart reminds him in the process he’s letting Cas down and that hurts more than he can handle right now, so he shoves it as far away as he can. The omega needs his full focus on this case right now. Much like the first two murders, there’s no method to its madness, it’s just pure unadulterated chaos. Singer wants him to drive up the few hours it’ll take to get there tonight so he can take a look at the scene in person. But, he can already tell right here from his desk, this ain’t gonna be an easy solve. Dean grabs his phone and keys, marching off to the parking garage and Baby. He has a duffle bag ready to go in the trunk, always a must for an active agent, making it easy to leave right away. The omega’s mind drifts back to the crime scene photos as he pulls off into the steady flow of traffic. What’s nagging him is the motive. By all accounts, there isn’t one. Odd by itself but there’s something else…just beyond his reach. It’s a few miles down the road before it clicks. It’s as if someone pulled from several different killers and threw it all into one single murder.The theory’s confirmed when he arrives on scene. “You’ve got what looks like pentagrams in blood over here but crosses spray painted over there. The positioning of the body prior to removal indicated an assault but there was none, it was repositioned post mortem. The house is ransacked but no robbery, so far everything’s accounted for. Gasoline was poured upstairs in the nursery, not ignited. This had to take hours to stage,” Bobby runs down the list with him, frown deepening as he reveals their dilemma. “Making my job incredibly difficult I see,” Dean mutters, looking around at the staged chaos he recognizes plain as day in person. Bobby nods grimly, “Now you see why we wanted you, no one else. Somethings off here.”The omega agrees, “I’ll need to do further research Bobby, dig into some of our old files back at headquarters, but it looks like someone’s playing mix and match with past cases,” Dean relays as he views what’s left of the scene.Bobby nods stoically, “Do what you have to do, I trust your judgement.”The old alpha is one of few in the office that does but Dean’s grateful for it. Being back in the main office means being home, at least for the next twenty four hours. Dean can’t help but chuckle with not a hint of levity at that fact.
Could’ve had that argument in person.
The omega’s hopeful the time, however short, will be enough to try and fix the growing cracks between he and his ‘mate’.*****Dean’s in his hotel room later that night, just settling in between the sheets when his phone dings like clockwork.
Cas: I love you, good night.
Dean doesn’t hesitate, responding with an extra flare.
Dean: Love you too >:(
Better to make sure the alpha knows he’s still in trouble, but always loved.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Castiel wakes abruptly from the sweetest dream. Wondering if he was startled by a noise, the alpha begins to roll out of bed when he hears it again. The faint jingle of keys accompanied by a whisper of strawberries and cream on the air. Dean’s home. Normally, he’d jump up to greet his ‘mate’ but, considering the text he got back last night the omega’s not very happy with him right now.
For good reason.
One would think he’d be past having ‘foot in mouth disorder’ but, the alpha’s only human. Hopefully, a sincere apology can smooth things over so they can move forward. Frustration with timing aside, Dean is the only omega for him whether they mate tomorrow or a month from now. Castiel bolsters his nerves, finally standing and throwing on his well loved blue robe, exiting the room in search of his boyfriend. He finds him standing next to the mess leftover from Castiel’s pity party last night.
Fuck.
“I was going to…” he begins to apologize…or explain he’s not sure which but Dean cuts in before he gets far.Turning glassy emerald eyes his way, he asks, “This,” gesturing to the perfectly set table and long extinguished candles. The congealed mushroom ravioli for two and wilted salad. The cherry pie sitting in the center of the table. That should actually still be good. The broken plate with remnants of the same meal smeared across the floor, the untouched plate of perfection where Dean usually sits. The omega’s eyes sweep over it all once more before catching Castiel’s attention, asking in a hushed whisper, “You did all this for…for me?”Castiel nods timidly, it’s the first time he really went all out, making it so much worse when Dean couldn’t make it. Thinking back, that’s probably what caused his little outburst, but he still owes his ‘mate’ an apology. “I’m so sorry for what I said…” he tries but once again, Dean cuts him off, this time in the best way. “Mmpphhh,” the alpha’s words get lost in between each press of the omega’s lips. While not quite the reception he expected the alpha won’t complain as he pulls Dean closer, strawberries dancing with oranges while cinnamon swirls with cream. The couple radiates the purest love, anger forgotten in the moment. By the time Dean reluctantly pulls away, the alpha has to hold back from following his lips causing his boyfriend to cackle making his peridot eyes shine. “I missed you, my love,” Castiel murmurs, hands cradling the sides of Dean’s face as his fingers trace patterns from one freckle to the next. There’s a hint of something behind his grass greens but it’s gone before the alpha can parse it out.Dean swats him away playfully, landing a peck on his cheek, echoing, “Missed you too. Missed you less when you were being an ass, though.”Castiel will give him that, “I was trying to apologize when you greeted me oh so enthusiastically…”Dean rolls his eyes, asking, “Are you complaining? Because I can…” the omega gestures leaving the room but Castiel pulls him back into his arms, shaking with laughter at his reaction. “Nope,” Castiel vehemently shakes his head, adding, “I’m perfectly happy, I’m also truly sorry for being so…flippant, Dean. I wasn’t thinking before I spoke and I should have been.”Dean peers back at him, searching. He must find what he’s looking for as a beaming smile grows, brightening his features.Castiel can’t help but ask, “What?”Grin reduced to a smirk tilting his plush pink pout, the omega responds, “I was right, you’re not a complete asshole. Just said the wrong thing, much easier to forgive.”A small voice in the back of Castiel’s head is whining, his inner alpha growls to shut it up but he can’t help feeling like this forgiveness came too easily. Dean’s tongue tangles around his own silencing them both. He really did miss the man. After a prolonged mouth to mouth reintroduction to one another, Dean helps Castiel clean up their missed pre-mating dinner. “You shouldn’t be helping, Dean,” Castiel insists for the tenth time, steadily being ignored by his boyfriend as he continues to scrub the floor. The alpha huffs a groan of annoyance next to him, continuing his own efforts, griping, “This dinner was for you and I’m the one who made the mess throwing a tantrum like a toddler.”“Yeah, and I’m the reason we didn’t get to enjoy the meal you worked so hard on, we’re even,” Dean points out, which is a valid point so Castiel stops arguing as hard against the extra help. Silence ensues before Dean whines comically, “Looks like it was really good too.”The alpha can’t help but chuckle, rubbing it in, “Delicious. Mouthwatering, just mind-blowing really. My best work to date.”Dean doesn’t have to know Castiel didn’t get to taste anything but the rolls save minimal taste testing while cooking. That doesn’t count. The omega’s eyes droop from the imagined FOMO, amusing Castiel more than it probably should.“Well, I’m home but I don’t know how long,” he sighs, scrubbing at a particularly stubborn spot of mystery gunk. “I’ll be in the office doing some research for the case but at least I get to sleep here, with you.”The last added as his strawberries and cream blooms with excitement and longing. “Sounds amazing, love,” Castiel murmurs, leaning forward to land a chaste kiss on his boyfriends lips. “Originally I took the week off to allow for your mating heat butttt with our change in plans,” he pauses, ignoring the slight stab at the reminder, prolonging the setup for his prank, “I’m thinking it’s the perfect time to clean out the attic.”Dean immediately leans back, waving his hands no as he chokes on laughter, “Absolutely not, Cas. One word, spiders. No fucking thank you, sorry but you’re on your own, babe.”The alpha chuckles along with him, finally admitting, “I’m not even going up there, but the backyard could use raking and the front porch is covered in leaves…”“Guessin’ there’s a list to go along with this ‘impromptu’ house cleaning,” Dean asks, rolling his eyes fondly. They do this at least once a year, he should be used to the alpha’s methods by now. “The list is up here, Dean,” Castiel reminds him pointing to his own head with a smirk. And that’s where it remains, with the alpha delegating tasks as they finish scrubbing the kitchen floor. Not alone after all.*****Everything’s as close to perfect as they can get right now, up until Castiel takes the trash out. A familiar pink envelope sits innocently tucked behind the windshield wipers of his car. Heaving a sigh, the alpha goes to retrieve it after chucking the trash as intended. He thought this was over and done with, that the culprit had moved away. Guess not. Opening the envelope, Castiel finds one short sentence though the childish scrawl seems to have improved since he last received anything from the young man.
‘Your eyes are as blue as the sky.’
From Dean’s lips, the words would make him weak at the knees. But, this isn’t a compliment from his boyfriend, it’s a ‘love note’ from a stalker he thought he’d escaped. Bartholomew, or Bart, Harrington.A transfer student to Lawrence High last year, he was only at the school for six months but in that time the omega harbored an extreme crush on Castiel. One the alpha ignored, though it never stopped the boy from leaving him love notes on his car or in his school mailbox.
Never at home.
The shift in behavior, as well as the resurgence of his stalker is a tad concerning. But, Castiel is swiftly reminded of his FBI agent love inside waiting for his return. He’s safer than most with Dean at home, they can figure this out together. Sliding the note back into the envelope, the alpha looks around making sure he isn’t actively being watched before walking back inside noting their next task will have to be the porch. It’s not quite Halloween yet, his birthday just having passed, but with all the cobwebs and dried up leaves the couple might as well start decorating now. Luckily, the decorations are in the basement, he wasn’t kidding about avoiding the attic. It’s creepy, cold, and more than likely stuffed full of unseen spirits. He and Dean prefer the possibly haunted basement for storage over the definitely haunted attic space.
No thank you.
“Baby love,” Castiel calls the name out, barking a laugh as it brings a pinch faced Dean around the corner into the entryway. “Thursday,” Dean returns with a raised eyebrow as he wipes his dripping hands on a towel. The afternoon light hits his omega just right, apple green and gilded gold glowing invitingly as he zeroes in on Castiel. The alpha huffs a laugh, responding to Dean’s immediate amusement, “The meaning of my given name isn’t a suitable pet name, Dean. Frankly it’s a little lazy but, you win…”Dean shakes his head, trying to force back the laugh attempting to push past his lips, asking, “Now that we have an understanding, what is it?”Castiel pauses, still laughing lightly witnessing his ‘mates’ struggle before brandishing the note. The vibe in the room immediately shifts, along with their scents, from warm happiness to confused concern. Dean’s eyes widen, having been there for the first round of Bart’s inappropriate infatuation. “I thought he got accepted to a school in Texas?” He asks, snatching the envelope and inspecting the contents. The omega snorts a mirthless laugh reading the short note, “Definitely him, the compliments are just as unoriginal.”Castiel bores a hole in the side of his omega’s face until he turns to face him, “I’m pretty sure I have a card upstairs from one anniversary or another with those exact words on it from you, Dean.”The omega doubles down, chuckling, “See, unoriginal. Already been done by yours truly.”He shakes his head, ignoring his insufferable boyfriend as he considers what this means. When he looks back, about two weeks ago he thought he saw the boy in the grocery store with his mother. When he turned around to check the aisle again, they were gone. Maybe it wasn’t just his imagination like he convinced himself. The alpha begins to wonder if they should invest in more than a doorbell camera when his thoughts are interrupted.Dean’s freaking out and making decisions for him.The omega begins pacing, scent turning sharp as he details, “I’ll take this over to the office, have someone go over to his house. Scare him into stopping like we should have done…”He doesn’t let Dean get much further, “No, I don’t want to scare him at all. We’ve talked about this Dean, he’s a sweet kid just a little misguided. Don’t push.” He asks, putting his hand out for the envelope.He hesitates before handing it back but Castiel’s glad to have it in his hands. Dean respects his decision to then toss it in the trash, explaining, “I can easily ignore a few ‘love letters’, it’s more attention than…”Foot in mouth has struck again.Dean’s expression turns to stone, lips gone rigid in a thin line as his eyes grow cold.“More attention than what, Cas?” He asks, venom woven throughout his tone and scent. “Than you get from me?”Castiel tries to fix his words, denying his assumption outright, “Of course not…”Dean sees right through it, always has, correcting, “I’m not fucking stupid, Castiel. I’m not even gonna touch the creepiness of that statement in regards to a college kid but if you’re really so deprived, what the fuck are we doing?”He rushes to clarify, rightfully pissed at the implication, “First of all I did not mean it that way and you know it.” Adding through clenched teeth, “Secondly, you’re never home, Dean. Of course I’m lonely, but that doesn’t mean I’m seeking anything outside our relationship.”Dean seems to soften, slightly, tone apologetic as he stutters, “I know you would never…I think I need…I’m gonna go to the office for a little bit,” he finally gets out, glistening glass greens bouncing anywhere that isn’t Castiel’s demanding gaze.“We’re in the middle of a discussion…” he grumbles incredulously, his own eyes remaining pinned to the omega.Dean just shakes his head, gathering his keys and wallet.“I love you but I can’t, not right now,” the omega insists in a shaky whisper. Giving him a ghost of a kiss, he swears, “Promise I’ll be back for dinner.”Castiel watches from the door as Dean jumps in Baby, startling a murder of crows from a nearby tree with the growl of the engine, speeding off down the formerly quiet street.No one can fault the alpha for being doubtful of his parting words._______________________________________Dean can’t believe he said that. Well, implied it, accidentally or not it was wrong. Even now, the words feel like poison in his mouth, turning his stomach. He needs to put some space between them, get some air. Focusing on work will be good, then he can go home to Cas with a fresh mind less likely to fuck up the good mood they’d been riding since the omega got home. Cas will be pissed but that conversation wasn’t going anywhere good, better to let cooler heads prevail or whatever the saying is. With that thought, the omega beelines his way to his desk once he arrives back at the office, better to dive right in and get his mind off of the widening cracks in his relationship. Dean prays he didn’t just create a sinkhole with his bullshit.Returning his attention to the case, Dean pulls out photos from all four crime scenes attempting to find anything worth noting between them. So far, the only connection warranting the FBI’s involvement has been the first murder, his old partner Benny’s ex mate Andrea. The alpha’s gutted, Dean visited him and his fiance last week. Garth is doing his best to be supportive but Benny’s a shell of himself right now. Dean can barely look at the photos having spent so much time with Andrea prior to the split, but he has to, it’s part of the job. A single thread was found at the scene of her murder as well as the second murder but it hasn’t been identified.He’s hoping there’s more that they missed.Dean runs through each victim out loud, “At the first scene the victim was drowned and staged to appear like a strangulation. Second was shot but the wound was sewn and hidden, vic was staged as a suicide by overdose. Third was a stabbing made to look like an allergy attack,” the omega huffs a groan, rubbing his eye with the heel of his hand. “None of this makes sense.”Maybe some sort of connection will coalesce out of thin air. Dean’s mind wanders, back to Cas of course. The alpha almost had him on his misspoken side for a moment in the kitchen, sapphire eyes pinned on him right after they kissed. Practically screaming for more. Sending floods of want through Dean he’s frankly so goddamn tired of pushing down or taking care of himself in the shower. He could kiss Cas all day and never get enough of his sweet lips. Dean found himself mesmerized, seconds away from suggesting they do it anyway, take the chance and mate today. His inner omega whines, demanding what it’s been begging for, but Dean can’t abandon this, not when family is involved. In hindsight, that information probably would have been helpful to Cas when he explained it all but they’ve been shit at communicating lately. His internal thoughts are interrupted, with exactly what he’d been waiting for. It comes to him like a bolt of lightning, “There’s absolutely nothing in common, other than the forced differentiation between them…”Usually, there are accidental similarities between one murderer and the next but the absence of at least one seems…purposeful. It’s not a huge crack in the case but it could lead them to the murderer. Dean follows his theory down the rabbit hole as the hours tick by.*****He doesn’t make it home for dinner.The omega pulls up, tired and hungry, a little past midnight.Cas grunts and groans when Dean crawls into bed, skin still cool from outside. Reluctantly spinning around to face him, making room for his boyfriend to use his chest as a pillow, pulling him in closer. His alpha brushes a kiss to his forehead before dropping back into a deep sleep. He can feel it bearing down on them, the day when these little fights won’t be so easily resolved by a simple cuddle and a kiss. Basking in Cas’ body heat warming him up from the fall winds, the omega relishes in the fact that day isn’t today.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Castiel wakes up practically sweating, extra limbs belonging to his boyfriend wrapped tightly around him. He savors the moment, nuzzling softly into his omega’s bedhead. The alpha wouldn’t quite call it enabling, his inability to stay angry with Dean, even if he has every right to be. He left mid conversation, not waiting to hear Castiel’s side after throwing a wild accusation at him out of nowhere. The omega was gone for hours, far past dinner, crawling in bed freezing cold around midnight and disturbing Castiel’s sleep. He should be angry, could be. But with Dean in his arms after months of barely seeing him in person, the alpha would rather live in the present. Their relationship has been…rocky, to say the least, for months. He’s not going to drag this small argument out to prove a point that’s already been made. Dean heard him even though he was upset. Moving on. “Forgot you do this shit,” Dean mumbles, eyes still closed tightly against the rays of sun invading through the window. “’S creepy, Cas.”The omega moves to swat him away not anticipating Castiel taking hold of his hand, peppering his skin with kisses as Dean barks a laugh in surprise. Once he gets his breathe back, after the alpha’s done torturing him, Dean asks, “We good?”The tensions evident in the set of his jaw, the strain of his muscles, even the tightness of his hand in Castiel’s. The alpha takes that hand again, pressing kiss after kiss into his boyfriends freckled skin before murmuring, “Always. It’s just a few bumps in the road, Dean. I’m not going anywhere.”He seems to relax, smile widening with the alpha’s continued attention brushing kisses across his skin. _______________________________________Dean closes his eyes, in complete and utter bliss as Cas worships him, letting his worries float away. Each kiss a spark to the fire growing low in his belly though he ignores it, choosing to get lost in feeling the sensation rather than giving in to it.His alpha’s here with him, Cas isn’t going anywhere even if Dean keeps giving him reasons to. One of Cas’ strong hands grips his neck as the other slides smoothly down his bicep. The alpha’s warm lips continue their journey, only pausing for the alpha to whisper, almost as a prayer, “I love you, Dean. Never doubt that…” The omega’s heart bursts as his arousal skyrockets, murmuring back sweetly, “Love you…” Cas gets daring, licking Dean teasingly across the collarbone before skipping the sensitive skin of his neck in favor of connecting with his begging pout once again. All it takes is one slick slide of his eager tongue and the omega opens for his boyfriend, deepening the kiss, unable to hold back a low moan from the overstimulation as Cas rolls him smoothly on his back. Peering up at the alpha perched above him, sapphire eyes flashing with lust as arousal thickens in the air around them, Dean wants more.So much more. But, at least one of them is thinking clearly as the alpha quickly moves his ‘mate’s’ traveling hand away from the opening of Cas’ boxers.
Oh.
His inner omega whines as if to say ‘so close’ but Cas is right. They’ve both proven they can’t be trusted not to almost go too far attempting anything more than this. Dean can’t help it, the alpha’s fucking gorgeous. “I could…” Cas begins to offer like he always does but Dean shakes his head no adamantly. The alpha sighs, walking off to handle matters on his own, leaving the bathroom door wide open behind him. The view is spectacular, his boyfriend’s stunning clothed, a masterpiece in the nude. Dropping his boxers, Cas explains in pure exasperation, “It doesn’t work that way, Dean. The likelihood of me having a drop of semen on my finger and introducing sperm capable of impregnating you while you aren’t even in heat is a whopping 0%, love. This is an imagined fear…”“Blah blah blah, you’ve been hanging out with Sammy and Adam too much. Nothing’s getting ‘introduced’ anywhere until we mate.” Dean grumbles, ignoring his boyfriend just like he’s ignoring the tent in his boxers.Meanwhile he’s getting fucking cinema quality surround sound with a full HD visual of Cas stroking himself to completion. Strong hands pulling sweet moans from his throat, cerulean eyes scanning Dean’s barely clothed form, ramping up the growing heat between them. He tries, but the omega can’t look away for long, eyes glued to Cas squeezing his knot as he moans lowly one last time, “Deaannnn…” thrusting into his fist, coming in spurts all over the towel on the floor. For just a moment, Dean can practically see it, that last thrust knotting their sweat slick bodies together as his alpha’s teeth…Dean feels it, right before planets explode behind eyes he can’t recall closing, universes realign as colors burst around him. The omega shouts hoarsely, whining, “Cassss, shit!” as his body arches up off of the bed blowing his fucking mind without a single finger touching him.Silence follows, broken by the alpha stuttering in disbelief, “Did…did you…just from watching…?”“You couldn’t see…yourself…that was fuckin’…somethin’ else,” Dean pants out, shimmying out of his ruined boxers. Admitting, “Hey, I’m not mad about it,” shrugging with a sloppy grin as he rides his endorphin wave. Coming in your pants might embarrass someone else but that’s about as close as he’s ever gotten to orgasming with his boyfriend, the sappiness has invaded. “My work here is done,” Cas bows awkwardly, chuckling loudly as he turns on the shower, calling back, “And to think, I was just doing it to be an asshole. Glad to be of service, love.”Dean snorts a laugh, well aware. It’s not like they make a habit of tempting each other that way often but goddamn was it worth it. The omega rolls over, intent on going back to sleep until the shower’s free._______________________________________The rest of Castiel’s week off passes with little notice to himself or Dean with how wrapped up they become in one another, when the omega’s home of course. But, the alpha feels his absence less significantly knowing he’s just across town. Not four to five states away with missed calls and angst tainting stolen moments. It’s been nice, but as he fills a plain white mug with steaming coffee, the alpha groans at the obvious signs the ‘honeymoon’ is over. “Charlie!” He calls out, waiting for his friend to come to his office door. She pokes her red curls in, asking, “What’s up, bossman?”Turning so he has her full attention he asks, “Did anyone move my bee cup while I was out? It’s not where I left it…” his favorite cup, Dean got it for him and he’s never had a reason to move it but it’s missing. The omega slowly shakes her head no, searching around the room as though he must have overlooked it but he didn’t. It’s gone. “If it doesn’t show up I personally will search high and low for a replacement,” she declares, hand over heart. The alpha takes it seriously, Charlie knows how important that mug is to him. Castiel thanks her as she makes her exit, shoulders drooping at the news she hasn’t seen it either.His inner alpha whines at the loss, slumping down on the ‘ground’ in agony at having lost a gift from its omega. A little dramatic but Castiel feels a distinct sadness as well remembering why he was given the cup in the first place. It wasn’t an anniversary gift or birthday present, not even a ‘just thinking about you’ gift. Dean bought Castiel that mug a year after his parents died, not long after he and the omega met. A subtle reference to the bees the alpha helped his parents tend as a child, the bees his brothers sold without his knowledge after their sudden deaths. He hasn’t spoken to Michael or Gabriel since, not needing their side of the story. Dean was there for him as a fellow orphan, an unfortunate thing to bond over but it ended up pulling them closer. Dean showed up to his job at his last school in D.C., on one of Castiel’s rougher days, with that mug. It was before they were ‘together’, but he remembers distinctly being flooded with the burning urge to pull his friend into a perfectly indecent kiss after the gesture. Solidifying feelings he’d been trying to ignore. So yes, he’d like his fucking mug back. Before he can look into the disappearance any further, Donna knocks ready to debrief on the comings and goings in the school during his absence. “Welcome back, Mr. Novak, how’s mated life treating you?” The beta asks, oblivious to the lack of change in scent to the alpha. His smile tightens before he can yank it back into control, telegraphing his next words as his friends face droops, “Dean couldn’t make it, he was needed at work.” His words come out strangled, belatedly adding, “But, thank you…”Donna has the good sense to slide right on by the information, it’s not like it’s new, and right into the reason for the meeting. Castiel’s glad to hear nothing’s on fire, well, other than the trash can someone set on fire in the gym, and no one left the school injured in the last week. He’ll call that a success since they did have five suspensions and one expulsion. The predicted Daniel being the expulsion. The alpha shakes his head as he listens to the rundown, a part of him hoping the kid heard him but apparently not. She reads his expression right, “I was secretly pulling for him too, but that pup…” she pauses before continuing, “There’s more going on with him than we can help with if he doesn’t open up.”The meeting ends on that somber note with Donna leaving to supervise one of the lunch periods. Castiel just so happens to know this is the same period Ms. Mills, the gym teacher, takes her class to the cafeteria. He won’t say a word, minding his business instead and tackling what feels like millions of work emails that went unopened while he was out. *****Castiel’s on his way to his car at the end of the day when he realizes he never checked his school mailbox. The alpha would prefer going straight home but it’s probably full. Turning around, he slogs his way back to the main office where the staff mailboxes reside. Even a year later, the title change above his name makes his scent turn sweet with pride and his heart warm as a smile breaks out on his face. The accomplishment took years, it was bittersweet having Dean and his ‘brother in law’s’ surrounding him in celebration instead of his biological family. But, the Winchester’s have been nothing but welcoming and the alpha loves them for it. Dean will just have to get over that bond including them discussing his well-being, sometimes ‘behind his back’. The alpha drags the thick stack made up of envelopes from the post office but mostly folded papers from other staff members. Sorting through it all, the pink envelope catches his sight right away. He’s used to this method of delivery, but…this would mean while he was out on leave Bart snuck into the school. The alpha races back to his office, pulling up the footage from the last week and beginning his search as he opens the ‘letter’. ‘I love your smile, it brightens my darkest days.’The pup could have a future sweet talking an age appropriate alpha, that’s for sure. Unfortunately his search for proof comes up fruitless several hours, and one pounding stress migraine, later. It makes him late for dinner with more than a few missed texts and calls from Dean to show for it. Castiel tries to think of a valid excuse, knowing he can’t show this letter to Dean. He’ll just insist on going after Bart with a heavier hand than Castiel feels is necessary. The alpha makes a mental note to stop by Bart’s mothers house, if he’s there, he’ll have a talk with the boy with his mother present. Hopefully that’ll clear this up for good. Castiel’s pulling into the driveway without an alibi five minutes later, this should be fun. _______________________________________The omega races home on time, for the first time in days, to make dinner for Cas. His plan was to do it last week, to make up for the disaster of their cancelled mating day. But, this case has been sucking up all his time and they had a busy weekend. Saturday, he took Cas to see Benny, they took over one of Cas’ casseroles and sat with him for a few hours. Sunday, Cas roped Dean into finishing their list of ‘spring’ cleaning and putting up the Halloween decorations. Normally he’d complain, but the list was about as long as his absence has been around here lately. It’s a self created issue. The omega pulls Baby smoothly into the driveway, Cas’ fugly old Continental is missing signaling the alpha’s still at the school. Good, more time for Dean to set up his surprise. Seeing how far Cas went for him made Dean feel like even more of an ass for having to back out once again. He’s asked a lot of his boyfriend over the years, waiting to mate until his career was stable is just one more thing to add to the long list. The alpha’s spent all this time waiting for Dean to be ready, in one way or another, it’s no wonder he’s beginning to lose patience. Mind swirling with different iterations of this same thought, he throws together a homemade pizza, extra cheese and pepperoni just like Cas loves. By the time it’s ready to go into the oven Dean isn’t any closer to a solution for his work/life balance right now, not one that doesn’t involve completely fucking up everything he’s worked so hard to achieve. He decides to push these ‘big’ thoughts to the side for now, not wanting to get too distracted from the task at hand.Once the pizza is in the oven and he has a timer going, Dean heads upstairs to grab a quick shower, washing off the nervous sweats he had going on all day. Dead end after dead end will do that to a person. The omega’s freshly cleaned and clothed once he hustles back downstairs to check on the pizza. When he’s sure it’s not burnt to a crisp, he decides to watch something while he waits, turning on a nature documentary since Dean knows it’ll make Cas happy. The alpha should be getting in any minute now…*****Dean hears keys in the front door, shoes being kicked off, socked feet padding his way on the hardwood. Now he knows how Cas felt that night, but at least Dean had the decency to call. The alpha begins to apologize, walking into Dean’s line of sight in the living room, explaining, “I’m so sorry, I got distracted catching up with paperwork and we had an expulsion…”The statement doesn’t quite ring true, but he isn’t sure why. Dean shakes his head, arms crossed tightly as he asks just one of the crazy theories his mind created in the almost six hours he’s been waiting. Unlike Cas, he isn’t fucking wasteful so dinner’s wrapped up in the fridge for his lunch tomorrow. He’s not sure if Cas deserves any yet.Demanding through clenched teeth, “Was this some kind of petty attempt at revenge, Cas?”Cas visibly balks, taking a few steps back from Dean, finally spitting out, “Absolutely not, Dean. And if you would think that of me…” the alpha goes quiet, scent wavering between hurt and anger. Dean’s seconds away from apologizing when he catches a hint of…fear? The omega stands from the couch, stepping into Cas’ space as the anger seeps away, asking, “What are you afraid of, Cas?”Cas bristles, backing away once again nothing like his alpha usually is, practically melding into his being at every chance. Clingy isn’t the word for it.It’s safe to say something’s not right here.“I’m not afraid of anything, Dean. Concerned maybe,” the alpha admits, though he can tell that’s only part of the story. “Why is your first response every time we have a hint of an issue that I’m doing something to purposely hurt or harm you? Have I ever done anything to make you feel unsafe either emotionally or physically?”There’s real pain in those ocean eyes as they pin him to the spot, hiding something or not Dean’s not being entirely fair here. Heaving a deep sigh, he gives up the investigation into whatever his alpha’s hiding, for now. This needs to be handled first. “It’s not that, Cas,” Dean pauses, trying to get the words right so he doesn’t make things worse. “I try not to suspect the worst of people anymore, I know that was learned behavior. But, it still pops up at the ‘best’ of times, like now. You’ve never done anything to me to make me think that about you, babe. I’m sorry…”Cas nods, understanding dawning in his cobalt eyes as his stone facade cracks just a little. Right before he pulls the rug out from under Dean’s feet.“We can’t keep going like this, Dean. I think we should consider couples counseling, before one of us says something we can’t come back from,” Cas continues speaking as though he isn’t awakening a real and present fear in Dean with his words. “This isn’t healthy, love. We both have some things to work through. I love you and I want you, forever. That’s why I’ll always want what’s best for you, for us. Dean?”The alpha finally moves back into his space as he maintains his stoic silence. Cas came in here acting off, afraid of something. Of Dean freaking out, maybe because he wants to end things? He’s still not quite acting like his Cas, and now he wants to go to couples therapy? Maybe Dean was right, maybe the alpha’s reached the end of his rope and he’s hoping a therapist can let the omega down easy. Well, he won’t make it that easy for his boyfriend. “Sure,” he agrees out loud, inwardly he’s already formulating an alternative plan.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Nothing appears for the next few days to Castiel’s immense relief. The alpha hated not telling Dean the full truth, could tell the omega wasn’t completely in the dark. But, it was the better of all his available options. He meant what he said and that conversation was proof, they need outside help mending what’s bent between them. The following Monday, Castiel’s ready to begin the search for a therapist with Dean. Well, he would be if he wasn’t one more missed call away from mounting a search for his omega instead.Dean’s at it again, going ghost when he starts to listen to those voices in his head instead of the people that love him. The alpha leaves his third message in the last hour, sighing, “Dean, I’m reaching the end of my patience. Call me back.”It only dawns on the alpha once he disconnects, he didn’t end the message with his usual ‘I love you, Dean.’
Shit.
That probably wouldn’t play well with his freaked out boyfriend at the moment so he fixes it by sending it in text instead.
Cas: I love you, Dean. Even when you’re being unreasonable.
That done, the alpha tries to maintain focus on his work. His intermittent glances at the dark screen taunting him on his desk aren’t helping with that goal. Thankfully, though not really when he considers the reason, Donna bursts into his office out of breath and gasping, “There’s a fight on the second floor…”The alpha stands quickly, asking as they exit his office, “Where’s your walkie, or, you could have called…and why is my presence needed? Just separate them and bring them to the office.”Donna slows, small smirk growing on her face, “Adam’s involved…”Castiel stutters to a stop dead in his tracks, emitting a loud groan, asking, “What’s the issue now?”Walking past him, Donna explains, “Your brother in law apparently had his eyes set on another omega’s alpha…”Of course he does. Adam gives great advice in conjunction with Sam, but alone, the kid is every inch a teenager still making mistakes with no regard for the consequences. Sam’s slightly more reliable, wiser than most kids fresh out of college would be but he has his moments as well. “Why?,” Castiel whines, an oft repeated rhetorical question from the alpha. One would think with his older brothers as role models, watching all their mistakes and wins, Adam would know better. But he’s still a pup, learning and in need of guidance from his elders. When the alpha makes it to the hall where the two are being kept apart he sees why he was called, they’ve done real harm to one another. Adam’s already blooming a black eye with a split lip and his current ‘nemesis’ Jack Kline, normally a sweet boy, has a scrape on his cheek with his own black eye to match. Shoring up his ‘principal energy’ and storing his ‘brother in law vibes’, the alpha approaches, ready to demand answers. Adam makes things easier for him, “Cas, this psycho attacked me!”Jack growls in outrage at the accusation, countering, “No, he slammed me into the lockers out of nowhere!”Castiel interjects, “First, I’m Principal Novak at school, you know that Adam,” he pins him with a glare until the omega’s blue eyes turn apologetic. He swipes a hand through the disheveled dirty blonde hair in his face, exposing more of his eye as Castiel tries to hide his grimace. Dean and Sam won’t be very happy. Continuing, he reminds them, “Second, one at a time please. Adam, go ahead.”Adam glares at Jack, responding, “As I was saying, I was having an innocent conversation with Morgan when Jack came rushing over and punched me in the face. As Dean would say, everything after that was self defense.”It’s eerie how much he looks like his older brother in that moment. Castiel ignores the comment, turning to Jack and putting the same question to the omega, “What happened?”Jack straightens his spine, pointing at Adam as he explains, “He was talking to my girlfriend and he’s been flirting with her for months now, knowing we’re together.”Adam shakes his head, “Morgan said you broke up.” Castiel watches his brother in law’s tells, kicking the floor with his foot as he rubs the back of his neck. Eventually revealing, “She said you won’t leave her alone.”Jack looks crushed as his scent sours, his blue eyes well with tears, “I can’t believe she said that…”There’s not a hint of deception in Adam’s scent as the young omega approaches his sworn enemy of five minutes ago, comforting him. Adam whispers, patting the other boy gingerly on the back, apologizing, “I’m sorry…I didn’t know.”Donna left once it became clear this was a fight rooted in a cruel misunderstanding, he watches for a few minutes more before breaking the silence. “I won’t give either of you a suspension even though you deserve it for putting your hands on one another,” Castiel emphasizes, wanting to make sure it sinks in. There are ways to solve conflict that don’t involve injuring another person. It’s easier for Adam to forget than his older brothers, he was shielded from most of the boys childhood being so young at the time. “Thanks, Ca..Principal Novak,” Adam catches himself this time, apologizing. “Even if Jack hit me I didn’t have to respond.” Turning to Jack he does the right thing, “Sorry I…” he gestures to Jack’s eye and cheek.Jack returns the apology, “Yeah, I’m sorry about your eye and lip. I’m done with Morgan, she’s such a fucking liar.” The words sound foreign coming from a mouth he thought was innocent.Castiel immediately corrects the boy, though he inwardly agrees, stifling a chuckle as he softly reprimands the boy, “Language, Mr. Kline.”“Sorry, but she is,” Jack insists, though he blushes a deep red. “She’s always pulling shit like this. This is the first time she’s ever done it to me, though.”Castiel had Jack in several of his science and math classes over the years he’s been a student at Lawrence High, but he’s had less contact with him as principal so far this school year. The omega’s always been quiet, studious, and very curious. Never one to cause trouble in class or have drama like this in the halls. Maybe Morgan is the problem. Satisfied the boys made up, the alpha listens as they make the mutual decision to ditch Morgan in favor of being friends with one another. Castiel deals out the real punishment after the deal has been struck.“Two weeks detention and a five page essay on alternative means of solving conflict due in two days.”With twin groans echoing against the lockers in the empty hall Castiel steers them in the direction of their respective third period classes, walking away sporting a small smile at a job well done. *****Two days later, Castiel’s missing mug materializes in the most unexpected of places. Charlie’s still holding the golden mug out to him as he stares, suddenly unwilling to take it back. The cartoon bee, ‘Mayor Bee’ as Dean jokingly named him, stares silently from the side of the cup, big eyes begging to be returned to his rightful owner. “And you found it where again,” he asks, still in disbelief and slight disgust. “Boys restroom on the second floor next to a urinal,” She winces, repeating the location for the third time. Dutifully holding out the mug, she promises, “I sanitized this bad boy over twenty times, Cas. It’s safe, I wouldn’t be touching it with bare hands if it wasn’t.” The omega shivers in disgust herself at the thought of where it was found. Finally, the alpha takes the mug with two fingers on the handle, not willing to touch any other part of it even though he trusts his friend. “I think I’ll put you right over here for your new job as a pencil holder,” he narrates, placing the mug on the windowsill where the glitter honeycomb on the sides can glow in the sunlight. Where Mayor Bee and his silly top hat can have a nice view, never to be drank from again. Charlie’s face drops, “I’m sorry, Cas. Does Dean remember where he got it? I can start looking for a new one if you want…?”He shakes his head, it wouldn’t mean as much. Castiel calls up an approximation of a grateful smile, thanking his friend for her efforts, “I appreciate what you’ve done, Charlie.”Charlie seems to understand, a fellow orphan herself, patting him softly on the shoulder in support before exiting the office on silent feet. The beaming, yet slightly grossed out, smile she’d arrived with has dimmed in a way he can’t fix but he knows she’ll bounce back soon enough. Bart’s been in the school again. Castiel growls in frustration having the sinking feeling if he checks, there won’t be any sign of the young man on the security camera footage. It’s well past time for him to have a long conversation with Bart and his mother. Anyone else would have called the police on the boy by now for trespassing but, with no proof, that would be considerably hard to charge him with. For a brief second he wonders about taking Dean’s offer, immediately trashing the idea when he remembers he can’t even get the omega home for dinner let alone asking his boyfriend to look into Bart. No, that ship has sailed. Castiel’s not sure what brought the young man back to town, he heard he was offered a full ride at a school in Texas. But, coming back here doesn’t mean he gets to stalk the alpha again. This type of behavior has consequences and he’s sure the omega’s mother will agree with him, it has to stop. He begins to pack up, intent on taking care of this immediately. He calls Charlie back into the office, letting her know once she peeks her head past the door, “I’m leaving early, Donna’s in charge.”Her face screws up in confusion, eyes flitting over to the cup on the windowsill. Castiel doesn’t correct her as she comes to a slightly incorrect conclusion, nodding in commiseration.“Take all the time you need, Cas. Donna and I will hold down the fort,” She promises, practically pushing him out the door. Internally, Castiel shakes his head but thanks the gods for good friends and good staff. He can’t help it that Charlie happens to be both. With one last wave to the omega, he makes a quick exit to his car deciding to stop home and change out of his stuffy work clothes first. This conversation will require Mr. Novak the alpha not Mr. Novak the school principal, he needs to be personable not overly professional. Remind Bart there’s a human being at the other end of his obsession that doesn’t want this attention from him. The mission becomes all the more urgent when another pink envelope awaits him on the windshield of his car, ‘Bee mine’, obviously timed with the return of his cup. The alpha speeds home with increased urgency, skin beginning to crawl with the sensation of being watched every minute. His plans come to a screeching halt when he pulls into their driveway to find Baby parked in her usual spot, as though she and her owner haven’t been MIA for days. When the alpha passes by and touches the hood of the car, it’s still warm. Wondering if this is how Dean’s been managing to avoid him, coming home when he’s at work, Castiel takes the steps up to the front door listening out for his omega along the way. Once inside, he’s able to locate Dean by the heavy scent of distressed omega in the kitchen trying to put together a sandwich at high speed. “I could’ve made lunch for you too, but I guess you’d have to be speaking to me for that to happen,” Castiel can’t help but immediately snipe at the sight.Dean’s jaw tightens, retort fighting to break from his lips though he seems to decide against it, straightening instead and greeting him tersely, “Hey, thought you’d still be at work…”Castiel rolls his eyes, the statement confirming his suspicions. “So, you come home while I’m gone, sneak back to work before I get off then ignore my calls all evening? I see right through what you’re doing Dean and this won’t make me…”“Don’t make it sound like that,” Dean cuts in, golden greens flashing with hurt, “I’m not sneaking around trying to avoid you, it…I just…”Castiel waits for an explanation, prays for his omega to open up to him like he used to. Instead, Dean shuts down once again. The brief moment of vulnerability disappears like a puff of smoke with his next words.“Why are you home early?” He asks, rather demands, from the alpha as his scent thickens with suspicion. Castiel’s suddenly reluctant to share with Dean, the person who’s supposed to love him seems too unreliable at the moment to handle how things are progressing with Bart. The alpha decides not to involve Dean until he’s acting more like himself, choosing to handle it on his own for now. But, he can’t leave, not with the omega he loves in clear need of some sort of support. Even if he’s being a suspicious assbutt about it, deflecting blame.“This isn’t about me, Dean,” Castiel dares to point out, eyes firmly placed on his ‘mate’ as the words sink in. “Why are you avoiding me? If it isn’t me then what is it? I’m just trying to understand why you’re shutting me out…”Sighing, Dean rolls his peridot eyes up to the kitchen ceiling tracking a pasta sauce stain he has yet to clean up. Wandering hands and determined kisses made a certain omega accidentally flip a sauce covered spoon up into the air. The only missed spot during clean up was on the ceiling. The alpha smiled sappily spotting it in the beginning, became aggravated at the sight as time moved on, now he just wishes the omega would clean it up already. “You always start this shit when I have somewhere else to be, Castiel,” Dean grunts in frustration, whirling back around and slamming his sandwich into a reusable container. “I’m not avoiding you. I already said that and I’m not shutting you out, specifically.”Castiel feels like there’s something Dean’s trying to tell him but he’s missing the point. “Quit speaking in riddles, what’s wrong?” He tries, approaching Dean but his boyfriend quickly makes his exit heading towards the door. Dean’s strawberries and cream turns moldy and rancid, further concerning the alpha.“I love you, Cas,” he promises, emerald eyes filling with pain as he drops the bomb, “But, I can’t be here right now…”Devastation invades his oranges and cinnamon, the alpha asks, “Are…are you leaving me, Dean?”Dean stops midway through shoving socked feet back into his shoes, glaring at Castiel with unshed tears filling his eyes, “Never…why would…? Wait…you’re not…?”The omega checks his watch before flipping back and forth between the alpha and the time. Making a decision with a forlorn glance his boyfriend clarifies, “I love you, Cas. But I don’t want what you want right now. I can’t do this therapy thing…we can talk about it more later.”The scoff escapes his mouth before he can stop it, followed by a snarky, “Later, it’s always ‘later'…”The omega straightens, sorrow deepening as the tears begin to fall, “I know…believe me I know. I’m sorry…”Without another word, he leaves in a swirl of pain and sadness. Castiel walks into the kitchen in search of their whiskey stash, plans of lecturing Bart the very last thing on his mind._______________________________________
‘Later, it’s alway’s ‘later’…’
The words echo tauntingly in Dean’s mind as he walks out with the scent of hurt and angry alpha swirling in the air behind him. His own scent of rejection and pained sadness mixes in a terrible cloud that follows him all the way back to Baby. The omega knew it, Cas is fed up with all the waiting he’s put his boyfriend through. Done with Dean asking for time to mate, to wait to sleep together until that mating, to ensure his spot is secured as an agent before taking either step. Has he been selfish, asked too much of the alpha? The question haunts him as he navigates Baby down the busy streets back to the office, through wiping the evidence of the argument from his face and taking the elevator back up to the third floor. For all the time he spends here, Dean doesn’t have very many friends other than Benny so he isn’t impeded on his journey. The omega’s focus shifts, slightly unwillingly, back to the dead end case he’s still trying his damndest to find a sliver of a lead on. Something has to shake out or Bobby may reassign him. At first he fought against it, wanting to be home, closer to his soon to be mate for as long as he can be, even if it’s due to tragic reasons. But, now that everything’s falling apart faster than he can catch up, maybe another break from each other is better. His inner omega whines, blaming Dean for Cas being upset and hurt. He doesn’t disagree but the omega also can’t quite get behind the idea of opening himself up to a stranger. Dean can barely get the words out for Cas right now, let alone some random quack they find on the internet. He knows the words hurt his alpha but it’s the truth. Dean tries to focus on work, on the old case files stacked in piles on his desk. But, every few minutes, his eyes drift back to the blank screen of his phone sitting on the scratched wood. Wishing he had the courage to give his ‘mate’ what he’s asking for.
‘Later, it’s alway’s ‘later’…’
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Dean doesn’t go home that night or the next, in fact, he sleeps uncomfortably at his desk feeling like a fucking idiot. But, he’s too stuck in his own head to try and figure a way out of this mess between he and Cas. Thankfully, a distraction comes in the form of his weekly ‘bro date’ with Sam and Adam. Dean shows up early, snagging their favorite booth at The Roadhouse, a local diner owned by the Harvelle’s, family friends of Missouri’s and the best place to get a good burger other than his own house. A plus since he can’t go there right now.Just as he’s getting comfortable, the moose comes lumbering through the door with Adam following behind sporting a shiner. The omega jumps up, grabbing hold of his little brother’s face as soon as he’s in range, asking, “What the hell happened here?” Dean notices the split lip seconds later, scent twisting into concern as he waits for an answer. Adam sighs, pulling out of his grasp as he and Sam take custody of the other side of the booth. Sam snorts a laugh but Dean fails to see what’s funny, until he explains, “Our brother was caught flirting with Jack Kline’s girlfriend, he decked him for it…”“To be fair,” Adam cuts in, blue eyes squinted in annoyance at the ribbing, “She claimed they’d broken up and Jack was stalking her. And I punched him too, thank you very much.”The omega crosses his arms smugly.Sam rolls his eyes, smirking as he nudges Adam lightly in the side, correcting himself, “My bad, his ‘former alpha’ but this Morgan girl lied to them both. Caused a fight but they’re friends now, right?”Adam nods, briefly interrupted by the waitress coming by to take their drink order. Once delivered, the conversation picks back up.“What’d Missouri have to say about this?” He asks out of curiosity, already fairly certain of how the alpha took the news.Adam sighs, head falling back onto the booth behind him, admitting with a whine, “Grounded for two weeks…”Dean nods, misunderstanding or not it’s a fitting punishment. He’s sure Jack’s mom dealt out the same. The Klines have been in Lawrence for years, well before the omega left for college and Quantico, but he’s only had contact with Jack and Kelly a few times since his return. She doesn’t seem like the type to let something like this slide either. “Good, maybe you’ll learn not to be so much like Dean,” Sam jokes, taking a long sip of his beer, hazel eyes sparking with mirth. Dean musters a scathing glare for his brother, “Listen here Sasquatch…”Ellen saves him, walking up with Jo to say hello, “Haven’t seen you boys in awhile, well, not all of you.”He knows that last part was just for him, confirmed by Ellen's squinted eyes trained on him as his own scan over to her stern figure. Jo copies her mother with her arms crossed, frown fixed on Dean. The omega shakes his head rapidly, “You both know I was working, can’t fault me for trying to save lives and track down crazy serial killers, huh?Both women soften, slightly.“Guess you’re right,” Ellen grumbles, patting him on the back warmly. “It’s good to see you, Dean. It’d just be nice to see you more often.”The omega nods, the words silently echoed by his brothers and Jo. His absence isn’t just affecting Cas. Adam’s getting into fights, he has no clue what’s going on in Sam’s life, Cas is about ready to end their relationship, and Dean hasn’t spoken to most of their extended family in weeks. Everyone’s right, but he has no clue how to begin to change without jeopardizing everything he’s fought for as an agent. It feels too much like being asked to give up a part of himself, something the omega refuses to do.Nothing can be done about it anytime soon with Singer considering putting him on another out of town case. Andrea’s murder along with the others haven’t produced any further leads, no leads mean this was an eventuality he should have seen coming. The omega’s not sure how his boyfriend will take it, but a part of himself he can’t deny is hoping for the reassignment. Just to have an excuse to leave for awhile, he knows that’s fucked up. Exactly the type of shit Cas wants to talk about in therapy. One more reason to add to his checklist of why he should end things with Dean. “Dean?” Adam barges in, breaking him from his internal thoughts. “Did you hear me?”Shaking his head, he asks, “What?”“You should probably call Missouri or go see her before she tracks you down,” his brother advises, laughing at the face it pulls from him.It’s only funny because he’s not the one in trouble. Dean’s been back for two weeks now and has yet to contact their ‘foster’ mother. Really, by the time John died Dean was too old but she took custody of Adam and Sam while he was in college. The alpha saved him from having to drop out and she’s been nothing but amazing with his brothers since, she’s earned her place in their family. Dean’s scent turns guilty, eyes downturned to the wood table in front of him. Of course his first inclination back then was to drop out when he got the call, come home and take full responsibility of a teenage Sammy and barely out of elementary Adam. Be the big brother John beat into him, always responsible for Adam and Sammy’s well being while John went off and wasted their money on drinks at the bar.
No wonder he has problems trusting others.
It got kinda hard with a father like John.Promises to be home for teacher conferences or to pay for field trips only to fail them every time aren’t good deterrents against a healthy fear of abandonment with a side of strong trust issues. Castiel’s mating a goddamn prize, that’s for sure.
If they even make it that far…
Shaking himself physically, the omega scrapes together a response.“Been more than a little busy but I’ll go see her,” Dean promises, changing the subject again. “So, I know Adam’s got his sights on taken alpha’s but what about you Sammy? Met any omega’s who love salads and historical fiction as much as you lately?”Sam rolls his eyes, though he spends the next thirty minutes waxing poetic about Eileen. Dean can see the beginnings of love on his brother’s face, weaving through his scent. He’s happy for him.Truly.*****Dean heads back to work after dinner instead of home like he should. Singer meets him outside the elevator with the news he’d been, mostly, dreading to hear. “If something doesn’t shake loose in the next forty eight hours I’m putting you on that case in Texas with Walker,” the old alpha grumbles, walking alongside Dean as he heads for his desk. “Can’t justify having one of our best tied to a desk chair for days on end.”The omega nods, affirming his intent to do his best, “I’ll keep looking in the meantime, I don’t wanna give up on this.” He pauses, adding the solemn vow, “For Benny and Andrea.”Bobby’s face goes grim as he nods in agreement. With Dean’s desk in sight, the man departs without another word. He won’t lie, he’s happy to be on his own again. He needs space and time to think. Though, he’s aware there’s one part of this he can’t handle on his own. Reluctantly, the omega pulls out his phone, shooting a text off to Cas warning him of the possible upcoming changes. It’s what a responsible ‘mate’ should do, though he can almost hear Cas nagging him for texting instead of calling about something this important. The pile of old case files on the desk practically gives off a siren’s call, snagging his attention as he plops down in his FBI issued uncomfortable Ikea desk chair. The bureau claims they’re better for everyone’s backs. Dean would have to disagree having spent hours in this chair over the past two weeks, not to mention sleeping in the damn thing. He could bill them for a chiropractor visit, instead Dean digs back into what’s in front of him, feeling more and more like he’s looking for something that isn’t there. _______________________________________Castiel’s just getting out of the shower when he hears his phone go off with a text alert. Wrapping a towel around his still dripping body, he braves the decidedly lower temperature of the bedroom as goosebumps multiply on his skin from the chill. The alpha makes a mental note to call someone about the heat going in and out like it has been the past few days. His usual handyman has been more than a little busy avoiding him lately. The alpha’s eyes zoom in on his phone over on the nightstand. Picking it up and swiping to open, he has to reread the words a few times to understand before all hell breaks loose.
Dean: I’ve got nothing so far on this case, Singer just told me to be ready to leave in two days with Walker. There’ve been a few suspicious murders in Texas and they called us in, I guess.
The distinct urge to toss his phone into the wall overcomes the alpha, swiftly replaced with the burning need to have this out with Dean. Now. Part of him is convinced Dean had to have asked for this, but the more reasonable side knows he would never. The omega’s loyalty bred a deeper need to seek justice on this particular case, for friends they consider family. Knowing what’s driving his ‘mate’ doesn’t lessen the alpha’s ire all that much. Castiel begins rambling aloud as he dresses, pulling jeans onto still wet legs, ignoring how the dry denim bunches and sticks to his moist skin pulling at his leg hair. “You miss yet another mating attempt, come home anyway just to fight with me the entire time, only to leave again and try to break it to me in a fucking text,” Castiel gripes, pulling on one of Dean’s shirts ironically, and shoving his bare feet into a random pair of ill fitting crocs.
Whose are these?
The thought only holds him up short for a moment, declaring on the way out, “I don’t think so, Dean Winchester.”His inner alpha growls in approval as he stomps to the car with every intention of confronting his boyfriend at work. The fact Dean’s currently in a secured government building with limited access to the public suddenly seeming like a non issue in the face of his boiling anger. Months of being ignored and pushed to the side come to the forefront as his scent sours.The fifteen minute drive feels like seconds. Castiel blinks and he’s sitting out front, unsure of what to do now. The entrance is of course guarded, he can’t even access the parking lot without one of those scanning badges Dean keeps in his wallet. Uncertainty begins to set in as time ticks by. Finally, the alpha sighs as he takes the only step he can, responding in kind to Dean’s text.
Castiel: I’m outside the gate, we need to talk.
The alpha snorts dryly as his phone immediately begins to ring, answering, “Hello, Dean.”The omega begins shooting out rapid-fire questions alongside a familiar refrain, “What are you doing here? You know I can’t have visitors it’s…”Castiel cuts in, finishing the sentence for him, “…against protocol, save it Dean. It wasn’t ‘against protocol’ that night we snuck up to the roof to sta…” the alpha’s cut off before he can fully point out his hypocrisy.“..start baking!” Dean whisper shouts slightly hysterical, saying directly into the phone, “That was a one time thing not to be discussed on an open line, Cas. Have I taught you nothing, babe?” The omega snorts as though everything’s just fine, like the wondrous life they built together isn’t slowly crumbling bit by bit around them. “Don’t ‘babe’ me, Dean,” Castiel huffs out, rolling his eyes though his boyfriend can’t see. “Buzz me in, or whatever it is you have to do. Sooner rather than later these pants are beginning to…itch…” he grimaces, wishing he’d taken the two seconds to dry off before angrily storming out.
Oh well.
Dean groans, “This better be an emergency, Cas. I’ll let security know who you are, meet me in the parking lot.”He hangs up without another word. Moments later the man Castiel hadn’t even noticed standing in a little shack by the gate buzzes him in. Nodding to him as he passes, Castiel follows Dean’s instructions to the parking lot, finding him waiting impatiently next to Baby. Castiel’s barely parked when the omega rounds the car, opening and slamming the door as he drops into the passenger seat to face him.“What’s wrong?” He asks, emerald eyes darting from Castiel back to the building.Even now, he only has half of Dean’s attention. That fact, it’s the proverbial straw that causes him to lose control for a moment, letting his full rage take over. “You. You’re what’s wrong, Dean,” Castiel spits out, words icy and sharp enough to cut. They both flinch as if struck, his worst fears coming to fruition in real time. Moldy strawberries and curdled cream stifle them in the small space as rejection brews, Dean asks in a strangled whisper, “What the fuck, Cas? Why would you say…?”The alpha can’t let him continue, he doesn’t get to feel hurt right now. Not after all the times Castiel’s had to suck his own down, act like everything was fine every time ‘something came up’ or ‘I’ll pass on the next one, promise’. “You’re leaving me again, Dean. And you decide to tell me in a fucking text?” He asks, appalled once again as he repeats it. “That’s what you’re pissed about? I was trying to do the right thing and you’re still mad. Swear I can’t do anything right with you.” Dean pretends to have a lightbulb moment, smacking the side of his head theatrically as he laments, “Oh, yeah I forgot I’m ‘wrong’ so everything’s my fault anyway.” Dean rants on, scent going stormy as Castiel’s own builds to match. “Don’t turn this around, you know exactly why I’m upset and it has nothing to do with placing blame. I love you, Dean and I know you love me.” He emphasizes the point, wanting to make it clear before his next words. Sure to piss his ‘mate’ off, he continues, “What worries me is the level that you allow your career to interfere with our personal lives…”Dean cuts in venomously, “Here we go again! Castiel we’ve been over and over and over this. I’m not choosing the FBI or work or what the fuck ever over you,” his eyes soften for a moment before hardening once again, “But, I’m not going to let any one of these assholes in that building over there push me out just because of my designation. Something we agreed on…”Castiel can’t let him go on, “Yes, I agreed in the beginning but that was over two years ago, Dean. You’re established, Singer’s said you’re his top agent more times than I can count. You’re in, love. Now it’s time to take a step back and…”“No!” Dean shouts, vehemently. Glass green eyes gone wild as his jaw tenses, working to get his words straight, “You’re not in that office with me, out in the field. Singer can compliment me all he wants but for every accepting person like him there are five other knot heads asking whose dick I had to suck to get in or whispering behind my back like its a goddamn high school. You don’t know what it’s like, Cas.” Dean sighs, shaky hands brushing through his hair. “They don’t matter, we do Dean. We can’t lose us while you try and outwork, outsmart them at a job you’re already leagues better at in the first place. You’re exceptional, Dean. Everyone can see it but you, apparently. And that’s why they come after you, because they know they’re lacking,” Castiel leans into Dean’s space, needing his omega to hear him. “I can’t keep feeling like I’m in this alone, Dean. Like you love being an agent more than you want the life we planned together. You can have both, Dean.” The alpha goes a little woozy with how quickly Dean’s scent shifts, strawberries going juicy with fresh cream. The words just fall from his mouth, filter fading faster than he can account for, "Just quit being so fucking stubborn.”If he could rewind time, he’d stop his little speech after ‘you can have both, Dean.’ But Castiel doesn’t have superpowers, he gets to watch in real time as his omega’s face morphs from tentative acceptance and impending sappiness to a hurricane of rage. All because of this persistent foot in his mouth.“You sound like them when you do that, you know. Those times you ‘slip’ and say the wrong thing,” Dean rolls his eyes dramatically. “But is it really a slip, Castiel or is that how you honestly feel?”The alpha huffs an unamused laugh, “Stop being willfully ignorant, Dean. It’s beneath you. You know exactly what I meant, you’ve been exceedingly frustrating to deal with for the past few weeks.” _______________________________________“‘Willfully ignorant’…hmmm…Castiel why were you home early the other day?” Dean asks, turning the alpha’s bullshit back around on him.If he wants to show up unannounced, dredging up problems while Dean’s supposed to be working, then he can enjoy some of the spotlight. His boyfriend immediately closes off, ocean eyes going blank in a way he can’t stand to see, Dean forges ahead, “See, I wasn’t gonna bug you about it but it’s almost like you forgot you’re ‘mated’ to an FBI agent. An ‘exceptional’ one by your own words. I may be ‘willfully ignorant’ at times but I also can tell when you’re lying so, what is it? What are you hiding from me?” He demands, not caring they’re practically screaming at each other in a parked car outside his job. At this point, the world outside could be burning, his world is breaking right here in front of him. Nothing else matters.Hindsight is in fact 20/20.With no idea how to fix what he’s almost singlehandedly ruined, and no response from the seething alpha in front of him, Dean continues, “Let’s go down the list. Are you suffering from extreme blue balls? Regretting agreeing to wait on that too?” He snarks, watching the alpha closely for tells. He hasn’t quite hit the truth, “Probably, but that’s not it. Are you hoping you can get whatever quack you find to soothe the ‘fall’ after you break up wi…”Dean’s frozen in his tracks by the deep growl that emanates from his alpha at those words. The rest of the sentence stalls on his tongue, never to see the light of day as his mouth snaps shut. “This is exactly why we need the fucking therapist, Dean,” Castiel spits out through clenched teeth. “You always assume the worst, I suggested therapy to try and help us work through our issues and somehow you twisted that into me wanting to leave you? I’m not your father and you can’t keep putting your trust issues on me, it’s not fair…”Dean’s done with this, any compassion he’d begun to feel for his boyfriend draining quickly.“How fucking dare you try and put this all on me, Castiel,” he shouts, slamming his hand on the dashboard in frustration. The alpha’s pushing all his buttons right now but he knows better than to ever bring up John Winchester. Especially during an argument. Besides, their problems have shit all to do with that poor excuse for an alpha may he rest in hell. Castiel snorts a derisive laugh, “That’s the only place to put it, Dean. Or are you the one who goes to bed alone every night in an empty house with the stale scent of mate and mine to greet you in the morning? Are you the one with stabbing chest pains for weeks every time you leave?” The alpha stops, breathing in deeply before pinning Dean with a devastated cobalt stare. Between shuddering breaths he whispers, “You know what, this is fucking pointless…just…go back to work…” Cas seems to lose steam, wind fleeing his sails as he droops over the steering wheel. Dean wants to say more, take back everything he’s done to make Cas look like…this. Defeated and small. “Cas, I…” he stutters but the alpha won't allow it, cutting him off yet again.Cas turns sparking sapphire eyes on him, unshed tears making them glow eerily in the low evening light as he whispers tersely, “Go.”He goes.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The omega heads inside just long enough to tell Bobby he’s calling it for the night. With the swirl of rotten strawberries, curdled cream, and rejection trailing him the alpha thankfully doesn’t ask any questions. “If you ask me, you’re both idjits. Go home, come back fresh in the morning,” Singer orders.Unfortunately, the alpha’s well aware of he and Cas’ ‘issues’. As much as Missouri’s his surrogate mom, sharing the title with Ellen, of course. Bobby is about as close as he’s got to a decent father figure. The old man may grunt and grumble, but he cares.Dean nods silently, thankful for the words of support in the form of an insult. He’s rooting for them. The omega prays he’s not wrong.
‘Wrong’
The reminder wracks him with shivers, pushing him to hurriedly make his exit back outside. Cas’ long gone, the space next to Baby void of his old Continental.
‘You need a new car, babe.’
‘Why?’
‘It’s a fugly pimpmobile…’
‘No, Dean. She’s a classic, timeless like the Impala.’
The memory’s there and gone in a flash of a moment, like lightning. The fight leaks back through in bits and pieces, replaying Cas’ venomous words over and over.
‘
You.
You’re what’s wrong, Dean!’
‘Just quit being so fucking stubborn.’
‘…you’ve been
exceedingly
frustrating to deal with for the past few weeks.’
The omega shuts his eyes, trying to hold back the tidal wave of tears to no avail as he starts up the Impala. Blinking away moisture, he heads to the one place, the only person he could stand to be around right now. Three red lights and one stop sign later he’s sitting in front of Missouri’s unassuming baby blue ranch. Dean came here willingly, still he hesitates a moment in the driveway. The alpha comes to the door before he gets up the nerve to get out of the car, eyeing him sternly with a glare he’s come to know well over the years. There’s love and fondness hiding within her brown eyes, if you know where to look. “I see how it is, Dean Winchester. Got around to almost half the town…” she huffs playfully, leaning into his hug before pushing him inside. The omega can’t hide his face in the brightly lit entryway and his scent worsened on the ride over, making his despair all the more noticeable. Missouri gasps, holding her hand to her gaping mouth, asking, “What happened?” Chocolate eyes widening before he can answer, pulling him into her embrace. The dam breaks, Missouri supporting him as best she can as Dean drops to the floor where they stood, wracked with sobs. He cries for himself, for Cas, for the possibility those final words were the end. Cas telling Dean that he’s given his last.“Stop it,” Missouri scolds softly, handing over a paisley handkerchief from who knows where. “I can hear you spiraling, boy. Castiel would follow you off a cliff if you asked him to, this isn’t the end.”“Feels like it,” Dean whines, wiping the moisture from his face. The omega sits back, not wanting to crowd the small woman as he calms down. “Cas is done and it’s my fault…”Missouri corrects him, warmly but sternly, “Castiel’s rightfully frustrated, Dean. You’re not gonna like what I’m about to say, but I’ve never coddled you boys…”Dean groans, dodging her playful swat for his arm as the last of his tears dry up. The alpha continues, speaking above his grumbling, “You’ve got yourself a good alpha, Dean. He’s not gonna abandon you, so quit trying to run before he has the chance to. It’s not protecting your heart, just breaking the beautiful bond the two of you have in a way you won’t be able to fix.”She maintains a knowing level of eye contact, making sure he gets the message. “I may not be your biological mother or your mother in the eyes of the law, but a mother still knows,” Missouri explains, letting Dean help her up from the floor. “Tell him how you feel. The truth and not that mixed up ‘Dean’ version ya got running around up there.” She motions to his head with a warm chuckle.This is why he loves Missouri. Honest and straight to the point.Still, her advice is easier said than done. Missouri seems to sense his continuing unsteadiness on the topic, offering up something he could never turn down in an obvious attempt to further soothe him.“I have a pie cooling on the counter,” she says, smile widening as he perks up slightly. Dean hesitates, asking, “Apple or Cherry?”“Cherry,” Missouri answers, leading the omega to the kitchen. Apple may have been Mary’s specialty but Missouri makes a mouthwatering cherry pie the omega could never turn down. Dean’s of the firm belief most of life’s issues can be solved with pie. The warm, almost quarter of the pie, slice Missouri plops in front of him goes a long way towards helping him feel better.
For now.
Dean knows this is a food bandaid. The feelings are still there, under the surface. Threatening to drown them both. *****Dean spent the night in Sam’s old bedroom, returning to the office the next morning with another slice of Missouri’s pie in an old Tupperware container, determined to find anything that can keep him here. He and Cas have some work to do, they can’t do that if Singer reassigns him.Something keeps nagging at him, the omega rubs his eyes trying to stay awake as he hunches over the desk. Skipping his morning coffee’s definitely come back to bite him in the ass. The images in front of him blur into a gruesome smear of color.Dean hasn’t pulled out the file for this particular case in quite some time. It was one of his first as an official agent, his first unsolved as well. One of the newer scenes, no all of them in fact, share hidden details with this case the omega managed to overlook. Until now. If Dean’s right, they’re dealing with a copycat or their guy could be back. He’s not gonna lie, he’d love to be able to close this case out, especially for the survivor. The omega’s in witness protection, but as an agent Dean still has ways to get in contact, he sends a message requesting a meeting with the woman. Dean and Benny interviewed her years ago but case notes, recordings, and his memory aren’t the same as having a fresh discussion. If this is their guy, the beta’s pattern has changed drastically, not just obsessing over one individual but becoming a full fledged serial killer. It’s worrying, he seems to be escalating though there hasn’t been a murder in weeks. Dean knows it’s only a matter of time. With the ticking clock at his back, due to run out in less than twenty four hours, the omega makes a decision. Grabbing his phone and wallet off of the desk and snapping the case file shut he makes a swift exit outside. Jumping into Baby, Dean takes a moment to appreciate her sweet rumble before driving off in the direction of the first scene. It’s always better to investigate these things in person, even if the scene itself has already been cleared. Dean’s about an hour down the road when the thought strikes him, in his haste, he forgot to tell Cas he’s leaving even if it’s only for a day or so. His last words shake him out of it, it’s only a day or so and the main goal is to keep him close, otherwise Singer will send the omega out to Texas without needing his agreement. He’s doing this for Cas, the alpha will have to understand. Besides, Dean has no guarantee the man would even pick up right now if he called. The words halt his breath, pain just as Cas described stabbing into his chest at the thought of his alpha abandoning him. Missouri’s voice comes in just in time, soothing his frayed nerves like a balm.
‘…this isn’t the end.’
Pushing his gut wrenching thought down, the omega redirects his attention to where it’s most needed right now, the mission.He can’t let this guy get away again._______________________________________ Castiel pulls into the driveway, defeated silence blanketing the space around him. The late October chill drives deep into his bones for the seconds it takes to dash from the car to the front door, following him into the entryway. With the gagging scent of moldy oranges and burnt cinnamon not far behind. That conversation didn’t go at all as planned, though in hindsight he didn’t really have a plan. Going in half cocked always does end badly for Castiel. On some level or another he meant every word he said, just not how he said it. It seems to be an unfortunate repetitive mistake of the alpha’s. Dean has been unreliable and negligent lately but he’s not the horrible villain Castiel made him out to be. The hurt on his omega’s face replays in his mind as he shuffles through the door.
His omega.
Castiel’s not ready to give up, but that doesn’t mean Dean isn’t. He never wants to sound like any of those assbutts his boyfriend deals with at the bureau, but under the microscope some of his recent comments don’t ‘pass the vibe check’, as his students would say. Castiel doesn’t know how or when it slipped in but he’s eradicating all of it here and now, the alpha’s supposed to be supportive of his ‘mate’, not treating Dean like the man is nothing more than an omega. Put on this earth to mate Castiel, pump out a few pups and take care of the home. Castiel shudders at his words, repeating through his mind, ‘…now it’s time to take a step back…’ and what? Mate, becoming ‘owned’ by his alpha in the eyes of the law, only to have to prove himself to his fellow agents all over again. Dean’s reasoning becomes clearer as he stops to think without his own emotions clouding his judgement. Starts to remember their original agreement now that he can see past the hurt stacking between them, beyond the near constant blame game. They both have valid points, but Castiel keeps snagging on how to give them each what they need without having to sacrifice too much.Hence the need for a therapist.The alpha kicks off his mystery crocs, padding into the kitchen wishing for a stiff drink, knowing he can’t with work in the morning. His attention is dragged away briefly as his bare foot slaps into a chilled puddle of water on the kitchen floor.
Dean.
His mood shifts swiftly, veering back to extreme exasperation. Sad frown morphing into a sharp grimace. Castiel loves his boyfriend immeasurably, but his disregard for cleanliness is getting to be a bit much. If it’s not puddles of water spilled from the fridge dispenser, it’s wet towels left on the bathroom floor, or using up all the paper towel and not refilling the roll. That damned sauce stain on the ceiling, he eyes it with disdain as he simmers. The omega wasn’t always like this. Some may say they’re petty issues but, with the couple in such a discordant pattern, each action is another nail scratch on the proverbial chalkboard of his life. Dean can’t deny the mess he neglected to clear away after making his lunch the other day. His boyfriend stormed off mid fight and left the counter covered in breadcrumbs and sandwich toppings the alpha had to clean up. Point proven.Dean’s excuses aren’t even creative anymore, sticking to the claim he isn’t home enough to cause all the ‘imagined’ drama Castiel keeps ‘cooking up’. None of this would be necessary if he would just come home for good, instead of sneaking in to shower and eat while Castiel is at work.The alpha scoffs shaking his head as he wipes up the puddle of water, ‘imagined', sure. None of his grumbling, as he tosses the paper in the trash, does much to change the circumstance he’s found himself in. The alpha slumps down at the table in a mirror of a few weeks ago, waiting for Dean to come home. He knows the chances of his love walking through the door are about 2% or less after everything said between them tonight, but his inner alpha hopes as he prays.
Please…
He’d rather have his boyfriend here, probably more than a little angry and annoying the holy hell out of Castiel. Instead Dean’s out there thinking his alpha doesn’t love him anymore. Here, working on how to grow closer together rather than further apart, even if that process begins with a little yelling and screaming. The alpha would rather sleep on the couch and let Dean have the bed if it means being under one roof again, even if Dean deserves the couch more. The visual of making the omega sleep on the couch, especially the pouting that would follow, causes him to chuckle just enough to break his morose mood. Only for the moment. He’s not giving up, but Castiel’s about as ripped open as a person can get right before saying those three words Dean fears so much.
‘I’m leaving you…’
*****Castiel’s in his office the following Monday preparing for a staff meeting later in the day. It takes him quite awhile to even notice it. The same shade of pink, larger to accommodate what he’s sure is a photo of himself doing something mundane. The alpha had hoped Bart had given up, or better yet, gone back to school. Apparently, he’s just not that lucky. The combined issues at home and this lite version of stalking from the old student is beginning to wear on Castiel’s nerves. Opening the envelope, he finds a photo of himself sitting at his desk, as he is now eerily enough. The vantage point indicates it was taken from the parking lot facing his office, the accompanying note gives away the time of day.
‘You look best in morning light.’
Castiel heaves a deep sigh, chucking both the photo and note into the trash after ripping the photo to shreds.If it were anything more than childish notes and pictures the alpha would already be at the police station, but call him crazy, he doesn’t want Bart arrested or hurt. He needs to do what he said from the beginning, start with Bart and his mother in private, impress on the young man how much this could impact his future if it needs to go to the level of involving the police. With the reminder of his plan, Castiel returns to his task sending out a faculty wide reminder of the after school meeting. *****Two days later, Castiel’s on his way out the door to meet the repairman for their intermittent heating problem when he remembers he hasn’t checked his school mailbox in days. The alpha approaches with trepidation, noticing the pink envelope hanging out further than the rest of his mail right away. This time, he doesn’t bother trying to check surveillance, knowing he won’t be there. Snatching the envelope from the box, he tears into it right then and there to find a photo from a few days ago when he went to the bank. The alpha’s standing in line behind a woman who kept looking back at him, the naked lust clear in her eyes. But, estranged or not, Castiel’s not in the market for anyone outside of his mate Dean Winchester. It’s interesting his ‘stalker’ would capture this specific moment, only in that he harbors the same ‘not interested’ feelings for Bart as well. If he didn’t have an appointment to keep, he’d rush over to the boy’s house right now and handle this directly.Castiel crumples the note, ‘Obliviously gorgeous,’ stomping off to make it home in time. Completely forgetting the rest of his mail, dropping the remaining pieces in the trash on his way out. *****Castiel stays late on Friday, hours after Charlie’s gone home. The omega stayed as well, helping to plan who’s chaperoning the schools Halloween dance next week. Normally, it’s on a volunteer basis but this year it looks like a few will have to be ‘voluntold’ so they have a solid adult to teen ratio. The alpha’s about ready to call it quits when the urgent need to pee hits him hard. He hustles down the hall and around the corner to the nearest bathroom, thankfully cleaned by the janitor after the students left for the day. Castiel takes his time, humming a tune to himself as he finishes up, walking leisurely back down the hall. It used to scare the alpha, working late at night in an empty school. Every imagined thump sounding like an unknown supernatural creature on the prowl, now that he’s been teaching for years he’s a seasoned veteran. When he walks back into his office Castiel begins to reconsider that last thought.It sits staring at him, dead center on his desk, as though brewed by the alpha and left there prior to his impromptu bathroom break.Mayor Bee almost seems to be winking at him from this angle, steam from the fresh coffee held within the mug curling up into the air innocently. The overhead light catches glittered honeycomb surrounding the cartoon bee, extra pizzazz Castiel always loved about the cup. His blood runs cold, not from fear of Bart. If the omega’s in the school he’s sure he can take him, but from shock that someone managed to sneak into his office once again without his knowledge. On autopilot, Castiel picks up his office phone, already two digits into 911 before slamming the receiver back down.He’s right, if Bart is here he can take him and it’ll give Castiel solid proof to bring to the omega’s mother.He can end this without police involvement. Dean would rage against this decision but he doesn’t want Bart to have a record if he can help it, it would follow the omega for life and that’s not the type of teacher or principal the alpha’s ever wanted to be. This wouldn’t be the first home visit he’s made for concerning behavior and it won’t be his last. Castiel can handle it, without the authorities.Tomorrow afternoon, he’s too exhausted tonight.For now the alpha scours the building room by room, finding no sign of the omega, just a few cobwebs and suspiciously shaped shadows. All of which turn out to be completely innocent objects made terrifying by his ruminating mind. Once he’s sure the school is clear, the rattled alpha grabs his belongings, dumping the coffee out and taking the mug with him as he locks up and heads home. On the drive, he wonders if it’s wise to continue to keep Dean in the dark, but he’s not even sure the omega wants to speak to him right now. It’s better for Castiel to continue on with his plan. The alpha’s more than competent enough to handle a wayward former student.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Castiel’s pulled from a deep slumber a little before noon, his internal clock wired to wake early even though he desires to sleep in. His barely open eyes automatically drift to Dean’s side of the bed, the lack of warmth across his body a brutal reminder of the absence of his boyfriend. The alpha already misses the man, no matter how brief Dean’s return ended up. There will never be a day Castiel breathes on this earth that he doesn’t, but he can’t do much about that particular issue right now. Rolling over, he decides the best way to keep his mind off of his problems with his mate is to place his focus elsewhere. With his intended ‘appointment’ at Bart’s house looming later on in the day, just as menacing as trying to tangle with his fears about his relationship, the alpha begins to make a list in his head.Speaking aloud, his words echoing uselessly back to him against the walls of the silent room as he stands to begin the day, “Better to clean the bathroom or the guest room…”…than to ruminate endlessly regarding he and Dean’s worsening problems. The alpha holds the words back as he follows through with his morning routine, using the bathroom and brushing his teeth while he thinks. Ignoring the growing dark circles under his eyes, the persistent cold chill in the room. Just one more thing to add to his list, though the last was supposedly fixed, the goosebumps on the alpha’s arms would beg to differ. At least Bart and their dying HVAC are problems Castiel feels he can resolve. However, the very idea of Dean wanting nothing to do with him anymore is a terrifyingly real prospect he’d rather not entertain at the moment. A whisper in the back of his mind warns him ignoring the problem won’t make it any better. He ignores it as well, gathering dirty clothes and towels from the bathroom hamper instead.Contrary to what he hoped, cleaning doesn’t quiet his thoughts like it used to. Castiel’s haunted scrubbing the counters in the bathroom, triggered cleaning that pasta sauce stain off of the ceiling in the kitchen, sorrowful swapping the sheets in the guest room, completely devastated dusting in the living room. The alpha catches glimpses of Dean in each space, doing one boring thing or the next, but here. Sitting at the table in the kitchen sipping his morning coffee. Black, no cream or sugar. Tangled together on the couch watching Dr. Sexy, Castiel grumbling ‘cowboy boots are impractical footwear for a doctor’, though the alpha secretly enjoys the show as well. In the backyard as they rakes leaves, tossing them at Castiel, his omega forgoing his assigned task to push them into orange jack o’ lantern bags for trash pickup. The natural conclusion being a leaf battle, usually leading up to chilly kisses amongst the vibrant reds, golds, and yellows of fall. The flashes of memory do nothing more than highlight Dean’s absence. A chilling reminder, they’re at the brink of something life destroying. Castiel can’t lie, his inner alpha whines pitifully as he considers his truth, his belief that they went too far this time, said too much. That his words ate through the last bit of hope for their wondrous life and love built together, already hanging on by a tenuous thread. The alpha watched, wishing to rewind time as light left Dean’s vibrant emeralds, dulling the fire to keep fighting. That utterly broken look…Castiel can’t…he doesn’t…it’s the alpha’s fault, now he’s left to wallow in the mess, alone. No, Castiel’s done enough, if the omega wants to talk he’ll reach out but he won’t pressure Dean by calling excessively. The mood he was trying his best to avoid settles around his shoulders like a frigid blanket. Familiar, though he hasn’t felt this shattered since he last saw… The alpha doesn’t allow himself to finish that thought. Forcing himself to switch tracks he remembers he was supposed to make a grocery run. Otherwise he’ll be eating cheap ramen for dinner all week. Castiel shudders at the reminder of his high school eating proclivities, quickly snatching up his car keys to save himself from the sodium intake alone. The alpha’s about halfway to the stairs to change his clothes when he decides there’s no one to dress up for anyway. The general public can have him in his sweats and his…or maybe Dean’s he’s not sure, Aerosmith tee. The only person he ever cared to ‘look presentable’ for isn’t speaking to him anyway. *****Castiel’s trip to the grocery store is just as boring and tiresome as cleaning the house turned out to be, highlighted by ghostly memories of his omega throwing his favorite foods into the cart as the alpha advocates for more fruits and veggies instead. Always a losing battle to his and Sam’s disappointment. The alpha would give anything to have Dean tossing Ring Dings and Twinkies into the cart with several pies as Castiel throws in leafy greens and apples to counteract all the sugary baked goods. He gets held up in the snack cake aisle, daydreaming for a terribly inordinate amount of time. The alpha ends up having to rush the rest of the shopping now that he’s running late, only realizing he forgot the milk as he’s unloading in the driveway. “Well, not going back right now,” he mutters to himself, grabbing all the bags at once so he can keep his ‘one trip’ record. He adds to the difficulty by snatching up the mail on his way past as well.It’s easier with Dean but he’s been doing this alone for so long…Castiel’s completely in his head, he almost misses them as he sets the groceries down on the island. A thick pink envelope, sitting delicately in between a flyer for the local grocery store and their electric bill. Without hesitation, he tears into the envelope pulling out a stack of photos as he studies the first. The alpha’s messy dark hair and a version of his father’s eyes stare back at him from their driveway as he climbs out of Baby. Dean’s at his side, evergreen eyes on the alpha even though Castiel’s seem pointed elsewhere. His omega looks beautiful as always, sunlight playing across scattered freckles, pink pout twisted into an attempt at a smile. Almost ethereal, but Dean’s bottle greens tell another story. The pain, longing, unadulterated hurt swimming in his boyfriends gaze almost drops him to the floor, filling him with the burning need to track Dean down now and set things straight.It’s just the beginning.The evidence taunts him from the island. Four identical photographs sitting flipped over next to his bagged groceries. Dean’s voice rings in his mind practically begging him to call him or at the very least the authorities but, though he feels violated, none of Bart’s actions thus far feel decidedly dangerous. Still, he needs to be sure. The perishables can wait, that’s what freezer bags are for. Pushing everything to the side, the alpha picks up the rest of the photos. The second photo, Castiel standing outside the school last week overseeing loading of the buses at the end of the day. So far they fit Bart’s usual pattern with the third being Castiel in his office once again, he would think it was the same photo as last time but he’s wearing a different button up. Blue this time, the one Dean says brings out his eyes. It always comes back to Dean, after all. Castiel takes a deep breath, blowing it out in a whoosh as he flips the fourth and final photo. This one is from earlier in the day while he was out raking leaves. The alpha rushes outside, looking for any hint or clue someone was there with the stupid hope he can catch the pup in the act. Those photos were left while he was out, by now he’s long gone. There aren’t any signs outside of activity other than Castiel’s own.“I think we’ve reached the ‘Call Dean’ portion of the program,” Castiel jokes grimly, heading back inside to do just that. They may be dysfunctional as hell right now but his mate is damn good at his job, the alpha’s starting to feel like an idiot for disagreeing with Dean that day. For hiding any of this from him to begin with, for all the stress it’s put on their already strained bond. The phone rings and rings as he shivers against the cold, finally going to voicemail. His worst fears realized, the alpha stutters out a message in hopes Dean will listen to it, “I…I know I’m the last person you want to speak with right now. I understand, I do.” Hesitating, he finally admits in a strangled whisper, “But, you’re right. I’ve been lying to you for weeks. Things are getting worse and…I need you, Dean.” Castiel lets his fears flow free, “I’m scared…and I know it’s stupid I should be able to handle this on my own. That was the plan. But I forgot one thing, Dean. We’ve always been stronger together. I love you, with everything in me. Please come home so we can fix us…” Realizing his ramblings have gone off track, the alpha adds, “…and more importantly so I don’t get murdered by a psychotic twenty something. I’m calling the cops too but I’d rather have you. Call me back, I love you so much.”With nothing left to do but wait for his mate to call back, and not wanting to pull the trigger on contacting the police until he’s sure Dean’s not coming, the alpha sifts back through the photos.Castiel mutters to himself, coming to a realization, “No notes, that’s new…”The alpha uses the notes like a barometer, a way to let him know where Bart’s head is at. In hindsight not the best of ideas, but he’s not exactly ‘batting a thousand’ these days in that department. Silly ‘sweet’ compliments would usually indicate this isn’t the type of escalation he should fear. Without them…Castiel has no clue. He needs to speak with Bart and his mother today, maybe with more information he can advocate for the kid. ‘Eye for an eye’ just isn’t in the alpha’s blood. Bart needs help, the kind he won’t find in jail. Prison can create monsters just as well as it holds them in.Castiel doesn’t want to be a part of that cycle if he can help it. After a few deep breaths do nothing for him, the alpha come to terms with the fact he may need more to calm his frayed nerves. Something soothing so he doesn’t go over there in a panic. The alpha remembers his forgotten carton of milk. Running over to the store to grab a half gallon of 2% for his midnight cereal cravings should do it. The familiar process of driving to the store, choosing a carton, checking the date and paying calms him. Castiel’s racing heart has slowed considerably, almost back to normal by the time he arrives back at the house to drop off his purchase. The alpha’s giving himself a pep talk as he unlocks the front door, “…just go over and have a nice chat. Non confrontational, let him know this behavior is inappropriate and has to stop. He’ll probably be arrested for stalking but…”His words tangle behind his teeth, unable to find a path past his lips. A second pale pink envelope resting next to the first on the marble countertop. Castiel’s stomach drops to his feet, ice water filling his veins as the bag falls to the ground. With shaky hands and unsteady legs, he approaches the island.The alpha’s preoccupied by one fact as his feet move, leaden and heavy marching forward. Bart was in their house. His body moves on autopilot, pulling this new set of photos from the envelope to find somethings changed. These are…The first is of Castiel fresh from the shower, standing in the kitchen in his ratty blue bathrobe drinking a glass of orange juice. By the alpha’s estimation the photo was taken from the backyard last week. The others are all variations of everyday tasks, all taken by Bart, right outside the house. The goosebumps spreading across his skin have less to do with the cold and more to do with feeling exposed. Castiel doesn’t get long to feel his emotions before they worsen. The sounds finally penetrate the fog he’s been in since finding the photos. Grunts and moans, barely registered when he walked in under the assumption it was the neighbors again. It’s happened before. Now, he recognizes that whine of want, groans and deep sighs shared in their sacred space. A cold sweat breaks out across his body, trembling hands drop the photos, forgotten as shaky legs walk towards the living room. It could only be one time, weeks ago. But they would never film…Dean would kill him if…but that distinct long moan partially comprised of his name and ending in a soft satisfied sigh. Followed by their banter, his heart stings listening, both for the breach of their privacy and longing for that moment again. Castiel makes it around the corner to catch the final images of his love rolling back over in their bed as the shower runs in the background. It appears to have been filmed from outside their bedroom window. Bart would have had to climb the tree outside that window to get a good view. Before he can analyze more, the video starts over from the beginning running on a loop. The alpha leaves it playing, immediately dialing his boyfriend again but this time it goes straight to voicemail. Castiel hangs up, why bother, he’s clearly being ignored. With no other choice, he calls Lawrence PD praying to get some of their competent officers today. This is too important. *****As soon as the alpha spots Officer Alistair and his partner Officer Abbadon making their way up the walk thirty minutes later, he knows. Smacking himself internally for bothering to call at all, Castiel greets the officers, well aware he won’t be getting any real assistance this evening.“Hello, Officers,” Castiel offers a smile he hopes isn’t a grimace as he motions for them to come in. “I apologize for the…graphic nature of what you’re about to see, but I’ve been dealing with a stalker and…he was in the house today. Something needs to be done…”Officer Alistair smirks as soon as they enter the living room, nodding towards the television as he asks, “Found your video stash?”Castiel shakes his head no, adamantly denying the implication, “We don’t have a ‘stash’. We’re not…into that sort of thing.”Officer Abbadon laughs snidely, “You forgot, Al. Deano’s saving himself, isn’t that right?” The crimson haired alpha turns to him, acidic grin spreading on her face at the barb. Castiel doesn’t honor her rude remark with a response, instead asking, “So, what would the next step be? I know who the stalker is if that helps, he’s a former student…”Abbadon and Alistair take down Bart’s information, as well as taking custody of the photos and video for evidence, promising to leave a car on the house for the night.“And you swear all of it will be destroyed once the case is closed?” Castiel checks once again, not liking the underlying hint of arousal leaking through the officers scent blockers. Alistair salutes, promising, “Scouts honor, right in the incinerator never to be seen again.” His heart sinks knowing they’re lying, but the officers rush off before he can formulate a response. Filing a complaint with Lawrence PD gets added to his list. It’s late, the alpha’s exhausted, drained both emotionally and physically. The officers promised to get in touch with Bart and his mother, check his alibi and arrest him if the evidence leads back to the omega. But, Castiel can’t put his trust in those people.The house seems cavernous now, silent and creaky in a way that he always felt gave their home character. Now, every unaccounted for tap or snap has him jumping scared. Briefly, Castiel entertains the idea of sleeping over at Missouri’s in Sam’s old room, but that feels too close to accepting defeat. Giving up and giving in, something he would never do. Tossing that thought away and doubling down to stay at home he considers trying Dean’s phone again, but he doesn’t want to push. It’s down to Castiel, Bart won’t take his sense of safety from him.“Tomorrow, no excuses,” he murmurs to himself, mummy wrapped tight in about three blankets on their bed.
No excuses.
_______________________________________“Winchester,” Dean answers his phone gruffly, not appreciating being abruptly awakened out of the few hours of sleep he’s gotten in the last few days. “It’s Henriksen,” his friend responds, perking the omega right up. The beta wouldn’t call if he didn’t have news. “What’s up,” he asks hurriedly, already halfway out of the bed ready to jam his feet into his shoes. A good agent sleeps mostly clothed, you never know when a call may come in. “Did you get in touch with them?”“Yeah,” Vic answers, though his tone is grim. “She doesn’t wanna talk to us but she agreed. Get ready for the address…”Five minutes later, Dean has the address to meet with the surviving victim of his suspects one and only murder. The road home has been calling his name since the day he left but this could be it, he has to follow this thread to where it leads. With that in mind, the omega quickly packs up. He has an interview to get to. *****Dean’s a few hours down the road when he remembers he meant to text Cas this morning, let him know where he is and where he’s headed next. Breaking his own rules, he reaches for the phone only to find it’s completely dead. “Fuck,” the omega mutters, not seeing his charger where it’s usually…The memory smacks him in the face, bringing the charger into the room and plugging it in the wall, where it probably still is since he can’t remember bringing it out in his rush to leave. Dean weighs losing driving time to get to a store to buy a charger for his personal phone versus driving on knowing in an emergency the alpha should have his work phone number too. He thinks. Even if Cas doesn’t, it’s just a few hours.
Just a few hours…
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Dawn comes sooner than Castiel’s prepared for, not having gotten to sleep until after midnight despite his best efforts. It’s easier to speak bravely than to put it into practice, falling asleep in a home that’s already been compromised at least once. But, today that issue should be remedied, if not by the police then by Castiel himself. The alpha rolls smoothly out of bed, shivering briefly against the fall chill that’s invaded their home. A short shower warms him enough to get on with the day. Castiel pours himself a bowl of cereal, mind already focused on what he needs to say to Bart and his mother. He’s well aware, now that this is an ‘open investigation’ with the police, technically he shouldn’t interfere. But, the odds of Alistair and Abbadon doing anything to truly help are pretty damn low. Castiel doesn’t have high hopes considering he never saw a car pull up outside last night, the alphas were probably too busy with that video to request someone come over and stand watch. Castiel’s reminded to file a complaint with their supervisor, though it won’t change what almost certainly happened after the officers left. A thought occurs to him, an uncomfortable realization. Dean just finished telling Castiel he doesn’t understand what it’s like to work in the FBI as an omega. What the alphas put him through on a daily basis, both in the office and the field. They’re not exactly FBI agents but if Alistair and Abbadon’s behavior is any indication of…It’s no excuse for his mate running off every time Castiel wants to have a difficult conversation about their relationship but…Dealing with knot heads like that on a daily basis without giving up entirely is remarkable, something Castiel should commend his mate for more often, rather than criticizing him so harshly. Dean’s right, the alpha has no clue what his boyfriend has to struggle against to make it as an agent. Castiel would just like the omega to admit to the negative impact that decision has caused in their home life as well, whether intended or not. Decreasing the time they can spend together, delaying their mating indefinitely, putting a wedge between them Castiel prays hasn’t become an impenetrable wall. He needs to know he isn’t in this alone, though often it feels that way. Needs to have his partner by his side problem solving, not creating new issues before they tackle the old. Sighing heavily, the alpha pushes those thoughts aside, focus returning to his morning plans rather than continuing to ruminate about Dean. There’s nothing left for him to do now, having finished breakfast.It’s time.Castiel once again grabs his keys, this time having dressed himself neatly for the occasion unlike his trip to the store. He may have serious grievances with Bart, requiring immediate attention, but Mrs. Harrington probably wouldn’t take him seriously in a ratty old band tee and sweatpants. Even if the scent of mate and mine coming off of it is heavenly, calming in the face of what he has to do, Castiel will have to draw courage from himself, not by having the illusion of Dean wrapped around him. Especially with no word back from his wayward mate as of yet.He’s on his own.Fighting to ignore the refrain in his mind as it whispers ‘What else did you expect? Dean’s never there when you need him…’ Castiel’s faint glimmer of bravery begins to waiver, sweaty hands gripping the steering wheel as he pulls out of the driveway headed towards Bart’s house.“That’s not entirely true,” Castiel mutters to himself, navigating the streets easily as golden sunlight begins to brighten the day. “This isn’t a battle about who’s wrong or right…pointing fingers is a sign of distrust…”…a problem they never had in the past. The omega’s had Castiel’s steadfast trust and deepest respect almost from the moment evergreen met ocean. He’s never questioned his boyfriend’s devotion, even now, that’s not his true concern deep down. The dark whispers in his mind, sprouted from the ugliness of their fight, taunting him as he attempts to fix what he can in this fucked up mess. Dean’s not here, whether by choice or order it doesn’t matter. The foundation of his trust is shaken, both in himself and his omega. Their hateful words send an echo, rattling the respect he holds for his mate, threatening to level their relationship in one fell swoop if they aren’t careful. His inner alpha pleads for his loves presence in this moment, not understanding. Not comprehending the truth of the matter, what that silence could mean.The alpha’s part in this disaster.For now, it’s simple.Dean’s not here. Castiel doesn’t realize he’s stopped in front of Bart’s house until the front door opens revealing Mrs. Harrington, frowning as her brow furrows in confusion. Taking a few deep breaths, he climbs out of the car to greet the omega. “Hello, Ma’m. I’m sorry to interrupt your morning but I have something important to discuss with you.”After a moment of tense silence where the alpha wonders if he’ll even make it past the weather beaten door, she slowly cracks it open enough for him to squeeze past. Although, once inside he slightly regrets not having this conversation on the porch. “Little early in the day for trick or treating…” the short blonde mumbles, peering at him oddly as she shuffles past on slippered feet. With the curtains shut, blinds drawn, it takes him a second for his eyes to adjust but his nose detects the dust right away. The alpha breaks into a fit of sneezing as Mrs. Harrington guides him to the living room, motioning for him to take a seat on a paisley plastic covered couch. The cloud of dust that puffs up around him as he sits makes the sneezing fit worse, not better. Mrs. Harrington offers a stale smelling handkerchief, not much help against dust but he accepts the act of kindness, smiling sweetly at the woman before pretending to wipe at his nose. He continues the farce, taking a moment to scan the room in the dim light escaping the covered windows as he holds the fabric to his nostrils. Castiel’s no neat freak, their own home having fell a bit into disrepair months ago with his recent depression, but what he sees around him is…something else entirely. He chuckles lightly as his eyes bounce around the room, “No, nothing like that. Honestly the date slipped my mind…”Thick, white dust covers every surface including the plastic meant to protect the couch the alpha just sat on. It’s everywhere, a fact Mrs. Harrington seems to be aware of as she skips sitting in the room herself instead choosing to pace in front of the fireplace. The mantle framing her small figure, occupied with several photos though he can’t make them out in the dark, along with other objects he can only denote by shape. The omega traces her fingers across each one reverently as he waits for her to speak, only realizing she’s probably doing the same after an awkward few minutes. He’s the one that turned up uninvited at her door after all. Avoiding anymore deep inhalations once the sneezing subsides, he skips the usual ‘you have a lovely home’, getting right into the reason for his visit, “Mrs. Harrington, do you remember who I am?”Nodding, she responds curiously, “Yes, Principal Novak from over at the high school. Not sure what on earth you could want with me…”The unspoken question floats in the air waiting for him to answer. Even now he hesitates, unwilling to bring trouble back to her door. But there’s no choice, Bart must stop. One way or another. The alpha steels himself getting to the reason for his early arrival at her door, wishing all of this was just a stupid Halloween prank.“Again, my apologies for appearing on your doorstep out of the blue like this. But, we need to have a serious conversation about your son. His behavior lately has been…less than ideal,” he explains, watching as his words only cause the omega’s confusion to grow. Confusion and….pain?Castiel doesn’t have long to grapple with his own befuddlement before Mrs. Harrington interrupts.“I never pegged you for a cruel man, Mr. Novak,” she whispers, shaking minutely as tension radiates in her every move.Taken aback, he immediately defends himself, “Hold on, that’s not at all fair Mrs. Harrington considering…”She cuts in, smile transforming into a grim frown as she shares, “For years, it’s just been me and my Bart. Had him young, many would say too young, before I knew how the world worked. Long before I learned the deceitful ways of alphas, tempting promises of love and forever until they get what they want,” she explains, features twisting into disgust as she looks him up and down. Castiel’s never been that type of alpha, though he’s met many like who he’s assuming is Bart’s father. His stomach turns, regretting having come at all as a sour taste invades his mouth traveling up his throat. Swallowing harshly, the alpha listens, fighting not to vomit on the dusty hardwood beneath his feet. “Sixteen with a pup to care for and no help, but we managed. Figured it out together, Bart and I, and that’s all we ever needed. When he passed that same milestone, his sixteenth, without a pup of his own I…I celebrated inside.” Her voice warms at the memory, light reaching her eyes as she explains, “You always want better for your pups…and he was doing well. Straight A’s, liked by his friends, all I prayed for him to possess right at his fingerprints,” she says, turning her cold stare towards him once again. “Until you. My boy couldn’t stop…obsessing over the idea of being your mate…”Castiel’s hackles raise at the underlying implication of her words, “I truly hope you’re not blaming me, Mrs. Harrington. I made it clear, both then and now, that I could never return your son’s feelings. Yet and still…”The remaining flicker of warmth in her sharp blue eyes flees quickly, tone gone acidic and near shouting, “Yet and still you’re the reason my boy is gone. Intentions mean very little now, don’t you think?”The alpha stands, taking two steps towards the woman, trying to make himself clear. The slight flinch in her stance as he advances brings him up short. Not wanting to make her feel unsafe, he begins to apologize when the images behind her coalesce into a nightmarish revelation. Castiel walks forward in a haze, eyes glued to the framed photo of Bart no older than when he last saw the young omega, at his graduation in full regalia, placed with care next to…Mrs. Harrington gasps behind him, whispering in shock, “You don’t know.”The alpha finds his own hands drawn to tracing the frame as his mind deals with the blow, eyes skipping over the urn set front and center not quite computing what’s right in front of him. The omega continues in the absence of his response, “My Bart’s always been intelligent, even blinded by his infatuation with you he managed to get a full ride to a good school out in Texas. I was proud of my boy,” she shares through tears running silent tracks down her face. “After graduation, he spent the summer here helping around the house. Come August he packed up and we moved him down just in time for the fall semester to start. I didn’t wanna leave him…” she admits, voice cracking as she whispers, “I should have listened…”“What happened?” He asks hoarsely, unsure if he wants to know now that the questions been asked. “They blamed it on the large campus, his lack of friends, my lack of an alpha. None of them knew what I knew,” the omega whispers, dropping like a stringless puppet to the dust caked carpet. “Bart’s problems didn’t start with his father running off on me and they didn’t worsen just because he moved away from home. Barty just couldn’t let you go, couldn’t be reasoned with. If he couldn’t have you then…”Mrs. Harrington weeps silently on the floor as the words crawl their way through the muddled mess of his mind. Castiel tries to make sense of them but he’s just coming up with nonsense, this can’t be true. The silver urn stares at him right along with Bart’s smiling face proving it’s not some elaborate farce. Bart Harrington has been dead for over a year. “Don’t get me wrong, Mr. Novak. I know you tried to set him straight, there’s no way you could have known.” She offers, wiping the last stray tears from her face. Her brow furrows once again, asking cautiously, “But, why did you come here looking for my son in the first place?”The alpha flounders, unsure of what to say that won’t have the woman calling the police on him instead for lunacy. He tries to explain as shivers overtake him, the facts finally hitting home. Comfort of a known enemy falling away, and with it his last reserves of courage and bravery. “Someone’s been leaving similar notes, like Bart used to, both at the school and my home,” he explains to Mrs. Harrington to her own shock and concern. “Yesterday they broke in and left photos, as well as a video of my mate and I, recorded without our knowledge.” The retelling brings his fury back up, inner alpha growling. “I called the police, but assuming it was Bart again, I came over here to confront the both of you instead. I…I could have sworn I saw you both in the grocery store weeks ago but…”“Clearly it’s not Bart, Mr. Novak.” She murmurs, adding, “We should call the police right away,” shakily standing to find her phone.He stops her, “Don’t bother, they were of no help last night. I’m going to try my mate again, he’s an FBI agent.” The alpha takes one last look at the urn saying a short prayer for Bart before preparing to leave. Mrs. Harrington follows him to the door, wringing her hands in concern around the slightly damp returned handkerchief as she advises, “It’s not a good idea to go back there. You can stay if you need to…”An offer that sounds innocent enough, but the way her eyes rake up and down his body…the apple apparently doesn’t fall far from the tree. Castiel carefully dislodges one of the woman’s wandering hands from his arm, smiling as politely as he can while turning her down, “I’m going to pack a bag and stay with family, but thank you for the offer.”Departing quickly with his belated condolences for the loss of her son, he wastes no time speeding back to a home he no longer feels safe in. Slightly amusing considering he’s been stalked for weeks now, but it’s different knowing it’s a complete stranger not just a misguided youth from Castiel’s past. He had this all wrong and it could have cost him his life. Castiel’s mind turns to who as he gets closer to the house, someone who knew enough to mimic Bart obviously. That narrows it down to school staff and his family. The alpha’s fairly certain Missouri and Sam aren’t in league together, the idea is laughable, but he can’t think of one person from work who would want to do this to him either. Whoever it is, the alpha prays they aren’t in a murdering mood tonight, he just needs enough time to pack a bag. Fuck needing to feel in control and strong, he wants Missouri to make it all better in the absence of his mate.He needs Dean, most of all.The silence of the alpha’s phone grows longer as the miles lessen, making a mockery of his hopes. Dean’s not calling back and he isn’t coming to Castiel’s rescue. *****Castiel takes precaution, grabbing the umbrella he keeps in the backseat to wield as his only weapon when he enters the freezing house. Wasting no time, he’s speed walking from the front door toward the stairs when he hears it.
‘I thought he approved the time?’
His voice repeats on a loop from the living room, beckoning him to come closer. When he enters he’s treated to a video of himself sitting on their bed alone, silently crying. The memory is old but the sight rips the wounds open anew. His boyfriends’ response can’t be heard audibly but Castiel wouldn’t forget the very first time he and Dean attempted to mate.
Dean sighs heavily, answering, “He did, babe. He did. But….”
The rest is lost to time, but he’s sure it involved one case or another. Dean exceeded everyone at the bureau's expectations, despite their misgivings at the time. The omega was riding the high of being recognized for his worth in a career he loves. So, Castiel made a choice to support his soon to be mate, sweeping his own feelings on the matter to the side not realizing he’d be setting a precedent for the next two years.He should have said something.
‘…no I understand. When do you think…oh. No, if he needs to talk go ahead you can call me back. I love you, okay bye.’
The alpha watches himself slump over onto the bed in defeat, burying his head into Dean’s pillow. He was better at hiding it back then, all smiles on the phone and utter despair in the lonely hours in between. Creeping closer to the screen and dropping the umbrella, Castiel peers at himself from an outsiders view. Fucking pathetic. If the stalkers goal was to make Castiel feel even more like shit, they hit the mark dead center. The sniveling and crying has gotten him nowhere other than his boyfriend possibly ghosting him. While the alpha stands in their house, alone.With the whereabouts of said stalker still unknown.Castiel stares, head tilting as he comes to a terrifying realization, “Wait, the angle…that side doesn’t have windows.” He gasps as it hits him all at once, “It had to of been shot…”…from inside the house.The horrifying thought has him scrambling to retrieve his dropped weapon, but his efforts are useless. A sharp pain flares on the back of Castiel’s head where something solid and cold strikes him once, then again, until it all goes dark.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Dean’s got about an hour left in his drive so he decides to run over the facts one more time. Better to have them fresh in his mind for the interview. Pulling out his voice recorder, he presses play on his old case notes, realizing now that his phone is dead the device is coming in handy.Two years ago, on October 31st, the woman he’s on his way to meet had her life torn apart.The omega listens to a past version of himself as Baby eats up the miles to their meeting spot.
“Suspect gained entry to the victims home through an unlocked screen door. The occupants of the home were in bed after a long night celebrating. The surviving victim woke first. She reports hearing something fall on the first floor prior to waking her husband. The alpha told her to go into their daughters room and wait for him, leaving the master bedroom with a baseball bat they kept for protection. The victim did as asked, locking the little girls bedroom door behind her. She believes there was about five minutes of silence before hearing her husband yell out in pain, screaming for her to take their daughter and run. She got her up, dressing her quickly and running down the stairs before stopping for their shoes at the front door.”
Dean recalls wondering at the time why she stopped, even knowing in that state of mind the strangest things can become important. Like shoes. The brain connects bare feet and the idea of going outside with the need for shoes. It’s conditioning. Years of being told by those in authority not to go outside without protecting the most sensitive part of yourself. In Dean’s professional opinion, fuck the shoes and get to safety. ‘Past Dean’ continues recounting the victims statement through the small speakers on his voice recorder.
“During that pause, the suspect found her, knocking them both unconscious. The victim reported waking up, unaware of how long she’d been out, in the basement with her husband and daughter tied up in front of her. Reports husband was bleeding from his temple as though he’d been hit as well, daughter was unconscious but otherwise unharmed. All three tied up with rope to dining room chairs. The suspect paced, talking to himself for an unknown period of time. The victim reports not being able to decipher most of what he said but eventually he worked himself up to do what he came for. He killed the husband first, chastising him for revealing himself to be a ‘lesser alpha’.”
Dean snorts derisively at the reminder of this particular suspects delusions. The omega won’t lie, part of him hopes this isn’t a copycat so they can finally get him behind bars where he belongs. Right now, everything’s riding on the outcome of this interview.“Suspect choked the husband for several minutes before giving up, resorting to stabbing him multiple times in the abdomen and chest instead. Moving on to the little girl, she…” ‘Past Dean’ pauses, having trouble with the words as he chokes out, “…suffered multiple stab wounds to the abdomen and upper chest, all of which was witnessed by her mother. The surviving victim was stabbed last, though it’s still unclear if he intended to kill her and it failed or if he left her alive on purpose.”To torture her with the memory of watching her family be killed, or for the suspect to have the opportunity to try again. Dean’s still not sure which is worse. He may be able to confirm the suspects intentions soon if this isn’t a copycat. They prayed the beta was a one and done, someone they’d catch up to eventually, maybe in his old age he’d slip up and tell someone what he did. They never had reason to suspect he would kill again. The man was a revenge killer without a purpose now that the victims family is dead, unless he intends to return for her. With ‘Elisabeth’ in witness protection the bureau figured she’d be safe. But not according to Dean’s research on the last three murders in comparison to this case. Enochian sigils, the meaning of which is currently unknown, were hidden throughout the scene of Andrea’s murder. A lot like the ones the suspect left painted on more than one occasion on the door of ‘Elisabeth’s’ home. That paired with abominatio scrawled across the wall in blood at the second crime scene and interitus carved into the victims stomach at the last, the omega believes it’s safe to say this isn’t some groupie that gets their rocks off imitating someone else’s kill. It has to be the man himself.Dean just needs some definitive proof from his last known victim.Once he has this case wrapped up, justice served for one of his closest friends, then he can hightail it back home and make things right with Cas. First things first.The omega pulls into the cracked driveway of the nondescript house the meeting’s taking place in. The sun’s beginning its descent in the sky, beaming golden sunlight like a beacon on the building in front of him. Out of habit, Dean finds himself scanning the perimeter before exiting the vehicle. Better to be safe than sorry. Per protocol, they aren’t conducting the interview in the town ‘Elisabeth’s’ been relocated to, especially not in her new home. If things’ve been done properly, this house should be at least a five hour drive from where the bureau relocated her. Dean spots Vic’s car already parked out front with another SUV behind it. It soothes his nerves knowing with everyone’s vigilance they shouldn’t have been followed here either. Wasting no time, Dean shakes the pins and needles out of his legs from the long drive, making his way to the front door. It swings wide open before he gets a chance to knock confronting the omega with a face he hasn’t seen in two years. A tad shorter than he remembers, a few more wrinkles. Same vibrant red hair but an eye patch takes the place of the bandages she’d had wrapped around her head last they spoke. “Looks good on you,” Dean mutters, motioning towards the patch as he shakes her offered hand. It’s the most awkward statement he could have made considering, but the other omega’s practiced neutral expression breaks into a wide smile preceding an amused chuckle. “Well, that’s refreshing, most people act like it isn’t there at all,” Ms. Sunder shares, leading him back to the living room with her ‘shadow’ following behind. “I knew I liked you for a reason, Agent Winchester. Thank you, truly.”Dean breathes a sigh of relief, glad he didn’t offend the woman. He gives a polite nod to the unnamed agent before turning his attention to Vic waiting on one of the couches in the living room.“Good to see you Winchester, wish it was under better circumstances,” his friend greets, standing to shake his hand as he introduces their colleague. “This is Agent Anna Milton, she’s new to the bureau.”“Nice to meet you,” Dean says, shaking the alpha’s hand with what he hopes is a welcoming smile. “You as well,” she responds, returning the handshake just as strongly, a hint of a smile behind her eyes.Lily interrupts politely, gesturing for them to take their seats, “Not to be rude but I’d like to get this over with…”“Sure, no problem, Ms. Sunder,” Dean agrees, taking a seat next to Vic on the couch as Anna stands guard by the entryway.“Please, call me Lily,” She requests, sitting in an armchair off to the side of the couch. Getting right to the point, she asks, “So you think he’s back?”The question takes Dean by surprise, expecting he’d have to prompt the woman to dive into such a sensitive topic. The asshole killed her family and took her eye after almost stabbing her to death, but here she sits defiant in her survival.He doesn’t keep her in suspense, sparing a glance to Vic and Anna before spilling, “Y-yes, possibly…” Dean pauses getting his words together before continuing. “We have three recent murders, same suspect, and all three share aspects that tie them to your attack.”Vic cuts in, “Detective Winchester and I asked you here so we can go over your experience that night with us, see what matches up and determine if we’ve got a copycat or if Ishim’s come out of hiding.”The other omega tries to hide it, the slight flinch at his name, but Dean’s eyes catch it anyway. It’s not a reaction borne of fear, he can tell, more like unexpectedly hearing a name she hasn’t spoken in quite some time. Lily may have been caught off guard for a moment, but it quickly passes. “Funny you’d show up on Halloween then,” She murmurs sadly, shifting to get comfortable in her seat for what will probably be a long and possibly heart wrenching discussion. “It was May’s favorite holiday…”If he didn’t need to know, Dean would leave her in peace. When he arrived, she looked about as happy as someone can having gone through what she has. Shadows linger behind her gaze, but they don’t overshadow her strength. Now, he watches as they lengthen, threatening to consume her tiny bit of happiness. Part of him doesn’t want to rip away the illusion of safety. But, he can’t justify leaving her open to a second attack. Dean shifts on the couch uncomfortably as his internal thoughts come to a screeching halt, his mind attuning to her previous statement. Halloween. Another year he won’t be home to help Cas hand out candy to the local kids, rate costumes as the night goes on, flirt incessantly between rings of the doorbell. Eventually, they’d get down to a trickle of trick or treaters and one of them, usually Dean, would suggest leaving the bowl on the porch and relocating to the living room. The night would end with scary movies and snuggles on the couch, but they haven’t done that in at least a year and a half. The omega’s heart warms at the memory while stabbing pains of guilt remind him his absence is truly his own fault.Dean couldn’t even make time for something as simple as handing out candy on Halloween with his mate. Maybe the alpha’s right to leave him. The omega’s swirling tornado of self recrimination comes to a halt as Vic continues the interview Dean’s supposed to be conducting.
Focus, Winchester.
“I’d actually forgotten the date,” Vic chuckles nervously, trying to lighten the mood and failing if Lily’s somber frown is anything to go by. Still, he persists, “Good thing we don’t have any pups or my mate wouldn’t be very happy with me right now.”Another awkward pause. Vic shrugs apologetically garnering a side eye from Dean. Luckily, instead of dragging Lily further under, the omega latches on to the change in topic. “Are you planning on having any?” She asks, hazel eye lighting up with curiosity.Dean’s sure if the man wasn’t doused in scent blocker, Vic would be radiating happy alpha. Smiling widely, he shares, “We plan to. Hopefully by the end of this year.”Turning to Dean next, Lily poses the same question, “And you, Agent Winchester?”Vic sends him a look telegraphing a clear message, the alpha will change the subject if Dean’s uncomfortable. But it’s fine, he answers, “My m-mate and I have plans to as well…eventually.”Figures it’d come up on this case, the reality being he could be happily mated right now were it not for his apparent inability to ‘just say no’ at work. Lily looks perplexed, mouth pursed and ready to ask a follow up question but she pauses. Somehow, understanding blooms in her hazel eye as it practically bores into his soul. Thankfully, the other omega changes the subject on her own, picking up on Dean’s distress signals without needing his scent. Sending her a grateful glance, they listen as she begins her harrowing tale. Lily shudders minutely before speaking, her sorrowful voice taking on a dream like quality, “I met him at work, I was a linguistics professor at the local college and he was one of my colleagues. We got along well, at first…”Her eyes go unfocused and far away, falling into the memories as she continues, “We specialized in translating texts in Latin and Enochian…”“The language of the angels…” Agent Milton murmurs, face going about as red as her hair as they all turn their attention her way. “Sorry, ignore me. Go on Lily.”“It’s completely fine, Anna,” she reassures, beckoning the agent closer. “Take a seat, you haven’t heard most of what I’m about to share, may as well rip the bandaid off if we’re going to be buddies for the foreseeable future.”Unless they catch Ishim, Lily will be seeing a lot of Agent Milton so she isn’t wrong. Anna timidly takes the remaining seat in the room, getting as comfortable as she can as Lily continues.“I enjoyed translating more than teaching. But, I had student loans and a young pup to care for, translating alone wasn’t paying enough. Ishim took me under his wing almost immediately, he was older and had been teaching there longer. He knew his way around,” Lily explains, wringing her hands in her lap. Her body language screams discomfort but, unless she asks to stop, they need to keep going. “Timeline wise, when was this in relation to the attack?” Vic asks, jotting down notes. It reminds Dean to pull out his voice recorder, setting it on the coffee table between them. Lily pauses, thinking before answering, “Maybe six months? I hadn’t been working there long before things got…weird.”“Define weird,” Dean asks, watching for non verbal cues as well as listening intently to her recounting.Lily sighs heavily, “Everything was wonderful for the first two or three months. I loved the sense of community between faculty and students, the freedom from feeling like I was barely making it financially. Finding my tribe, you know?”No, Dean doesn’t know. It’s safe to say they both had very different experiences coming into a new work environment. Dean got groped on a daily basis along with the usual alpha bullshit that comes with being in a role of authority not seen as a place where omegas belong. Exactly where he was when he met Lily. She went into the field of teaching, somewhere alphas expect to find omegas. Where she found ‘her people’ and went to work everyday feeling supported by them. Dean had Singer and Benny, until Benny retired and Vic seamlessly filled that empty space for the omega. He knows deep down this isn’t the focus of the conversation at hand, but he can’t help drawing parallels. Lily had what most omegas are told to reach for, did everything ‘right’, yet she lost her whole world in one night. Dean’s career started out rocky but its leveling out, yet he insists on throwing himself into every single case like he still has something to prove.He’s got the highest solve rate amongst almost all active agents at the Kansas branch. Cas has been trying to tell him this entire time, there’s nothing left to prove.It’s like a fucking lightning bolt, the realization damn near knocks him back on the couch, even Vic seems to notice something’s shifted. The other agents glare reminds him once again to focus. Lily, oblivious to his own spiraling mind, continues with her retelling, “Things shifted when Ishim began to dive deeper into the history and origins of some of the more…obscure Enochian sigils, in a way I’d never felt the need to. He became…a bit of a religious fanatic for lack of a better term and…a bigot. The teachings of whoever he was following…they were terrible. Denouncing male omegas and female alphas, calling them beasts and inhuman.” Raising a finger as she remembers, she quotes, “Abominations, that was his favorite term. I just…I couldn’t associate myself with him after that. His beliefs no longer aligned with mine and our friendship began to suffer until, finally, I cut ties entirely.”Vic huffs a dark laugh, “I’m sure he liked that…”Lily shakes her head, hazel eye glazed with agony as she responds, “No, no he didn’t. I often wonder if I hadn’t made that decision…”“No,” Agent Milton speaks up, not having said a word as she listened. “You have the right to protect your boundaries, Ms. Sunder…”“Lily,” she softly corrects, cobbling together a small smile for the young agent.Milton honors the request, adding, “Lily, none of this is your fault.”Nodding, the omega reluctantly agrees, “I know. The years will make you ruminate on what could have been but ultimately, I know.”Attempting to get things back on track, Vic asks, “What was his reaction, Lily?”They all know, but it needs to be in her own words. She could hold the key to ending this all.Lily turns her gaze to the threadbare brown carpet beneath her feet. After a few minutes gathering her words, she finally speaks, “Ishim faded into the background. Most of our friends cut him off and the university fired him after a group of students petitioned for his removal. He lost everything. And he blamed me, though I’m not sure why to this day. He twisted our friendship into something so toxic it became an unhealthy obsession.”“We hadn’t spoken in months, I’d begun dating another colleague by then. A good friend of ours, Akobel…” She explains shakily. “He was nothing like Ishim. Protective, loving. May absolutely adored him. We’d been married less than a year when Ishim came back the first time.” She says, taking a moment to sip her water before going on. Dean can tell she’s intent on finishing this story as fast as she can, speeding through the parts that hurt the most just to get it over with. The omega applauds her strength, he’s not so sure he could do the same without a single tear falling. Sure, her gaze swims in them, but none have escaped. Lily’s will is strong, he just needs her to hold on a little longer.“At first, it was small things. Sigils from the older texts left on the door in what turned out to be lamb’s blood,” Lily grimaces at the memory along with everyone else in attendance. “Akobel would wash them away but they’d reappear as if by magic days later. Ishim would call incessantly, getting a new number almost as soon as I’d block the last. I eventually had to change my number, it was the only way to get him to stop. He was escalating, I see that now in hindsight but…at the time I had no clue what to do. It all led up to that night.”“Akobel and I took May out trick or treating, like most ten year olds she was in that ‘almost a tween’ stage, approaching ‘too old’ to go out with mom and dad, you know?” She shares, eyes gone far away again lost in the memory. “Thirteen was only three years away and she was close to presenting. Suffice to say I was enjoying my time while it l-lasted…” Lily sobs through her last words, tears finally winning as they drip down her cheek. The omega wipes them away as fast as they fall, losing the battle but unwilling to accept defeat. “I put her to bed after we went through her candy, she begged to keep her costume on so I let her. My little fairy…”Giving her a moment to collect herself, Dean asks a question that’s been rolling around in his mind, “You said he fixated on what he deemed abominations? Male omegas and female alphas?”Lily nods, finally getting a bit of control back, “Ironic since the man’s a beta but yes, he idolized male alpha’s especially. Akobel was his best friend before…everything happened. Ishim followed him around like a puppy, it was sweet. Hero worship, I think. But, after…that all changed.”“He took issue with Akobel marrying you?” Vic asks, pen moving fast as he waits for a response.Lily huffs a dark humorless laugh, nodding her head as she responds, “You could say that. He put up flyers all over campus denouncing Akobel as a ‘lesser alpha’ along with all his other lies about my family. The police did very little at the time other than telling us to get cameras for the house and advising that we file a restraining order.” Lily shakes her head grimly, "We already had one, he repeatedly ignored it."Dean heaves a beleaguered sigh, “And of course, a restraining order amounts to nothing more than a useless piece of paper in the hands of someone intent on doing harm.”The silence around the room thickens as they consider the ugly truth in that statement.Dean hates feeling like he’s advocating violence, but it’s almost always better to get some form of protection. Sure, not everyone’s comfortable handling a firearm, but tasers and pepper spray work well too. He knows at least one survivor from a previous case who sleeps with a machete under her bed. Badass and functional. If it works, it works. Third best option, self defense class. Never hurts for a survivor to be in a position to protect themselves if law enforcement fails them. Lily goes on in a hushed tone, “Still, we weren’t afraid of the man. Annoyed, yes. He was disrupting our lives, making up lies about me. About Akobel and May…” Lily chokes up again at the mention of her daughter.May Sunder. Flashes of the crime scene overtake his vision, blocking Lily from his view momentarily. Light brown pigtails in disarray. Eyes closed, never to open again. Tiny hands clutching a doll dressed in pink…Lily’s voice pulls him back out, “One lie in particular brought him to our door that night in a rage. He’d whipped himself up, believing his own bullshit enough to risk arrest. Ishim was past the point of caring, of reason. If he couldn’t have me, he’d fabricate any reason to ruin me instead,” she says, hazel eye flashing with anger as she recalls the memory. “Akobel and I had just gone to bed when I heard something fall downstairs. A loud bang, like a book being dropped.” Lily weeps as she speaks, misery filling her scent with every detail shared. “Ever our protector, Bel told me to go to May’s room and lock the door. He took the bat we kept in case of intruders and went downstairs alone. I couldn’t hear anything at first after I locked May’s door, but around five minutes later Akobel screamed for us to run.”Lily’s features twist into a pained grimace as she pauses to take a breath and another sip of water, before continuing.“His voice…” She whispers, eye half shut as she replays the memory in her mind. “I’d never heard Akobel yell out in pain like that. All I could do was focus on May, getting her up and dressed as quickly as I could. She was confused but cooperative, other than insisting on keeping her fairy wings on. We made it down the back stairs to the door, we were almost out. But, he found us while I was helping May with her shoes. Knocked the both of us out and when I came to he’d tied all three of us to dining room chairs we stored in the basement. May was still unconscious but Bel was awake with a cut on his head where Ishim struck him.”Vic interrupts, “Just one cut? And did May have any evidence of injury at this point?”Lily nods slowly, “Yes, just one. She was tied up but, as far as I could tell, no. But, once he realized I was awake he began laying out his plan…”She falters again, getting closer to the worst parts and her devastating loss. The room goes silent as they give Lily the time she needs to get herself together. Eventually, she seems to bolster her nerves enough to continue speaking, “Ishim convinced himself May presented months ago and I’d hidden it from him because she was a female alpha. All lies, May was only ten it was too soon to know for sure. But, once the idea implanted itself in that man’s brain it took root and led him to a murderous conclusion…”Milton’s shocked gasp interrupts Lily mid sentence though she immediately apologizes, “I’m sorry it’s just…I’m sorry.”Dean understands to a degree, it wasn’t that long ago he came to the same realization about this case. They can share their feelings about being called ‘abominations’ by assholes like Ishim over a beer sometime. That’s not the focus right now. When it’s clear she won’t be saying anything further, the trio’s attention turns back to Lily. “Yes, as I’m sure you’ve deduced Agent Milton, Ishim is a very sick person,” Lily correctly assumes, voice dripping with disgust for the man. “He paced back and forth mumbling to himself mostly but every once in awhile he’d toss a ‘bitch’ my way. Cursed Akobel for allowing the ‘abomination’ to live. Saying if Bel was more of an alpha he would have handled it on his own.We kept him talking hoping to free ourselves but he’d tied the rope almost painfully tight. Eventually, Ishim realized we were stalling.”Taking two deep breaths, the words come out in a rush, “He killed Akobel first, tried to strangle him right in front of me like it was nothing. I watched the light dim in his eyes, but he was still fighting. Too much according to Ishim, that was when he brought out the knife.”Lily shudders, hands twisting in her lap as the words fight through clenched teeth, “He stabbed Bel, the man he used to call a friend, just…killed him. I didn’t know what to do, what to say. May woke up before I could fully process what Ishim had done and less than a minute later I got to watch him do the same to my little girl. Her screams…they haunt me to this day. There’s no pain greater than a mother forced to watch her child being mortally wounded and not able to do a damn thing about it. May cried out for me and all I could do was watch as Ishim took her too. The bastard saved me for last…”Dean begins to tune her out, this time not because he’s distracted by Cas. The more he listens to Lily as she speaks, the surer he becomes that this isn’t a copycat. Ishim’s back.He couldn’t keep the religious iconography out of his kills. Or the need to murder ‘abominations’ since two of the victims fit that particular category. It links those two scenes but that doesn’t explain Andrea. It’s been a sticking point this entire time for him. A glance at Vic tells Dean his mind's working overtime as well trying to put these new pieces together. After rolling it around for a few moments more Dean comes to the same conclusion, the only connection Andrea has to any of this is Benny. With Ishim already being a known revenge killer it ain’t exactly a stretch to assume that impulse could include anyone he decides is ‘against him’ in one way or another. Around him, Vic and Anna coordinate a move for Lily to a safe house until Ishim is caught. Dean’s glad to be in the presence of two like minded agents, following protocol as his thoughts screech to a grinding halt. Dean’s sure, if they’d had the displeasure of meeting, Ishim would have hated him. Murderers usually don’t show love for the agents on their ass, though he’s sure that wouldn’t have been Ishim’s reasoning. A male omega in a position of authority and the lead agent on the case, ready and able to put his ass in lockup. The very idea probably would be enough to send Ishim off the deep end even further. Dean’s an ‘abomination’ in his eyes, after all. There’s been no sign of Ishim anywhere near Lily. Assuming he isn’t trying to get at her, and Andrea’s murder is only connected to this case through Benny then…slowly it clicks horrifically together.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Castiel stares, head tilting as he comes to a terrifying realization, “Wait, the angle…that side doesn’t have windows.” He gasps as it hits him all at once, “It had to of been shot…”…from inside the house.The horrifying thought has him scrambling to retrieve his dropped weapon, but his efforts are useless. A sharp pain flares on the back of Castiel’s head where something solid and cold strikes him once, then again, until it all goes dark. *****“…can’t believe the way you let that filthy abomination treat you, Castiel….”The alpha comes to, an unfamiliar voice reaching his ears as his awareness returns by increments. The man doesn’t seem to notice he’s conscious as he continues, so Castiel plays along hoping to learn something useful. Something to get him out of what’s clearly become a dangerous situation. Keeping his eyes shut, body relaxed, the alpha analyzes what he can while the voice drones on. The stranger huffs a dark laugh, “Maybe I was wrong all along, killing you would’ve been kinder…”Castiel’s head involuntarily tilts, trying to parse together what this intruder could want, who this ‘abomination’ could be. “Ahhhh, you’re back with me,” the man mutters lowly. “You can stop pretending now…” he chuckles darkly, sudden warmth at Castiel’s front indicating the man’s standing mere inches away.The alpha’s frame seizes, pulling on restraints he hadn’t gotten a chance to test yet, but the movement proves his fears to be true. Without a key, he won’t be getting loose on his own. The cold metal of sturdy handcuffs grips both his wrists, holding his arms uncomfortably tight behind his back. Castiel opens his eyes, blinking rapidly to regain clarity in his vision as the blurred image in front of him shifts to reveal his stalker, whoever this man may be. “Hello, Castiel,” The man greets him with an off kilter grin. “I’d say it’s nice to meet you officially but we really aren’t going to be acquainted all that long.”“Who are you?” Castiel demands, ignoring the spike of fear shooting through him from the thinly veiled threat. “What do you want from me?”The man pauses, long enough for Castiel to take stock of their location. Spotting a few dusty boxes he recalls placing up here, it doesn’t take the alpha long to realize he’s been moved to the attic. “See, that’s somewhat of a loaded question,” the man explains, pacing back and forth causing puffs of dust to flume around his croc clad feet. “Who am I? Ishim Tracey…what do I want from you? That’s where things start to get a little convoluted…”
Ishim Tracey…
That name…it sounds familiar to the alpha but he can’t place it in the moment. That could partially be due to the blinding pain rolling in waves from the back of his head where the assbutt clobbered him.
Fuck, that hurts.
“…think you’d remember my name at least. Winchester wouldn’t shut up about this case for weeks after it went cold. Maybe this’ll refresh your memory…” Ishim angrily taunts, pulling out a phone to replay that same clip from earlier in the living room. Castiel swings his head away, trying to avert his gaze but the motion puts stars in his eyes, dizzying pain building tenfold. The alpha adds possible concussion to his list of injuries, praying to the Gods that the list remains short. “No,” Ishim warns, moving his head back for him. “Watch. This is where it alllll began. See, I’m the reason you aren’t already mated to that disgusting affront to the Gods. That call? Singer reassigning Dean as lead agent on the search for yours truly. Really, you should be thanking me. You’re one of the good ones, Castiel. He doesn’t deserve you.”
Ishim…
The memories flood back now, that awful case Dean was called in on shortly after they moved back to Lawrence. The family this man almost completely annihilated, the child he took from her mother, the loss of that poor woman’s mate. The man’s disappearance delayed their very first mating attempt. After getting over his own hurt from being blown off, hearing the details of the case straight from Dean broke Castiel’s heart.
They still do.
To know now this is the man who’s been stalking him, threatening him, nearly pushes Castiel over the edge. As it is, he strains against the cuffs, growling lowly, putting all of his strength into the action. The cuffs don’t even budge an inch though his right shoulder bursts in pain, almost dislocating. Ishim completely misinterprets his demeanor, scoffing, “There’s no need to play ‘protective alpha’ Castiel, not here with me. I’ve seen it all, I know what he’s done to you.”There’s that concerning bit again, what exactly has Ishim seen and more importantly how?Castiel doesn’t dignify his incorrect statement with a response, eyes drifting away from the beta’s as they land on a lump in the corner of the attic. No, not a lump, a mound of blankets and sheets. A makeshift bed. The icy glint in the malevolent mans eyes is telling, understanding of what Castiel’s just realized dawning as he cackles, “Now he gets it! I’ve been here the whole time, been silent witness to every single second of disrespect you’ve endured under this roof. At first,” the man begins his bone chilling explanation in earnest, taking a seat on the floor in front of where Castiel’s restrained. “My plan was to off you like I did Andrea but I wanted Dean to really feel it, I wanted to wait until you mated. Fast forward two years and I’m done waiting for you to grow your balls back, full fucking offense. Castiel come on…” the beta groans, pinning him with a frustrated gaze. “…you’re a good looking alpha. I see the way they look at you, you could have any omega you want. So, really, my change in plans is best for you. It’s better for Dean to die. I’m setting you free, friend.”Setting him free?There’s no version of this story that ends with either of them dead if Castiel has anything to say about it. Of course, the rage swelling within him at the very thought does nothing to change the reality he’s stuck in, with no clear path out of this mess and no way to warn Dean. Choosing the only real option available to him, Castiel begins to stall, asking, “But, Dean said you just killed Andrea…if you planned all this out right after you went on the run, why wait so long?”Ishim averts his eyes, first sign of a crack in his bravado, tersely muttering, “I was going to take you both at the same time…shock value…but they separated before you two got your shit together. More blood on Dean’s hands…”
Huh?
“Dean’s not responsible for Andrea’s death, that’s illogical,” Castiel spits out angrily, swiftly treated to a smack to the face for his troubles. The brute force behind the action causes his head to whip sideways, blaring once again with bright lights and a dizzy spell threatening to topple him over. “Abominations bring nothing but trouble to society by damaging the innocent. Their very existence shames the Gods and punishment shall rain down on those closest to them,” Ishim growls through clenched teeth, eyes gone flinty with rage.
Great, he’s making up his own bible verses now.
Castiel’s rating for Ishim’s sanity drops into the toilet, fear for his own safety skyrocketing even though the man seems to count him as an ‘ally’ of some kind. Continuing to play off of that fact for now, Castiel prods further, faking confusion, “My apologies, I didn’t mean to offend. It’s difficult for me to understand. Andrea was a good friend of mine and…losing her…” he breaks down, real tears for himself and Andrea rolling down his cheeks unhindered. Castiel’s genuinely afraid for his life and knowing what this man is capable of doesn’t help to soothe his concerns. Ishim softens, fluffing an unwanted hand through Castiel’s hair that the alpha only just manages not to pull back from, though he can’t help his visible grimace. “I’m sorry, but you seem fairly close with Garth too, so…choices had to be made…” Ishim says, holding both his hands up in a disturbing either or motion. “If we’re being honest, you hadn’t spoken to Andrea in months, Castiel. Mourn her, but it’s not like you were the best of friends. You’ve still got me…” he offers, sadistic smile pasted on his face. “…but if that’s not good enough for you we can always try Plan C…” he intones, tone growing cold.Castiel eyes the man warily, feeling as though he’s walking into a trap as he stutters, “W-what’s P-plan C?Ishim leans in nose to nose, murmuring, “I’d do you the ultimate honor, one I tried and failed to gift to an old friend of mine. I’ll cure you of your love for him, by cutting it out…”Castiel goes still and silent, eyes widening in fear as the words leave Ishim’s mouth, so close warm puffs of breath follow each one as they skate across his cheek. The alpha begins to pray._______________________________________Around him, Vic and Anna coordinate a move for Lily to a safe house until Ishim is caught. Dean’s glad to be in the presence of two like minded agents, following protocol as his thoughts screech to a grinding halt. Dean’s sure, if they’d had the displeasure of meeting, Ishim would have hated him. Murderers usually don’t show love for the agents on their ass, though he’s sure that wouldn’t have been Ishim’s reasoning. A male omega in a position of authority and the lead agent on the case, ready and able to put his ass in lockup. The very idea probably would be enough to send Ishim off the deep end even further.Dean’s an ‘abomination’ in his eyes, after all. There’s been no sign of Ishim anywhere near Lily. Assuming he isn’t trying to get at her, and Andrea’s murder is only connected to this case through Benny then…slowly it clicks horrifically together.“Cas,” Dean murmurs, whipped cream and strawberries gone rancid through his worn off blockers. Vic looks over, perplexed frown forming, asking, “Everything okay, Winchester?”Dean rapidly shakes his head no, kicking himself back in gear, announcing, “No, it’s not. Ishim went after Andrea, the ex mate of my old partner on this case…” he pauses, letting those words sink in. “So what do you think he’d do if he got ahold of Cas?” He asks, trying to keep his tone steady as scenarios begin to flit through his mind. Lily gasps aloud, “Go, don’t worry about me just go!” The look of horror crossing her face, that fear of the same pain Ishim caused her befalling another, it tears his heart out for her while ramping up his own fears.A quick glance over to Agent Milton shows Lily’s wishes echoed in her green eyes so the omega stands, motioning for Vic to follow him as they run out to pile in Baby. Anna can see to Lily’s safety for the moment but no one’s watching Cas’ back. Dean can’t believe he didn’t notice this sooner, that he left Cas open and vulnerable, most importantly alone. “You didn’t know, man,” Vic tries to soothe after disconnecting from the call for backup. Dean may despise Lawrence PD but they’re much closer than he is right now and he’d rather Cas be safe than to find him hurt or worse because of an old grudge against the local police. Vic’s statement isn’t entirely true as another component to this mess is revealed, hindsight can be a bitch sometimes. “Cas started getting these letters again…we assumed they were from a former student but,” Dean sighs, scrubbing a hand over his mouth as the road ahead goes unfocused. Blinking his eyes rapidly, Dean admits, “I wanted to take it to the bureau but Cas said no, he threw them out. If I’d insisted like I should’ve…”“Stalking is serious, Winchester, of course you should’ve brought the evidence in,” Vic scolds, softening to add, “But, I have a mate too. It’s a fine line between being cautious and overbearing. I understand.”Dean knows what his friend is trying to do, give him an out, absolve him of pre-assigned guilt for an imagined event. For all he knows, the police will arrive to find Cas safe and sound at home. Answering the door in one of his comfy sweaters or ratty blue robe, disgruntled and owlish wondering what the trouble is. Though, a knowing part of him whispers if that were the case, Cas would’ve picked up when Dean had Vic try him on his work phone. Cas always picks up, even those ‘scam likely’ calls, if only to troll them back before hanging up. The memories melt away a sliver of the fear frozen around his heart even with the reminder his calls still go unanswered. Dean’s ruminating thoughts take up most of the drive with no callback from the police department having come in yet. By now, they should’ve arrived.
Something's off.
Baby’s barely reached the curb before the omega’s bounding out, leaving the drivers side door wide open keys still in the ignition as he races for their front door. Unreliable as ever, he sees Officers Alistair and Abaddon roll up moments later in their car. At this point, their assistance is no longer wanted nor necessary. Shooting them a look of deep disdain, Dean rushes through the door shouting for his ‘mate’. Their usually cozy home feeling cavernous and cold as he yells through the dark with no answer in return. “Cas!” He shouts, racing up the stairs. Downstairs he hears Vic on the phone, relaying something he’s found in the living room. If it ain’t Cas, Dean doesn’t care. “Cas!”The omega’s just passing the guest bedroom when he hears a muffled thump from above.
Damn ghosts, not fucking now…
Dean’s about to do a second sweep when he hears the thump again, this time followed by an audible grunt.Thumps he’s used to but that sounded like…Dean shouts, “Cas?!”He enters the guest room, closing in on the trapdoor for the attic and pulling down on the ladder. Now, he can clearly hear muffled pleading coming from above as he ascends the stairs. Spotting his love slumped over in the corner, Dean sprints to his side, throwing his composure out of the window at the sight of him. Cas is gagged and bound with rope, though his professional instincts kick in, noting cuff imprints on both wrists as he unties him. Mouth free to speak, Cas blurts out through labored inhales, “I-Ishim was here…he’s been living up here, Dean…wants to kill you…”
Record scratch…
“Living up here?” Dean asks, eyes scanning to find rolled up blankets and sheets shoved into the corner with numerous flashlights, books, and food.
Well that’s just…
“Where’d he go?” Dean asks, pushing down his panic over the new revelation. The omega rubs soothing circles into Cas’ wrists and up his arms to help him get feeling back in his limbs. “What exactly did he say?” He inquires. Castiel nods his head over to an open space in the wall, relaying, “He left through there…I have a concerning suspicion there are passages in our walls, Dean. Whether he put them there or not…” the alpha shrugs, cerulean eyes squinting shut with the action as he wobbles almost toppling over.
Concussed, great.
Cas continues, “He was all over the place but, he’s angry Dean. At you, at the world. Incredibly unhinged as well. He kept calling you an abomination, said he had to end all of our suffering by killing you. But, when he heard the Impala pull up, he ran…” the alpha trails off, confusion muddling his oranges and cinnamon. Better than the underlying fear lingering in their combined scents.Dean stops him right there, not liking how pale Cas looks, “We need to get you checked out. Wherever Ishim fucked off to, we’ll get him. My priority right now is you.”Castiel huffs a laugh, no malice intended when he says, “Putting me before a case? For shame, Agent Winchester.”Dean chuckles shakily, still high on adrenaline and about ready to crash from his nerves, “Guess I deserved that.”He could leave it there, let this new problem take the spotlight and distract them, but Dean wants better for them, starting with this. Peering deeply into his mates beautiful ocean eyes, he promises, “No more running off on cases, treating you like an afterthought. In this house, we come first, not the FBI. Drag me to any therapist you want, I’ll go.” Breathing growing unsteady as his emotions grow, realizing all he could have lost today, he swears, “I won’t lose the person I love killing myself for a career I’ve already proven I can handle. If Singer’s bosses can’t see that by now, fuck ‘em.”Cas tilts his head, wonder spreading across his face as he asks, “Did he hit me over the head that hard or did you just say you’ll go to therapy with me?”“At risk of this being an incredibly inopportune moment to discuss this further, yes, now let’s get you downstairs. Vic’s probably wondering where the hell I went,” he mutters, assisting his alpha back down the attic steps and into the guest bedroom. There’s a lot more discussion to be had and a much more urgent matter to be dealt with beforehand. Running into Vic on the first floor, he updates the alpha while calling 911 for Cas. “Ishim had him held in the attic, he’s been living up there, man,” he whispers, keeping his voice down so Cas can’t hear from the couch where he’s set up with an icepack wrapped in a hand towel. Vic’s eyes go wide with shock, “Living in your attic? For how long?”Dean shudders as he responds, every detail Cas shared hitting him fully, “Since the moment he went on the run.”The omega watches Vic do the quick math, physically taking a step back when reality hits him.“Dean, this is…we need to call Singer,” he asserts, scratching the back of his head as a myriad of emotions flash across his features. “Already on it,” Dean responds, finally getting to the most important call of the hour.Bobby picks up on the first ring, “Where the hell have you been, idjit?”Taking his own advice as he claims a seat next to Cas, Dean asks, “You sittin’ down, Singer?”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Castiel accepts a glass of water from Dean as his ‘mate’ retakes the empty seat at his side while they wait for him to be discharged. Thank the Gods, the doctor decided he didn’t need to stay overnight. He and Dean have clear instructions on how to care for his mild concussion but he’s free to go once he’s signed a few forms. Castiel wishes their house wasn’t an active crime scene, realizing he won’t be returning to a peaceful home once he’s released. His meandering thoughts are interrupted by Singer shifting in his seat in anticipation, he doesn’t keep the man in suspense for long.“Thank you,” he murmurs softly to his omega before turning slightly to face Bobby. Well, Agent Singer in this case, but the deepening of the crows feet at the corner of his eyes and the defined frown on his face showcase the older alpha’s genuine concern for them both. Bobby is family, making hearing Castiel’s retelling of his harrowing experience that much harder, but the older man visibly steels himself as Castiel speaks, “I went to see Bart’s mother today, to confront who I thought had been stalking me. But, it turns out Bart k-killed himself sometime last year,” he stutters over the words as he speaks, still unbelieving of the terrible truth.Repeating the awful news makes him feel all the worse for blaming a dead man for Ishim’s wrongdoing. Crush aside, Bartholomew was a young man with a promising future and didn’t deserve to have his memory tarnished, even if temporarily. Castiel’s shoulders slump with the weight of his guilt, admitting, “It would have been so much easier if it was Bartholomew, but I’m glad it wasn’t even if things are much more complicated now. He should be allowed to rest in peace.” Castiel pauses, allowing a brief moment to send a quick apology to the young boys spirit. It may seem superstitious but he doesn’t care. Once done, the alpha continues speaking, “It became clear fairly quickly after my discussion with Bart’s mother that it was impossible for him to be involved. She offered to call the police with me, offered a safe place to rest until they arrived but I declined for…personal reasons.” Dean’s emerald eyes narrow, that look that usually precedes a demand for the entire truth. But, a lonely omega offering up herself and her home doesn’t truly make a difference now, not in the face of all that’s happened. Castiel continues without clarifying, “Maybe that was dumb of me…to be honest I was scared by that point. It’s less terrifying when you have some clue who’s intruding on your personal life but…when I got back to the house and saw that video…” the alpha trails off but he’s sure both men understand the pure horror a person might feel in his position. “It was clear, someone had been in our home as well as my work, watching us and recording us for months,” Castiel explains. “He hit me in the back of the head while I was distracted and I came to already tied up in the attic. Like I told Dean, he admitted to having lived up there for years waiting to kill Dean at first…”Singer interrupts his retelling, asking, “At first?”Castiel nods shakily, “Ishim said he wanted to hurt Dean, he didn’t like the fact an omega ‘abomination’ had been placed on the case to track him down and he wanted Dean dead. Though I’m not sure that was the entire reason but he didn’t reveal more than that to me. After watching us and twisting his perception of our…issues…” The alpha hates the slight flinch Dean battles to hide, a reminder of their not completely resolved pre-mating problems. Castiel would keep it all to himself if he could, but he knows every single detail matters just as Dean does, so they power through together. Smoothing a thumb over Dean’s hand in a soothing pattern, the alpha continues, “He used incorrect assumptions to decide his next moves, not to kill Dean but to go after me instead after we’d mated. Ishim’s hope was that the grief from losing his mate would either drive Dean to suicide or cause him to experience fatal pining sickness. His plans were ruined once I started panicking calling 911 and Dean repeatedly over the past few days. That’s when he made the decision to use me as bait while he tried to ‘fix me’…”“Fix you?” Dean asks, evergreen eyes squinting in anger as he scoots closer, taking in every detail. Castiel continues, answering grimly, “Yes, he kept saying I was ‘one of the good ones’. His plans were to torture me until I could prove to him that I didn’t love you anymore,” he reveals as an affronted grunt escapes Dean’s mouth. “That man has a clear obsession with male alpha’s, which I’m sure you’re aware of. Either way, he convinced himself I needed to be saved from you, Dean. Ironically while trying to force me into accepting he was going to more than likely kill one or both of us. There’s no way I’d stand by and let him murder you, Dean…” the alpha growls, a flicker of rare possessiveness overtaking his oranges and cinnamon. “I know, blaze of glory babe, but I’d feel a lot better if we didn’t have to go that route,” Dean chuckles, trying to hide his fears in a joke but it falls flat. He sighs, tightening his grip on Castiel’s hand, admitting, “It sounds almost identical to the speech he gave Akobel and Lily before…” he trails off, peridot eyes flicking between their joined hands and Castiel’s transfixed stare. Before he killed her mate and daughter right in front of her, attempting and failing to kill her as well in the process. The omega’s been in witness protection ever since for fear of Ishim finding her and finishing the job. Castiel doesn’t admit to knowing the case details to that extent but Bobby gives them both a long look that speaks volumes. All the older alpha says aloud, “We won’t let it get that far, boys. I’m already putting a team together with…”Dean cuts the man off, wincing at the hardened glare it earns him but pushing forward anyway, “I’m leading this investigation, Bobby. Don’t try any of that ‘conflict of interest’ bullshit, he’s been living in my fucking walls, spying on my life, plotting to murder me and my mate. There’s no way you’re cutting me out on this.”Bobby sighs heavily, growing silent as he scrubs a hand over his face. After a few loaded seconds, he begrudgingly agrees with a warning, “Don’t do anything stupid and don't make me regret this, understood?”Dean nods bobble head style, very nearly releasing a weak chuckle from Castiel but he just can’t take that last step to allow it free passage past his lips. The sound perishes quickly, no more than a vague tickle in his chest. Fear for their lives quickly comes back, washing it away completely like the urge never existed in the first place. The alpha can’t help but circle back to every odd occurrence they’ve experienced living in that house. How many times were the ‘friendly ghosts’ really a deranged murderer watching their every move? How often did he get frustrated with Dean ending in screaming matches over wet towels and bread crumbs left by a silent intruder? The very idea part of the wedge between them was created by Ishim almost sends him into a rage. As it is, his heart monitor ratchets up garnering both agents attention. Dean scoots closer, guessing semi correctly as he soothes, “It’s okay, Cas. I know you feel violated, trust me I know…” The admission comes with a faint underlying scent of anger seeping through his boyfriends FBI grade blockers. A clear sign they’re beginning to wear off. Dean pulls his emotions back in, forcing himself to return to a semi professional state, promising, “He can’t get to us in here. We’ve got armed agents throughout this building as well as outside.”Castiel points out the obvious, “Dean, he slept right above our room for years and you’re one of the best agents the FBI has. I just…” he trails off, unsure of where he was going with that statement.Bobby cuts in, assuring him, “We will get him this time, Castiel. For now, we’ve got every inch of that house wired up just in case he returns. But, you won’t be there if he does.”“Huh?” He asks, confusion coloring his tone, eyes bouncing from Bobby and back to Dean. “Not that I want to be back in that house but wouldn’t it be easier to catch him if we…”Dean shakes his head no adamantly, “We’re not using you as bait, Cas. No.”The words are meant to be final but Castiel’s never backed down from an argument with Dean before and he’s prepared to do the same now. Bobby clears his throat loudly before either man can really get going, “Neither of you are to step foot in that house unless you’re an agent on the case. Dean, put together a list of what you’ll both need and get it to Henricksen. He’ll make sure to drop everything off at Missouri’s for you. Once we’ve cleared the house you can come back to join the investigation,” Turning to Castiel specifically, the older alpha explains, failing horrendously at keeping the ‘idjit’ out of his tone, “Your home is riddled with clues and evidence that we don’t need you in the middle of right now.”Castiel wiggles in the bed, adjusting as he attempts to draw attention away from his slight embarrassment at missing the obvious. The alpha grumbles a soft, “Fine.”Thankfully, the doctor chooses this exact moment to enter with his discharge papers ready for the alpha to sign. _______________________________________Silence fills the Impala on the car ride over to Missouri’s place. It’s not ideal since it’s just as likely that Ishim knows where she lives as well, but Dean didn’t like Bobby’s plan of sending them off just like Lily. The omega shudders from the thought even now.
No, this ends here.
They will find Ishim before he can hurt one more person or threaten the life of anyone else Dean loves. “Missouri understands how dangerous this is, right?” Cas asks from the passenger seat, cobalt eyes shut tightly behind borrowed sunglasses meant to ward off wayward sunbeams. “I don’t want the rest of our family to get hurt, Dean.”Dean nods, briefly giving Cas what he hopes is a reassuring smile, answering, “She knows he’d most likely want her and Adam dead too. Adam’s actually going to stay over at Ellen’s for now, though,” he explains. Family comes first, always. Dean would never put his brother in unnecessary danger. The words sting even though he didn’t speak them out loud, reminding him of what he did to Cas leaving him alone while the alpha called for help with no response. Though he’s not entirely sure he would have enjoyed the outcome had he rushed to Cas’ side after that first call. In truth, they probably would be dead. As fucked as it is, Dean prefers this outcome better, where they have a chance to stop Ishim for good with neither of them having to die to accomplish the goal. “You’re ruminating,” Cas correctly surmises, small smirk twisting his lips as he speaks. Dean rolls his eyes, huffing a bitter laugh, asking, “And you aren’t?”Cas leans his head against the car window, murmuring, “Yes, but it won’t help anything.”No, it won’t but it doesn’t stop the omega’s brain from running through scenario after scenario, missed clues and bypassed opportunities. Ishim was right there, all this time and even now the beta’s managed to evade capture. Cas speaks again, hesitantly, “I can’t…I know we have memories in that home but lately things have been…I think…” the alpha hesitates, taking a few deep breaths to get his words straight. It’s clear enough he’s partially referring to their recent seemingly endless fighting, but that’s not all. Steadying his breath, Cas explains, “I think after the investigations through we should sell the house. I can’t live there knowing…I’ll never feel safe there again.”Dean whooshes out a long breath, only then realizing he’d been holding in the same feeling, admitting, “Thank the Gods you brought it up so I didn’t have to. It’s insane and I’ll probably be paranoid no matter where we live but at least we won’t be in the actual house it all went down in.”His alpha’s brow furrows above the sunglasses, eventually asking, “I know I can’t be a part of the investigation, but the sooner we get answers the better. What if I did some ‘independent’ research into the house for you? I’m sure that’s all public record, if Bobby asks we can just say I got curious after a random man kidnapped me and dragged me through the walls in my own home…”It’s crazy that this is their life and not some twisted plot of a B movie but, the bump on his ‘mate’s’ noggin definitely proves this is all too real. Dean pulls into Missouri’s driveway, turning Baby off as he considers Cas’ offer. Technically he could pawn the job off to a lower level agent but if it helps Cas feel like he’s on the team, Dean won’t deny him. Besides, Dean’s just as curious and he knows his ‘mate’ can find just about anything when it comes to research. Probably why he and Sammy get along so well.Dean agrees, warning, “Don’t let Bobby find out but I don’t see the harm in that. We can’t exactly dictate what a person can and can’t look at online or at the local library…” he hints, giving his mate places to start. Cas nods slowly as a genuine grin spreads, the first he’s seen from his alpha all day. Dean slides across the bench seat, making his intentions clear as he presses a soft kiss to Cas’ cheek, one more on the other, and the last on the tip of his nose. The action washes some of the lingering sadness out of the alpha’s scent as he chuckles, surrounding them both with hints of happy.“Bring that boy inside, Dean. He should be resting, not flirting,” Missouri shouts teasingly, startling them both with her sudden appearance on her porch. “Besides, you both have work to do.”Dean groans, having gotten used to the older alpha’s odd way of ‘knowing’ years ago. Sliding out of the car, he responds anxiously, “Are you sure about this?” The conversation with Cas brought up a few fears he thought he’d put to rest about putting his surrogate mom in danger. Missouri straightens up to her not so substantial height, barely reaching Dean’s shoulder, but the alpha in her is fierce. “I dare that man to step one foot on my doorstep,” she mutters darkly, brown eyes briefly flashing alpha red. “He won’t like what comes next…”Dean snorts amusedly, lingering fears chased away from the display. He knows she means every word which is why the omega doesn’t mind leaving an injured Cas in her care. Sure, he can usually handle himself, but Ishim’s already caught Cas off guard once and with a concussion his alpha’s reaction time is extremely delayed. As evidenced by the slow shuffle they take together just to get to the front door. Dean mentally scratches unescorted visits to the library off of the list of places Cas can conduct his research, he’ll have to see if Sam is free to assist instead. Missouri helps him get Cas situated in the living room, leaving the tv on more as background noise since his head hurts too much to watch it. Dean’s just about to offer to stay for a little while when both alpha’s wordlessly glare at him.“Alright, alright,” he mutters with faux indignation. “I’m going."They’re both right but it’s still weird having Cas practically pushing him to leave him yet again for a case. Though this is also the first time their very lives depend on Dean doing just that. The omega departs with a hug and kiss for them both, holding on a little longer and a little tighter before haltingly walking out of the door, praying to the gods for their safety. *****Bobby and Vic begin to fill him in as soon as he pulls into his driveway, exiting Baby to meet the men in the front yard. “Your house is full of passageways between the walls, Winchester,” Vic informs him, grimacing slightly as he delivers the jarring news. “So far it doesn’t look like anything Ishim would have or could have done himself. I don’t know who built this house but…they were into some weird shit…”Dean barely has time to react before Bobby cuts in.“Henriksen’s been searching the house while I had someone looking into how Ishim knew to mimic Bart’s method of stalking Castiel,” Bobby explains as they walk inside. This once familiar place feels intimidating for the first time, unreal in a way that shakes up his insides leaving him unsettled. This isn’t home, not anymore.Bobby continues, unaware of Dean’s internal struggle, “We found a box labeled tax forms in the attic full of old letters from Bart…”At first, the omega’s confused but the memory smacks him in the face as Bobby drones on. He’d taken a few of the old letters Cas received the first time around. It bothered him that the alpha refused to go to the police so Dean kept a few just in case he changed his mind, putting them in a box labeled tax forms so the alpha wouldn’t find them. Dean provided Ishim with the blueprint to fool them all. The omega barely avoids falling into the trap of self blame, saved by his interest in what Bobby says next.“…of course without being able to examine the body it’s only a theory but I’m fairly certain Ishim murdered Bart. Or pushed him to suicide in some way. Like his mother said, he was excited for college and had given up on his crush as far as she could tell. Moving down there only to end his life without any clue as to why…it just seems off to me in light of all of this,” Bobby shares his thoughts.It’d been bugging him since Cas initially told him the tragic news about Bart and Bobby just nailed it in one go. “So he potentially kills Bart, to what? Get him out of the way? Why?” Dean asks rhetorically, really he’s working it out in his head as he speaks. “He can’t impersonate Bart while Bart’s hanging around able to disprove his own involvement in the stalking. Ishim needed Cas afraid, scared that Bart was around every corner…”“…so he went down to Texas a year ago and killed Bart, correctly assuming Cas would have no clue Bart was dead.” Bobby finishes, eyebrows raising with each grumbly word. The level of planning that went into this begs another question, “Why me? Why put all this effort and focus into me…”All three men stand in silent contemplation. The evidence is clear, Ishim barely spared Andrea ten minutes before he killed her, he spent more time staging the crime scene. Benny hasn’t had any suspicious activity around he and Garth’s home since the kidnapping and killing, its clear Andrea’s death was just a smaller piece in the larger plan. Yet, the beta’s spent years strategizing and biding his time to make it to this moment.
Why?
Bobby snorts humorlessly, “We may never know the answer to that, Winchester. Even if we capture him alive you know as well as I do that doesn’t mean we’ll get answers out of him. Not anything we’ll understand anyway. Let’s focus on getting this asshole off the streets for good.”The question will probably continue to haunt him but Bobby’s right, his focus should be on catching Ishim. They’ll have more than enough time to psychoanalyze the ins and outs of his deranged mind once he’s captured.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
It’s been a tense few days but Dean feels like they’re making progress even if Ishim’s whereabouts remain unknown. Singer set up roadblocks leaving town as soon as Ishim’s identity was confirmed though it’s highly unlikely the beta has plans to leave the area. Not with his target still breathing at least. If he were a civilian Dean might be worried, but as an agent he’s trained to defend himself if attacked. Not that Singer’s leaving Dean alone long enough for the man to get a chance at trying his luck. If it’s not Bobby following him around it’s Vic, the alpha even follows him home to make sure he makes it to Missouri’s, and from there they have two agents alternating shifts to keep an eye on the house while they sleep. Dean just wants his life back to some semblance of normal. But, that can't happen until Ishim’s caught.“So the passageways have always been here…” Dean surmises, going over the blueprints Vic brought over from city hall. His eyes trace the lines on the pages showing hidden hallways within the walls of their unassuming home. The question of why still lingers, hopefully not for long with Cas on the ‘case’. The alpha’s working on digging up the history of who owned this home prior to them. With Ishim’s sights set on killing one of their own, having agents playing historian isn’t a top priority for the FBI, besides Cas needs something to do while he heals up. The alpha’s crazy for this kind of stuff, he’ll find something.They may not have a clue, yet, where the original owners fucked off to, but they do have enough common sense not to stick around for too long. He and Cas need to sell, just like his mate suggested a few days ago. This isn’t their house anymore.Not with lingering whispers of Ishim in the walls. Creeping terror knowing the ‘ghosts’ were the movements of a madman not mostly harmless spirits, the running joke between them for the past few years. The internal halls within the walls span most of the house in almost every room, he could watch them sleeping, eating, showering like some fucked up version of Big Brother. Each hall has a hidden ‘escape hatch’ as well as hidden ‘peep holes’ to see out of, its both well made and blood chillingly disturbing when he considers who was watching them and for how long. Whether the previous owners were freaky occultists or exhibitionists and voyeurs with an open minded architect, it really doesn’t matter. The house will be listed for sale as soon as the investigation is complete, if Dean has his way. He’s sure he’ll get minimal to no pushback from Cas. The way Dean sees it, they can move their belongings into storage and stay with Missouri for awhile til they get things figured out. Maybe take the money they’ve been setting aside for a rainy day and actually build their dream house, stalker free.
Maybe…
The omega’s pulled from his wandering thoughts and burgeoning ideas by his partner.Vic nods in his peripheral, “Ready and waiting for a creep like Ishim to take advantage. Please tell me you’re selling this place.”Dean shivers minutely, trying to hide the reaction, responding with an emphatic, “Of fucking course we are, are you crazy?”Vic shakes his head, chuckling heartily at Dean’s reaction, unhelpfully theorizing, “Then again, if people find out its a murder house they may not buy it…”“Almost murder house, nobody died here thank the gods,” Dean corrects his partner, a burst of pain blooming in his heart as he’s reminded of what almost happened here. The fact he forgot his blockers this morning smacks him in the face as his fresh strawberries and cream molders in the air around them in a disgusting fog. Vic realizes his mistake, pinching his nose as he rushes to apologize, “Fuck, I’m sorry I didn’t mean…”Dean waves him off, insisting, “No it’s okay. You were just joking, it’s fine…”It’s not, but that’s not Vic’s fault.Singer cuts in gruffly, “If you’re done…” the alpha looks to them both expectantly as they nod in unison with a sheepish ‘Yes, sir.’ He continues speaking, “Agent Thomas took a look through all of Ishim’s things up in the attic. There wasn’t much in the way of personal affects that would tell us a damn thing, unless you care to know what size boxers the man wears, but…” the alpha pauses causing the agents to groan in unison as well. With a huff, Bobby goes on, “Impatient idjits. What he found was a sort of schedule lettin’ him know when it was safe to move around the house. Sleep schedules, work hours, travel dates, he had it all.”Bobby doesn’t have to go further, what he’s already revealed has Dean’s stomach churning once again. Vic looks on in sympathy, clear disgust written across his features for Ishim’s invasion of his friends privacy. Of their home. Dean’s nausea builds within him, the sense of being violated overcoming the omega. Unfamiliar panic and paranoia squirm under his skin. The only person who could possibly make him feel better is across town probably still holed up at the library with Adam. So, instead of breaking down like he wants to, Dean pulls it together, forcing himself into autopilot so he can make it through the rest of the day until he’s back in Cas’ arms. No more falling asleep at his desk poring over differing angles to the same case that usually spell out ‘this will still be here in the morning, go home!’ The omega owes more to himself and to Cas, especially at a time like this. They need each other now more than ever._______________________________________Castiel sits down carefully next to Adam at one of the out of the way tables at the local library. He learned fairly quickly where the better locations for privacy are after his first day here with Sam. The tables near the front desk garner too much attention from Mrs. Butters, the well meaning librarian, and the tables closer to the romance novels might as well be an open invitation. The children’s section is a no for obvious reasons. It’s better to get setup right in the back near historical fiction, no one comes back here. They don’t know what they’re missing, honestly.Coincidentally, the location was also the perfect spot to keep Sam occupied when Castiel didn’t need him to read or write something for him. Sam was needed at the office today so, since Adam had the day off from school, the omega agreed to accompany his future brother in law to the library instead. Castiel’s certain Adam probably had other plans in mind for the outing, but Missouri was sure to pass him his backpack full of homework on the way out to the car. The sour look on his face on the ride over was telling to say the least. “Need anything else, Cas?” Adam asks, eyes darting between the alpha and something behind him.
Hmmmm.
Castiel turns, trying to spot what has Adam’s attention but he can’t see anything from here.Shrugging internally and letting it go, he answers, “No, I’ve got all I need. You’re free to go get into whatever mischief awaits you over there.” Castiel gestures vaguely behind him, watching Adam shoot up and jog off into the sunset leaving the alpha and his backpack full of homework behind.Missouri’s going to give him an earful but it doesn’t hurt to let Adam have at least a few hours of fun, it is Saturday after all.Besides, having a brooding teenager next to him can be as much if not more of a distraction than the soccer moms and dads on the prowl or nosy librarians. Hunkering down and ridding his mind of any distractions, Castiel focuses on his research, laid out neatly before him with Adam’s assistance. Looking deeper into the history of the home they purchased has the alpha falling down a dark and dank rabbit hole carved out by the original owner, Cuthbert Sinclair. According to the accumulation of records, paperwork, and articles he’s amassed over the past two days, Mr. Sinclair has been missing since early 1983. Declared dead in the early 90’s when his estate put the home up for sale where it sat until he and Dean took a chance on a run down fixer upper with a lower than low listing price.
Red flags abound.
Cuthbert’s disappearance was big news at the time due to the alpha’s connection to the town. Sinclair had a not so small fortune and a long list of affluent friends. He was an art collector, known for throwing lavish parties that would go on all night and into the morning. The alpha even ran for mayor though he lost and never ran again according to the articles. Castiel grunts to himself as he reads back over his notes, in deep consideration of all Cuthbert Sinclair was hiding with his public face being so charitable and welcoming while the alpha was as rotten as they come on the inside. Mr. Sinclair went on to be remembered in the papers as many things. Philanthropist, billionaire, humanitarian, a charitable neighbor and good friend. Something irks Castiel about those accolades being applied to the man with the hauntingly perfect smile staring back at him from every photo. Castiel’s stared evil in the face and those eyes, they strike him as so familiar it shoots fear down his spine. There’s more to Cuthbert Sinclair than what’s printed in the newspaper or written in any book and he intends to find out what that is no matter how uneasy this process makes him. Castiel’s distracted from his moment of discomfort by a curious sight. So wrapped up in one another, Adam and his companion seem to be unaware they’re kissing in clear view of Castiel. The alpha’s tempted to startle the boys with his Principal voice but instead, allows them to enjoy the seemingly innocent moment. It’s none of his business, after all.*****That sentiment lasts up until Dean shuffles into their borrowed bedroom looking exhausted but happy to see him. The omega comes over to Castiel’s side of the bed, pecking his lips with a soft kiss, murmuring, “Missed you…” before pulling away to strip down to his boxers.Dean joins Castiel under the covers, sucking away his body heat with his frigid limbs as he wraps himself around the alpha like an octopus. Castiel presses a kiss to the top of the omega’s head, ignoring his chilly feet leaving goosebumps on his legs as his mate wiggles to get comfortable. “Missed you too, love,” he says, earning a sappy smile in return as Dean’s scent blooms with happy omega. Still tired, but at least he’s happy. Building on that mood, Castiel giddily asks, “Guess what I saw today?”Dean pops his head up, lazily swirling his fingertips over the alpha’s bare chest, asking, “What?”Castiel shivers, ignoring the slight tickle as he reveals, “Adam making out with his best friend…seems kind of on brand for a Winchester, doesn’t it?”Dean’s emerald eyes go dinner plate wide as his mouth drops open in amused shock, “Really? Him and Jack? From fighting to friendship to…other things I don’t wanna think about,” the omega’s face scrunches up in disgust. Features smoothing out, Dean continues to process aloud, “I didn’t even know Adam was into other omegas…or dudes for that matter…huh…”The alpha snorts a laugh, joking, “First you, now Adam. Is this a thing I don’t know about, a vetting process I’m unaware of? What about Sam?”Dean’s mouth pops open ready to protest, face screwed up with indignation, ending up flopped open like a fish as he’s forced to admit, “Well, he and Eileen were technically friends before they got together too…”“Oh my gods,” Castiel barks a laugh. He’d mostly been joking but this is hilarious.“Shut up,” Dean pretends to sulk. “Quit being an asshole and tell me what you found at the library, nerd burger.”“Nerd burger, Dean?” He asks, snorting a laugh at Dean’s annoyed shrug. “Fine, here’s what I found.”The alpha spends the next ten minutes comparing notes with Dean on their discoveries. By the end of it, Dean agrees with Castiel’s assessment.“I’ll text Vic right now to see what he can find out from the local police. It’s probably in their records but it sounds like they covered something up,” Dean agrees, grim set to his features as he thinks it through. Castiel’s still grappling with the added information Singer found in the attic. “We’ll pack everything up once the investigations done in the house, move it into storage, and start looking into where we can build,” Dean summarizes the agreed upon plan. “No matter the outcome on Sinclair, I’m ready to move on from all this with you.”Castiel couldn’t agree more, yearning for a simple day herding other peoples kids at work and a peaceful night binge watching Dr. Sexy on the couch with his love. A subtle shift occurs in the air, noticeable only to someone in tune with the pair.Dean murmurs in the space between them, growing smaller by the second, “I meant it Cas. I’m not gonna put this job before us anymore, that’s done. I don’t wanna feel like I’m seconds from losing you ever again.”Castiel nods, nose rubbing against the omega’s as they whisper to each other, breath puffing against lips brushing, “And I’ll be honest about how I feel, when I’m hurting and when I need more flexibility from you. I love you, baby.”“Love you too,” Dean says, hushed whisper almost lost in the slow press of lips, turning into a passionate kiss to seal their promises. Seconds slowly tick over to minutes before Castiel pulls away for air, getting lost in his omega’s stare._______________________________________Cobalt meets evergreen as silence fills the space between them, a sense of anticipation right before something really good or really bad happens, begins to build within him. Dean prays it’s something good. Cas pulls the omega closer, massaging Dean’s palm as he places a peck on the back of his hand. Dean moves to swat him away not anticipating Cas taking hold of his other hand, peppering his skin with kisses as he barks a laugh in surprise. Cas’ plush pout moves with purpose up Dean’s arm with feather light touches. Across his collarbone, tongue dipping into the hollow of his throat before traveling upwards, meeting Dean’s waiting lips. A strong sense of deja vu hits the omega as he closes his eyes in complete and utter bliss. Cas worships him, letting Dean’s worries float away for the time being. Each kiss sparks a fire growing low in his belly. Something flips in the omega, finally choosing to give in to his feelings rather than run away from them.Cas is here with Dean, he’s got him. One of the alpha’s strong hands grips his neck as the other slides smoothly down his bicep. Cas’ warm lips continue their journey, only pausing for the alpha to whisper once again, almost as a prayer against his heated skin, “I love you, Dean…” The omega’s heart bursts, arousal skyrocketing as he murmurs back sweetly, “Love you…” He’d shout it from the rooftop if he had access to one other than at work. Not the best of ideas.Not again, at least.Cas pushes further, licking Dean teasingly across the collarbone before skipping the sensitive skin of his neck in favor of connecting with his begging pout. All it takes is one slick slide of his eager tongue and the omega opens for him, deepening the kiss, unable to hold back a robust moan from the overstimulation as Cas rolls him smoothly on his back. “Cas,” he can’t help but whine, pressing every inch of his body up against the alpha’s solid frame.Dean’s inner omega preens at all the attention coming from his alpha as he melts back into the mattress.A distant voice at the back of his mind wonders if they’re being too loud, not wanting to scar Missouri and Adam, but a second chimes in, wasting no time in affirming he shouldn’t give a damn. Not with Cas’ weight pressing him into the mattress in a deliciously dirty way he’s never experienced before. There’s no stopping this now and Dean’s having a hard time remembering why he’d ever want to stop.Peering up at the alpha perched above him, sapphire eyes flashing with lust as orange and cinnamon thicken with arousal in the air around them, it’s decided. Dean doesn’t want this to end, he wants so much more.This time, there’s no block in place as his hands travel down to the very obvious tent in Cas’ boxers. Cerulean eyes look on as Dean brushes lightly at first then, feeling emboldened, firmly grasping Cas’ clothed cock seconds before stroking the alpha from root to tip. The soft gasp followed by a deep rumble in his ‘mate’s’ chest, paired with a telltale twitch in Dean’s hand, releases a wave of slick from the omega as the scent of fresh strawberries and cream floods the room. The alpha’s practically feral at this point, hard and leaking heavily over Dean’s hand, holding himself back with taught muscles as his eyes flip from alpha red back to sky blue. “If we don’t stop now, Dean…” Cas warns, voice strained with want as he maintains an admirable level of restraint. “We could…”Dean cuts him off, shaking his head, Cas’ ocean eyes dimming before he explains himself, “No, I don’t mean that. I…I’m ready, Cas. Not necessarily for mating tonight but, there’s plenty we can do in between…if you’re not too tired that is…”The alpha’s technically still recovering but…Cas’ eyes go wide with shock, scent rallying from subtle disappointment to amazement as he asks in a hushed whisper, “Are you sure?”The omega stops, assessing his feelings before nodding once again, “I’m sure, you may proceed…”Cas rolls his eyes, scoffing, “You don’t have to make it sound so…”The omega reminds Cas just where his hand still is, stroking him back to full hardness as the alpha blue screens, losing track of his own sentence.
That’s better.
From there it’s a whirlwind, boxers peeled off and thrown who knows where as their bodies meld practically into one. They lay together, perfectly bare for the first time as Cas slowly presses forward into Dean’s slick soaked hole. A surprised moan escapes the omega’s lips, wholly unprepared for the sensation, but as Cas begins to move back and forth and back again, skimming across his prostate with every move, a low hum of pleasure builds slowly in his body. Dean grips tightly to his alpha, experimentally rolling his hips to meet every thrust as Cas whispers sweet nothings into his ear. Breathless words bring him higher and higher as they gain rhythm, closer and closer to paradise.“Mmmmm, Cas,” Dean moans, fighting to keep it down but unable to hide the passion Cas so easily awakened in him, sounds breaking free after all this time carefully keeping their hands to themselves. Cas is no better, a symphony of huffed moans and growls between capturing Dean’s mouth and swallowing his whines, as their slick bodies grind in unison. Dean feels it again, that rush as his world shrinks down to just this moment. “Deannnn,” Cas moans, sharing breath more than kissing at this point but the omega ain’t exactly complaining. His alpha moves with purpose as his knot grows, teasing Dean each time it almost locks them together. Brain growing foggy with every fluttering attempt at connection. As pleasure rises the omega curses the past version of him for waiting so damn long to have this with the love of his life. Sex is anything but scary with the right someone, and Cas has been Dean’s everything from the moment they met, even if it took a little longer to say the words out loud. Cas’ knot makes itself known, demanding entrance bumping in and out and in before finally locking them together in bliss. Dean surrenders, lost to a surge of emotion he wasn’t prepared for, coming in creamy spurts between their sweaty bodies as silent tears make tracks down his cheeks. Stars burst in hues of greens and blues behind his shut eyelids as the world spins slower underneath him. He’s still half out of it when instincts take over, one he’s been pushing away for the better part of two years. Dean’s inner omega has had enough.He watches as though separated from his body, leaning up on his elbows and biting hard into Cas’ mating gland, sealing them into a half bond.
Shit.
Yanking back enough to see the alpha’s shocked face, but not enough to pull at Cas’ knot, he swears, “I didn’t mean to…I wouldn’t have done that without asking…shit the case, what if I go into heat…and…shit…”Dean wishes he could do more than string together half sentences and repetitive curse words but at the moment that’s all he’s got.Still rock hard and throbbing inside of him, Cas attempts to soothe him, promising, “I’m not upset with you, Dean. I’ve practically been begging to mate you, I just didn’t expect you to…” The alpha chuckles softly, leaving the original sentence unfinished as he continues, "Well what’s done is done. I don’t know about you but I don’t think we should leave things as they are…”Dean’s not sure if he’s referring to his lack of orgasm or the omega’s matching mating bite but…in for a penny.Telegraphing his movements, Dean carefully bares his neck for Cas, letting him know it’s okay. Because it is, okay.Dean’s not sure if it’s the half bond making him feel sappy as shit but, mated or not, he and Cas can handle just about anything together. It’s the final puzzle piece he’s been missing over the last few months, they’re stronger as a team and they can only be that much stronger fully mated. Sure, it could be playing right into Ishim’s hands but fuck it, they can put ‘blinded by love’ on their tombstones. Though, hopefully it won’t come to that.With Dean’s subtle display of submission, Cas renews his ministrations. The alpha’s thrusts grow deeper now that the pair are locked together, sending electric tingles through the omega as he shivers and whines. Cas’ knot brushes insistently against Dean’s prostate threatening a second orgasm he’s not sure he can manage. It doesn’t take long for Cas to find his own release, panting into his mates neck, coming with a hushed cry of Dean’s name on his lips. Seconds later, sharp pain blooms from the omega’s mating gland as his alpha’s teeth find their mark, completing the bond between them forever. The foreign but oh so satisfying warmth spreading inside him pales in comparison to the feeling of their full bond snapping into place.Cas carefully positions them a little more comfortably to wait out his knot, pressing kisses all over Dean’s face until the omega cracks up laughing from his efforts. Dean chokes out through giggles, “It’s all fun and games now but…” Cas shuts him up with a kiss, soft slide of lips stealing any thoughts he may have had right from his brain, never to be seen again. This time, the alpha pulls away just enough to leave breathing room, noses nuzzling together as they speak in hushed tones.“Was it…was that how…I’m not sure what I’m trying to ask here,” Cas admits, face flushing with embarrassment as ‘slightly awkward and nerdy’ Cas returns and ‘sex god’ Cas flees the scene of the crime.Dean poses an important question, brow furrowed in thought, “Does it really matter if I have nothing else to compare it to?”Cas grows silent, head tilted as much as he can as he ponders the question, finally answering, “Well no I guess not but my inner alpha still wants to know. Humor me?”Dean barks a laugh, responding as he calms down, “Best I ever had, babe.”The alpha’s sapphire eyes go sappy warm, smile widening in increments in lieu of a verbal response. The soft growl that starts up in his chest calls up a responding purr in Dean as they bask in the newness of being this connected to one another, feeling so complete all at once. It’s well after Cas’ knot has gone down and they’re cleaned up ready to drift off to sleep that it hits the omega like a speeding freight train.Dean’s mid thought, trying to determine what he could possibly say to Singer to make up for dipping out on a pretty high profile case for a few days. Maybe he can get points for finally renouncing his ‘idjit’ status.
An omega can dream.
Usually his heats aren’t too long but Dean’s never had a mating heat. Of course his mind wanders to all the possible ways a mating heat could be different from a regular heat. Possibly scarier or more painful. For Dean, it starts with cramping and that empty feeling he hates. A niggling realization at the back of his brain comes screaming to the forefront with that thought.Dean pops up in bed, jostling Cas from his arms as he shakes the drowsy alpha to full awareness. “Wha?” His mate asks, blearily rubbing his eyes obviously much closer to dreamland than Dean had been.Now, it’s miles off.“Notice anything not happening that should be happening, babe?” Dean frantically asks, holding on to a shrivel of hope that he’s wrong.Cas sits up next to him, blanket pooling around his waist just barely hiding what lies beneath.
Focus.
Forcing his attention back to the situation at hand and away from the fact his alpha’s still deliciously naked, Dean can tell the moment that lightbulb flicks on inside his mate’s beautiful brain.“Your…there’s…you’re not…” Cas stutters, never really landing on what he’s trying to say. Dean does it for him, “I’m not in heat which can only mean one thing, Cas.” He groans, bracing his elbows on his knees and hiding his head in his hands. “You bit me, Dean,” Cas finally spits out exasperatedly, tone gone high in shock from the sudden turn of events.It’s the adult equivalent of ‘you started it’ and does nothing to resolve the issue at hand. Dean snorts inelegantly, “Yeah well…I got caught up in the moment. Very recently a virgin, remember? My brain was going haywire from all the…everything…” he explains, still reeling from the last hour._______________________________________Castiel rolls his eyes, more fondly than he’d like to admit considering the circumstances. Dean’s reaction to his first time would be more endearing if not for the high stakes situation they’re currently trapped in. A pup doesn’t quite fit into the timeline right now with a psycho killer out to get them. Dean seems to sense his concern, head popping up from his hands, sighing heavily as he admits, “Is it the best possible time for this? No, but we’re two grown adults who made a spur of the moment ‘grown adult decision’ and now we have to deal with the ‘grown adult’ consequences of said decision.”Sighing heavily, Cas eventually agrees. His omega’s right, even if his reasoning is more than a tad convoluted, all Castiel can offer in response, “This completely changes the script I was working on in my head for you to explain this ‘new development’ to Singer…” “While we were having sex?” Dean asks, faux appalled with a wide eyed peridot glare. Castiel corrects him, “No…shortly after…I may have started to panic internally about the case…” The omega surprises the hell out of Castiel, spitting out with pure venom, “Fuck the case.” The admission seems to shock Dean as well, softening to add, "Look…if I had to…” he pauses, scrubbing a hand over the back of his neck. Breathing out a whoosh of air, Dean continues, revealing, “I trust Vic and Singer can handle Ishim on their own so…I’d be willing to sit this one out to protect whoever we’ve got in here. This case is too dangerous to take any chances. You two come first now, always.” he says, poking his non existent bump while intertwining their hands together in a comforting grip. The words ease Castiel’s fears tremendously, though he feels the need to compromise, “Only if Singer recommends it. I don’t want you to feel like you had to give up catching this asshole because of our poor timing…" Dean shakes his head, “Not poor timing, angel. Shoulda done this as soon as you asked…”Castiel returns the favor, insisting, “We’ve done enough of the blame game and digging up the past. We’re here now and I’m honored to have you as my mate, Dean Winchester-Novak." Dean’s grass green eyes grow shimmery with unshed tears, tone wavering with emotion as he calls the alpha out, “Charmer…”Castiel barks a laugh, responding, “Hey, got me this far, didn’t it?”“Your nerdy charm is what got you this far, Casanova,” Dean teases, soothing the barb with a chaste kiss. Castiel allows himself to be pulled back into normal sleeping positions with Dean snuggled into his side. “Night, Cas. Love you.”Castiel presses a kiss into his mates hair, murmuring softly, “I love you, Dean. Goodnight.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Castiel’s jostled awake suddenly, warmth disappearing from his side as Dean reaches for his phone on the nightstand. “Mrrrmph,” the alpha mumbles, expressing his displeasure as best he can at this early hour. Dean rolls back over, murmuring, “Sorry, babe. Vic just texted, it’s not an emergency.”Dean’s casual mention of his partner peaks the alphas interest, popping one eye open to stare at his mate in the murky pre-dawn light slowly invading the room. “What did he want?” He asks, trying to maintain calm but he has a terrible feeling, confirmed by Dean’s response.“You sure you wanna talk about this right now? We can probably get away with going back to sleep for a little bit,” Dean offers an out, curling back into the alpha. Castiel sits up abruptly, “No, I want to hear what he found…”Sighing, Dean sits up and reopens the text on his phone, handing it over so Castiel can read for himself.
Vic: Soooo remember when I said you lived in a murder house and you said no one had actually been killed in the house?
Vic: This Sinclair guy was insane, Winchester. According to local police records, Cuthbert began putting ads out in the paper after his failed political run, offering rooms for rent to those down on their luck. He didn’t ask for much in way of payment, claiming he just wanted to help the unfortunate. The local papers report, most of the people he helped moved on to live happier lives elsewhere, the alpha leaving them better off than he found them. That’s what’s reported in his interviews, anyway. From what I’ve read and what I was told, that’s what Sinclair wanted the town to believe. My guess is, he was watching his tenants from those passageways we found in the walls, just like Ishim. Maybe even killing them.
Vic: I spoke with the cop who worked the case at the time, he’s old as hell but his memory’s still pretty sharp. Remembers the coverup vividly. At the time, the police could only speculate, but when he went missing along with his final tenant, the assumption was they were right all along. He was a murderer posing as a local hero. They knew Cuthbert was up to something, knew there were legitimate missing persons tied to him but they couldn’t get him on any of it without bodies, witnesses, or any solid proof beyond suspicion. My guess is that final tenant took him out and ran in fear of being caught. Eventually, after enough time had passed, the police allowed the case to be closed and Cuthbert was marked legally dead.
Vic: But, there are probably bodies either in the walls of the house or in the backyard. Singer’s starting a search right away. Which brings us back to my previous point. Murder house, you owe me a beer.
Vic: Unrelated but related, please for the love of all that is holy sell that place. I can’t have my friend and his soon to be mate living in a literal death trap.
Castiel finds himself both wanting to laugh at Victor’s insistence that they sell and cry at their predicament. Knowing this information doesn’t help at all, not like he thought it would. Dean appears to be taking the news in stride, promising, “We’ll sell, just like we agreed last night. Let Singer and the local police have at the place. We can even hire movers to pack us up so we don’t have to go back.”The alpha allows his mates words to comfort him as much as he can, deciding, “No, we can do our own packing. I don’t want complete strangers touching my things. It’s just…a lot to take in.”Their conversation is interrupted by the distinct scent of bacon frying, floating up through the vents from the kitchen downstairs. Dean’s stomach starts first, with Castiel’s following behind punctuating a clear need for sustenance. Wordlessly, the mates throw on enough clothing to be decent and rush downstairs for one of Missouri’s delicious Sunday morning breakfasts. Castiel and Dean enter the kitchen to a loud cacophony of catcalls and whoops from their family, instantly answering his unspoken question of whether they were too loud last night.
Definitely too loud.
“I'm happy for you and all, but the next time you wanna have loud sex could you please make sure I’m not anywhere nearby? There’re some things a child’s not meant to hear,” Adam pleads, rolling his eyes as he digs into a large stack of freshly made pancakes covered in buttery maple syrup. The sight’s too mouthwatering for Castiel to take offense, sitting down promptly so he can partake.Dean’s another story, groaning in embarrassment as he takes a seat between the omega and Castiel. His timing is perfect, Missouri adds to the pancake plate in the center of the table seconds after he takes his seat, leaving Dean distracted filling his empty plate with food. Sam chimes in, waiting until he’s chewed his food first, of course. “Don’t make it awkward Adam. You know it’s a big deal…”“What? Because Dean’s a virgin? Or was…” Adam’s teasing gets cut off by a soft smack to the back of his head from Missouri. “Apologize. You know better than that, Adam,” she warns, eyes trained on the youngest Winchester while she waits for him to comply. “You’re being insensitive.”Adam’s eyes drop to the table, a trickle of shame entering his scent as he mumbles through an apology, “Sorry, Dean. Sorry, Cas.” Dean waves his little brother off, insisting, “’S fine, Adam. I mean, it’s not fine for you to be a little asshole about it. But, I don’t regret waiting.” He finishes with a shrug. The omega’s beaming smile glows drawing Castiel in, but he refrains from showing too much PDA in the middle of the kitchen, opting for a quick peck on his mates cheek instead. “Awwww,” Missouri gushes, coming over to cup a hand on each of their cheeks, whispering, “I’m glad to see you both happy…” Her brown eyes grow wide with surprised shock, adding, “…in more ways than one.” Patting Dean’s abs lovingly before returning to the stove with a knowing grin. It takes the other two a little longer, Sam realizing first, “Are you…?” he sniffs the air, finally noticing the matching bites on their necks. “Holy shi…wait why aren’t you upstairs mauling each other?”Dean snorts, laughing uncontrollably at Sam’s ineloquent wording, answering, “I’ll give you one guess, Sammy.”“No! Seriously?!” He squeaks, tone gone impossibly high as understanding dawns in his hazel eyes. “What?” Adam whines, feeling left out. Missouri takes mercy on him, “You’re going to be an uncle, Adam.” She says, turning his way with a warm smile, watching for the omega’s reaction to the news.“Ohhhhh,” he says, finally cluing in to the topic of discussion. Talk quickly turns to pup showers, and house searches until Adam asks a very important question.“Are you gonna be able to catch this Ishim guy like…that?” The teen asks, pointing to Dean’s stomach, avoiding uttering the word ‘pregnant’ for who knows what reason.Dean looks to Castiel, answering with what they’d agreed on last night, “I’ll be an active part of the investigation. It’s not like I’m nine months along or anything, but unless Singer says different I won’t be the one to arrest him. He’s too unpredictable and I can’t risk losing Cas or the pup.”Adam nods, following up curiously, “What does this creep even look like? Shouldn’t we all know just in case?”Castiel pauses, realizing the omega has a good point. Dean seems to come to the same conclusion, going upstairs to retrieve the wanted poster Singer’s been distributing to police and local businesses. There was one posted at the library but apparently Adam was too into Jack to notice.
Figures.
Once he returns he hands over the paper, reminding them, “It’s unlikely you’ll see him, he’s probably hiding out somewhere planning his next move. This same poster’s up all over town, too. If you see him, call me and I’ll call Singer. It’s important not to go anywhere near him, I’m fairly certain he knows we’re family at this point.”Missouri takes a long look, passing the page over to Sam who nods, already having seen it. The alpha hands it to Adam but instead of the same or similar response from the omega, Castiel watches as the blood drains from his face, eyes widening in shock. Fear filters into his usually pleasant scent, turning his stomach. Dropping accidentally into ‘principal mode’ at the first sign of distress, he asks, “What’s wrong, Adam?” Working on a hunch, he adds, “Have you seen him somewhere already?”Castiel’s mind immediately jumps to the last place he and Adam were together. What if Ishim followed him to the library unbeknownst to either of them? His mate gasps, waiting for his brother to respond as the others sit in rapt silence. Adam looks up, almost like he forgot they were there, finally stuttering, “Th…that’s the new janitor at school.”_______________________________________A serving plate piled high with scrambled eggs slips soundlessly from Missouri’s hands, cracking noisily as it makes contact with the floor in the kitchen, sending bits of hot egg flying everywhere.Cas and Sam spring into action, moving quickly to help Missouri clean up the mess while Dean questions Adam.“Are you sure?” He asks, already pulling his phone out to notify Henriksen and Singer.Adam nods rapidly in the affirmative, “Jack and I noticed him at the beginning of the year, the name tag on his uniform still says Russell but Mr. Woods got fired last year for sneaking into the gym locker rooms. We figured Cas was too cheap to get the new guy his own uniform,” the omega details, sending a sheepish glance over to Cas before continuing. “He’s always an asshole to me and Jack but…that makes sense now.”Doubly, considering the little tidbit Adam’s omitting about the evolving nature of his and Jack’s relationship, something Ishim would more than likely frown upon. Dean shudders, thinking further into the future, if his brother and Adam stay together and manage to beat the odds to mate and have pups of their own. It’s hard as hell to do but possible, and it would make Ishim’s skin crawl. The omega forces himself to focus on the present, where his brother’s marginally safer and only casually dating his best friend.Ishim’s been there all this time, right under their noses at Cas’ work and at home. It’s the type of revelation that could have them all jumping at shadows, making even Missouri’s place feel terrifying, not knowing if Ishim will burst through the door at any moment. The beta’s out to get him, anyway he can.
Murdering the entire family oughta do it.
For the first time in Dean’s career as an agent, he’s scared. Not for a potential victim, but for himself and his family.With shaking hands, Dean shoots off a text to both Singer and Vic asking them to meet him at the school. They need to go back through all of the surveillance footage Cas checked, this time looking for Ishim in a janitors uniform. Standing, Dean gestures for Cas to follow him into the living room where they can speak alone. His mate probably isn’t gonna like this but as long as Ishim’s on the loose, they aren’t safe.Once they have a semblance of privacy, he tells Cas the bad news, “I have to go.”“I know. I don’t want you to, but I understand,” the alpha frowns, brow furrowed with displeasure, scent holding hints of fear and anger. “Promise me if it looks like it’s getting dangerous you’ll let Bobby and Victor handle it.”Dean swears to him, “I’ll come right back here. Promise.” The omega adds, as an afterthought but an important one, “And you stay put unless I call. If you see anyone suspicious hanging around outside, call me and 911.”Cas snorts a dark humorless laugh, “Like local police will be of any help, Dean. I’ll call you right away if I see anything, or anyone, strange.”He shrugs, figuring it’s still good advice, even if they’re just as useless as they were back when Cuthbert was not so secretly terrorizing the town. Aware that’s about all the agreement he’s gonna get from Cas when it comes to Lawrence PD, Dean pulls him close for one hell of a goodbye kiss, promising to keep him updated before rushing off to get dressed.Throwing on a fresh suit and tie, Dean’s unpleasantly surprised to find his blockers have run out completely. In all the hubbub he hasn’t gotten the chance to pick up a fresh supply from headquarters. When he calls it in, they let him know someone can bring them over in about an hour.
Dammit.
The omega considers calling Vic and Singer, letting them look over the footage without him while he waits. But, that doesn’t feel right. Dean’s gone without before and been fine. They’ll just have to deal with the rotten fog surrounding him right now until the intern can get over to the school instead. With that decided, Dean leaves the house, grabbing Cas’ work keys on the way out. The omega climbs into the Impala, pointing her in the direction of the school where Bobby and Victor will hopefully be ready and waiting to get started. The footage could be the break they’ve been waiting for, it’s time to end this once and for all.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Dean pulls up to the school in record time, with his and Cas’ lives on the line no one could blame him for breaking a few traffic laws on the way. The omega’s feeling the distance between he and Cas heavily the further away he gets from his mate. He knows they should be spending time together right now, solidifying their bond, but duty called and he had to go. Hopefully for the last time. Dean intends to keep his promise, after all. Singer and Henriksen wait anxiously for his arrival by the front entrance. The omega greets them, keys jangling in his hand as he unlocks the front doors to the high school.“Adam said he’s been impersonating a janitor?” Singer asks, walking by his side as they enter the front office. Dean answers him, pausing to unlock the door to Cas’ office, closing it behind them after they’ve entered.“Yeah, he said he’s been wearing the uniform of a janitor Cas had to fire. The guy was watching some of the kids undress after gym. I remember Cas telling me about it,” Dean relays with a grimace, powering his mates computer on as he speaks. “Ishim’s been exhibiting the same behavior towards male omegas as he has in the past, too. Now that we know who and what to look for, I’m pretty sure he’s going to be on this footage.”“Alright, let’s get to it then,” Singer grumbles, pulling up an extra seat as Vic does the same on the other side of him.At first, it’s more of what Cas said he saw. Students, teachers, parents milling about throughout the day. Rarely, there’s a janitor or two, but they’re all on record as official employees with photos to match. It isn’t until about an hour later that they finally catch sight of the beta.“There!” Vic shouts, pointing to a spot on the screen. “He just walked in through that door.”Dean squints, rewinding the video about ten seconds then pressing play once again. Sure enough, Ishim comes walking through the front door of the school like he owns the place. Head held high, shoulders back, not the body language of someone wanted for several murders. “It’s the perfect cover,” Dean mumbles, watching as the man pretends to sweep by the front office. The beta peeks into the window intermittently, more when Cas is visible. “Cas had no idea…”“All he had to do was steal Woods’ old uniform from the school,” Vic says, going through the facts out loud. “No one would’ve cared whether he’s actually Woods or not. I mean, who really looks at the school janitor twice? They probably didn’t even notice it wasn’t the same guy. Adam and Jack wouldn’t have given him a second glance either if he hadn’t been blatantly harassing them.”Something he and Adam will be having a long talk about. He’s got a direct line to the principal and more than enough opportunity to tell Cas a school employee was bothering him. But, that’s a conversation to be had when they aren’t being hunted. Dean hates to admit it, but Vic has a point. Janitorial staff can be practically invisible to a building full of hormonal teenagers and harried teachers. They watch the footage, moving on to other dates and times, some the days Cas reported incidents and some not. Dean watches Ishim steal Cas’ favorite mug, dipping it into the shit stained toilet in the boys room before placing it next to a urinal for Charlie to find. The three men shudder in disgust almost in sync, the sight almost making the omega lose his breakfast on the desk.
Gross.
Cas was right to refuse to drink out of the mug ever again. Moving past that footage, they find evidence of the man leaving photos and notes in Cas’ mailbox at the school and even a few of him following the alpha out of the school and presumably home.“You think he has a car?” Vic asks, watching him follow Cas out of the building for the fourth time. The beta uses the back entrance as Cas locks the front and loops around the building where the cameras can’t follow his movements. “Are there more cameras in the parking lot?”Dean checks, clicking through a few windows until he lands back on the screen that shows active feeds. “There’s one, it’s supposed to cover the entire parking lot,” the omega explains, pulling up the list of videos from that camera alone. It doesn’t take them more than ten minutes to know they have him this time. Ishim can be seen walking off as Cas pulls away in his beat up Continental. The beta doesn’t go far, ducking into a nearby yard across from the school and into the open doorway of a shed. “What are the odds he has a second hideout?” Vic asks, vibrating eagerly in his seat with the anticipation of finally catching the bad guy. “He could just be using the shed as a walkthrough if it has a back entrance,” Singer reasons, actions not matching the skepticism in his words as he stands, checking his gun. “Let’s go find out, boys.”“And this is my cue to call Cas and wait in the car,” Dean announces, realizing Vic and Bobby don’t know yet. His suit’s doing a pretty good job at covering the bite and he guesses the fear and anxiety in his scent is drowning out the scent of ‘newly mated’ the omega was practically drenched in this morning. “This ain’t a democracy, idjit,” Singer growls, frown forming on his rough countenance. “We’ve got a fugitive to catch.”“And I’ve got a mate and pup to consider,” Dean says, pointedly stretching his neck to show off Cas’ fresh bite. It’s mostly healed by now but still a little tender. “Cas would be pissed if I went in there half cocked and got both of us hurt. I’d never forgive myself…”The men pull up short, shock apparent on both their faces as Bobby softens more than Dean’s ever witnessed in the years he’s known the alpha. “Knew you idjits would figure it out eventually,” Bobby chuckles, slapping Dean on the back in congratulations. Switching back into work mode just as quickly, Singer grunts, “Get your ass back to your vehicle, that’s an order.”Vic snorts a laugh, enveloping Dean in a short hug, mumbling, “Congrats. Weird timing but I’m happy for you. Go home, we’ve got this.”Even with permission, it still feels wrong watching Singer and Henriksen head over to check on the lead without him. Dean forces his disappointment down, reminding himself his safety is most important right now. The ride back home feels longer than usual, time stretching as the miles grow shorter. Dean smiles as he pulls up, noticing both Donna and Charlie’s cars parked in the driveway behind and next to Cas’ pimp mobile. Eager to see their friends and hear their reactions to the sudden mating, Dean practically leaps out of Baby. Skipping steps up to the porch and rushing through the front door in excitement.The sight that greets him stops the omega dead in his tracks, the scent of fear washes over him seconds later.It takes a moment for Dean to get his bearings, brain coming back online as he surveys the bloody scene in the front room. Missouri, Donna, and Charlie tied up in a circle, facing away from one another. The women are beaten and bloodied but as he rushes to check, all three are still alive, pulses weak but still there.
Thank the Gods.
Dean pulls out his phone, dialing Vic and waiting as it rings through to the alpha’s voicemail. He tries Bobby and gets the same.
Fuck.
“It’s Winchester,” Dean whispers, just in case he isn’t alone. “Pretty sure Ishim’s not in that stupid fucking shed. He broke in while…listen, it’s bad. Get your asses over here, pronto!”The omega dials 911, unholstering his gun so he can begin to clear the house while he relays the current situation to the operator, requesting an ambulance to be sent right away. Times like this he wishes he could count on Lawrence PD to send backup, but he’ll be lucky if they arrive before the ambulance.For now, he’s on his own. Dean walks with purpose, gun held steady in front of him as he sweeps left, around the corner from the family room, down the hall towards the kitchen. Entering the room, Dean can see the breakfast dishes have been washed and put away, making way for the leftover dirty dishes from lunch. An apple pie sits cooling on the counter, waiting for his return. So surreal in contrast to what he just walked out of. Blood soaked carpet, spotless countertops. Flaky crust, motionless bodies. He can feel himself beginning to panic, something he can’t afford right now. He has a job to do. Leaving the kitchen, Dean heads back down the hall to the stairs leading to the second floor. Cautiously, he ascends, being sure to avoid the fourth creaky step as he climbs, gun at the ready. The omega continues down the hall once he reaches the top, heading into Sammy’s old room first. Finding nothing, he moves on to Missouri’s bedroom, a sinking feeling taking over as he leaves that room behind. The final two rooms, the guest room and Adam’s room, sit at the end of the hall, but Dean doesn’t need to check Adam’s room. He already knows it’s empty. The closer he creeps to the guest room, still steeped in the rich scent of their mating, the more that scent is corrupted by the overpowering smell of his alpha, angry and in agony. Taking several deep breaths, Dean nudges the door open with his foot, met with the horrifying sight of his alpha. His breath stutters, threatening to stop completely, seeing only red smears over creamy white flesh, cuts and tears where there was smooth skin just this morning. Torture. Pain. Dean’s overcome with rage, blinding to the point he almost doesn’t notice the target of his anger hiding in the shadows by the closet. Until the man speaks, “We’ve been waiting for you, abomination.”Cas tries to shout past his gag, limbs working weakly against the ropes binding him to the bed. Movements sluggish from blood loss, one hand reaching out before dropping limply back onto the soaked comforter. Dean’s eyes narrow, landing on Ishim’s haggard frame, swallowed up by hole ridden stained clothing. Matted hair frames his dirty face, crazed eyes pinned on Dean. The man looks nothing like the distinguished academic destined to tear Lily’s life apart, nothing like the fugitive posters they’ve plastered the town with either. It’s no wonder the beta’s been able to sneak around, until today. Today, Ishim wanted to be found. Dean realizes they’ve been playing right into his hands, his stupid plan happening in real time right before the omega’s eyes. Well, Dean won’t let him have this. Not his mate.“Fuck you,” Dean grits out through clenched teeth.Not allowing Ishim to take a single step, utter one more word of his stupid villain monologue. It takes one second to make sure his safety’s off, one more to pull the trigger.Double tap to the head.Quick and painless, which is more than the bastard deserves.Ishim falls silently to the floor in a heap, thankfully no longer breathing as Dean stops to check before setting his sights on his injured mate.Cas tries to move once again as Dean rushes to soothe him, removing the gag so he can speak as he works to untie him from the bed. “Don’t try and move, an ambulance is already on the way,” Dean reassures him, working with blood slippery hands to untie the last stubborn knot on Cas’ left ankle. If he focuses on the task, he won’t breakdown. If he focuses hard enough he won’t see all the damage…all the….fuck.The last shred of Dean’s control breaks, leaving him a sobbing mess, head bent low over his knees as he sits heavily on the side of the bed. Cas does his best, wrapping shaking fingers around the omega’s wrist as sirens begin to blare in the distance.
Finally.
“’S gonna be okay,” Cas mumbles, tone thready as his eyes fall shut. The alpha’s silence is too absolute for Dean’s liking, no longer accompanied by labored breathing and small grunts of pain. “Cas? Cas?! Cas!” Dean shouts, barely restraining himself from shaking his mate. Paramedics rush in, just in time to stop the omega from panicking, informing him Cas just lost consciousness.“We’ve gotta take him now,” the man says, helping his partner load Cas onto a stretcher. “You can ride with us since you’re his mate. Some other FBI guys showed up downstairs, said to tell you it was okay to go.”Singer and Henricksen. Nodding silently, Dean follows behind the stretcher, only glancing away once to make sure their friends are being helped as well before climbing into the waiting ambulance with Cas. _______________________________________Castiel wakes slowly to an obnoxious beeping and the stomach churning smell of terrified omega. His omega. But, why would Dean be terrified? Moments later he realizes he’s not in their bed, but a hospital bed. That’s when it all comes flooding back. The alpha groans slightly, painful memories assaulting his mind as he comes back to full consciousness. “Babe?” Dean murmurs, leaning over excitedly to check on the alpha. “Don’t move, I’ll get a nurse.”“No,” he mumbles, tongue feeling thick in his mouth as he speaks. “Stay, don’t leave me.”The alpha feels childish, begging his mate not to leave him, but he just survived a nightmare. Dean shushes him, sitting back down immediately as he brushes the hair from Castiel’s forehead. “I’ll stay right here for as long as you want. But, eventually they’re gonna need to know you’re awake, Cas.”Castiel nods, “I know…”Dean presses a kiss to his forehead, murmuring, “I thought you were…”He shakes his head no vehemently, “I’m here…I’m still here…”“How did he get in? What happened?” Dean asks, grasping the alpha’s hand gingerly as he waits for him to answer. Haltingly, the alpha shares everything that happened after Donna and Charlie arrived for lunch. “Charlie got up to help Missouri put the dishes in the kitchen and Donna was in the front room with me. My head began to hurt and I had a dizzy spell, so I was lying down while everyone else sort of hung out around me. Anyway, the bell rang. We figured since there were agents outside there wasn’t any reason not to answer. Donna got up to get the door…but it was him.”Dean grimaces, explaining, “He uh…he took out the agents first. It’s how he was able to approach without us knowing.”Castiel squeezes his eyes shut, mind reeling at the number of deaths ascribed to the man at this point. He’s sure the beta was just a few deep stabs away from adding Castiel to the list.
Too close for comfort.
“I was basically immobile from the moment he walked in, when I tried to stand the room got fuzzy and I think I passed out. When I came to…Missouri…” the alpha gasps through an unexpected sob. “Missouri, Donna, and Charlie were already tied up and beaten. I…I don’t know what happened or what he did but once he saw I was awake he used my imbalance against me and dragged me to the bedroom. That’s where he tied me up and gagged me. Kept going on about leaving me alive as ‘bait’.”Dean’s eyes squint, brow furrowed in confusion as he tries to process his meaning.Castiel takes a deep breath, explaining, “Ishim thought if he put me in enough danger, it would force us to mate leaving us open to his original plan, killing me to make you suffer. He…he was counting on us doing everything exactly as we did, he was watching us the entire time, again.”Dean frowns, emerald eyes staring a hole into the floor, admitting, “I figured it out as soon as I hit the second floor. I’m sorry, Cas. This is all my fault, maybe if we’d waited a little longer then…”Castiel’s appalled that his mate would even suggest such a thing, growling out, “This is in no way your fault, Dean. You didn’t make a psychopath target us or hurt and kill people. We weren’t going to stop living just because of that man, I wouldn’t change a thing about our mating. And yes, this fucking hurts like hell, but getting to see you in full FBI agent mode with the gun…?” The alpha trails off, internal thoughts purposely left to his omega’s imagination.Dean blushes, the desired effect taking hold, highlighting a galaxy of freckles as his peridot eyes shine. “You liked that, huh?” Dean teases, winking exaggeratedly at his mate. “All in a day’s work. Saving people, hunting wackjobs.” He jokes, snorting lightly as Castiel chuckles. As the laughter dies down, he adds mischievously, “We could uh…we could make that a thing if you want. Unloaded of course.”Castiel snorts a laugh, only Dean would go from complete virgin to ‘let’s role-play’ in less than 48 hours. “When I’m all healed up,” Castiel promises, still unable to say no to his omega. Maybe even more, now that they’re mated. “What’s the damage anyway?” He asks, wincing in preparation for the full report of what that assbutt did to him. Castiel lost conscious for some of it, but he feels the pain flaring all over his body as he shifts in bed. Dean’s eyes lose their shine, slowly tracking back to that empty spot on the wall behind his head.
Shit.
The omega’s hesitance continues until a glare from Castiel makes him begin to spill the details, “He…he stabbed you twelve times in total. Concentrated in the abdominal area but he got you good in the chest, just missing your he-heart.” The omega stutters, trying to get through the rundown of injuries quickly. “He missed your vital organs but he nicked an artery which is why you were basically bleeding out by the time I got there. You lost a lot of blood. They didn’t notice at first, because of the amount of blood, but he also carved into your skin with the knife. Words, symbols, the same bullshit we’ve seen from him before just…on your skin.” Dean rushes to reassure him as he gasps, “The doctors said you can do some treatment where it won’t even leave a scar but you have to wait until they heal first. Sounds ass backwards to me but they said it’s better than the alternative.”Castiel knows he shouldn’t but he asks anyway, “What’s the alternative?”“Skin grafts,” Dean blurts, already shaking his head no. “Wouldn’t work because ‘the area of skin they’d be covering is greater than the amount of useable skin you have available’, or that’s how the Doc explained it to me. You can ask when he comes back in. Ishim cut into you like some kind of sick art project…” the omega’s emotions get the better of him once again, this time leaning into Castiel’s side as he sobs, unnecessary apologies spilling from his lips. Castiel meant it, none of this is Dean’s fault and the man responsible is dead.“Promise me something, Dean. And I really need you to mean it,” Castiel pleads, desperately needing this from his mate more than anything else. Dean nods as he continues, “Don’t let this be the thing that ruins us, not after everything we’ve been through. Don’t get so caught in the guilt of that maniac hurting me that you forget we can be happy, despite what he tried to do. We survived…”Because Castiel can see it, clear as day. Dean wallowing in guilt, slowly pushing him away thinking he’s ‘keeping him safe’ until they barely spend time together, barely speak. Until it’s almost exactly like the hell they just escaped. The alpha can practically hear the death knell of their mating and the beginning of awkward coparenting from here. They deserve so much more than that. He can see the conflict in his mates grass green eyes, the pull to reject every word as Castiel speaks. Realizing he’s not giving the omega an out, Dean finally agrees, “I promise not to blame myself for something I didn’t do. Clearly I know it wasn’t my actual fault, Cas. I just feel guilty, is all.”Castiel nods, “That’s normal, just don’t take all that guilt on permanently, love.”Before he can say another word, the nurse catches on to their game, coming in to find Castiel awake. The moments broken, for now, with the doctor and nurse wanting to discuss the alpha’s at home care and tentative discharge for the following day. “You’d think they’d keep me longer for actual stab wounds,” Castiel grunts through a spasm of pain in his thigh. “The standard can’t be one day…”Dean peers at him quizzically, finally answering, “You’ve been out for like two days, babe.”
Ohhhhhh.
*****
One Week Later
“I still think we should just buy some land, build a big ass house on it, and everyone can live there, together,” Dean reasons, trying his ridiculous pitch one last time, to the alpha’s utter amusement.With Missouri selling her house now too, the omega swears it only makes sense. Apparently, Dean’s the only one seeing the vision. “I love you boys, but I need my own space. You can take Adam though, anytime you want,” The alpha teases, smiling as the teenager grunts indignantly. “Nah, I think we’re gonna have our hands full in a couple of months,” Dean says, not at all keen on housing a teenager while adjusting to mated life plus a pup. The alpha couldn’t agree more.“Adam’s welcome to visit whenever he’d like,” Castiel offers, making the terms perfectly clear. The group gathered at Charlie’s place once they were released since Missouri’s is still technically a crime scene, but sooner rather than later they’ll need to find more permanent lodging. “I saw a beautiful house up for sale on the other side of town,” Missouri announces. “Right next to an empty plot of land…also for sale.” The alpha drops a huge hint, watching for Dean’s reaction.“Ohhhh,” Dean says, clarity dawning behind his bottle green gaze. “But, that’s basically what I said…”“Semantics,” Missouri laughs, ignoring the omega as she sits down gingerly on Charlie’s couch. She winces, adjusting so she isn’t aggravating an unseen injury, before relaxing back into the cushions. Their wounds are slowly healing, but Castiel knows he and Dean aren’t the only ones who should probably speak to a therapist. Ishim’s gone but the scars he’ll leave behind won’t fade away as easily, both literal and figurative. The alpha would be lying if he said he found his appearance underneath his clothing pleasing. Castiel wouldn’t call the jigsaw mess Ishim left sexy, by any means. But if Dean’s not bothered by what will soon amount to lines of scarring criss crossing his body, then Castiel will count that as a win. His own acceptance will come with time, and hopefully success with the treatment provided by the hospital. Not wanting his meandering thoughts to wander into his scent, the alpha focuses back onto the conversation going on around him.“Ooooo, can I come?” Charlie begs, making puppy dog eyes that rival Sam’s. “Pleeeeasssseeeee.”“Everyone’s welcome, my only rule is we check the fucking walls this time,” Dean says, causing a tentative ripple of laughter to flow through the room. “Too soon?” The omega jokes, this time earning a few more chuckles.“If it’s custom built then we’ll know if…” Castiel’s sentence is cut off, Dean swiftly repeating, “Don’t care. We’re still checking the walls, Cas.”
Fair enough.