
Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/8471392.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Underage
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      Supernatural
  Relationship:
      Castiel/Dean_Winchester, Jessica_Moore/Sam_Winchester
  Character:
      Dean_Winchester, Castiel, Sam_Winchester, Jessica_Moore, Bobby_Singer,
      John_Winchester, Mary_Winchester, Original_Characters
  Additional Tags:
      Alpha/Omega, Alpha_Castiel, Omega_Dean, Explicit_Sexual_Content, True
      Mates, Bonding, Mating_Cycles/In_Heat, Angst_with_a_Happy_Ending, Destiel
      -_Freeform, Dystopia, Pandemic_-_Freeform, Activism, Mpreg
  Series:
      Part 2 of Dragonfly_Pond
  Stats:
      Published: 2016-11-11 Completed: 2017-12-03 Chapters: 20/20 Words: 50000
****** Return To Dragonfly Pond ******
by destieljunkie
Summary
     Summer returns to Haven with new hope for the future when Dean and
     Castiel suspect their son has his sights trained on a potential mate.
     Their happiness is suddenly threatened when reports claim a mutant
     virus is set to rampage through the population. Some alphas see
     registered omegas as an easy mark and plan to stir up trouble again
     to try and finish what they started. A long forgotten blood law and
     secret database force Castiel to make a fateful decision in a
     desperate bid to save them before all that hope is lost forever.
     Dean and Castiel are well and truly settled in the only place they
     ever considered home, still not sure how they got a beautiful ending
     that would make a cupid sick. Dean never believed he could be so
     happy, waking up every morning to protective arms and covetous lips.
     But even after so many years of devotion there was still some dark
     fear buried deep. Like he was waiting for his blissful little bubble
     to burst. It was getting harder to squash the voice inside his head
     that piped up every once in a while.
     Just watch something go and spoil it.
Notes
     This is the sequel to Dragonfly_Pond so it would probably make more
     sense if you read that one first just for the background story
***** Virtual Reality *****
                                         
[return]
1. Virtual Reality
Fresh summer heat wafted through swaying ears of golden corn, forcing the older
Novak pups to stay outside most days just to try and cool off. Harley was all
Scout could talk about lately, and Dean was trying to damp down a strange sense
of unease. He tried dropping a few hints to Cas when they were alone, but his
mate always had other things on his mind when they managed to secure a kid-free
zone, and Dean still couldn’t say no to those damn eyes.
The boys had been hanging down the pond for a couple of weeks now and they
still hadn’t met Harley. His dad told Scout he could bring him over but he
never came. Dean guessed he was just shy, but it was so much more than that.
Scout soon developed a possessive edge to his claim that always dominated his
father to keep his omega all to himself. Dean was staring out the window with
Poppy in his arms, looking like he might have drifted off again. Castiel only
needed a single glance to know something was really bothering him.
“What’s the matter, sweetheart?” Castiel pushed himself back from the table and
patted his knee in invitation. Dean didn’t even bother to pretend he was okay.
His mate could read him like a cheap surprise.
“I really think you should talk to him, babe.” Dean slinked over to Castiel and
straddled his lap with Poppy wedged between them. She was such a daddy’s girl,
never leaving Castiel alone when he was home. Her fingers were soon lodged in
his mouth. Castiel nibbled playfully on the tips but his eyes were fixed on
Dean.
“Scout?” He mumbled around her hand. Dean nodded.
“I don’t wanna put a dampener on it or nothin'. Shit, Cas. You know I’d be the
last person to get in the way of something like that, but at least he should
know what to expect if this boy he likes is an omega.”
“Likes?” It was so unexpectedly sweet, Castiel’s mouth hitched up. A precious
memory of his own childhood flickering behind blue eyes. “I get it, Dean, but
we don’t know anything for sure and Scout hasn’t presented yet.” Castiel
snuggled the baby to his chest, giving her an affectionate peck before he set
her down so he could give all his attention to Dean. She crawled off to find
something more interesting to play with.
“I know, Cas. He’s just so much like you, I’m kinda expecting it.”
“But they’re still very young.” Castiel hummed, even though he was thinking the
same thing himself. “We don’t need to make him grow up so fast.”
“Cas.” Dean warned. “He’s practically the same age you were when all that
testosterone took over.” Dean knew exactly how hard it was to resist. “Don’t
you wish someone had told you what was going on?”
“Bobby tried, I guess.” Castiel said thoughtfully.
“Somebody had to.” Dean bit out, with more bitterness than he really intended.
“I can just imagine your father trying to explain it.” Castiel cringed and
shook his head. He tried to build some semblance of a relationship with his dad
because of the pups, but there was still a lot of pain there, even after so
many years. He knew better than to expect much more than forced conversations
and fake smiles. “Please.” Dean tried again. He was getting worried, always
trying to make up for the past by showering Scout with affection and letting
him get away with just about anything. Castiel never called him out on it,
knowing it made Dean feel better about missing out on those first few days of
life. He needed his mate to be the one to have that awkward conversation with
their eldest. Dean wouldn’t know where to start, his only sexual experience of
alphas limited to being on the receiving end of Castiel’s knot.
“Okay.” Castiel soon folded when Dean leaned in to touch their lips together,
gently parting them with the tip of his tongue. “But I don’t think he’s ready.”
Dean slowly drew back, hoping the look in his eyes would show how serious he
was. Not sure Castiel was ready either.
“He picked up on his scent already, Cas. You don’t think that’s a coincidence
any more 'an I do.”
Castiel slipped one hand inside Dean’s shirt, lovingly caressing the dip in his
back.
“No, I don’t. But maybe I wanna hang on to my baby boy just a little bit
longer.”
“Cas.” Dean gave him a soppy smile. Cute, but he wanted Castiel to remember how
they felt when everyone seemed determined to keep them apart. If Scout really
was being pulled to a mate, Dean would hate for his son to feel like he had to
hide anything. “I’m not saying you should go in all guns blazin’ and scare the
living crap out of him. I just want him to be prepared, is all.” Castiel
conceded defeat, never putting up much of a fight when Dean asked for
something.
“Alright. If it’ll make you happy, darling. I’ll have a word with him when he
comes in, but I don’t expect he gives a shit what his dad thinks if he’s
already made up his mind.” Castiel suddenly grabbed Dean’s waist, teasing him
with another cherished memory. “You didn’t.” Dean laughed quietly. He sure as
hell mellowed a bit since then. Cas always put it down to finally embracing his
maternal instincts.
“Well.” Dean said softly. “I had to deal with the temptation of those lips.” He
ran the tip of one finger between them, still wet from the stroke of his
tongue.
“That right?” Castiel pushed his hips up when Dean wriggled in his lap.
“Hmm.”
“What about now? Still impossible to resist?”
Dean hummed again before the sound was lost inside Castiel’s mouth.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Many years had passed since Sam tried to lobby the Senate in an optimistic
attempt to get public access to the database listing omegas once lost in the
system. So much time had gone by, he wasn’t sure anyone even cared anymore and
a lot of them made it out in one piece. Digging through some classified files
for part of his final campaign hinted at an inexplicable threat he couldn’t
quite place, not sure he shouldn’t just put it down to stress and too many late
nights. He felt a bit under the weather lately, and all the paperwork just
looked like a blurry mess most days. Sam hid most of it from Jess. He hated
bullshitting her but it was only so she wouldn’t fuss and Maya was so
sensitive, she would pick up on something soon if he didn’t get away for a few
days.
He felt sick to his stomach when he rifled through loaded reports on split-
tails. A word he hadn’t seen in print since Dean was forced to wear those
stupid tags. A forgotten blood law giving authorities the right to store
details of omega DNA so no one could hide. The sterilization program got
abandoned years ago, but Sam suspected it wouldn’t take more than a handful of
sociopathic dicks to stir it all up again.
He took a flight to Kansas the next morning and landed on his brother’s
doorstep, surprising them all with an unexpected visit. Castiel knew some
serious shit must be about to go down if Sam was prepared to ditch Washington
so close to the run up for election. He looked terrible, a good few pounds
lighter since his last visit to Haven. Something twisted in Castiel’s gut like
a warning he couldn’t ignore. He could almost see many years of struggle
reflected in weary eyes.
Dean was pleased to see him, but he wasn’t an idiot. There was no way it was a
social call.
“Not that I’m knocking it, but what brought you back?” Dean didn’t comment on
how insanely tired his brother looked, watching helplessly while Sam let
Castiel drag him inside before he collapsed in a heap.
“No reason.” Sam got pretty good at lying after a couple of decades in
politics. “Just wanted to head home for some country air before things get
really crazy.”
“Bullshit.”
“Dean - ” Castiel started, quickly silenced when Sam slumped against him.
"Sorry, but you look like hell, dude. Why you takin' on a fucking election if
you’re sick? Must be out of your damn mind.”
“Yeah, well. Heard that before.” Sam forced a smile. “Hasn’t stopped me yet. I
can’t stay long, anyways.”
“Sam, I swear.” Dean muttered. “If you even think about going back in that
state, I’m gonna slap the shit outta you.” Getting spanked by a rehabilitated
activist wasn’t exactly a terrifying thought, but Sam was too knackered to
argue. “Stay here. Rest up a bit.”
“Dean, it’s fine. I got no plans to cash in my chips just yet.” Sam replied,
letting Dean think his hollow threat was responsible for the sudden change of
heart. His brother needed to feel like he had a few macho hormones left after
banging out so many babies.
“Cas? You got a minute?” Sam gestured for Castiel to follow him into the
kitchen. Dean’s eyes flicked up, suspecting Sam thought he must have lost
interest in sitting in a smoke-filled room the second he started having pups.
He obviously wanted to discuss something in private, and that made Dean’s
stomach dip. He scratched an imaginary note in his head to charm the
information out of his mate later when they were in bed. Dean could usually get
Cas to agree to anything after a bit of cock teasing.
“Sure.” Castiel said slowly. Dean reluctantly disappeared after a few seconds
to check on Poppy. “Are you okay?” Castiel asked quietly, desperately trying
not to make it sound like he was sizing Sam up for a black suit. “Really?”
“Not sure. I haven’t been feeling too good lately but Jess reckons I’ve been
working too hard on this damn campaign.” Sam suddenly steadied himself on the
counter. “Maybe she’s right.” He whispered. “And Maya’s far too sharp for her
own good. She knows something’s wrong.”
“She have a reason to be worried?” Castiel could see Sam was still holding
something back.
“Hope not. I just don’t want them to see me like this, Cas. I need a couple of
days, is all. Get my mojo back.”
“But you’re so close. What’s really going on, Sam?” Castiel tried. “I know that
look. I’ve seen it before, remember?”
“I don’t know.” Sam answered honestly.
“Sam.”
“No. Really, I don’t.” He sighed. “I just can’t seem to shake this horrible
feeling something bad is gonna happen. The program’s still active, Cas. Not all
the alphas we supposedly won over are true to the cause. Don’t know who I can
really trust anymore. I think some of them wanna make sure registered omegas
stay in the system. Fuck knows why. Still trying to figure that one out
myself.”
“But why now? I thought all that crap was behind us.” Castiel struggled to push
down a tremble of familiar fear. So distant and long ago, it was all but
forgotten. They were both still blissfully unaware a mutant virus was creeping
towards the state line like a cold shadow.
“Try and win back some credibility, I guess. A pathetic excuse to throw some
shade. Damage my hopes for the presidency. They’ve left me alone for now, but
most people know where my sympathies lie.”
“What about the unregistered ones?” Castiel shook his head in disbelief,
cursing under his breath. “I can’t believe anyone’s stupid enough to dig that
shit up again.” Sam didn’t get the chance to reply. What Dean lacked in canine
senses, he more than made up for in covert intelligence and soon came back with
the baby, wanting to know what all the secrecy was about. Sam figured he was
just scared it was something they didn’t want him to hear.
“What’s wrong?” Dean demanded, hesitant smile dropping clean off when he saw
the look on Castiel’s face.
“Nothing for you to worry about, Dean.” Sam smiled down at him. Dean suspected
Sam thought everyone should go easy on him since he slipped into his latest
role.
“Fucks sake. I haven’t hung up my tags for good, Sam. I can still take a hit or
two.” Sam let him have the moment, even though Dean hadn’t been waving his
little equal rights banner since before Scout burst into existence. He looked
to Castiel for inspiration, but he knew better than to try and screw Dean over
by patronizing him.
“Okay.” Sam raised his hands in defeat. “But don’t forget – you asked.” Sam
took a few minutes to repeat most of what he already told Castiel,
strategically leaving out the bit about blood laws. Explaining as much as he
thought Dean could take now he had a family to look after.
“So pack up and get the hell outta Dodge.” Dean added, when Sam finally stopped
talking.
“I can’t.” Sam patted his brother’s shoulder. “If I leave it now, I may as well
just hand over the files and let them take us all. I can’t do it, Dean. I’ve
worked too hard to get where I am. Sacrificed too much.” Dean wasn’t sure what
he meant by that, but he intended to find out.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Scout and Harley were together by the pond just like always, settled on their
backs beneath a clear sky. Fingertips barely touching through soft spears of
bluegrass. They hadn’t done much more than share a few flirtatious glances, but
Scout was getting more desperate to find out what that plump mouth tasted like.
He wasn’t sure what was happening to him, those captivating eyes filling every
dream since the boys first met. Harley was painfully insecure and Scout
couldn’t relate at all, always brought up in a house full of love. He had no
idea what it felt like to be anything less than safe and cherished. All he ever
knew was how two men could devote their hearts unconditionally to each other.
Love so deeply. Harley never said much about his family and Scout didn’t ask.
He couldn’t think about anything else but the boy beside him, daring a
tentative smile when he edged a little closer. Trying to cool the heat of want
inside him. The rest of the world seemed so far away, never imagining anything
could shatter the beautiful peace of their perfect illusion. Harley was gazing
up at Scout like he was waiting for him to make a move.
“What?” Scout forced himself to look away, heart pounding. He might be the spit
of Castiel, but he sure inherited Dean’s bitchface when he was scared his
control was slipping.
“You ever wonder what it would be like to kiss someone?” Harley asked
innocently, completely ignoring the stubborn pout.
“Maybe.” Scout said slowly, keen blue eyes sliding sideways when a fresh burst
of scent filled the space around him. Harley didn’t offer up anything else so
Scout took a deep breath and stared out across the pond. “Have you?”
“Kinda.”
Scout suddenly felt completely helpless, finally understanding how tight a grip
Harley was squeezing around his heart. He dropped into Winchester default mode
and tutted in annoyance. Not really the response he wanted.
“That’s not an answer.”
Harley looked crushed.
“I mean, yeah. I have.” He stammered. “But not just with anyone.” His cheeks
flared pink while he picked aimlessly at the grass. Scout was staring at
Harley’s mouth when he leaned towards him. The precious moment was suspended in
time, both boys completely unaware something destructive was running wild just
beyond the borders of their little paradise. Dangerous and unchecked. The CDC
refused to get publicly involved until they had to, terrified of being held
accountable. Enforcement officers with inside information tried to cover it up,
already pissed Sam Winchester might have stumbled on to something. A shameful
secret buried away in dark corridors while a few watched and waited in the
shadows, nursing their resentment and planning some brutal payback. The long
dead program designed to make sterilization compulsory was just a fading
memory, but alpha extremists soon chalked up a new agenda. Manufacturing a
pseudo virus in a subtle bid to eradicate the omega gene instead. A mutant
strain to target the vulnerable. It all went horribly wrong, quickly spreading
to alphas through their canine traits. The authorities wanted a final solution.
So desperate to get it out there, they completely screwed it up. A fatal
mistake that would soon come back to bite them.
                                 ………. «» ……….
***** Falling *****
2. Falling
Scout could almost sense the sweetness just before their mouths touched. He saw
Harley’s eyes flutter shut when he bent his head and dared to press a shy kiss
against soft lips. It wasn’t experienced or passionate, but the light brush of
that first touch was enough for now. Scout blinked when he quickly pulled away,
the uncertainty hanging in the small space between them. Harley still had his
eyes closed, lost to the moment. Heart beating a mile a minute.
“Okay?” Scout tried nervously, not sure if the glazed expression was down to
shock or bliss. All he caught was a mumbled hum, pushed through slightly parted
lips while Harley savoured the taste. He was so quiet, Scout couldn’t stop
himself from making sure he wasn’t a massive disappointment. “Well? It was me
you meant, wasn’t it?”
Harley opened his eyes and almost laughed at the way Scout’s nose was scrunched
up, mouth curved up at one side in case he made a horrible mistake.
“Yes. You idiot.” Harley reached out, hoping the object of his affection might
be up for a bit of hand holding.
“Cool.” Scout smiled back, gripping the other boy’s fingers a lot tighter than
he expected. “C’mere.” He encouraged Harley to lean against his side and
slipped one arm around his waist while they watched the dragonflies swoop
across the pond in contented silence. Wondering what the hell he was gonna tell
his dad.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Dean couldn’t seem to settle at all. Castiel knew how anxious he was when he
started pacing, green eyes flicking to the window every once in a while. Scout
had been out most of the day and Castiel guessed that was why his husband was
so restless. Dean leaned back when Castiel snuggled him from behind. Soaking in
the feeling of calm that always spread through his body whenever he sensed his
alpha’s warmth wrapped around him.
“He’s been ages, Cas.” Dean was getting fidgety, just counting down the
tortuous minutes until he knew the pups would be barrelling home for dinner.
Castiel swallowed down the lump in his throat so Dean wouldn’t pick up on shaky
emotions. Trying to summon up the balls to sit Scout down and explain
everything his father never cared enough to share with his own son. “You
promised to talk to him soon as he gets in.”
“I know, baby – and I will.” Castiel gently kissed the back of Dean’s neck. “I
told you a long time ago I’m never gonna make another promise to you I can’t
keep.” He spun Dean around, powerless to stop from reaching out to touch him
like he could never get close enough, even if they were glued together.
“I want you to be honest though, Cas. I trust you to tell him the truth. I
might not always say it, but you don’t know how strong you make me feel.”
“I ever tell you how much I love you?” Castiel hummed across Dean’s lips.
“Every day.” Dean whispered, about to open up for another kiss when they heard
a subtle cough drift through the doorway. “Hey, you’re up.” Dean reluctantly
pulled away from a possessive embrace, surprised to see Sam vertical. “How you
feelin'?”
Sam didn’t argue earlier when Dean suggested he take a nap after a bite to eat,
asleep before his shaggy head hit the pillow. He must have been out of it most
of the afternoon and felt bad for disturbing such a tender moment. The guilt
soon disappeared, suspecting those moments happened quite a lot when the pups
were busy playing. Sam took the opportunity to grab some attention, and eased
Castiel to one side. Catching him on a rare occasion when both hands weren’t
stuck to Dean’s ass.
“Much better.” Sam cracked a small smile over his shoulder, but it wasn’t true.
He still looked like crap and felt worse, but he was trying hard not to disturb
the domestic bliss Dean and Cas had made together. A true love story he might
have envied if he had enough energy to admit it. Dean waited his whole life for
Castiel to give him a fairy tale, and now it looked like he might have actually
achieved it. Sam had to watch his little nieces and nephews grow up from a
distance, but he still loved them too much to screw with it. They all held a
special place in his heart right next to Maya. Cas always insisted on picking
names for their children to remind him how happy he was there. So close to the
calm peace of nature in the beautiful Kansas countryside. Fading memories of
Dean as a petulant young activist were so far away, Sam sometimes forgot how
much he changed for the better since he let Castiel claim him. “Thought I might
try a walk down to Bobby’s later.” Sam wanted to ask him something without Dean
hanging over him like an overprotective babysitter every time he coughed.
“Okay.” Castiel leaned his back up against the counter, careful to keep one eye
on Dean since he suspected they were talking about work again. Dean was still a
bit paranoid when he always got left out the enforcement loop. “You want me to
come with?”
“No, it’s fine.” Sam was watching Dean as well. Both of them determined to keep
him safe, and oblivious to anything that might threaten his happiness. “Spend
some time with your family.” Castiel didn’t miss a subtle change in the way
Sam’s mouth seemed to dip when he said that last word. Something else was going
on, and Castiel already suffered the pain and loneliness through many years
without his mate to gloss over so much transparent crap.
“Sam. I know you’re worried about something. Tell me.” He pleaded. “Let me
help.” Sam just shook his head like there was nothing Castiel could do to stop
whatever formless monster was crawling towards some far horizon.
“I can’t. Not 'til I know for sure, but I gotta see Uncle Bobby. I need him to
check something for me. Stay here.” Sam sighed. “I hate to sound like a twelve-
year old girl, but you should keep Dean and the pups close. You never know when
they might need your protection.”
“Protection?” Castiel frowned. A sinking feeling warning him it was something
to do with the mess he thought they left behind. “From what?”
Sam didn’t answer.
                                 ………. «» ……….
It didn’t take Dean more than a minute to persuade his brother to catch another
hour before attempting the marathon of three blocks to go visit the salvage
yard. Dean still looked unusually skittish and Castiel almost wished Scout
would hurry up and get the awkward conversation over with so Dean could relax.
“What’s really bothering you, sweetheart?” Castiel decided to humour him a bit
longer. “You worried about them mating?” Dean flicked his head up, eyes wide.
He never planned that far ahead, but it was a sobering thought.
“I dunno, Cas. Everything just feels off.”
“I will talk to him, but I think we should meet the boy at least. We don’t know
anything about this kid. You wanna be sure, don’t you?”
“'Course I do.” Dean replied. “But I can’t stop thinking about how hard it was
for us. Never knowing what might happen from one day to the next. I wouldn’t
wish that kinda pain on my worst enemy, let alone someone I love so much.
Hiding away never worked, even in Lawrence.” Dean had overheard Sam’s latest
warning. “You can’t run from destiny, and I’m not sure it’s a good idea to piss
fate off at the minute. I’m prob'ly worrying for nothin'.” Dean attempted
valiantly, more to convince himself than anything else. “What’s the worst that
could happen?”
“Dean.” Castiel said seriously. “I think we’re looking at it. Sam’s trying real
hard to pretend he’s okay, but we both know he’s not.”
“What the hell’s wrong with him?” Dean whispered, sparing a quick glance over
one shoulder just in case his brother managed to crawl out of bed again. “I’ve
never seen him like that.”
“Not sure.” Castiel was more concerned about Sam’s sudden decline than he let
on, but he didn’t share it. Dean had enough to worry about with five pups
constantly yapping for his attention. “Maybe just overdid it with the election
and everything.” Castiel tenderly draped both arms around Dean’s waist and
tugged him in, soon distracted by a warm nose nuzzling into his neck. It
usually did the trick, and Dean soon forgot what he wanted to ask Cas in the
first place. “Let him rest, we can deal with it later. I got a more important
conversation to have first.”
Dean spent most of the afternoon wondering aimlessly if the fateful decision he
made thirteen years ago might have left a lasting mark they couldn’t see. Scout
seemed dangerously dependent on Harley like he craved more affection somehow.
Dean had gone above and beyond trying to make up for it, but maybe something
got broken when he took away Scout’s first chance to bond like he should.
“You don’t think – you know, those few days without me mighta damaged him?”
Castiel took in a deep breath, pulse vibrating through the quiet. He didn’t
have an answer. They had no idea their son was hovering outside to make sure he
wasn’t going to walk in on the usual sight of his parents dribbling all over
each other. Never quite sure why that was essential viewing. The silence was
soon broken when Scout deliberately charged in like a whirlwind, stinking of
dirty pond water. Again.
Dean snapped his mouth shut and turned away so no one could see the shame
splattered all over his face. Scout frowned hard at his back, trying to figure
out what it meant. Cas steered him upstairs to take a shower before moving in
for his little pep talk.
He was waiting on the edge of the bed when Scout finally emerged from the
bathroom.
“What?” Scout mumbled, already on the defensive after picking up the tail-end
of Dean’s impromptu guilt trip. Castiel beckoned him over.
“I need to talk to you about something.”
Scout’s shoulders dropped low in defeat. Wasn’t difficult to work out why.
“You mean someone.”
“Hmm. We just wanna be sure you know what might happen to your body if you
present. If you are an alpha like me, things change. Sure, the world’s moving
past all that stupid hate, but you have to know how hard it is to keep those
instincts under control sometimes.” Castiel hesitated, just for a second.
“'Specially if you’re attracted to another boy.” Scout could almost hear his
heart thumping. He didn’t deny it.
“You mean you don’t want me to be with him.”
“Scout.” Castiel said gently, reaching out to rest his hand on the boy’s arm.
“It’s not that. Uncle Sam has done a lot to make things better, but some people
aren’t quite so understanding.”
“I don’t care what anyone else thinks. I like him, Dad.” Castiel could see
little dots of colour forming on both cheeks. It told him all he needed to
know. That sure explained why he spent so much time by the pond. “There’s
nothing wrong with it.” Scout suddenly resented the idea it was okay for them
to slaver all over each other, but not for him. The look in his eyes reflecting
a haunting echo from a painful past. Castiel got it.
“I know that, son.” He smiled. “I don’t think it’s much of a secret how much I
love Papa, and we had to wait a very long time to be together. Do you really
think I don’t know how you feel?” Scout stared down at his feet, worrying his
bottom lip between sharp teeth Castiel hadn’t spotted yet. He just shrugged his
shoulders as the only response his dad was likely to get. The whole sorry
conversation was awkward as hell. Castiel glanced over his shoulder to make
sure they were alone. He leaned a bit closer. “Anything happened yet? You know,
down there.”
Scout looked mortified, pinching his knees together and thrusting both hands
between his thighs in case his dad asked for some physical evidence. He shook
his head so he didn’t have to tell a lie. Pretending he hadn’t noticed a warm
tingle when he kissed Harley for the first time.
“Why you asking me stuff like that? It’s just creepy.”
Castiel wasn’t sure now he could see his son wasn’t ready for the knot talk. He
glanced back up with a sigh.
“Papa made me do it.”
The tension soon faded away when his son smiled back. Figured.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Government legislation once demanding omegas had to stay clean took on a whole
new meaning just before the dam burst. Using reintegration instead of
registration for the CORP just patched over a social wound with enough credible
deniability to keep most people quiet for years. Words were easy. Castiel’s
position offered him unlimited access to the files, but all he really wanted to
do was be home with Dean and their babies. Forgotten details of all the blood
and saliva were the only identification corrupt alphas needed to kick-start the
schedule. Trying to use this latest tactic as a way of casting doubt about the
real motivation behind the change. No one was prepared to say what this disease
was because enforcement still had a lot of control, and nobody wanted bad
press. The shameful legacy of an abandoned tagging system might be gone
forever, but all that really achieved was to make damn sure segregation
wouldn’t be so obvious next time.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Scout almost broke his neck to run back to the glade after dinner, desperate to
get away from suspicious eyes and stupid questions. It wouldn’t be dark for a
couple of hours and every single second was precious when he was down there
with his friend. He hadn’t forgotten the cryptic comments and needed some warm
comfort, wasting no time in rushing down the bank to throw himself forward and
drape his body over Harley’s back. He could sense Scout’s unhappiness without
even having to turn around.
“What’s the matter?” He asked in alarm.
“Nothing.” Scout brushed budding tears from sparkling eyes. He hoped out of
everyone, his father would understand. “I don’t think my dad gets it, Harls.”
“What did he say?”
Scout didn’t want to scare the shit out of him completely, but there wasn’t
much point in whitewashing it if everything Castiel said was true.
“Something 'bout presenting. I don’t really wanna talk about it.” That one
single kiss had set free an instinctive need to snuggle in and protect his
omega from the rest of the world, his mind still trying to work past the
hurtful implication Dean was hiding something.
“Maybe he wants you to stay away from me.” Harley said sadly, despite the
little tremble in his stomach when Scout was so affectionate.
“I don’t understand why he would – what with my papa an' everything.” Scout
shut his eyes when he pulled Harley close. “Daddy said he had to wait a long
time for him… dunno why. They don’t talk about it.” Scout sighed, suddenly
realizing he didn’t actually know that much about anything that happened before
he was just a twinkle in Castiel’s eye. He already had to bribe his little
brothers to stay away from dragonfly pond, wanting Harley all to himself for a
bit. The meadow was only just visible from the back window but their secret was
hidden from sight by the trailing willow. “Not to us, anyways.”
It was sad how all that beautiful innocence was just a rosy glimpse at a happy
ever after.
“Maybe somethin' real bad happened to keep them apart.” Harley murmured, gaze
soon drawn back to the water. Everything seemed so bright and hopeful in the
sunlight. They had no idea just how fragile their growing bond was in the path
of a malicious threat that was so much worse than anything enforcement could
have done.
                                 ………. «» ……….
***** Dust In The Wind *****
3. Dust In The Wind
Castiel eventually came back downstairs with his tail dangling between his
legs, beating himself up for bottling it and dodging all the explicit stuff.
The sex talk hadn’t exactly mapped out as planned. Scout was long gone, and
Dean could see shameful defeat in those blue eyes. He sagged forward with
disappointment.
“Take it that went well.”
“Not really.” Castiel sighed. “I’m sorry, it just didn’t feel right.” He
couldn’t deny the warm rush of relief in knowing their son would have been out
of his depth if the conversation had taken a steamy turn.
“It’s okay.” Dean held out his arms, even though his heart was sinking. Castiel
was like a sixth pup when he was after one of Dean’s cuddles. He got rewarded
with a snuggle. His little gold star for trying.
“Honestly, it was a disaster.” Castiel added, nestling against Dean while his
mate caressed sympathetic fingers through his hair. “He didn’t seem all that
interested in what to expect if he grows up to be like me.” They might have
bought a bit of time, but Dean was worried Scout still wasn’t clued up about
presenting. He was quiet for a long time. Castiel eventually released him in
favour of taking Dean’s hands and giving his fingers a squeeze. “I don’t think
we need to be concerned, anyway. Nothing’s happened to his bits yet.”
“It’s not just that.” Dean sighed, letting Castiel stroke both thumbs over the
back of his hands. He was starting to get scared, but would be damned to admit
it when his alpha had worked so hard to make sure he never felt that emotion
again. “Sam sounded serious, Cas. What if something really bad happens? I don’t
wanna lose you.” Dean murmured, looking deep into Castiel's eyes. “Lose this.”
He wasn’t worried. Not yet.
“Hey.” Castiel whispered softly, soothing away all those treacherous fears with
a single worshipful touch. “Wild horses could never drag me away from you.” He
saw two round tears threaten to spill down Dean’s cheeks when he thought about
it too hard, and tried to distract him with happier memories. “The boys still
at Mom’s?” Castiel was going for casual, but the tremble in his voice gave him
away. Desperate for a change of topic, and stunned at how quiet the house was
without the little monsters running around his ankles. They managed to time the
heats pretty well so Dean dodged the consequences of Castiel’s super sperm for
a few years before the younger boys arrived. Willow was coming up for four when
Jay was born. River followed a couple of years later. The latest pup was an
unexpected surprise - one of Castiel’s deliberate accidents when he got a bit
over excited.
“Yeah.” Dean nodded absently. Castiel could tell he wasn’t even listening
anymore.
“When I promised to look after you forever, I meant it.” He looked serious as
all get out and Dean knew that man would lay down his life to protect him.
“I’ll never let anyone hurt you again. Never.” It seemed to pull Dean back. “I
would do anything for you and the pups.”
“Cas.” Dean’s eyes misted over at the sentiment. Castiel reckoned he might be
up for another quick make-out session until Sam stirred again. They heard him a
good few minutes before he appeared in the doorway. Coughing and hacking like
he was trying to bring up a lung. Dean was frowning hard, attempting to hide
his concern behind the usual crap.
“Die quietly, already.” He forced a smile. “I’ll kick your ass if you wake the
baby up.” Sam knew he was just patching up his budding fear with a smart mouth,
but his choice of words was unfortunate. Sam was holding on to consciousness by
the tips of his fingers, still determined to visit Bobby soon as it got dark.
The bright sunlight hurt his eyes, and it took everything he had to get up at
all. He decided to set off before Dean hooked him up to an IV.
Dean insisted on watching him until his brother disappeared from view,
presumably in case he slipped into a coma before he reached the end of Eighth
Street. It was weird to be looking out for someone who had taken care of him
since his heart was broken that fateful day. Dean couldn’t forget how desperate
Castiel sounded when he promised to make sure their family would always be
safe. A steady stream of building anxiety slowly pushing out so many years of
heavenly comfort.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Bobby didn’t seem all that surprised to see him and welcomed Sam back with open
arms. He knew something was up soon as he saw the grey tinge to his skin. There
was no way he could hide the shock on his face, so he didn’t bother trying.
“You look awful.”
“Thanks.” Sam gave him a dry smile. “Good to see you, too.” He reached out to
shake his hand, but Bobby pulled him into a hug instead. Sam swallowed hard and
tried to shake off the concern, wishing he had a dollar for every time someone
looked at him like he was about to drop since he got back.
“I know you’re not gonna try and tell me you’re okay.” Bobby warned.
“Fine, Bobby. Just over tired.”
“The hell you are.” Bobby didn’t even blink. “You ain’t right, kid.”
“Please.” Sam wearily shook his head. “Dean’s been suffocating me all day. I
don’t wanna hear it from you as well. He keeps fussing after me like I might
collapse any minute.”
Bobby suspected it wasn’t so far from the truth.
“I know. He sent me a message. Said you might be heading my way.” Bobby
gestured for Sam to follow him through for a chat, thrusting a stiff drink into
one hand before he even managed to get his jacket off. “Sit down before you
fall down, son.” Bobby offered kindly, a twitch in one cheek the only sign his
insides were churning. Sam never looked so terrible. Bobby gave him a few
minutes grace before he was plying him with questions and cheap rye. “How long
you been sick?”
“I’m not sick.” Sam snapped defensively. “I’m just worn down from working so
hard. I only popped home for some fresh air. I’ll be back on my feet in no
time.”
“Sure.” Bobby mumbled. “Sure, you will.” He never usually cared about sharing
his stuffy opinion with anyone patient enough to listen, but he knew when to
keep his mouth shut. Sam was on the edge of a complete meltdown. “'Sides, you
gotta be top of the game for taking on some of those damn enforcement officers
that ain’t got yer back no more.”
“What do you know about that?” Sam asked through a squint, not sure why he was
even surprised Bobby knew more than he did.
“I hear stuff.” Bobby hinted, tipping his cap back. A well-worn gesture that
always conveyed a lifetime of knowledge. “Every once in a while.” Bobby was a
shrewd bastard. Hiding all that genius behind a dusty lot and a battered hat.
“Cas picked up on a few rumours down at central. That boy means well, but his
mind ain’t really on the job anymore. It’s all Dean for him.” Bobby couldn’t
resist a smile. “Just like it should be.” He added with a sniff, settling
himself at his desk.
“I didn’t want to admit it to myself, I guess.” Sam sighed, taking another
mouthful of bourbon. It only made him cough harder. He set it down before he
was tempted to sink the lot. “I know they’ve got something really horrible
planned, but I just can’t put my finger on it. Forced segregation didn’t work,
and I gotta sneaky suspicion they’re turning their minds to biological
warfare.”
Bobby still had some contacts in underground resistance. He hated to see Sam
suffering and made an impulsive decision to open his mouth up again.
“Sam? You seen anything else in them files?”
“Like what?”
“I dunno.” Bobby hesitated. “A disease, maybe. Something to hurt omegas?”
“Let me guess.” Sam almost smiled. “You know a few men in black, too.”
Bobby huffed a small laugh.
“Nah. Just keep my old ear to the ground. I did hear somethin' but now I don’t
know if I should tell ya. It ain't pretty.”
Sam pushed himself up straight with a bit of effort.
“I’m listening.”
The mutant strain had been classified as a canine adenovirus. Bobby only caught
a few snatches of hushed conversation, but he wasn’t stupid. He knew whatever
it was needed a suitable host to carve out a path of destruction, under no
illusions alphas would leap at the chance to blame the spread on omegas.
“It’s nasty, Sam. I think alphas are transmitting it through their blood 'cause
of what they are.” Bobby wasn’t over keen on sharing much more. A long
forgotten contribution to a sick society quickly swept under a carpet of shame.
It shouldn’t transfer to anyone without a canine heritage, but it had. Didn’t
make any sense.
“So how are normals getting it?” Sam frowned. “Getting sick, I mean.” The fact
he felt like crap himself wasn’t lost on either of them. “That’s messed up.”
“No shit.”
“But why now?”
“You’re the presidential candidate, boy. If you don’t know, then the rest of us
are shit out of luck.” Bobby was genuinely sorry he didn’t have the answers Sam
wanted. The poor lad looked like it was taking everything he had just to stay
awake. “I read it got all but eradicated in the fifties. Must be a new one.”
Bobby mused quietly. “Seems specific enough to cause some real damage.”
“Damn.” Sam murmured, putting a few fractured pieces together. “But that means
they’re ready for round two, Bobby. I knew something shady was going on.
Suppose we better prepare Dean and Cas. Let them know there’s a storm coming.”
“Don’t say anything yet.”
“I haven’t dropped too many hints. I know Dean’s gonna freak, and I don’t wanna
hurt him but they deserve to know the truth.”
“Balls.” Bobby offered articulately. “Kid’s worked so hard to leave all that
behind. How the hell d’you tell an omega like Dean he’s got a brand new target
on his back?”
Sam took in a deep breath and leaned back while he tried to come up with an
answer. He whispered a soft reply before his eyes closed again.
“Very carefully.”
                                 ………. «» ……….
Scout still wasn’t home by the time dusk started to fall, so Castiel was
getting ready to walk down the pond to fetch him. Hoping their little chat
hadn’t caused too much permanent damage. Scout deliberately stayed by the edge
of the water long after Harley made his way home. Already feeling the
resentment bubbling away, wondering why Dean would be so against them being
together if he didn’t care enough to tell him the truth. He knew that was guilt
etched on his papa’s face when he burst in earlier, and made up his mind right
there to find out why they had once been apart. The pups had been brought up
never to tell lies, but Scout was determined to find out what happened if it
killed him.
Dean was still real twitchy when Sam arrived back. He felt like he was being
sheltered from some unseen terror and he didn’t like it. Wanting to know if
there was something he needed to understand that might shatter the depth of
love their special bond had forged over so many years. Lost years Dean could
never get back. He could see Sam struggling to stay upright, wanting to catch
him while he was dopey as hell so he would get a straight answer to something
that bothered him all day.
“Sam? What did you mean earlier?” Dean attempted cautiously. “'Bout sacrifice?”
“Oh, that.” Sam didn’t really want to talk about it, but Dean had that look he
always wore when it wasn’t a request. Sam caved instantly. “My health. Maya’s
affection.” Dean frowned at him, always believing Sam had the perfect family.
“One day I woke up and realized things weren’t the same between us. We just
drifted apart while I focused all my time on trying to make things better for
everyone else. Something got lost along the way.”
“Sorry.” Dean offered, not sure what else he was supposed to say. Sam shrugged.
“I’m gonna work on it when I get back.”
“Sam.” Dean folded both arms across his chest. Nothing was more important than
family. He never forgot that after spending so much time in pain without his
true mate to hold him at night and kiss away all his fears. Sam wasn’t in any
state for a lecture, but Dean couldn’t help himself. As usual. “Well, I call
bullshit. I know you’re scared about somethin’ and if you don’t wanna tell me,
then fine. But you gotta go home. Fix it.”
“Dean. Running your mouth isn’t gonna make me feel any better. 'Course I’m
scared.” Sam admitted quietly. “But I can’t fix it if I don’t know what’s
broken.” Sam didn’t want to hear anymore and sloped back to bed, leaving Dean
staring out the window while he waited for Cas to haul Scout’s ass home. He was
such a perfect husband and father. The only alpha who could ever free him from
a lifetime of heartache and loneliness. Dean was almost terrified of closing
his eyes in case all his dreams passed him by in a heartbeat. Sam’s voice hid a
cold warning. Nothing lasts forever. Something was suspended out there in the
dark, just waiting to take it all away again. In danger of being lost like dust
in the wind.
                                 ………. «» ……….
***** Secrets And Lies *****
4. Secrets And Lies
Sam was exhausted, but couldn’t seem to settle. Disturbed by Dean tapping
impatient fingertips on the counter. Talking to Bobby hadn't made him feel any
better, and he was up again after a few restless minutes. So much for a blast
of fresh country air. The horrible truth kept swimming behind his eyes while he
stumbled back to Eighth Street. Telling Dean everything was a given, but Sam
wished he could wait just a little longer. No point in pissing all over his
land of milk and honey until he was sure. A secret plan started forming in his
head while he was trying to drop off. Intending to infiltrate the local
precinct with Castiel to find out what the hell was really going on. See how
many enforcement officers were truly in the dark. It would be almost impossible
to get to the bottom of their new agenda without some help. Bobby hinted at a
mutant virus. Classified then hidden away like that would somehow make it all
disappear. He had to break the news to Dean gently, but Sam was too worried
about messing up the delivery to think straight.
Dean still had his face pressed up against the window while he searched the
growing shadows, willing Castiel and Scout to appear. He turned when he heard
the door swing open, trying hard to hide his surprise. He expected his brother
to be out for the count. Sam felt too much like crap to care about sleep.
“Alright?” Dean attempted slowly.
“Still breathing, if that’s what you meant.” Sam sat down heavily. Long strands
of sweat-drenched hair hanging over his eyes.
“Not really, but good to know.” Dean muttered, gaze soon drawn back to the
gathering dusk outside. “Was Bobby okay?”
“Think so. As impressed with my new look as everyone else in Haven. I daren’t
even go over to Mom and Dad’s like this. You know what she’d do to me.”
“Yep. Death by tomato rice soup.” Dean grinned over his shoulder. He could
think of worse ways to go, but Sam wasn’t ready to hang up his boots just yet.
“Prob'ly best hiding out here for a bit, Sammy. You’re welcome to stay. Long as
you want.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it, Dean but I gotta think about going back soon.
'Specially after what Bobby told me.” Dean's ears pricked up, but he kept
quiet. Somehow. “I need to ask Cas a favour. Where is he?"
“Gone to get Scout. Shouldn’t be long.”
They both stilled into comfortable silence while Sam tried to figure out how to
phrase it without Dean completely flipping his shit.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Scout was gone before Castiel made it to the edge of the clearing. He knew
there was one person he could really trust and scampered over the bank before
his dad came looking. He missed Sam by minutes, flushed and panting when he
banged on the shop door.
“Well, ain’t I popular today?” Bobby ruffled Scout’s hair when the grill rolled
to a stop. He gave up doing that to Sam when he couldn’t reach anymore. Scout
was just standing there in silence, eyes searching Bobby’s face like he was
trying to look right into his soul. “Come on in, kid. You’re makin’ my yard
look untidy.”
Scout dipped under the garage door. Bobby could tell by the look on his face,
whatever it was - he meant business.
“Gotta talk to you 'bout something.”
“I can see that.” Bobby said seriously. “Been one of those days. Let’s hear it,
then.”
Scout was fiddling with his hands, milking youthful innocence for all it was
worth and forcing out the words before he changed his mind. They all came
blurting out through a rush of air.
“I wanna know why me and Papa haven’t always been together.”
“Scout.” Bobby tried to let him down gently. Being asked to drag those dark
days up again was the last thing he expected. “It ain’t for me to say. You’re
gonna have to ask your folks about that.”
“S’okay. Daddy told me what happened.”
“He did, huh?” Bobby eyed him up and down, surprised the lad wasn’t a sobbing
mess. Scout tried to look disinterested as possible when his pulse was thudding
so hard. Bobby had no reason to think the boy would ever lie to him. Poor
judgment never questioning his motivation after sinking half a bottle of
whisky.
“Yeah.” Scout said slowly, torn between needing to know the truth and playing
Bobby like a fiddle. “Can you just fill me in on a few details?” A dangerous
sliver of doubt started picking away at his insecurity, confused and hurt his
parents kept something so serious from him.
“You sure it’s okay to talk about it? Your papa would kick my ass if I said
somethin’ I shouldn’t.” Bobby would never forgive himself if he unravelled the
soft cocoon of protection Dean had weaved around that pup for thirteen years.
“'Course. They were just busy talking to Uncle Sam. I didn’t wanna disturb
them.” Scout pulled out the best smile he could, showing off those two pointed
daggers. “How would I know if they hadn’t told me?” Seemed a fair point, that
cute face a hundred times more convincing after Bobby upped his blood volume to
forty per cent proof.
“And you’re not upset?”
“No.” Scout forced a shrug, even though he felt sick to his stomach. That
sounded bad. “Why would I be?”
“Come on then, son. Let’s fill in a few gaps for ya.”
Scout padded after him, sharp eyes trained on Bobby’s back. He watched him all
the way through the house. Heart banging against his ribs in case he got
rumbled, fixing on another perfect smile when Bobby sat him down on the couch.
                                 ………. «» ……….
The conversation with Bobby was still fresh in Sam's mind. A cosmic joke no one
thought was funny. He had an idea some omegas were protected from the disease
because they were double recessive. Something that passed the authorities by
completely. He guessed it was more likely linked to alphas. Most normals were
susceptible because they only had one gene to counteract it. Anyone with
carrier parents would be at risk, and enforcement intervention was about as
much use as a damp squib now the tagging system was kaput. Sam got blamed for
most of it when he appointed Castiel as the chief officer for national
reintegration. There must be something he could do to put it right.
“You’re unusually quiet.” He offered after a few minutes. Dean hummed absently,
trying to squash down a growing sense of dread. “Dean?” Sam tried again.
“There’s something I need to tell you, but I think you should sit down first.”
That was enough to drag him away from the window and he parked himself opposite
his brother while he waited for Cas to bring their son home. His expression
never changed as Sam shared most of what he knew. That made it worse somehow,
and all Sam saw in those green eyes was a look he never wanted to see again.
“What you mean – a mutant virus?” Dean stopped short while his brain scrambled
to keep up, gaping at Sam with his mouth open after his brother sketched a
deliberately hazy outline of everything he mulled over since his chat with
Bobby. “You’re makin' my head hurt.”
“Sorry. I don’t really understand it all myself to be honest, but I thought you
should know.” Sam deliberately held back the more disturbing stuff, too tired
to deal with the fallout of Dean going postal when he realized not much had
changed out there in the real world. A lifetime away from the idyllic happiness
he had with Castiel. Dean blanked out most of the hints and loaded glances Sam
and Cas exchanged over the last couple of days, but now a morbid fascination
forced him to dig a bit deeper.
“What about Maya? Is she like you?”
“I don’t know, but she sure is touchy. I can’t seem to do anything right
lately.”
“Maybe she just wants you to spend some time with her.” Dean added. “That’s
usually what’s up with Cas when he gets stroppy. Complete attention whore if he
feels a bit neglected.”
Sam actually grinned back at him, just imagining how that went.
“How do you do it?” He asked suddenly. Sam couldn’t cope with one bitchy
teenager, let alone a houseful. It still surprised him how naturally Dean had
taken on so much responsibility.
“Honestly, I have no idea.” Dean laughed. “It just feels so right, you know?”
“Yeah.” Sam gave him a thoughtful nod. Dean and Cas deserved to be happy after
everything they endured to finally be together. It only made his stomach sink.
His brother needed to know what was really going on beyond their perfect world.
It would be a dick move to spoil it, but Dean couldn’t live in his little glass
house forever when it was tearing up a tempest outside. "Maybe I will stay
another day or two, if you really don't mind. Rest up a bit before I go home
and try to make things right with Maya."
“So you took my advice, after all.” Dean hummed a little noise of approval.
“That’s a first.”
“Yeah, well don’t get used to it.” Sam laughed, sharing a rare moment of peace.
Dean’s smile soon faded when Sam flinched in pain as he moved.
“Sam, this ain’t none of my business or nothin' but you being okay means a lot
more than a stupid election.” Dean patted the back of Sam’s hand. “Sometimes
you gotta know when to fold 'em.”
“Yeah, Dean. I know... and sometimes you have to stand up for people who are
too scared to stand up for themselves. I always wanted to make things better,
and in some small way I think I have. It’ll never be over. Not really. I gotta
keep fighting. I hoped you’d be the one person who understood why that was so
important to me. I’m not asking you to pick up where you left off. Just be
prepared, is all I’m saying. I know how happy you are here making babies.” Sam
kept a lot of the latest information to himself. Dean spent the last decade
dipping and dabbing with Cas every time they got chance. Sam would hate to be
the one to make that all come crashing down. He saw Dean’s eyes glaze over at
the memory. Sam coughed hard.
“I do understand. But the world’s supposed to be better, isn’t it? Better for
alphas and omegas to be together. I’m not worried about it.”
Sam knew that was probably a lie.
“Maybe you should be.”
Dean looked like he wanted to say something else he couldn’t quite get out, all
those long words Sam assaulted him with still swirling around in his head. Sam
was getting worse by the day, and Dean remembered enough hate to get how alphas
would blame omegas for spreading a disease.
“You know, if you caught something off one of us… if it’s our fault somehow - ”
Too much else was going on to discuss the evolutionary merits of genetic
diversity with time they just didn’t have. Dean dropped his chin into one hand
and stared at his brother over the kitchen table. “I’m so sorry, Sam.”
“You don’t have to apologize for what you are, Dean.” Sam replied with a smile.
“I’ve been telling you that my whole life.”
“Thanks. I know how sick you feel. Don’t matter how much you try an' hide it.”
Sam didn’t get the chance to deny it. Castiel was flushed and out of breath
when he stormed home without their son in tow. Dean jumped up in alarm when he
saw the fear in his eyes.
“What’s the matter? Where’s Scout?” Dean demanded, rushing over to comfort his
mate.
“I don’t know.” Castiel stuck out his jaw in frustration. “I can’t find him.”
“Where the hell is he, then? You check the pond?” Dean panicked. It was getting
dark, and that boy never missed a curfew in his life. Scout might like to think
he was a hard ass on the verge of adulthood, but he was still their baby in
Dean’s heart.
“'Course I did.” Castiel tutted. “First place I looked.”
“I’m gonna go find him.”
“Dean. I checked already.” Castiel grabbed his arm to pull him back. “Maybe he
went home with his friend. You want me to go over there?”
Harley’s family seemed strangely isolated in a cute little town like Haven.
Castiel knew they lived at the end of the street but they never saw anyone come
out. It got him to thinking they didn’t really know all that much about the boy
Scout was falling for. Dean was about to reply when the door flew wide and a
very dishevelled pup appeared in the gap. Dean could just make out two faint
lines of dried tears, streaking through patches of dirt on both cheeks.
“Where the hell have you been?” Dean was so relieved to see him, everything
came out a bit sharp. It sounded more like an accusation, and the floodgates
opened. Scout backed up into a corner like he was trying to put as much
distance between them as possible.
“What do you care?” The poor boy’s lip was trembling hard when he couldn’t hold
in his emotions any longer, the painful truth destroying everything Dean had
done to make it up to him. “You didn’t want me anyway.”
Dean looked horrified, so many years of selfless devotion crushed in an
instant. He tried to reach out to touch him, but Scout pulled himself away and
out of petting distance.
“Scout.” Dean gasped, the only word he could manage with what little breath he
had left. Never imagining that agonizing choice would come back to haunt him.
The sadness in those round blue eyes almost yanked his heart right out his
chest. “That’s not true.”
“Yes it is. You only kept me 'cause Daddy made you.”
“Who told you that?”
“Doesn’t matter… at least someone had the balls to tell me the truth.” Dean
would have called him out for cussing if his mouth wasn’t still hanging open in
shock. “I hate you.” Scout ran upstairs before anyone could stop him, the slam
of his bedroom door echoing through a horrible silence. Dean could hear him
crying. Castiel drew his mate close and wrapped him in a warm hug.
“He didn’t mean that.”
“Yes he did… and I deserve it.” Dean whispered, resting his head on Castiel’s
shoulder and wondering how the hell he was ever going to make it right.
                                 ………. «» ……….
***** Penance *****
5. Penance
Castiel felt torn between cuddling his mate and securing a bit of damage
control. Scout’s cheeks were damp with fallen tears. Dean didn’t just get
knocked from his pedestal - he threw himself off and landed on his face. Their
beautiful relationship in ruins. Castiel kissed Dean’s mouth with a gentle
sigh.
“I’ll go.” He said quietly. Dean didn’t argue, convinced he was the last person
their son wanted to see right now. Castiel slowly scaled the stairs and tapped
on the door, easing it open when the only response was brooding silence. Scout
was curled up on the bed, shoulders shaking from crying until he ran out of
tears. “You okay?” Castiel bit at his lip. It was such a stupid thing to say.
The boy was still trembling, knees pulled up to his chest like he was trying to
give himself a little hug of comfort. Castiel felt his stomach drop, years of
guilt rising up. He should have fought harder. Scout had his back to him,
sensing the mattress dip when his father cautiously sat down on the edge. “I
came to say I was sorry.”
Scout eventually turned his head, blinking at Castiel in confusion through
blurry eyes.
“Sorry for what?” He sniffed. “It’s not your fault. Uncle Bobby said you wanted
to keep me.”
Well. That was one mystery solved. Castiel guessed as much, but he didn’t like
to hand out accusations without a scrap of evidence. Only left wondering why
Bobby would have let that slip after so many years of keeping his mouth shut.
He patted Scout’s shoulder.
“Sorry we didn’t tell you. It was so long ago, baby. You were only a few days
old when we got you back. Papa was so happy, I didn’t wanna remind him how
close we came to losing you.” The shameful memory returned like a bolt from the
blue.
“So you would have kept that from me forever?”
“Honestly?” Castiel didn’t wait for a reply. “I don’t know.”
“Didn’t he love me?”
Castiel’s face crumpled in sympathy, running his hand up and down the middle of
Scout’s back until he stopped shaking.
“'Course he did. So much, but things were different then. He loved you more
than anything. Still does, I suspect - but I’d never tell the other pups that.
We made you together when the rest of the world was falling apart, and that
makes you very special. He wanted to give you a better life when everything
else felt so hopeless… and just for the record, I didn’t have to change his
mind about giving you up. He did that all on his own when he realized how much
he missed you.”
“He did?” Scout snuffled again, the ice around his heart slowly melting away.
Castiel hummed an answer.
“Don’t be too hard on him. Papa always felt real bad for leaving you. He did
his best to make up for it.”
Scout hadn’t really known where to start when he side-lined Bobby. Hoping he
would just let it all come spilling out without too much prompting. He didn’t
disappoint.
“I don’t understand why he would want that if he really cared about me.”
“You don’t have to.” Castiel smiled, remembering the look of pure joy on Dean’s
face when he knew Bobby couldn’t bring himself to part with that cute little
bundle. “I think he just wanted his baby to love him, even when he thought he
didn’t deserve you.” The way Scout’s mouth plunged into a curve picked out
every line of sadness. “No one can change the past. We’re together now. That’s
all that really matters. Don’t hate him for trying to do the right thing.”
“I’m sorry I said that.” Scout mumbled into his chest. He still adored his
papa, for all his mistakes. He felt sick knowing he could never take those
three words back. “I didn’t mean it.”
“I know you didn’t.” Castiel whispered. “But it’s not me you need to say it
to.”
Scout finally sat up and let Castiel hold him close, ignoring the rub of a wet
nose against his shirt.
“I don’t think I can, Daddy. Not right now.”
“I’m sure he’ll wait 'til you’re ready. There’s a lot you don’t know about
those days.” Thinking about how much they still hurt sometimes made Castiel’s
eyes sparkle, but Dean was a different man now. A better man. “Something made
him hard inside when we got pulled apart. It took him a long time to open up
his heart again - even to me.” Castiel added quietly, holding on to the memory
of how hard he worked to make Dean feel so loved. Sam’s warning was still
bouncing around inside his head. “Now it’s happening all over again.” Castiel
suddenly stopped, making sure he pasted on a gummy smile so Scout would let
that one slide. He seemed to be wedged too deep in his little pocket of self-
pity to notice, so Castiel gave him a kiss and left him to sulk in peace for a
bit.
Dean hadn’t moved at all while he was gone. Rigid as stone while he willed Cas
to come back downstairs just so he could feel those arms wind around him again.
Sam had no idea what to say and gave Castiel a pleading look when he moved past
him in the doorway, slipping away to the spare bedroom before anyone had chance
to call him back. Castiel could practically feel the waves of relief flooding
out when Sam knew he could take a pass on an improvised counselling session.
Regret was set firm on Dean’s face. Moping out a futile penance for hiding the
truth for so long and making Scout cry. Determined to punish himself somehow
for that one single slip – the day he forced his heart to go against every
instinct swamping his senses when he pushed that boy into a cruel world. Dean
had been so content living out his perfect dream in a little backwater before
Sam came home and Bobby let whisky do all his talking. Castiel hated to see it
starting to crumble. Believing some shapeless evil now threatened to pull it
down around them left him cold. He could hardly stand it.
“Sweetheart.” Castiel smothered his mate with affection and reached for his
hand. Dean couldn’t even look at him, brimming eyes fixed on the floor. “Stop
it. Don’t do this to yourself.” Castiel gently stroked Dean’s cheek with the
back of one finger, wishing there was something he could say that would erase
such a painful memory. He knew there was always a lot of guilt there, but the
recent showdown only dragged it back up to the surface. Dean was trying hard to
be strong, but Castiel knew that one confrontation had done some serious
damage. To both his boys. “He’ll be alright.”
“No, Cas.” Dean leaned into the caress. “You just don’t get it. I don’t know
myself why I would even think about abandoning him.” If Scout started demanding
a reason, Dean wasn’t sure he had one to give. “I love that kid to bits.”
“I know you do.” Castiel smiled. “And so does he. Don’t beat yourself up over
something you can’t change.”
“But how did he find out?” Dean murmured, distracted by Castiel teasing
seductive lines up and down his back. “I never said a word to anyone.” Castiel
wasn’t sure how he could share without dropping Bobby in the shit, so he went
in carefully at first. Holding back the truth in favour of licking at Dean’s
neck to try and take his mind off the pouting teenager upstairs.
“I think I know.”
                                 ………. «» ……….
Scout snuck out the bedroom window without making a sound. He knew he wasn’t
supposed to go wandering around in the dark, but the need to see Harley again
was like a smack of the white stuff. A compulsion he couldn’t resist. Scout ran
up the street as fast as he could and pressed one hand against the window when
he leaned forward to peer inside. Harley was lying on his back and staring at
the ceiling, daydreaming away the long hours until he could see his alpha
again. Scout banged on the glass, almost knocking his friend off the bed in
surprise. He jumped up and pushed his fingers through the tiny gap so they
could touch the tips together.
“What you doin’?” Harley whispered, searching Scout’s face for an explanation.
He thrust his arm through a little harder when all he could see there was quiet
desperation. “You okay?” Scout was suddenly holding his hand so tight, Harley
knew the answer before he opened his mouth.
“Yeah… sort of. I had a fight with my papa.” Scout took in a deep breath,
trying to push out those cruel words that had cut into Dean like tiny daggers.
Brutal nicks that were going to take a long time to heal. “I wanted to tell him
I was sorry, but I can’t even look at him right now. I know there’s something
else they’re not telling me, and I gotta find out why. My uncle suddenly turned
up for no reason, and he’s real busy with work upstate so he wouldn’ta come
back if it wasn’t somethin' bad.” Harley was gaping at him through the dim
light, half-asleep and blinking. He looked so adorable, Scout made an impulsive
decision. “Can you come outside?” He suddenly felt very shy, cursing his own
weakness. Completely powerless to hide the growing need to feel delicate omega
skin rubbing against him. “I need a hug.” Harley glanced doubtfully over his
shoulder. Not sure he could pull that move off without getting caught, so Scout
made a last-ditch attempt to win him over with a bit of that grabby attention
his omega seemed to lap up like a kitten. “I think whatever kept my parents
apart is all kicking off again. My dad thinks he’s in the FBI or some shit when
he’s trying to be cool so I pretended I didn’t get it, but he looked scared. I
don’t care what they say about us being together - I won’t let anyone take you
away from me, Harls. I promise.”
“Okay.” The other boy gave him a little nod, not sure why that was even on the
table. He pushed the window open, twitchy with nerves when he slid out the gap.
Any doubts were soon forgotten when he landed in Scout’s waiting arms, their
bodies grinding together when he hit the ground with a thud. Scout pulled him
close while he buried his face in silky blonde hair. He breathed him in, eager
teenage hands soon wandering down to his ass. Careless pawing spreading a
little higher before Scout made a grab for his waist and yanked him forward.
Harley let him. His cheeks were a bit pink but other than that he didn’t seem
to mind some amateur groping, gasping in a short breath when he sensed a little
dick bump dig into his thigh. Harley panted against his cheek when Scout gave
his butt a particularly determined squeeze. Now he didn’t care what his dad
might think about rushing to present. The sexual need to claim stronger than it
ever was in his father when he was young, and that was up against some pretty
stiff competition when Dean always smelled so good.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Dean kept hinting for Cas to go check on him. A couple of hours had passed and
no light was seeping out the bottom of the bedroom door when Dean went up to
take a pee. He hated the idea of their baby crying all alone in the dark, and
hovered at the bottom of the stairs after Castiel finally gave in. Dean heard
him tut in frustration when he pushed it open.
“God’s sake.” Castiel sighed, when he realized Scout was gone again. He glanced
at Dean. “I need to put that kid on a fucking bungee cord.” Dean was behind him
in an instant, eyes darting over Castiel’s shoulder while he scanned the empty
room.
“You can’t blame him, Cas.” Dean tried, ready to defend and protect as usual.
The window was hanging open so it wasn’t much of a leap to figure out he’d
scarpered. “He was really upset.”
“Dean, I know you’re mad with yourself but he still has rules. He’s just
pushing it 'cause he thinks you might be up for a bit of emotional blackmail.
I’m gonna go get him.” Castiel suddenly stopped at the top of the stairs. “And
he’s grounded.”
Castiel knew exactly where his son would be. Not very happy at having to trudge
over to the house at the end of the street. He waited a few minutes on the step
while someone reluctantly came to the door. Castiel stopped breathing when a
man’s face appeared in the tiny gap, like he was trying to process something
that couldn’t possibly be there. Just for a moment there was a familiar sting
of recognition, but Castiel had blanked out most of the past so it didn’t hurt.
Memories of lonely nights and cold sheets he never wanted to endure again. He
was standing there in silence with a stupid look on his face when it finally
clicked. The other man was staring back at him in stunned amazement.
“Carter?”
“So - it is you. Hello, Novak.”
“What the hell are you doing in Haven?”
“Long story.” Carter answered quietly, slowly opening the door a little wider
to get a good look at his former partner. Making sure he wasn’t seeing things.
Maybe fate delivered him there as penance. His karmic slap in the face for
falling in love with an omega just after the laws changed. “I turned in my
badge. Then I got real sick so we moved here for some country air. I wasn’t
sure who I could really trust anymore.”
“Don’t worry.” Castiel shook his head. Dark secrets coming back to bite him on
the ass in spades. “I know how that goes.”
“I can’t say too much right now, but I gotta good reason why I want to hide
away. You changed my mind about what we were doing in enforcement.”
“Me?” Castiel couldn’t imagine how that one perfect proposal in Washington
would tie their lives together someday. Carter nodded.
“I remember what you did for that omega.”
Castiel’s mouth curved into a secret smile. He didn’t tell him that omega was
now his husband and the man who gave him five beautiful children. He quickly
changed the subject.
“Sorry, I must have made a mistake.” Castiel apologized, eyes searching the
other houses for some sign of life. He thought he had the right place, but now
he wasn’t so sure. “I’ll see you around.” Their unexpected reunion was
bordering on awkward, and he just wanted to make an excuse and leave before he
said too much. “I was looking for a kid called Harley? Sure he lives up this
end somewhere.” Castiel added vaguely. “Do you know him?”
He looked unnaturally flustered by such a simple question.
“Actually, I do.” Carter replied softly. “He’s my son.”
                                 ………. «» ……….
***** Puppy Love *****
6. Puppy Love
Castiel felt his knees threaten to give way when that revelation hit him like a
brick. A sympathetic ally was the last thing he expected in a former
enforcement officer. He always presumed Carter was an alpha, making a career
out of spouting disregard for omegas on a scale that would make the Gestapo
look like a bunch of boy scouts. Castiel understood enough about passing down
genes to know if Harley really was an omega, he must have been wrong. Alpha and
normal genes were co-dominant, so this man must have been a carrier at the
least. He looked completely shell shocked.
“Your son?” Castiel asked in amazement, falling over himself to process
something so earth-shattering. Knowing Scout had already chosen someone
inexorably linked to a horrible past was a cruel irony he didn’t want to think
about. Completely oblivious his baby boy was still hiding round the back of the
house with both hands dangerously close to being wedged down Harley’s shorts.
“Yes. My only child. I’ve tried to keep him safe, Castiel.” It didn’t pass him
by that was the first time Carter ever called him by his first name. “My health
wasn’t the only reason we moved here. I know things are better, but I will
never forget what happened.”
“I don’t want to forget.” Castiel replied quickly. “It makes me all the more
grateful for everything I have.”
“I guess that omega changed you for the better.”
“Definitely.” Castiel almost blushed. “That’s love for you.” They shared a
small laugh. “You too, huh?”
“Yeah. I’m so glad you found some happiness here.”
“I can’t take all the credit for setting us on the path to world peace. It’s
Dean’s brother you should thank for that.”
“Dean.” Carter said the word like it spilled from his mouth as a harsh reminder
of everything he once stood for. “Your omega.”
“My husband.” He announced proudly, no longer fearing any judgement. The other
man just nodded with a gentle smile. “Carter?” Castiel said suddenly.
“Jackson, please.”
“Okay.” Castiel had almost forgotten. “I was looking for my own boy, Scout. Has
Harley mentioned him at all?” He was just doing a spot of fishing, but the
blank look on Carter’s face said it all.
“No. Why?”
Castiel could feel the sweat beading on his lip, not sure if he should say any
more.
“I think there might be more to their friendship than a bit of pond dipping, if
you know what I mean.”
Carter stared at Castiel while the cryptic suggestion sunk in.
“Oh.” He jerked his head back. “I didn’t know he was gay.”
It seemed a weird thing to say. Carter should be more worried about Harley
being an omega than what team he batted for.
“Nature doesn’t care about that.” Castiel had to admit he was disappointed.
Maybe a lifetime of bigotry left a mark after all. “Not if two people are meant
to be together… and neither should you.”
The boys were still making out when Scout heard the end of a muffled
conversation. Just catching the low rumble of his father’s voice before he
walked away. Scout knew he was in trouble. Going AWOL twice in one day was a
serious violation. They both ducked underneath the window, fingers still locked
together. He gave Harley another wet kiss before legging it across the meadow
and round the side of their house so his dad wouldn’t catch him. Harley was
lucky Castiel pissed all over their secret meeting when he did. Soon as alpha
hormones kicked in with a vengeance, Scout would eat that boy alive. He could
feel the throb of desire threatening to give him away when he crept in the back
door, praying Dean would be busy settling his brothers. He lucked out.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Dean was waiting by the window for the millionth time that day when Mary
breezed in like a breath of fresh air, a little hand clutched in each of hers.
“Papa!” River wriggled free of his grandma’s death grip and ran to Dean,
wrapping himself around his knees and snuggling in.
“Hey. You miss me, baby?” River nodded against his legs before Dean bent down
to pick him up. He was still sore about the shit show with Scout, but some of
the sting faded when River made a grab for his face and tried to pull him in
for a kiss. Dean let his son push a couple of sticky fingers into his mouth.
“Hi, Mom.”
Mary smiled at him.
“I wasn’t sure what time you wanted them home, but your dad’s already flaked
out on the couch.”
Dean grinned back. Those boys did seem to have an unnatural talent for wearing
John to a shadow.
“Not keeping them for the night again?” He was only messing, but Dean longed to
get Scout on his own so they could mend some broken bridges. Itching to get the
small pups settled before Cas put a leash on their eldest and dragged him home.
“I think your father would divorce me.” They chatted for a couple of minutes
while River milked Papa for cuddles until he was nodding on one shoulder. Mary
tickled her grandbaby’s cheek and left Willow to keep an eye on the other one
while Dean carried his little boy upstairs. He read him a book after tucking
him in. Every line reminding Dean of his own perfect love story that made him
greet every new morning with a smile. He was just coming back downstairs
pupless when Scout threw the door open and almost knocked his sister flying.
“Jerk.” Willow glared at him while she rubbed her arm.
“Kick rocks.”
“Scout.” Dean warned. It wasn’t very convincing, not really prepared to push it
until he was sure their boy had forgiven that one stupid indiscretion thirteen
years ago. Scared of damaging an already shaky bond now Scout knew the truth.
His sister spent the last twelve years bossing him about, and Scout was already
suffering the ache of withdrawal from not holding Harley in his arms. He gave
her hair a quick yank as payment for being a girl. Willow soon had Scout pinned
up against the wall. She didn’t need anyone’s help in putting her brother in
his place, leaning in close so Dean couldn’t hear her.
“I don’t know what you did, but I’m not gonna let you upset him. Go and make it
up with Papa 'fore I tear you a new one.” She whispered. Willow had always been
a feisty kid. A beautiful little replica of Dean. Sandy hair and fierce green
gaze almost dropping Scout on the spot. He soon caved to the pressure. Willow
eventually released him so he could give Dean a rigid hug. Reluctant compliance
earned him a week’s worth of no nut-shots, but he couldn’t stall forever. They
were gonna have to thrash it out sooner or later.
“Thanks.” Dean offered hesitantly, swallowing down the lump in his throat when
those two perfect blue eyes were staring up at him in painful disappointment.
Scout couldn’t think of a damn thing to say and pulled free, skulking away with
his head down. “Scout?” Dean was quiet when he called him back, not sure the
grounding Castiel promised should take immediate effect. “Can we talk?”
Scout didn’t answer for a few seconds, kicking at the floor with the tip of one
dusty sneaker.
“I just wanna be on my own for a bit, Papa.” Scout tried to pull out as much
diplomacy as he could when Dean was looking at him with so much sadness in his
eyes. He had no hope of getting it when Jay ran past and started tugging at his
brother’s hand, demanding another bout of unarmed combat before Dean made them
go to bed.
Mary left them to it. She still had no idea Sam was back for a visit, and no
one had the heart to tell her he was running on fumes. All he seemed to want to
do was sleep, and Dean was too stressed out by the pups to drop another pebble
in an already overflowing pond. Castiel soon gave up his rescue mission and
headed home. He wasn’t all that surprised to see his son had made it back, but
the grounding still stood. Dean was determined to get his five minutes, and
managed to corner Scout when Cas went on his nightly routine of cuddles and
kisses. Getting five pups in bed before ten was a logistical nightmare, but
Dean had it down to a fine art after so many years of practice.
“Any chance of that chat yet?”
Dean was still hurt, but he was trying hard to rise above it. Teenage drama
might not have seemed so important if they had any idea a bigger threat was
slowly making its way south. A blazing demon ready to incinerate everything in
its path.
“I don’t know what you want me to say.” Scout looked pitiful just standing
there with his hands thrust inside his pockets. The instinct to be close to his
omega suddenly taking a back seat to a lost little boy who just wanted to
understand how his papa could have left him. “What did I do wrong?”
“Nothing, Scout.” Dean felt sick again. He thought he could smell something on
him, but he couldn’t be sure. Their own childhood experiences might be carved
on his heart forever, but many fragile memories were locked down deep. He soon
dismissed it. “You didn’t do anything wrong, baby.”
“Why didn’t you want me, then?”
Dean had no clue how the hell he was gonna dig himself out of this one. It
didn’t seem to matter what he said. Scout already made up his mind. Dean took a
deep breath, heart thumping. Their son deserved to know what really happened.
“When we were little, that’s all me and Daddy ever wanted. To be together -
have a family. Even though I didn’t think it would really happen.” Dean tried a
little smile when he thought about how easily he brushed off that idea as a
boy. Five pups later, and a husband who would pluck the stars from the sky if
he asked for them made everything that went before seem lost in a forgotten
time. “Some people thought omegas didn’t deserve to be treated the same as
alphas. Like your Harley.” Dean added, doing a bit of unintentional psychology
by using something Scout could relate to. “It got almost impossible for them to
be with the people they loved 'cause of what they are. It was real hard for me
to be an omega when I fell for you. If things go bad again and you ever have a
little pup of your own, then maybe you’ll understand.”
“I would never try to palm it off on someone else.” Scout knew how much that
one smarted. Soon regretting that dig as well when he saw Dean filling up.
“Were you really glad Bobby kept me?” Scout paused for a second, staring into
Dean’s eyes like he was trying to hypnotize him with a virtual truth serum. “I
want you to be honest. Just this once.”
It killed Dean inside that Scout would even have to ask.
“Yes. Of course, I was. Don’t tell anyone, but I cried like a girl. So did
Daddy. We were so happy we got our little boy back. I’ve loved your father with
every last bit of me since we were children.” Dean didn’t bother wiping the
tears away this time. “Do you honestly think I wouldn’t want something
beautiful that came from him? I was trying to do the right thing so you would
be safe… that’s all.”
“I don’t know what to think anymore.” Scout sighed. Dean could see a little
chink of doubt open up in his defensive armour. He reached for his baby’s hand.
“What does your heart say?”
                                 ………. «» ……….
Sam was desperately trying to get comfortable in a stupidly small bed.
Struggling to ignore the chaotic backdrop of rowdy pups and sickening displays
of affection every time he poked his head out the door. He kept a lot from
Dean. The pain in his chest was getting harder to shrug off. A constant itch at
the back of his throat threatening to make him cough until he puked up blood.
He contracted the virus from an alpha officer during the last campaign,
clueless to the poison that was ravaging his system. A modified CAV-2 vaccine
to deal with respiratory symptoms was still in production. If it was related to
the hepatitis virus like experts predicted, a shot might get you four years
grace with less side effects on a good day. No one knew what the long-term
damage would be. A mutant strain that couldn’t be stopped from spreading.
Careless junkies and teenage spit-swapping welcoming in a plague with open
arms.
Antibiotics got it under control a few decades before, but it was 50/50 now.
Survival dependent on a strong natural immunity. The government could never
imagine how much havoc it would wreak when they set it free. Expecting the
double recessive omegas to be completely helpless was a monumental fucking
fail. Canine traits meant it had the opposite effect, leaving alphas dropping
all over the place. Scared authorities not sure who would be targeted next. A
new age once helped dissolve the memory of enforcement brutality. Long
abandoned clinics now only filled with empty space and rats. This time, the
terror would be relentless. No amount of begging could appeal to a conscience
that didn’t exist. There were so many different types of adenovirus, but this
one was different. Like it was on a single terrible mission to lay the country
to waste.
                                 ………. «» ……….
***** Breakout *****
7. Breakout
Dean could feel his breaking heart patter while he waited. Not exactly the
response he hoped for when Scout slowly slid his hand away and folded both arms
across his body.
“I wanna believe you.” Scout said softly. Dean dared a smile, but the surge of
relief was soon swept away. “I just don’t understand how you could leave me…
whatever the reason.”
“I never meant to leave you. Not really. Suppose I must have known Bobby would
take care of you 'til we got home. It didn’t take much for me to run back to
you.” The pause that followed was so thick, Dean could almost taste it. He
tried to redirect the conversation to something else. A clumsy attempt to fill
an awkward silence. “So, tell me more about this boy you like.”
“Why? Doesn’t matter. Daddy already gave me the third degree. I know you don’t
want me to be with him, so you can cut the bullshit.”
“Scout!” Dean’s shock was written all over his face. The cherished bond with
his first pup that took so long to perfect was disintegrating before his eyes.
Their son seemed to have changed so much lately - and definitely not for the
better. Dean didn’t make the connection. Scout was so close to presenting, his
hormones were all over the place. He was frustrated and sulky. Never a winning
combination when a parent who already pissed him off was grilling for more
details about his secret desire to mate another boy. “Stop it. That’s not
true.”
“Papa.” Scout glared at Dean like he was so done having to explain how he felt
about Harley. “There’s nothing you can say to make me stop seeing him… so
please quit trying. We just wanna be together.” Scout coloured up at the
admission, and Dean was suddenly transported back to a memory of saying the
same thing to John when he realized his heart belonged to Castiel forever. He
reluctantly pulled away.
“Okay.” Dean conceded sadly. “I’ll leave you alone for a bit, if that’s what
you want.” He waited for a denial that never came. Resigning himself to being
blown-off again before going back down to Cas for another cuddle of sympathy.
Dean didn’t even have to ask. Castiel reached out when he saw the sorrow in his
eyes, holding him close and inhaling the sweet scent of his omega. “You said
you knew who told him… how do you know?” Dean said suddenly, desperate for
answers. “Did Scout say who let the cat out?”
Castiel didn’t want Dean to be mad with Bobby after everything he’d done for
them. Trying so hard to set that boy on the right path over the years.
“He might have mentioned it.”
“Don’t try an' fucking gaslight me, Cas.” Dean set his shoulders straight in a
pitiful attempt at dominance. “I know what you said. Who was it?”
“It doesn’t matter. The damage is done, and Scout’s still on lock-down, Dean.”
Castiel had to stick with dishing out some justice - shit as it was. He usually
took charge of dealing out pup punishments. Dean was unusually weak when it
came to a battle of wills with Scout. Castiel knew exactly why.
“Cas. Tell me.” Dean refused to budge an inch until he got what he wanted.
“Bobby.” Castiel sighed, after an excruciating pause.
“What?” Dean looked gobsmacked. “Why would he do that?”
“He would never do it deliberately.” Castiel soon rose to his defense. “I think
maybe our son turned master manipulator for the afternoon. You know how much
Bobby loves Scout. Wouldn’t take much to charm out all those secrets.”
Sam was never far away, and dropping off again was impossible with all the
drama. He had no intention of muscling in on family stuff, but Dean had to see
the bigger picture before it was too late. Unreasonable teenagers should be way
down on his list of priorities compared to the really scary shit that was out
there.
“Don’t write Bobby off as a traitor just yet.” Sam offered quietly, when he
came through for another glass of water. “It doesn’t matter why it slipped out.
It’s done. You just gotta try and make Scout understand why you felt that was
the only option left back then.” Dean was more forgiving than Sam expected
after he mulled it over for a minute.
“I don’t blame him. It was my fault.” Dean whispered. Fresh shame rearing up at
the memory. “We might not have him now if it wasn’t for Bobby. I can’t even
think about that.”
Sam pretended not to hear, deliberately turning his attention to Castiel.
“Cas, I know it’s late an' all, but I wanted to ask you about going down the
precinct tomorrow if I feel up to it. I need to have a rifle through the files
and find out for sure if some of your officers are legit.”
“Really?” Castiel tilted his head to give Sam a quick once over. “I’m not sure
you’re up for a spy mission.”
“I’m fine. I just gotta shake this stupid sickness… whatever it is.” He added
quickly. “But I can’t stop thinking about what Bobby said. He seemed pretty
sure he was on to something with that damn virus.”
Sam refused to acknowledge the personal link. Detouring to try and figure out
why most omegas seemed to have a natural immunity. He was scared for Maya, but
the fact both her parents were carriers never occurred to him. Sam and Jess
both had the recessive gene passed down from their mothers. He zoned out again.
Dean helped his brother to sit when he started muttering to himself. It just
sounded like a load of long words strung together in a sort of sentence. Dean
was finding it hard to keep up. “There are no betas left, so normals are
vulnerable if they carry the omega gene… but why?”
“Hey. Focus.” Dean snapped his fingers in front of Sam’s eyes. “You’re not
makin' any sense.” Sam suddenly jerked his head up when he was apparently
struck by an epiphany.
“I think I know why so many alphas are susceptible to an omega disease.” Dean’s
face was a picture of blank ignorance. Sam almost smiled. He didn’t bother
waiting for a response. “The lack of natural breeding over the last twenty
years must have caused a genetic bottleneck.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Dean asked, through a squint. Sam didn’t get
chance to explain. “Anyone can get it? Sam?” He looked serious. His brother’s
spectacular decline over the last couple of days was more than enough evidence
something bad had dug its claws in deep. Even for Dean. “What if you got it?”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m built like a quarterback.” Sam tried to smile, but
he was full of it. He couldn’t even bring himself to look Dean in the eye when
he lied. The dreadful facilities enforcement set up might have been abandoned
lately, but that wouldn’t stop some hard-line alpha extremists from trying to
stop omegas passing on their special gene. Dean used to hate the fact the
government didn’t think it was pure. He tried to forget over the decade that
followed. Intending to mate them off so they wouldn’t cause any trouble and
then sterilize them. Sketchy blood laws just a way of getting all their DNA on
a database. Thirteen years later, plans for world domination were long
forgotten, but there was a technical loophole Sam hadn’t addressed. He gulped
down some water like he was dying of dehydration. “A couple of weeks ago, I
heard a rumour that fear of spreading something went from unclean omegas to
anyone. I know it’s not true what they say about you, Dean, but some files are
still a secret. Maybe that list is growing all the time. What they had planned
about eradicating the omega gene, I mean.” Sam still had a lot of guilt over a
few babies who never got a real chance at life. “A handful managed to slip
through the gaps. Some got forgotten. I guess it worked both ways. The blood
laws never got changed. We had so much to do and all that paperwork was a
fucking nightmare. I’m sorry, Dean, I must have missed it.”
Dean opened his mouth, but nothing came out. There wasn’t a thing he could say
to make any of that sound less terrifying. Castiel wrapped both arms around his
waist and gave him a squeeze.
“Then, there’s nothing to stop them.” Castiel murmured, without thinking.
Cursing himself in his head when he felt Dean tense in his embrace. “It’s okay,
pumpkin. You know I’ll always keep you and the pups safe.”
Dean gave in to the touch without a second of hesitation. Cas never had to rely
on sweet talk to make his husband submit. The art of seductive persuasion was
more like a bit of imaginative foreplay. Dean let go completely when Castiel
held him close, the wonderful smell of protection smothering his omega with a
warm distraction from the revelation Sam just dropped like a brick.
Scout lay awake most of the night, fitful and restless. Young skin crawling
with the need to touch his omega again. He turned over on to his stomach and
covered his ears, longing to block out the breathless grunts of passion
drifting across the landing. Dean and Castiel were always making out in front
of the pups, but made sure they kept the hard-core stuff safely locked behind
their bedroom door. Scout knew exactly what they were doing. No doubt his dad
was cashing in his reward for being the protective father. Playing the macho
hero when it came to taking care of a family he adored. Scout never really
understood Castiel didn’t have to play act anything. Every single second of
devotion to Dean and their babies came straight from his heart.
It only made Scout want to understand what that felt like. Experience the level
of sexual pleasure his parents seemed to indulge in on a disturbingly regular
basis. He couldn’t even pretend to care about anything else anymore. Keep in
line. Follow the list of crappy rules.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Harley was shaken awake just after midnight. So startled to see Scout looming
over him, he never thought to ask how the fuck he got in.
“What?” He gasped in alarm, the dim world still hazy from sleep.
“I’m running away. I want you to come with me.”
“What?” Harley said again. “Why?”
“So we can be together, of course.” Scout replied flatly. Not sure why he had
to answer such a stupid question while he rummaged about in a hastily-filled
pack. Scout quickly stripped off his shirt so he could swap it for a hoodie.
Haven was painted with a wash of sunshine during the summer, but the nights
sometimes drew in chilly. “C’mon. Let’s do it.”
Harley couldn’t seem to drag his gaze away from the firm tanned shoulders,
defined alpha chest. Watching the muscles twitch under a beautiful expanse of
tight golden skin. Scout had been hiding the puppy patches slowly spreading
across his body. Harley seemed to like them.
“But your parents would be worried sick.” He managed at last, swallowing down
some drool.
“I doubt it.” Scout shrugged. Not sure how much he should share, but he may as
well get it all out now and have done. Harley was the only boy he would ever
want. He looked pretty scrappy when he had his mind set on something. In danger
of letting that self-control slip, just like his dad when a soft warm omega was
begging to be touched. Scout licked at his lips. “They don’t really care about
me. They wanted to give me away when I was a baby.”
Harley found that very hard to believe. Stunned into a few seconds of silence.
“That can’t be true. Your dad’s always on your case.”
“Only 'cause he gets some pervy kick out of hunting me down to impress Papa and
get his rocks off. I don’t really know what happened.” Scout couldn’t let
himself think about how much just up and disappearing would hurt his family.
All he cared about was getting Harley on his own so they could get down to some
heavy petting without the threat of his dad screwing it up. “Papa said it was
to keep me safe, but I think it was just an excuse. He never told me what
scared him so bad.”
“Scout.” Harley mumbled, consciously fighting the desire to pull his alpha into
bed. “I dunno… my dad’s sick. I don’t wanna worry him.” Harley tried to reach
for Scout’s hand when he frowned back in confusion. Harley soon gave in when
faced with the grip of a possessive alpha who had no idea why it was even up
for discussion. Scout suddenly doubted the depth of Harley’s affection for him.
“I want us to be together – I do.”
“Looks like it.” Scout hated how pathetic that one boy could make him feel.
Growing emotional dependence on each other sealing their fates together.
“Hey.” Harley gently stroked the back of Scout’s hand with shaky fingertips,
leaning up to give him a smooch for good measure. “Don’t be like that. You know
I do.” He worried his lip. Harley didn’t really want to go, but he couldn’t
bear the thought of them being parted for a second longer. Scout waited
impatiently for him to make that one decision that would change the course of
their lives forever. “Okay.”
                                 ………. «» ……….
Dean woke up to sunlight streaming in through the window. He rolled on to his
back and sent Cas to check on Scout before they headed downstairs for
breakfast. More than happy to stay in bed for a bit and soak in precious
memories of being stuffed full of alpha the night before. Castiel scanned their
son’s empty room with a familiar sigh of despair. Starting to panic when he
noticed Scout’s favourite backpack wasn't sitting in its usual spot at the end
of his bed. He ran down to the kitchen to find someone cleaned out the coin jar
and left it empty on the counter.
Dean made a little hum of contentment when he stretched out lazily between the
sheets. He suddenly stopped cold. Castiel was yelling frantically for Dean when
he doubled-back and realized a pair of muddy sneakers were missing from the
rack in the hall.
Scout was gone.
                                 ………. «» ……….
***** Abandon All Hope *****
8. Abandon All Hope
Harley and Scout were miles away by the time Dean was forced awake by the
tremor in Castiel’s voice. The boys already hitched over the state line on
their way north, with no real idea where they were going. Eventually securing a
bumpy ride in the cab of a pick-up after some guy took pity on two teenage
runaways holding hands on the side of the road, with a dollar twenty between
them. Harley was asleep on Scout’s shoulder.
Castiel was back upstairs in a few seconds, roughly pulling on some pants and
searching the dresser for his cell.
“What?” Dean was watching him in confusion, already annoyed he got disturbed
from a blissful sleep. “Cas? What’s going on?” Castiel mumbled something under
his breath while he yanked on a jacket and gave Dean a quick kiss on the cheek
before bolting out again. “Cas?” Dean was getting nervous.
“I’m going to find your son.”
“How come he’s only my son when he’s in trouble?” Dean sat up with a start.
Something about the way that sounded like an accusation pissed him off. “You’re
his father - Hawkeye.” Dean added. A sarcastic reminder Cas might have let his
security status slip for a second. Castiel flinched at how much it stung when
Dean usually called him that with so much affection.
“Don’t you dare blame this on me.” Castiel stopped dead, staring at Dean over
one shoulder in astonishment. “You’re the one who gave him a free pass to do
what the hell he likes, and I have to pick up the fucking pieces. If you hadn’t
let him get away with murder for the last thirteen years, we might not be
having this conversation.” Castiel wished he could take that back as soon as he
saw the hurt in Dean’s eyes. He seemed to be stunned into silence. Dean knew he
made a mistake in leaving their pup behind. One stupid mistake and he wanted to
pay for it, but that was a low blow. Dean would hate to believe Cas didn’t
think he did a good enough job of raising their children. Every one of those
painful emotions showed on his face, and Castiel knew at once he said something
he shouldn’t. He rushed back to the bed, blinking hard before he grabbed for
Dean’s hand. “I’m so sorry, baby. I don’t know why I said that, I didn’t mean
it.” He was begging on his knees without a second thought. “Please forgive me.”
Castiel buried his face in Dean’s neck. “God. I've turned into everything I
always hated in my father.”
“That’s not true.” Castiel heard a broken whisper skim across the top of his
head. “You’re nothing like him, Cas.” Dean tilted Castiel’s chin up with the
tip of one finger. “You gave up everything to look after us. Don’t think I
don’t know that… even if I don’t always say it.”
“Dean.” Castiel rested his husband’s face in one palm and held him there, just
so he could stare into his eyes. “You’re wonderful with the pups. You always
give me hope, even when there is none. I love you so much.” Castiel drew Dean
into a hug. When he finally pulled away, he could see helpless tears budding.
“Hey.” Castiel gently touched Dean’s face again. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll
find him.”
“I know you will.” Dean forced a smile, leaning his cheek against Castiel’s
hand.
Dean was only left with more questions than answers. Willow got up when she
heard all the shouting, and almost bumped into her father on the landing. She
could tell he was upset.
“What’s the matter?” She yawned, delighting in the fact she was going to beat
her brother to the bathroom that morning. Her glow of victory didn’t last long.
“Where’s the jerk?”
“Go and sit with Papa.” Castiel commanded. Willow was frowning at him from
underneath a mess of sandy hair. “Now.” She obeyed without another word when
Castiel used his daddy voice. There was something in it that made her stomach
turn over. Willow hurried away and slipped in next to Dean. She gave him a
cuddle, but neither of them really understood why. Dean was shaking in her
arms. Castiel never even raised his voice to one of the pups, and Dean saw the
concern reflected in his eyes.
“What happened?” Willow murmured against his chest.
“Nothing, baby.” Dean held his daughter close and stroked her hair where it
tickled his cheek. He didn’t want Willow to know how scared he was. Dean had
done an awesome job of convincing everyone he was the most well-adjusted omega
on the planet. All his battle scars were on the inside. “Don’t worry - it’s
gonna be okay.”
Willow snuggled up to him while they spent a few minutes stealing each other’s
warmth. She could hear his heart pounding with fear.
“Did Scout make you sad again?” It was so innocently sweet, Dean could feel his
emotions threaten to spill out. He took in a deep breath, hoping she would
actually buy his bullshit.
“Yeah. Just a little, but I’ll be alright.”
                                 ………. «» ……….
Scout watched unfamiliar scenery rush past the window. Harley finally stirred
when the truck pulled into Sioux City and Scout hopped out, encouraging the
other boy to brave the jump by promising to catch him. They looked like tiny
dots on a barren landscape. Two little boys abandoned on the side of a highway.
Neither of them realized how desperate they looked, huddled together in front
of a decaying roadhouse. Suddenly the idea of going on the run didn’t seem so
bright, even when the sky was drenched with russet beams of early morning.
“Scout?” Harley murmured quietly. Leaning in for another hug after he got
spattered with dust when the pick-up pulled away. “I’m scared.”
“Hey.” Protective alpha instinct kicked in hard when Scout saw the childlike
despair in those beautiful eyes. “I know…. but we’ll be okay.” Harley guessed
his mate was just trying to make him feel better. “We had to do something. I
don’t want anyone to take you away from me.”
Harley fell silent while he stared around the empty parking lot.
“I don’t get why you keep going on about that.” He screwed up his nose,
wondering if Scout had neglected to share. “Did they say something?”
“No, not really.” Scout didn’t seem to wanna let go of Harley’s hand. “I just
know what Papa said 'bout those people my dad works with. I think you might be
like him, Harls. You kinda smell the same.”
“We do?” Harley replied, not sure that was a good thing.
“Hmm.” Scout didn’t really understand why it mattered. Omega was just a word he
heard his dad use sometimes. Usually when he was trying to be cute and make
Dean blush. “Then Daddy said it was all happening again, and I couldn’t stand
it.” Scout felt hot tears threaten to fall. Lip trembling at the thought of
them ever being ripped apart. Harley snuggled a bit closer. He was told not to
talk about it. Scout knew he was shy, but it wasn’t just that. Harley was shit
scared someone would come banging on their door in the middle of the night and
drag his mom off to fuck knows where.
“I heard my dad talking about having to move away 'cause some people wouldn’t
like them being together, but I thought everything was okay now.” Scout had to
think about it for a second.
“I guess not.” He sighed. “They just hid it better.” Harley didn’t know what to
say. That was pretty deep for a thirteen-year-old kid who never stepped beyond
the borders of his perfect haven. Scout picked up on a lot more than Dean and
Cas ever gave him credit for. “It’s only a matter of time 'fore they try to
split us up.” He added bitterly, remembering the pain in Castiel’s eyes when he
thought about how long he waited for Dean. “I’m not gonna give anyone chance to
say it.” He pulled up his pack and searched the bleak countryside in every
direction, trying to figure out where to go next. “I dunno.” He mumbled. “Maybe
I was panicking for nothing, but it’s done now. We just gotta keep going.”
“Go where?” Harley asked slowly. “Don’t you regret just taking off like that?”
“Nope.” Scout wrapped one arm around Harley’s shoulders in a gentle hug. “No…
'course not.” Scout pushed away the memory of his soft, warm bed and Dean’s
homemade apple pie. “This is what I want. To be with you, where no one can tell
us what to do.” He hesitated before moving in to peck his omega on the cheek.
“I really like you, Harley Carter.”
Scout surprised himself at how serious that sounded, like he just wanted to
hear it. Make it real somehow.
“I know you do.” Harley wasn’t built for a life on the road. He looked tired
and fed up, but managed to breathe out a heartfelt reply. “I really like you,
too.” Scout responded with a little smile, satisfied for now. “But what about
my dad? He’ll call the cops for sure, and then we might not get to see each
other at all if they come after us.”
Scout made a little puff of contempt. He was cold and exhausted, still
struggling to block out the erotic image seared into his brain after hearing
his parents screwing.
“They won’t. I think my dad’s someone important in enforcement. He won’t say
nothin'. He’ll come after us himself.”
That was actually worse. Harley never met Castiel, but he sounded terrifying.
He slumped against Scout’s side.
“That doesn’t make me feel any better.” He looked close to tears. “And I’m so
hungry, I feel sick.” They had to find something to make up for missing
breakfast. Scout’s heart sank. An impulsive decision now making him responsible
for keeping his boy safe. He couldn’t even think about the day after – or the
day after that. He pulled a Winchester special, and pretended everything was
fine.
“I’ll look after you.” Scout cradled Harley’s waist, giving him a sensual kiss
that left them both breathless. “Promise.”
                                 ………. «» ……….
Castiel didn’t want to leave Dean alone to sulk over a fight that should never
have happened, but he had to protect Scout from a world he worked so hard to
make better. Neither of them knew how their kids would present, but he
suspected Scout might have got pushed into it just like he did when he scented
Dean for the first time.
Castiel had no idea who would be next. Mary. Jessica’s mother. Dean. His babies
were still too young to be sure, but the implications were petrifying. Some
alpha extremists were breaking their necks to blame the threat of a pandemic on
omegas. The government already preparing to put out a warning unregistered
mating would be taken away in a pitiful attempt to stop them from breeding
before they resorted to rounding up alphas for quarantine. Castiel had a lot of
sway in enforcement, but most people knew where his heart belonged. He tried to
make a difference over the years. Taking on young recruits, educating them to
view their new world free of bigotry and hate. It wasn’t enough.
A social meltdown was bubbling under a fragile surface of superficial equality.
He knew Dean might get sick if Sam had caught the virus, and Castiel remembered
something he hadn’t felt for so long. Fear. It crept up behind him when he
wasn’t looking and gave him a bitch-slap.
He ignored the wrench in his stomach when he got to the tail end of Eighth
Street. Castiel imagined if his son felt anything like the way he did for Dean,
Scout would have wanted Harley to go with him on some stupid road trip that
could only end in disaster. The same longing that pervaded every thought. Every
inch of his soul. Wondering why an officer like Carter would fall in love with
an omega. He was probably a normal carrier - never expecting his son to
present. Castiel breathed out a sigh when he tapped on the door. He might have
a lifetime of experience, but understanding how his son’s heart worked was a
mystery.
Sam intended to check on the local facilities after their visit to enforcement
in the morning, but all his well-laid plans would have to wait. Sam never
cracked open an eye, even with all the pandemonium kicking off outside his
bedroom. Dean got the other boys up and dressed, waiting for Cas to bring him
some good news. He eventually sent Willow to check on Sam, but she couldn’t
even raise a sigh. Dean belted upstairs when Willow started crying. Dean shook
him, called his name. Nothing worked. Cold and catatonic, Sam was fading fast.
Dean knew in that moment, his perfect world was gonna come crashing down. A
debt for ignoring the deceitful voice inside his head had finally come due. His
brother was slipping away, their son was missing and his precious Cas was in
danger of losing the calm, dominant control Dean loved so much.
                                 ………. «» ……….
***** Resistance *****
9. Resistance
Dean was struggling to hold on to his own little utopia. Ignoring the whispers
down town about how fast social unrest was mounting outside the sanctuary of
Haven. Alphas were calling it the apocalypse virus, and praying they would be
spared. Most people believing any poor bastard unlucky enough to have a weak
immune system could be at risk, frightening statistics slowly filtering in from
every state. Code green clearance was a thing of the past, soon to be replaced
with the threat of all alphas being on lock down until they could be sure how
to stop them from spreading it to anyone else. Dean slammed the possibility
behind a fragile wall of denial. The thought of him having to be without Cas
for more than a day at a time was enough to keep him lying awake all night.
Authorities knew everything had gone sideways. Enforcement officers were
gradually being called in for testing, registered omegas unlikely to have the
same luxury of going in voluntarily. The underground resistance was silently
gathering support and Bobby was still involved on the down low, making a point
of dragging out fragments of information from some contacts he kept in touch
with over the years. He didn't say much to Dean. Bobby wanted him to hang on to
the happiness he found with Castiel until everything else was lost. No one
imagined the system would ever get so bad again, but they weren’t prepared to
take any chances. This time it was personal.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Castiel was about to try the door again when Carter burst out, demanding an
explanation. It looked like he was expecting him.
“Where is he?”
“I don’t know.” Castiel answered breathlessly, hoping against hope he might
have been wrong. The blind panic in Carter’s eyes said it all, so trying to
screw him over with some colourful crap wasn’t even worth a shot. “He never
said a word about leaving.”
“Well, you’d be the expert on that.”
Castiel fought to keep his mouth shut. Telling Carter to cram all that sarcasm
up his ass wasn’t the most constructive way to help find their boys.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Carter stopped just in front of Castiel, decades of unspoken accusations
dangling between them.
“Going on the run with your omega. I’ve always suspected Harley was going to
present one day, but it looks like your son sniffed him out before I got the
chance to clue him in.”
“Don’t be an asshole.” Castiel said blankly. “I’m just as worried as you are. I
had no idea they were together last night.”
Carter stared back at him for a second before his shoulders dropped in defeat.
“I know.” He sighed. “But you and Dean settled here. I just wanted to keep my
family safe, Castiel. It was no secret in enforcement you found a good place to
hide away all this time. I never thought my boy would end up with a mate so
young. You gotta help me find him.”
Castiel forced his rigid expression away. He was terrified about Scout being
out there somewhere, but Harley was in much more danger. He patted Carter’s arm
in sympathy.
“You know I will. They can’t have got very far.”
“But why?” Carter shook his head. “Why would he think they had to run away? Did
you say something?”
“Of course, not.” Castiel frowned, resenting the implication he would ever make
Scout think he should be ashamed of falling for another boy. It wasn’t just
insulting, it was fucking stupid. Carter knew how much Castiel had sacrificed
to be with the man he loved. Their story fuelled the gossip mill down at
central for years.
“What about the border patrols?” Carter asked suddenly. “You think they might
get picked up? I’m guessing those bastards got your office on speed dial.”
Central recently set up a new division to try and stop people from jumping
state lines now the virus was firmly on the map. Runaway omegas were in danger
of being hunted down like animals. Even border coyotes down south wouldn’t
touch them. Castiel didn’t like it, but he was only a man on the ground. Those
orders came right from the top. Just giving him one more reason to hope Sam
would be voted in.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Dean was almost frantic by the time he calmed Willow down enough to watch the
boys. Poppy was pulling at his hand for some attention, but he was too
concerned about Sam to notice. He had to get his brother to hospital as soon as
he could. People were so afraid they might catch something now, Dean wasn’t
sure what to do. The local one was miles away, and an unconscious Sam was a
dead weight. He sent a desperate message to Cas before making the mistake of
trawling the net for symptoms. All that came up were hyperlinks to CAV-1. An
infectious canine hepatitis ultimately resulting in liver failure. Sam’s organs
would start to shut down, eventually slipping into a coma he might never come
back from. Priority suddenly shifted from backing Sam all the way to the
Whitehouse, to saving his life. Dean picked up his cell to make a call he could
have done without. Jess answered after a couple of rings. Dean had no idea how
to tell her, so it all came blurting out before he could stop himself.
Maya insisted on talking to him. Guilt hitting hard with how much of a bitch
she’d been to her dad lately. Dean felt about as useful as a hole in the head
when he heard Jess crying softly in the background. All he could do was try and
reassure them Sam was going to make it, despite the fact his insides were
churning. Jess promised to come down to Haven the next day.
Castiel hadn’t forgotten Sam wanted them to go into town together later so they
could paw over the files for a bit and come up with a plan, but soon abandoned
a trip to the office when he read Dean’s text. He reluctantly cut the
conversation short to go comfort his husband instead, promising to call Jackson
later if he heard from Scout, or if any reports came in via the office. Hoping
Carter might get a message from Harley before the day was out. Castiel wanted
to tear up every corner of the world to find their boy, but there was nothing
they could do until he got a lead, and Sam must be a dribbling mess if Dean was
prepared to call his mate back instead of letting him start the search for
Scout. All he could think about on the way home was how much he missed that
kid. Another night out there in the dark was a horrifying thought. Carter had
opened his eyes to just how painfully vulnerable those boys were.
The only mission now scribbled on his agenda was to get Sam to Hutchinson. Dean
eventually managed to stir his brother awake but he was listless and so clammy,
there was sweat sticking to his back. Castiel bundled the kids together and
dropped them over the road with a disjointed explanation. He had no option but
to leave Mary and John dealing with the fallout of knowing Sam had returned to
Haven. They had no time to welcome him home.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Dean spent the quiet trip back wondering how his beautiful life could have gone
so horribly wrong. He was staring aimlessly out the window when they reached
the end of Eighth Street, just catching a glimpse of the calm surface of
dragonfly pond shining through an arch of saplings. Dean thought about
wandering down to their little fishing spot. Touching the weathered sign where
he once taught Scout his letters. Broken heart temporarily filled with happier
memories of running a plump finger around every line and curve.
Dean was mentally shattered and almost sick with worry by the time they got
home, determined to visit his brother again in the morning. Sam was comfortable
for now, but Dean was living on a knife edge. Most of the afternoon passed them
by with no news. Cas settled the other pups early that night so he could give
Dean every last drop of attention. Dean was almost inconsolable by the time
dusk rolled in again. Castiel knew how bad he was suffering and coaxed him
through to their bedroom. Not really expecting him to be in the mood for making
out, but hoping the temptation of a warm alpha was too much of a distraction to
ignore after a day straight from hell. Castiel collapsed on the bed. He leaned
up to pull at his omega’s waist and dragged Dean in between his thighs so he
could reach round to palm his ass.
“I know you got other stuff on your mind, sweetheart, but I wanted to apologize
for what I said this morning. I don’t wanna fight when everything else has gone
to shit.” Castiel gave him a couple of seconds to catch up. Dean just sighed,
and reached for his hand.
“No, Cas - you’re right. I just wanted to make it up to him, you know.” Dean
said thoughtfully. “Even if it was only in my own head. I never expected Scout
to find out… and now I feel a million times worse 'cause he thinks I kept that
from him on purpose.”
“C’mere.” Castiel started to stroke tender caresses up and down Dean’s back
until he felt him shiver under the brush of eager fingertips. Dean just wanted
Cas to take him away. Take him away from the pain of imagining what their baby
must be going through. Soon giving in to the urgent touches against his skin
and the helpless desperation in Castiel’s eyes. Knowing how much he needed it
too.
Castiel enticed Dean into bed so they could lay side by side in a snug embrace.
As usual, they got a bit carried away. It didn’t take long before Castiel was
running his tongue along the length of Dean’s throat and winding their bodies
together. The benefits of an erotic diversion easily swaying Dean close enough
to let Cas slip both hands down the back of damp shorts. Still unable to resist
the lure of alpha pheromones and loving kisses. Castiel shimmied down the bed.
Nuzzling against a pert omega cock and mouthing at the bump while he eased
Dean’s legs apart to feel those perfect hips jerk up to get more friction.
Castiel closed his eyes and gave himself over to the sensation. Feeling the
heat in his stomach build while he rucked against Dean’s body.
Castiel grabbed at the inside of Dean’s thighs to lift him up so he could slip
off his jeans, shorts coming down as well in his eagerness to feel all that
soft omega skin wriggling in his hands. Dean spread his legs wide, the
beautiful honeyed scent of want snaking up between them and drawing Castiel in
like a drug. All resistance flowed away when he teased shaky fingers under
Dean’s body with sweeping strokes that made his hole pulse with fresh slick.
Castiel pushed his rigid cock up against slippery seduction, gasping in little
breaths of desire. Dean was pleading to be filled by his alpha, a dangerous
dependency shining through green eyes. Castiel quickly swallowed the sound,
hushing him with a gentle dip of his tongue and sealing Dean’s mouth against
his own. Dean reached down between them, playing with the end of Castiel’s dick
until it was dripping with arousal. Dean was begging Cas to come inside him, so
he stripped naked before flipping his mate over. Dean lifted himself up on his
knees, lowering his head in submission when Castiel pressed the tip of his cock
against his ass. Dean felt every prod of wet heat rub against his skin before
sinking inside him with one firm slide. Castiel dug the tips of his fingers
into Dean's skin, making love to him with a skillful gentleness any alpha would
envy. Castiel came so hard, he let out a deep growl that trailed off into
Dean’s name when he collapsed beside him. Reaching out for a cuddle and sighing
a satiated breath into the pillow.
Dean curled up next to Cas in the warm aftermath of some make-up sex. Listening
to the calm breaths of sleep beside him only got Dean to thinking how his
husband seemed unnaturally resistant to the virus. He spent so much time with
alpha officers down at enforcement, but never showed so much as a sniffle. Dean
suspected the incubation period must be a few days at most, but Cas was fine.
There must have been something that made him immune, but Dean was too wrecked
to give it much thought. Sam catching it was one too many hits on top of
everything else, and Dean longed to drift off into enchanted oblivion. Even if
only for a little while. He closed his eyes and snuggled into the dip of his
alpha’s back, but he couldn’t settle. Falling asleep wasn’t gonna happen any
time soon, and he shifted restlessly under the sheets. Dean's mistake had
finally come back to haunt him. He knew Castiel still blamed him for Scout
taking off, even if he would never admit it again.
Everything hurt. Scout was still missing and now Cas might have to stay down at
central for screening until he could officially be signed off as clean. Dean
slipped out of bed feeling like shit, not sure if his impromptu surfing session
had turned him into a paranoid hypochondriac. He slumped over the bathroom sink
in case he hurled, already spending the best part of a week ignoring a tender
belly, sickness and fever. Dean fucked them all off for now, deciding to put
everything down to stress and a really crappy day. That was so much easier than
accepting something might be seriously wrong with him.
                                 ………. «» ……….
***** Easy Pickings *****
10. Easy Pickings
Scout would have stayed there forever, locked in a wet kiss that sustained him
better than fresh air and sunshine. He expected to skip a meal or two now they
were on the run, but Harley needed something to keep him going before he
collapsed in Scout's arms. The alpha instinct to provide for a potential mate
won hands down over the gnawing pain in his stomach.
Scout knew they were easy pickings just standing on the side of the interstate.
They had to set about searching for a place to stay if they couldn’t find
another sympathetic trucker to take them further north, imagining how helpless
they must have looked. Two dusty runaways. It sounded too much like the title
of a Tarantino movie to make Scout feel comfortable, but he shook off the
building sense of dread. Harley was his priority now. He couldn’t lose sight of
that, no matter how fast his heart was beating when he realized his pockets
were almost empty.
“Okay?” Scout tried again after a few seconds of doubtful silence. “I mean it,
Harls. I won’t let anything happen to you. You trust me, don’t you?” The boys
wouldn’t hesitate to promise the stars to each other. Just like Dean and
Castiel when they were young and in love. Scout thought the rest of the world
simply faded away to nothing when his omega was wrapped around him. Harley
eventually nodded, blurry eyes soon finding some imaginary point of interest
between his sneakers. “C’mon, then. We gotta find somewhere to crash and get
you a bite to eat. Maybe even rustle up enough cash for a motel.” Scout
swallowed down a tight breath, secretly hoping Harley might give out a little
reward for taking such good care of him.
“How?” Harley gasped, not daring to look up. Making out the sun was in his
eyes. They had nothing left to pawn or sell, and he didn’t like the way a few
errant barflies were staring at his butt when they fell out the roadhouse.
Harley knew Scout could smell his scent sometimes. Lucky for them, he wasn’t
quite mature yet. Scout would have a testosterone riot on his hands if a few
wayward pheromones started to leak out without warning.
“I don’t know.” Scout admitted quietly. “But I’ll get it somehow… even if I
have to rob something.”
“Scout.” Harley looked genuinely shocked. “I don’t want you to do that - it’s
wrong.” Scout felt his cheeks heat up, desperate to reconcile being prepared to
do anything to make sure his mate was safe with throwing himself headlong into
the criminal justice system.
“I know it is, but I’m not gonna make you stay out here in the cold all night.”
Scout knew his papa would be mortified he even gave the suggestion a casual
once over. He guessed his dad might sort of understand. The desire to look
after Harley was overpowering. Like he sensed it was his duty somehow. “You’re
my responsibility now.”
“Thanks.” Harley blushed almost as pink as Scout. “But I don’t want you to
think like that. This was my choice. No one made me go with you.” Going on the
lam was starting to lose its novelty value when Scout took in their
surroundings without the rose-tinted perspective. Not sure how they ended up on
the south side of a strange city with darkness closing in. He wondered if they
should just go back to the road, try to head north and away from a life in
Haven without really understanding why. Scout was relentlessly tortured by a
shed load of hormone-fuelled sensations. He loved dragonfly pond. It was home,
comfort and everything that shaped him into who he was for almost fourteen
years. The other pups were annoying little shits most of the time, but he
wouldn’t have traded them in for anything. Scout wiped the back of his hand
across misty eyes before he was in danger of showing his sensitive side. He
only got so restless after finding out about being abandoned, even if it was
only for a couple of days. It would take some serious penance for him to be
able to trust his parents again, unintentionally punishing them for something
that happened so long ago they hardly remembered. Dean more than made up for
that one crappy decision, but the damage was done by then. Scout pushed
familiar images aside to stop the tears from falling. Harley was different. He
knew Scout wasn’t perfect, but he chose to stay with him anyway and that was
some powerful persuasion. Harley snuggled against his side when they huddled
together in a cute bundle on top of the bar steps. The smell of something
wonderful drifted through the open door when another bum got turfed out on his
ear. Harley could hear his stomach growl in response. His suffering quickly
made the decision for Scout to brave the inside. He might be able to secure a
handful of leftovers at the least if he inherited a spark of Winchester magic.
Blue eyes sparkling with a certain amount of innocent charm.
Scout steeled himself to sneak in and make a grab for something, but he lucked
out. A couple of duty officers were checking him out from across the street.
Scout felt his heart jump into his mouth when he saw them start to walk over.
He knew how much he looked like Cas, hoping they were far enough from Kansas
for the resemblance to go unnoticed. Novak was a legend in the ranks. Scout
would have to give a false name if they had the misfortune of being
interrogated on the sidewalk.
Some enforcement patrols in remote parts of the states were still clueless to
the unseen threat fast approaching their borders. Scout had no idea just how
vulnerable Harley was. Some officers targeted omegas without really knowing
why, not sure if those two were going to be trouble. The pair of them loitering
outside a broken dive was suspicious as hell, but the little blonde one looked
harmless enough hanging off the other boy’s arm.
“What you doing down here?” One officer asked as he approached, tipping his cap
back out of habit. “This place ain’t nowhere for kids to be hanging out. Your
folks know where you are?” Scout didn’t justify him with an answer, too busy
perfecting plucky defiance on a firm jaw. Sharp teeth itching to spit out a
curse instead. The man seemed to make a quick connection. “You an alpha?”
Scout was dangerously defensive, snapping back a response before he put his
mouth in gear.
“Who wants to know?”
“Little punk.” The officer laughed, nudging his partner in the side. The lad
was entertaining if nothing else. “Don’t know what your story is, kid, but
you’re sure up to something. How old are you?”
Scout stuck out his chest and pushed himself up on his toes.
“Just turned eighteen.” He heard Harley swallow a gasp. Scout looked a bit
older than he was, but only a moron with dodgy eyesight would buy that.
Apparently.
“Hmm. Got any ID?”
“Left it in my other pants.” Scout was getting cocky, misplaced confidence
steadily growing until he felt Harley grab for his hand. He was shaking. Scout
was pushing his luck, but the other officer put a stop to it before he got the
chance to nip someone. Omegas didn’t have to wear dog-tags anymore, but there
were always a few tell-tale signs. Enforcement officers still knew what to look
for. Harley had submissive written all over his pretty face.
“Wait… is that an unregistered omega?”
Scout shook his head, wondering why he had to go through someone else to get an
answer. It just pissed him off.
“He can talk.” Scout deliberately ignored the smirk.
“Well, I had to ask. You all look the same to me.” The officer gave Harley a
glance of distaste. The same one Dean experienced more times than he cared to
remember when he was growing up. So much for progress. How Scout kept his hands
to himself was anybody’s guess. One of the men must have seen the rebellious
glint in those keen eyes, patronizingly petting the top of Scout’s head before
backing away. “When you’re big enough, puppy.” The man grinned. Scout wanted to
tell that prick his dad would kick his ass all the way across the state border
if he touched one hair on his little hide. He managed to keep quiet, scared of
drawing any more unwanted attention while they were trying to stay off the
enforcement radar. Scout could see something dark hidden in that curved smile.
“Off you go, then. 'Fore I change my mind and take you in. Don’t let me catch
you boys down here again.”
Scout pulled Harley away by the hand before he got carried off by the scruff of
his neck. Back to Plan B. He was going to try and beg a few dollars to secure a
room for the night, fighting back a horrible feeling they hadn’t seen the last
of officer screw you. He kept glancing over his shoulder to make sure they
weren’t being followed. The snarky one watched them a ways too long not to be
creepy as fuck. Scout couldn’t explain the dull ache of unease that filtered
through his canine senses. Harley was prize jail-bait however you looked at it.
Any alpha with a knot to pop would want to find out what that boy tasted like.
He managed to snare Scout’s heart without even trying.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Dean was still hunched over the washbasin when Castiel got up, disturbed from
sleep by the emptiness in his arms. He was still possessive as ever. Holding on
to Dean every night like he was scared to let him go in case he wasn’t there
when he woke up.
“Hey… what’s the matter?” Castiel asked, concern building when he gently eased
Dean’s hair back in case he needed to puke. “You sick?”
Dean didn’t want Cas to panic, and finding their son was more important. His
husband was like a drooling attack dog when he thought Dean needed looking
after.
“I’m fine, Cas.” Dean forced a smile when he lifted his head up. “Just scared
shitless. I need you to find him.”
“I know, baby.” Castiel continued to tease a lock of damp hair between his
fingers. “I will. I just didn’t think you’d want me to suddenly take off what
with Sam in hospital and everything. You need help looking after the others.”
“My mom’s only across the road, Cas.” Dean leaned back, resting his head on
Castiel’s stomach and taking in a few deep breaths to try and shift the nausea.
“I can watch out for Sam. I don’t think I could take another night knowing
Scout’s all alone out there.”
“Not alone.” Castiel said softly.
“Don’t get smart, you know what I mean.”
“Dean.” Castiel comforted. “I understand how you feel, but kids can be pretty
resourceful in a pinch.” He gently bent his head to kiss the back of Dean’s
neck. “We made it, didn’t we?”
“Cas.” Dean struggled to stand, leaning against Castiel for support in case his
legs gave way again. “After twenty-four fucking years, yeah. Wouldn’t exactly
call that a win.” Dean looked terrible in the bright light of the bathroom.
“We still made it.” Castiel refused to let Dean dismiss that so easily. He
helped his omega stumble back to bed, almost carrying him most of the way.
“I know. Sorry, Cas. I just don’t feel right.” Dean murmured, absently rubbing
one hand across his belly. “Like I know somethin' bad is gonna happen.”
“You’re not giving Scout enough credit for being a survivor if he really is an
alpha.”
Castiel realized the slip as soon as it was out. Dean was sensitive enough as
it was lately. It wouldn’t take much to send him spiralling down. Castiel tried
to yank his foot back out his mouth when Dean glared up at him.
“What the hell does that mean?” The memory of sad green eyes last time things
got a bit heated was enough to persuade Castiel to keep the peace. Humouring
him usually worked like a charm when Dean wanted to be told how adorable he
was.
“Nothing, sweetheart.” Castiel slid in next to him. “You know I love you. I
spent my whole life wanting to look after you, make sure you know how far I
would go to protect you.”
Dean blinked through the blackness, eyes shining. It was such a beautiful thing
to say.
“Cas.”
“I just know what it feels like to want something so bad. Scout has the same
blood running through his veins.” Castiel sighed, hoping it would be enough to
make him strong. He had no idea where to start. “I’ll set out in the morning.
See if any reports have come in from out of state.” They settled down together
in the darkness, holding hands while they fell asleep. Dean’s fingertips kept
flitting over a long-healed scar, faded and forgotten. Castiel’s blood was the
key to salvation.
                                 ………. «» ……….
***** Lockdown *****
11. Lockdown
Dean hardly slept a wink. Cas was so restless during the night, he prodded Dean
in the butt every time he turned over. That was usually a bonus, but it didn’t
do a very dodgy stomach any favours. He could hear Castiel making incoherent
whispers in his sleep. Betraying all the subconscious fear that tortured him in
the dark, not knowing how long he would have to wait to hold his baby boy
again. Dean still felt guilty as hell, finally giving in to temptation just
before dawn. He gently shook his husband awake so they could talk. Cas would
soon be gone, and Dean wanted to see Sam before they upped the ante in the
search for Scout.
Castiel once promised he would never leave his mate again, but this was getting
serious. Dean couldn’t possibly tag along with four puppies in tow, and the
need for Castiel to find their son had shot to the top of the list.
“Morning, babe.” Castiel growled against Dean’s neck, aiming for the silvery
claiming bumps with a searching tongue. “You feeling any better?”
“Not really.” Dean sighed, tilting his head back so Cas could get at his
throat. “Couldn’t sleep. I’ve been going over it all in my head, you know.
Wishing I could go back and make it right.”
“It’s not your fault.” Castiel murmured against Dean’s skin. “I promised you I
would find him, and I will.”
Dean seemed lost in thought while he let Castiel nip at him.
“You don’t think he heard us talking about missing out on bonding with me?”
Dean mumbled, not bothering to wait for an answer. “Like I thought it mighta
damaged him?”
“Dean.” Castiel reluctantly dragged his mouth away from the throbbing skin.
“Stop it. None of this is helping. Honestly, I think him taking off like that
runs a lot deeper.” Castiel sat back on his ass, pushing down his budding
desire with the heel of one hand before he got carried away again. “You don’t
know what it’s like to be an alpha.”
“Yeah, Cas. So you keep reminding me.” Dean suddenly curled up defensively,
pulling both knees up to his chest to put some distance between them. “And you
don’t know what it’s like to push out five pups.”
“Don’t be like that. You know how much I love you for having my babies.”
Castiel didn’t try his luck. Dean was so fucking tetchy lately, and not just
because Scout had done a runner. Dean hummed a vague response before pushing
himself out of bed. “Dean?”
“What?”
“Talk to me.” Castiel begged, no coincidence he was still on his knees. “I
don’t wanna leave while you’re like this.”
“I’m not like anything.” Castiel dropped his hands, staring down at his lap
like he expected something to jump up and bite him. Dean swallowed hard,
finally admitting a void was opening up inside him at the thought of having to
say goodbye. “Just be careful. Come back to me.” Castiel’s eyes flicked up.
“I’m really scared, Cas. I haven’t been without you for so long. What if Scout
doesn’t want to come home?”
“He does, even if he doesn’t know it yet. I’m not my father, Dean. You told me
that.” Castiel pasted his game face on, lips set in a rigid line of
determination. Dean knew he was trying to hold back the emotion so his omega
could stay strong. “I’m not gonna just file a couple of police reports and drag
him across two states to try and fix something that doesn’t need fixing. Scout
needs to know we’re behind him - all the way.” He coaxed Dean closer, soon
running soft touches up and down his back.
“It’s not that. I’m worried about Sam, I feel like shit and now I have to face
fuck knows how long without you here.”
“I know, sweetheart.” Castiel pulled him into a warm hug. Dean rested his head
on Castiel’s shoulder, cheeks shining with fresh tears. “But you’re strong. You
always have been.” Dean snuffled against him.
“I don’t feel very strong.”
“I’ll be back before you know it.” Castiel pressed a loving kiss in Dean’s
hair. “With or without him.”
“Cas. Don’t say that. You’ll jinx it.”
Castiel gave Dean a tender smile at the memory of a time long ago when he heard
that once before. All the lonely years apart seemed so unimportant since they
mated. Castiel knew there was still a lost little boy in there somewhere,
terrified of being alone again.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Scout’s heart finally stopped hammering by the time they skulked around a
corner to dodge the suspicious glares of dick enforcement officers that put
Scout on edge more than he wanted to admit. Harley was practically shaking with
cold. Both of his hands felt like blocks of ice.
“You alright, baby?” Scout heard his dad say that so often to Dean, it just
kinda slipped out. Harley didn’t reply, but he liked that. Hoping the way he
leaned into Scout for comfort was answer enough. He damped down the persistent
little voice telling him he wanted to go home.
The boys spent most of the evening begging for change and looking for a cheap
motel. Scout soon had a bundle of crumpled dollar bills stuffed in his back
pocket. Enough for a meal and a bed for the night. They were standing together
under a flickering red light, both too naïve to understand the implication.
Harley didn’t like the look of the place, peeling paint and dodgy electrics
putting him off enough to try and drag Scout away by the elbow.
“Won’t they want a driver’s licence or something? Credit card?”
“Nah. Think we picked a really shady one.” Scout gave Harley a lop-sided smile,
but it wasn’t returned.
“Great.”
“Hey. You got me now. I’ll never let anything hurt you.”
Scout was fighting hard to prove he wasn’t the rebellious little shit some
people pegged him out to be. Despite the tingle of excitement he felt at the
thought of them spending the night together, he wanted to treat Harley right. A
moral legacy of the perfect role models he had at home etched into his
subconscious like an unwritten law.
It was almost dark by the time they settled in. Scout pulled every blind down
and tried the door at least twice to make sure they would be safe. He was still
worried one of the officers might have recognized him and was already calling
for back-up. Worst case scenario, Dean probably made Cas put an APB out. The
boys had no idea if the police were looking for them. Scout figured that was
the first thing Dean would go for when he realized their son was gone.
Scout bounced up and down on the bed like he found a novel outlet for his new-
found freedom. Finally collapsing on his back, and gazing up at Harley with a
sparkle behind his eyes.
“Come here.” Scout grabbed for the other boy’s fingers and tugged him down,
mouths crashing together when he managed to secure that cute omega butt in both
hands. Breathless gasps of desperation the only sound in a dingy back street
motel room when the scent of virgin slick slinked up Scout’s nose and made his
senses twitch. Harley never put up much resistance when faced with the killer
cheekbones Scout got from his dad. He didn’t even attempt to fight it. They
made out for a few minutes before Scout suddenly dropped Harley like a hot
brick and sat up with a start.
“What the hell is that?” Harley gasped in alarm, close to passing out with
shame when he realized Scout’s hands were covered in a sticky mess that must
have come from him.
Scout was just staring back with his mouth open before daring to dab at his
fingertips with the end of his tongue. He flashed the other boy a wicked smile
like the devil just gave him a shove.
“I don’t know, but I really like it.”
Scout kissed Harley hard while something dangerous pulsed between his legs. A
growing alpha knot he never really noticed before. Scout moved in like an
Exocet missile, groping Harley’s ass with eager hands. He dragged a trail of
wet kisses all the way down the soft omega neck until his mouth was hovering
almost too close to the fluttering pulse. Scout threw Harley down and covered
him with his body, desperate to rut against him and relieve the itch of desire
that was making him impulsive. Scout eased Harley back, now on his knees
between his legs. Spreading them apart and yanking down his pants so he could
watch that beautiful slick leak out. He let his instincts take over when he
felt that first spark of sexual need flow through him, rubbing one thumb along
the inside of a slippery thigh. Harley reached up to wind both hands around
Scout’s neck to pull him closer.
Scout opened his mouth wide, and they kissed again. Every sweep of Harley’s
tongue across his own making him hum with pleasure. Harley was pushing his ass
up, little omega cock growing firm with the new sensation. He was still too
young to be forced into a heat, but the glands inside his body soon responded
to so much unexpected arousal. Scout longed to feel the oil slip between his
fingers again, and held a nervous breath when he tried a gentle caress by
smearing it up Harley’s thighs. Harley spread his legs wide in invitation,
surprised how much he wanted it. Not even feeling the pain when his hole opened
up to every fumbling attempt to push searching fingers in deeper. Harley was a
pliant mess of submission, completely helpless to resist the need to please a
potential mate. Having his omega pinned fast beneath him sent Scout crashing
into full alpha mode. He made an impatient grab for his butt, sharp teeth
itching to claim. There was no mistaking the intent in those blue eyes.
“Harley.” Scout whispered, gripped by a strange feeling that suddenly came over
him. Filling his senses without even knowing where it came from. “I wanna bite
you.”
                                 ………. «» ……….
Castiel took Dean to visit Sam soon after the pups were settled with Mary. He
knew it was bad news when the doctor beckoned him over, steering him away from
the bay a bit too quickly. Panic set in when he heard about the dangers of Sam
slipping into a hepatic coma. Dean’s blank expression seemed to prompt a better
explanation. “His body can’t get rid of all the toxins building up in his
bloodstream.” Dean couldn’t breathe. Everything started closing in until he
felt insanely claustrophobic, scared he was going to pass out. Castiel had to
hold Dean up while he listened to words wash over him and nodded in all the
right places. Castiel could see he was fighting the desire to throw up. Dean
didn’t even pretend to understand most of it, only catching a few fractured
pieces of complicated bullshit strung together. The virus was attacking Sam’s
liver, the CAV infection ravaging every cell like a vicious attack dog. “We had
to move him to ICU. I’ll take you to him but I have to warn you, he’s only just
holding on.” Castiel took in a shaky breath. Knowing Sam was such a stubborn
bastard gave Castiel enough hope to believe he would pull through.
He held Dean’s hand tight while they walked down the stark corridors. He could
feel the blood pumping through his husband’s fingers. Dean insisted on sitting
by his bedside, and not just out of loyalty. Castiel said he would wait
outside, understanding why Dean needed to go in alone. Having to watch his
brother suffer the virus was bad enough, but seeing Sam just lying there in a
hospital bed with tubes coming out of his arm almost broke him. He sat down
with a bump, not sure what he was supposed to say. All he could do was let Sam
know he was there, even though he guessed the conversation might be a bit one-
sided.
“Cas has to leave when we get home.” The quiet voice trailed off when the
realization hit, never expecting they would ever have to be apart again. “You
know, don’t ever tell him I told you this - but I’m gonna be lost without him.”
Dean forced a little smile when he reached out to pet the back of his brother’s
hand. Nothing - not even a flicker of recognition. Dean was still trying to
hold on to his breakfast. The pain in his stomach definitely not improved by
the worry of a sickness he had no idea how to cure. Sam looked so ill, it was
heartbreaking. Surrounded by a clinical wasteland of white walls and plastic
sheeting. “C’mon, Sam.” Dean hung his head, completely helpless. “Stay with me,
man.” Dean rubbed his hand across stinging eyes, forced to watch someone he
loved stay on lockdown until he made his way back through the darkness. Broken
thoughts drifted aimlessly between his brother and Castiel. Dean was struggling
to stay hopeful. All he wanted was for Sam to wake up and call him a bitch, but
that wasn’t the only thing pulling at his heart. Dean had no idea if he would
ever see his baby again.
                                 ………. «» ……….
***** Busted *****
12. Busted
Dean forgot to tell Jess to keep schtum about Sam, realizing his mistake too
late when Mary suddenly burst through a side door and almost gave him a heart
attack. Her soft eyes were full of hurt and disappointment.
“Why didn’t you tell me he was so sick?” Mary whispered, rushing to her
youngest with John by her side. Dean couldn’t even open his mouth to explain.
Nothing would have justified keeping that to himself. He didn’t want his mom
and dad to freak until they had to. Dean thought he was doing the right thing
by everyone, but as usual it all turned to shit.
“I’m sorry.” Dean tried meekly, dipping his head to shield himself from the
glare of betrayal reflected in his father’s eyes. “I just didn’t want you to
worry. How did you find out he was here?”
“Jessica.” Mary replied bluntly. “She rang with a message when you didn’t pick
up. Apparently, Cas is meeting them at the airport.” Dean’s mouth sank into a
curve of shame. He nodded. “Why would you keep this from me?” Mary couldn’t
hold back her tears any longer. Sam was rigid with fever, mumbling and
twitching in restless sleep. The doctor already hinted he was fading fast. Dean
didn’t think he should pass that one on just yet. He suddenly had a stab of
panic.
“Mom? Where’s the kids?”
Mary glanced over her shoulder with a sigh.
“Willow took them home. I wasn’t sure about leaving Poppy as well, but Scout
can help her. They’re old enough to watch the little ones, Dean.” Something
about the way she said it made every maternal instinct rise to their defense.
“They shouldn’t have to. That’s not their responsibility. Besides - ” Dean
hesitated. He may as well throw himself all in now while he was on a roll. “We
don’t know where he is.” Dean cringed inside. Everything that fell out his
mouth in the last two minutes made him sound like a dick. “He took off with a
kid up the street a couple of days ago. Haven’t heard a yelp from him since.”
“Scout’s missing?” John made a frantic grab for his arm. “Jesus, Dean. Anything
else you feel like dropping in the conversation?”
“We think he’s with an omega. I’m sorry, Dad.” Dean added quietly. “He’ll come
back. I know he will.” Castiel inhaled a deep breath. Maybe if Dean said it
enough times, he might believe it. “I’m scared for him, what with this virus
an' everything. I don’t know how Sam got it. Probably from an alpha in
Washington.” Dean didn’t share the news he felt close to booking himself a bed
next to Sam. Mary and John having one son knocking on death’s door was more
than enough for today. “They’re talking about rounding some up for blood
tests.”
“I bet they are.” John tutted. “I always hated those enforcement bastards.”
Castiel flinched, staring at a blank white wall just for something else to look
at. “I knew all that tagging crap wasn’t over.”
“Dad… stop it.” Dean was too rattled to let an innocent mistake escalate into a
screaming match. “Not all alphas are bad.” Dean sensed Castiel’s shoulders
tense behind him. He almost gave Sam a prod just to try for some back-up. It
felt like he was drowning in a puddle of humiliation.
“Dean, its fine.” Castiel pulled his mate to one side. “He’s just upset.”
“No, Cas. I’m not gonna let you take the blame for something that kept us apart
for years. None of this is your fault.” Castiel didn’t say anything, but a
little burst of love made his breath catch with the relief of being vindicated
from Dean’s hissy fit the night before.
“I didn’t mean you, Cas.” John stumbled a half-assed apology when Castiel
forced a forgiving smile.
“It’s like everything that stopped me and Cas being mated is coming back. I get
why Scout took Harley away. That’s all they want too. To be together.” Dean
seemed to understand his son a lot better when he said that out loud without
thinking. He waited until Mary caught his eye. “You don’t know what it was like
for us when we were young. You weren’t there.”
Dean saw his mom bristle. That was a bit harsh.
“I’m not doing this now, Dean.” Mary turned away. “I need to be with Sam.”
Castiel could have sliced through the silence with a machete. He decided to
intervene before it got physical.
“Maybe we should check on the pups, sweetheart?” He attempted, guiding Dean
towards the corridor. “Let’s go rescue Willow.”
Dean was so quiet on the way home, Castiel wasn’t sure he should leave at all.
Seeing Sam in such a desperate state upset Dean much more than he let on, but
Castiel knew he must be devastated. The mutated virus was changing, dodging
every new medicine the authorities could throw at it.
Castiel hid his concerns behind well-placed smiles, unable to shake the memory
of how sick Dean got the day before. Burning up with every nerve on edge. Cas
didn’t tell him how much he hated to see his husband like that, always wanting
to give Dean a much better reason to keep him up all night.
“Dean?” Castiel reached over to squeeze his hand. “If you don’t feel any better
later, promise me you’ll go for a check-up at least. Just to make sure.” He
added gently. Castiel had a spark of excitement an alpha couldn’t ignore, but
he daren’t stack the plate much higher without the risk of forcing Dean into a
complete collapse. Castiel never knew about the one meltdown Dean had in front
of Bobby just before Scout arrived, but he understood that look. He was close
to breaking. Castiel could still smell sweet omega warmth when Dean leaned
closer, but it was run through with chaotic waves of fear. Every emotion busted
up and bent out of shape.
Castiel knew there was a chance he could be called in for screening any day
now. It was only a matter of time. He felt like he was unravelling fast,
crawling ever closer to losing it completely. Leaving Sam back in Hutchinson
hurt real bad, and now Castiel had to pick Jess and Maya up from the airport
before going on a Scout hunt. There was nothing any of them could do except
hope Sam’s battered body would start responding to treatment. Too much
responsibility got dropped on Castiel's shoulders lately. Relentless pressure
in danger of exposing the nick in his stoic armour if he left himself wide
open. He worked so hard to craft a perfect life for Dean. Just the thought of
having it all ripped away made his eyes fill up. He focused on the road and
swallowed down the lump in his throat, wondering how much Dean really knew
about what was happening outside in the big bad world.
“I think Sam knew something.” Castiel offered carefully, worried Sam might have
fished a little too deep down at Bobby’s before he dropped. “I never had time
to call him out on it, but it felt like a warning.” The hint his family might
need some heavy alpha protection was still lodged in Castiel’s head. “Sam
reckoned he wanted to check some stuff with Bobby, but everything got side-
lined when Scout took off.” His priority was finding their son, but Castiel had
a horrible feeling history was about to repeat itself. “You think?”
Dean was shifting around in his seat, valiantly trying to pretend it didn’t
feel like his insides were about to drop out. The subtle confrontation with
Mary certainly hadn’t improved his mood.
“I don't know. I just can’t deal with anything else right now. I keep thinking
about all the sacrifices he’s made.” Dean sighed. “What if it was all for
nothing?”
“Dean.”
“I’m not even playing at this point, Cas.”
“He’ll make it.”
“Don’t.”
Dean made sure that conversation was over, so Castiel didn’t reply. They drove
the rest of the way back to Haven in aching silence.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Dean moped about for most of the day after Castiel left. Just waiting for him
to come home from the airport. Willow was already stuck in hyper-drive knowing
Maya was coming to stay, but Dean hardly noticed. He couldn’t stop thinking
about Sam. His brother always seemed so strong. Indestructible. Dean imagined
he would go on fighting forever. Not get floored by something they couldn’t
even see. It frightened Dean enough to seek out professional help, managing to
slip in on an emergency just to please Cas. Really scared he might have picked
up something serious.
There was no choice but to leave the children playing in the waiting room. He
didn’t think it was fair to dump them all on Willow again, but that wasn’t the
only reason he made out it wasn’t a big deal. Dean didn’t want the pups to
suspect anything was wrong. A couple of tests and a routine once over, and he
was all done. Dean didn’t like the way the doctor perched his butt on the desk
opposite, staring back like he was stalling. Dean’s heart was thumping while he
prepared himself for bad news.
“Well, you’re not sick.” The doctor said slowly. Dean dragged in a tight breath
of relief. It didn’t last long. “You’re pregnant.”
Dean’s mouth dropped open with a little curse of disbelief. It took him a few
seconds to scramble for acceptance before he managed anything else.
“Again?”
Fuck Castiel’s ninja sperm. Dean loved seeing the happiness in his alpha’s eyes
every time a new pup arrived, but his timing sucked. With Sam off the grid in
hospital, extremists had an open invitation to bring back the policies he tried
so hard to stop. Dean felt his eyes start to sting. The advanced program wanted
to concentrate on mass omega sterilization. With five pups and one on the way
it was just a massive exercise in futility.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Harley was almost asleep in Scout’s arms, still tingling from knowing what it
felt like to have possessive fingers caressing his body - inside and out. Scout
kept fighting the guilt he had for telling Dean he hated him. If he never saw
his parents again, that was the last thing his papa would remember. It was
crushing. Scout missed home, and he knew Harley did too, but they had to keep
going. Determined to make some kind of life for them away from Haven and the
threat of overzealous enforcement officers. The boys were blissfully oblivious
to the new manifesto. Border patrols were always on the lookout for potential
carriers of the apocalypse virus. Indiscriminate hatred eventually got replaced
with vulnerable targets. One of the officers already pegged Scout out as
trouble. So intent on making promotion, the boys couldn’t have picked a worse
place to hide out than Sioux City. Local government already issued a warning
unregistered omegas would be taken off the streets to stop them from breeding
with alphas now destined for quarantine. There was definitely something off
about those two kids they bumped into earlier. The alpha puppy had too much
mouth without the teeth to back it up. Maybe someone should bring him down a
notch or two.
Harley stirred when Scout stretched out on his back. He smiled, but his heart
felt like a lump of lead. Scout didn’t realize he was dangerously close to
presenting. Knowing how much he wanted to bite his omega without really
understanding why. Harley looked terrible. Castiel had tried to explain it all,
but Scout hadn’t listened. Never believing how consuming that need could be
until he experienced it for himself. Instincts wanted them to mate. Stake a
claim on Harley at the least. He felt so torn. All Scout could see was quiet
despair in the perfect gaze staring up at him. The boy he loved was wilting
like a delicate bud cast in shadow.
“I know you want to go home.” Scout felt like crying. Harley tried to protest,
but it was useless. Scout could see it in his eyes. He had to look after his
mate, give him everything he wanted. If that meant taking him back to his
family, then so be it. Scout wasn’t sure how much longer he could take the
heartbreaking sorrow leaking from every omega pore. “I know you do, Harls. You
don’t have to pretend anymore.”
Harley finally let out all the emotions he kept back for days. Tearful gasps
blurting out while his little body trembled in Scout’s embrace.
“I’m sorry… I just miss my dad. I know he’s sick. What if I never see him
again?” Harley didn’t seem capable of anything more than a few shaky and
disjointed sentences in between uncontrollable sobs aimed at Scout’s chest.
“It’s okay.” Scout whispered into the mess of blonde hair. Stubborn
determination to make it on their own now replaced with acceptance. They
weren’t ready. “I’ll take you home in the morning.”
“Really?” Harley sat up with a jolt. “You would do that for me?”
“Yeah.” Scout sighed, reluctantly conceding defeat. Blushing shamelessly when
he realized just how important it was to make Harley happy. He got a long kiss
as payment. Harley was dying of dehydration after leaking so much slick, and
left Scout on the bed while he nipped out to pick up a soda from the ice box.
Scout would never have let him go if he had any idea the border patrols had
been on to them since they skipped through Lincoln. Harley was taking too long.
Scout jumped up when something kick-started canine senses on to red alert. His
pulse was pounding by the time he pulled the door open, just making out his
boy’s perfect silhouette in the glow of rosy lamp light. Harley was backed up
against the wall, both hands clutched against his chest in fear. There was no
mistaking the outline of the same officer they had a run in with by the
roadhouse.
“Hey.” Scout was on them before the men had any time to react. “Get away from
him.”
“Alright. Take a breath, Cujo.” The officer smirked. A scrappy puppy desperate
to pop his first knot wasn’t exactly a threat, no matter how much noise he was
making. “Don’t worry, kid. We got a nice little place we can take real good
care of your boy personally. If you know what I mean.” He gave his partner a
secret smile. The look they exchanged made Scout feel sick. “Orders is orders,
son. Enforcement told us to round up as many as we can. You might wanna take
notes, pup. See how we do things down town.”
“You can’t do that. I got rights.”
“Have you? Eighteen, my ass.” The other man sneered. “Go home, kid. Think
yourself lucky we ain’t booking you as well for lying to an officer of the law.
State’s got a special place for omegas who smell like that.” The government
agenda to stop them mating never changed, just lost in a pile of paperwork Sam
missed. One of them made the mistake of pushing Scout aside.
“Leave him alone.” Scout was clawing and scratching at the man’s face, hell
bent on leaving a mark the officer wouldn’t soon forget. He stopped dead when
he heard the horrible click of metal. Harley was caught.
Scout was suddenly staring at him with desperation. There was nothing he could
do. Painfully lacking enough in life experience to make the right decision.
Fighting between tearing them apart and doing what was best for Harley while he
was shackled to an asshole. Scout watched helplessly while they led the poor
boy away with tears flooding down both cheeks. Scout knew right then he would
be haunted by the look of despair in those beautiful eyes until they were
together again.
                                 ………. «» ……….
***** Pure *****
13. Pure
Scout was still rooted to the spot in dismay. No idea what the hell he was
supposed to do now to save Harley from such a dark fate. Two sets of paws
wandering all over him was bad enough, but the threat of being locked up with a
whole pack of them was more than Scout could take. Something feral sent him
springing forward. Going in for another bout of protective violence when the
sight of pure omega tears stirred his senses back to life. Scout made a last
frantic grab for Harley, trying to pull him free from cruel bonds. Even with
raw desperation aside, he was no match for two burly officers who already got
the jump on him.
“Kid.” One of them turned to shoot Scout down a second time, batting him away
like he was nothing. “I said go home. I ain’t telling you again. Flick out
those claws one more time, and I’m taking you in.” Scout knew he was Harley’s
only shot at making it, forced to quit while he could and plan an escape that
would make his papa proud. “Lucky you’re one of us, or you might end up
someone’s little bitch as well.” Scout dropped back, stunned a police officer
would say something so horrible. He suddenly felt ashamed to be an alpha.
There was nothing more he could do. Harley was bundled into the back of a
patrol car. Never saying a word before they took him away. Just staring over
his shoulder with budding tears in his eyes, silently begging for his mate to
help him. That was the only inspiration Scout needed, making the impulsive
decision to go back to Haven and get his dad. Castiel was the only one who
could save him.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Dean jumped up when he heard muffled voices outside. Holding on to Jess a bit
tighter than expected when she arrived. Despite the role of keeping Sam’s ass
in line, the years had been good to her. Dean thought she looked lovely. The
only hint she was falling apart inside were faint lines of care around her
mouth. Maya and Willow were holed away in their little pink palace before she
even had chance to bombard Dean with questions. Castiel hadn’t said much on the
ride back to Haven, not wanting to over share in front of Maya. Hoping she
could hang on to the promise her dad was going to be okay for just a bit
longer. Jess waited until the girls disappeared before she went in for the kill
to demand some answers. Dean could see by the look in her eyes, plying Jess
with bullshit wasn’t even worth a shot.
“How is he?” Jess murmured. Hands shaking when Castiel passed her a mug of
coffee.
“Not good.” Dean said quietly, sitting down opposite while she watched him over
the rim of her cup. “We think he’s caught this damn virus everyone’s losing
their shit about. He’s gonna be okay, though.” Dean added a small smile to
drive the point home. Jess took in a deep breath.
“Can they cure it?”
Dean glanced up at Castiel, eyes pleading for some help. He didn’t get any.
Castiel was too busy checking his husband out. He knew something was up. Dean
looked nervous.
“Honestly? I don’t know.”
“I need to see him.”
Castiel’s body sagged. He couldn’t refuse a request to take her over to
Hutchinson, but really wanted to get Dean on his own to find out what spooked
him so bad. Years of obsessive attention told him something serious was playing
on Dean’s mind.
“I know you do. Mom and Dad are still up there, but we got nothing.” Dean
hesitated, not sure quite how to phrase the next sentence. “Jess, he’s in a
coma.”
Jess dropped her head while the tears came again. Dean didn’t know how to
comfort her. Nothing he said would ever make any of that alright. Jess seemed
to drift off with her own thoughts. Dean made sure she was settled before he
broke the other news. Dragging Castiel to their bedroom by the hand to get him
alone.
“What happened?” Castiel asked in alarm, picking up on Dean’s emotions soon as
he was in sniffing distance. Dean didn’t know what to say when Cas was looking
at him like that. Scared to death he had to share the revelation another ball-
load had found its mark.
“We need to talk.”
Castiel was watching him patiently, waiting for an explanation with his heart
thumping. Dean couldn’t quite bring himself to say those two little words, but
he didn’t have to. Castiel saw the familiar sparkle, breathed in the pure scent
of a new life. The soft glow behind Dean’s eyes, and the warmth of his touch
when he leaned in. That beautiful hint only a mate would pick up on. Castiel
pulled Dean close, snuffling at him like a territorial dog.
“You’re with pup.” He hummed against Dean’s throat, almost tempted to lick him.
“I can feel it.” The happiness drowning his senses on the arrival of every
little Novak filled up his soul with a joy he could never put into words.
“With pup?” Dean couldn’t resist a sarcastic smile over the relentless sickness
in his stomach. “Really?” Castiel always knew how to make him feel like the
most important thing in the world. It was no secret how much he loved Dean
being pregnant. Watching his belly grow, indulging the need for extra cuddles
when he couldn’t get out of bed without help.
“You know I’m a sap for a pregnant omega.” Castiel grinned. “'Specially when
he’s mine. So, sue me.”
“I just might if you keep knocking me up.” Dean gave him a playful nudge. “I
know I should be stoked, Cas, but everything seems so wrong without Scout.”
Castiel squeezed Dean’s hand. “I just want him back.”
“I know you do.” Castiel whispered. Voice so gentle with understanding, Dean
almost cried like a pussy. “I miss him too, but the others don’t deserve to be
pushed out. I know you’re making it day by day right now, but they need you.”
Castiel paused, instinctively reaching out to touch the baby. “I need you.”
“You got me, Cas. Always have.” Dean could never explain how much he loved that
man. Years of waiting worth every second of painful longing.
“I’m gonna bring him home to you, baby.” Castiel caressed Dean’s cheek in a bid
to secure his attention. “I promise.”
“I know you mean it.” Dean sighed, leaning into Castiel’s touch. “But they’re
talking about alpha screenings, Cas.” Dean could feel his lip start to tremble.
Damn all those girly hormones. “What if you get called in 'fore you find him?”
“Hey. I don’t want you to worry about anything else except looking after my
puppy. I’m gonna fix it, Dean. I’m gonna fix everything, okay?” Castiel felt
the words threaten to choke him. Years of failure in trying to do the right
thing and bring down the whole crappy system had come to this. Nothing he ever
did was good enough. Not really. Dean could see self-doubt reflecting back at
him.
“But it’s not fair to put everything on you, Cas. Like everything should be
your responsibility just 'cause you’re the one with all the testosterone. I
feel so fucking useless.”
“Don’t ever say that.” Castiel said seriously, rubbing one hand in small
circles over Dean’s stomach. “I can never thank you enough for everything you
do. How happy you make me every day I feel your heart beating next to mine.”
“Shit, Cas.” Dean wiped his face. Drying a few stray tears while his insides
melted into a puddle. “You said that on purpose.”
“I’m an alpha. I can’t help it.”
“So that’s your excuse, is it?”
“Damn straight.” Castiel groped Dean’s butt. “That - and you’re a walking cock
tease.”
“Stop.” Dean blinked at him through long seductive lashes. “I’m serious.”
“So am I.” Castiel’s smile soon faded. “I’m gonna miss you like crazy. I wish
you knew how much I really love you. Every single kiss still leaves me
breathless.”
“Cas.” Dean whispered, emotion taking away the rest of his voice. Castiel
sucked at his mate’s neck, lightly grazing sharp points over the skin and
breathing in wonderful omega scent. Shot through with hints of the growing pup
inside him.
“I’m not worried about it. My blood is pure.” He was only trying to gloss over
a shitty situation, but it made Dean pause. Maybe there was something that gave
him some kind of natural immunity. Dean suddenly pulled away from the wet lips
still worshipping his throat.
“Say that again.”
“What?” Castiel tried to go in for another round of making-out but Dean held
him back. A light just flicked on inside his head at the memory of two little
boys falling in love by the banks of dragonfly pond. All the years blown away
when he remembered stroking one finger down Castiel’s palm the night before.
“Cas - your scar. Remember?” Dean’s eyes were sparkling with fresh hope. “When
we made that promise, I gave you my blood.”
“'Course.” Castiel had that precious memory locked away with a million other
perfect snatches of time when his omega was draped around him. It all came
rushing back in an instant. “You think?”
“How else could you have gotten it?” Dean gasped, through a little burst of
inspiration. He left Castiel to think it over before heading back downstairs.
Jess was still staring into her coffee.
“Alright?” Dean tried hesitantly. It was a stupid question, but he had to ask.
Hopes for the presidency slowly fading away with every new carrier. Jess was
worried Sam might get blamed for keeping omegas out of confinement. Oblivious
to the spreading terror while he was unconscious.
“Not really.”
“Yeah. Hey, listen.” Dean side-lined her without even breaking a sweat. "Maybe
there is someone who can help. I know he’s usually too busy stirring the Kool-
Aid to make much sense, but my Uncle Bobby’s not really the whack job most
people say he is. He knew something for sure. Sam wanted to ask him 'bout it
before he collapsed.” Castiel heard a few snippets of gossip over at central
but nothing concrete. Bobby was the one with superpowers when it came to
finding out what was really going down on the dark web. Dean wondered just how
much he really knew about the underground resistance. “Sam seemed convinced
enforcement were planning something bad. God knows how it got so out of
control.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Jess sighed. “It only matters what we’re gonna do about it.”
Dean’s default soon kicked in. Doing what he always did when he wanted to make
an independent decision. He caved to the pressure, leaving Willow in charge
while he went to see Bobby. Castiel agreed to take Jess to hospital so she
could check on Sam. The old man didn’t seem all that surprised to see him.
Castiel already called, too excited about the new baby to keep that monumental
awesomeness to himself. Bobby tipped his cap at Dean when he saw him standing
on the doorstep.
“Hey, kid. Good to see ya. Been too long since last time.”
“Yeah. Got a minute? We need some help, Bobby. I gotta know exactly what we’re
dealing with.”
“Cas tells me you already got enough to worry about. Congratulations, son.
Didn’t think you two would manage to stop at five.”
Dean actually blushed.
“News travels fast. Didn’t take him long to get that memo out when we got more
important things to be thinking about.”
“You know what Cas is like when you’re pregnant.” Bobby smiled, suspecting he
would be up for godparent again. “Give him a few days to let the adrenaline
wear off.”
“I’m not fucking about here, Bobby.” Dean snapped back, deliberately ignoring
rising panic when he pictured going through all that pain again. “People are
dying.” Dean couldn’t seem to detach lately. Constantly thinking about his
brother and how he was only just clinging on to life by a thread.
“Dean.” Bobby said patiently. “I know that. But there’s no sense to it. No
pattern. Sam hinted it was the canine stuff but if it was just that, then the
omegas would be safe.”
“Haven’t you got anything? Anything at all?” Dean hung his head, whispering the
rest into his hands like it wasn’t meant for Bobby to hear. “I can’t lose him.”
Bobby reached for a bottle.
“Not much. We got people on it, but it’s gonna take time.” Dean blew out his
cheeks with frustration. That was the one thing they knew Sam didn’t have.
“You know how Cas never got sick even though this crap spreads like wildfire?”
Bobby nodded. Castiel worked in town most days. Sat with Sam in isolation, and
God knows Dean saw alpha written all over that cute ass but there was something
very unnatural about the way he seemed to shake off every little microorganism
fate threw at him. It was some hope at least, but Dean didn’t think their luck
would hold much longer. Waiting for the day Officer 21 got recalled for
screening. The irony of it stuck in his throat. Nothing had changed. They just
moved the target. It sounded stupid when he said that out loud, but he carried
on anyway. Not even waiting for an answer. “Don’t ever tell anyone, but we
shared a promise when we were kids. I gave him some of my blood to seal it.”
“You did, huh?” Bobby smiled to himself, suddenly warmed by the memory of
helping two lost teenagers find each other in a hopeless world. “Well, ain’t
that interesting.” Bobby never forgot how much he loved those boys. Heart
sinking when he realized what that might mean for their family. “If Cas is a
living miracle, everyone’s gonna want a piece of him. You know they’ll take him
away if that’s true, Dean.” Bobby added quietly. Authorities were desperate for
a cure, and if Cas really was the apocalypse messiah it would likely mean they
would have to spend more time apart. The thought of pushing out another pup
without Castiel there to hold his hand and take every curse made him want to
heave, but Dean would give anything for a chance to save his brother.
                                 ………. «» ……….
***** Home *****
14. Home
Harley kept holding on to his stomach. Bumping around in the back of a squad
car with no idea where he was going. Haunting snatches of bedtime stories
surfacing in his mind. Tales of special facilities taking root when all the
trouble started before. Something to scare the little ones into behaving with a
myth of some horrible past no one hardly remembered. The truth was so much
colder. Many enforcement buildings packed wall to wall with scared omegas.
Government hated to use the word camps - bad for publicity. Most had been long
abandoned until some bureaucratic dick decided it was a dambuster idea to start
filling them up again. Surprised at the lack of public resistance without their
fearless leader.
Harley was shaking like a leaf by the time they pulled up outside the precinct.
He felt someone nudge him hard in the back to force him inside. All he could
think about was Scout, and the desolation in his eyes when they were torn away
from each other. One of the officers on desk duty gave Harley a lustful once
over.
“He’s a cute little thing. Put him with the others.”
Enforcement had grabbed back too much power since Sam got laid up, but shit
like that was in danger of putting them all at risk if they didn’t even pretend
to embrace the façade of staying professional. The arresting alpha pulled him
to one side.
“You know, someone’s gonna get wise to what you’re doing with the omegas if you
keep undressing them in your head before we even got them locked away.” He
warned. “We’re supposed to be keeping them off the streets, is all. Not all
that other freaky shit you do. No need to make it quite so obvious you got a
kink for the little boys.”
The officer laughed along with the rest.
“They didn’t use to call them split-tails for nothing. Might test one of 'em
out later.”
The man who brought Harley in suddenly looked serious when he glanced over his
shoulder. A small spark of humanity burning somewhere deep inside.
“Leave the new one be for tonight. He’s still crying, and you can bet your
sweet ass his alpha’s not coming for him. Can’t 'a been a day over fourteen.”
“Fuck. Why would any alpha wanna mate so young?”
“He ain’t claimed yet. I’d smell it on him. That one’s unmarked.”
The officer hurried the boy away down the corridor before natural instincts got
the better of his buddy. Making the decision to put Harley in a cell on his
own, just in case. The number of officers going against orders was climbing by
the day. He even felt a bit sorry for him.
Harley was kept locked up for hours, face streaked with tears while he
struggled to hold on to the hope Scout would run home and beg Castiel to save
him. Harley jumped when he heard heavy footsteps outside his door. Full-on
panic setting in when the sound of jangling keys did nothing to settle the
nausea. He could hear laboured breaths in the dark, see keen eyes pierce the
shadows. The scent of rutting alpha was so strong, he could practically taste
it.
“Alright, pretty boy?” A rough voice drifted through the bars in the grate.
“Hope they’re looking after you.” He paused, burst of testosterone getting
closer. “Want something to eat yet?” Harley couldn’t remember the last time he
had a hot meal, but shook his head anyway. Not completely convinced he was
being offered food, and smart enough to pick up on a sexual innuendo when he
heard one.
“What do you want?” His tiny voice sounded pathetic when it filtered back.
Harley was no match for a determined alpha if he decided to find out what a
virgin hole felt like.
“Not sure you really want me to answer that, little one.” Harley imagined there
was a smile forming behind those sharp teeth. “But since you asked. I want you
to bleed for me.”
Harley could hardly breathe. He was going to be taken, corrupted. Ruined before
he had chance to give himself to the only alpha he would ever want. He started
to cry fresh tears. Relief suddenly flooding over his trembling body when
another voice cut through the silence. Much softer, almost compassionate.
“Stop it. I said to leave this one alone tonight. Move on.” That sounded more
like an order, so Harley pounced on the sympathetic authority in a heartbeat.
Milking the big round eyes for all they were worth when he blinked through the
bars. The officer intended to stay close just to make sure. His butt was on the
line if anyone found out some of the omegas were being violated, but it was
more than that. He could see the poor boy was terrified. Pining for Scout like
they were already mated. The whole place scared him green. Praying someone
would protect him from a drooling alpha and a knot he’d never be able to take
without screaming.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Dean knew something had to give. Every long day filled with hopelessness and
despair while his perfect life was slowly being ripped to shreds. He managed to
hide most of it from the pups, but not from Cas. They were like two halves of
the same whole. Castiel could pick up on every emotion without even having to
think about it. He was watching Poppy wind her little hands through Dean’s t-
shirt to try and get a bit of attention. It wasn’t working so good, so she kept
poking one finger into his mouth while he stared out the window.
“Alright?” Castiel tried carefully, already knowing the answer. Poppy grinned
at him. Maybe she’d have better luck with Daddy.
“Nope.”
“Just thought I should ask.” Castiel pressed his lips together in silent
apology. Dean looked so sad, Castiel had to swallow down a bitter sting of
concern. Getting Dean pregnant again should have been a happy time for their
family, but everything was marred by all the crappy stuff fate had thrown at
them lately. “C'mere, baby.” Castiel added softly. Dean melted against him.
“Tell me what I can do to make it better.”
Dean thought about it for a few seconds but he came up empty-handed, as usual.
He didn’t want to let Cas know how fucking useless he felt. Powerless to stop
Sam from dying, or Scout from disappearing forever into a divided world Dean
once hated. Knowing he might never get the chance to tell Scout how much he
loved him. Always wanted him. He prob'ly wouldn’t believe it anyway. Dean might
never be able to make up for Scout finding out the truth, but that didn’t mean
he was gonna stop trying.
“I don’t know.” Dean sighed. “I got nothing, Cas. Just animal magnetism and my
good looks.”
“You don’t have to sell either of those to me, sweetheart.” Castiel squeezed
him. “You had me from day one.” Dean tried to smile through the ache in his
heart. Cuddling Poppy and mindlessly stroking her back to calm her when she
squirmed for Castiel. Poppy hadn’t been the same lately. Even the younger kids
already picked up on the fact one of their Brady Bunch was missing, and Dean
was giving off so many stress vibes, they would have to be thick as a stack of
planks not to sense it. Castiel gently took his daughter when she reached out
for him. Dean was soon gazing outside again.
“You ever wonder where he is… if he’s okay?” Dean asked in a whisper.
“'Course I do.” Castiel didn’t hesitate to pull Dean into his arms, the baby
wedged between them. “But wishing and hoping isn’t getting us anywhere. You
know I gotta go after him sooner or later. Seems stupid to prolong the
inevitable.” Castiel kissed them both on the cheek in turn. Dean was quiet for
a long time. Basking in the warmth of his mate’s affection.
“I just want you to bring him home.” Dean murmured, a small smile gracing his
face with the memory of their precious pup. Lucky he didn’t know about the raw
instincts fighting to take over that boy. Dean was under no illusions Scout
wasn’t exactly pure as the driven snow, but living on the edge of the law like
some maverick alpha was a bit of a stretch. Cas was right. There was no point
in hanging on to ifs and maybes. Dean drew in a deep breath. All he wanted was
for everything to be back the way it was. Castiel helping out with the pups.
Holding hands in the Kansas sunshine and rubbing his back when he started
waddling. Feeding him chocolate ice cream like he used to. Dean brushed one
hand across his eyes and took Poppy back to give her a feed when she started
eating her own fist. “Give her here - duty calls.” As good a distraction as any
from the pain inside him. Castiel didn’t reply.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Scout started pining right back the second he watched them shove Harley into
the patrol car. Missing him like a part of his heart had been hacked away after
a few miserable hours without him. It never hit Scout before how much that kind
of separation must have hurt Daddy and Papa. The thought of waiting so long to
claim his own mate was unbearable. Twenty-four years was a lifetime. Scout held
back the tears long enough to steel himself to do the right thing by Harley.
Crying about it wasn’t going to help anyone. He started thinking about Dean,
and the longing he must have endured waiting for Castiel to find him. An ache
that would never go away without the touch of a true mate. He understood that
now. Scout pulled his jacket tight to stave off a sudden chill and hitched up
his pack before setting off to find the highway. Desperate for a good Samaritan
to take him back across the state line. No idea why he ever believed they could
make it on their own. He just wanted to go home.
Dean was restless and on edge. Still holding on to Poppy just for something to
fill his empty arms while Cas got the other pups ready for bed. Nothing could
have prepared him for the sight that greeted him when the back door creaked
open. Green eyes fixed in disbelief on a dusty object standing in the doorway.
Dean almost dropped the baby, a hundred different emotions crashing through
him.
“Scout.” Dean whispered in amazement. Hardly daring to believe the beautiful
vision was real. Poppy squealed when she saw him, two little hands grasping at
the air in her haste to squeeze him. That did it. Scout couldn’t even pretend
to be mad anymore, and collapsed in Dean’s arms. Face squished up against him
like a little pup. Sobbing uncontrollably while Dean buried his face in Scout’s
hair.
“I’m so sorry, Papa.” Dean could barely understand him through floods of tears,
and just hugged him tighter. Castiel rushed downstairs when he heard all the
commotion, quickly wrapping loving arms around his boys and breathing in
Scout’s scent like the first time he held him. He missed that so much. It
settled on his tongue, making him feel warm and protective. Scout snuggled
against his father and closed his eyes. Castiel was home and safety. “They took
him, Daddy.” Scout sniffed, rubbing his wet face on Castiel’s chest for
comfort. “The bad men took Harley.”
The silence that followed was heavy with unanswered questions. Castiel’s mind
was in turmoil, knowing their son must have run into someone who represented
everything he always hated about the system. Sam had done more to help omegas
stay safe than he could ever imagine. Disordered thoughts suddenly drawn to the
database Sam had been fighting to make public before he dropped. Dean had been
on that list once, and it filled Castiel with fear thinking one of their pups
was now earmarked for persecution. Scout felt much worse. Consumed by the pain
of crushing failure. He promised Harley he wouldn’t let anyone take him away,
but he couldn’t keep him safe. He understood Castiel’s devotion to Dean more in
that moment than the rest of his life put together.
“What men, Scout?” Castiel managed, after he shared a loaded glance with Dean.
“Took him where?”
“I don’t know.” Scout snuffled. “Some dodgy cops said there was a special place
for omegas.” Dean shuddered at the sudden reminder of a harsher world. One that
should have been buried a long time ago.
“Like where they kept Jessica’s mom, remember? Cas, we can’t leave Harley in a
place like that. She’s still in therapy for fucks sake.” Castiel ignored the
curse in favour of a glare of disapproval, but Dean didn’t seem to notice.
Castiel let it slide under the circumstances. He didn’t want to say too much
while little ears were twitching.
“We’ll talk about it later, Dean." Castiel said seriously, resuming tender
strokes through Scout’s hair. “Don’t cry, baby. It’s over.”
Something about the way Castiel dismissed the threat pissed Dean off. Forgotten
remnant of a die-hard activist rising up inside him like a firestorm. He didn’t
know if the blood thing was true but that wasn’t what worried him most. Always
believing there would be a penance to pay for abandoning his firstborn. That
imaginary debt was bullshit, but not to Dean. He clung on to that guilt for
years. Not even Cas really knew how much that still tortured him when he lay
awake at night, staring at the ceiling. Dean couldn’t imagine a worse pain than
being away from Castiel, but they were shit out of options.
“But it’s not over.” Dean rested his hand on Castiel’s where it was still
tangled in Scout’s hair. Biting back the desire to pick up his tattered banner
and shove it up somebody’s ass. “You told me that once. It’ll never be over
'til we make a stand. Put an end to it all. For good this time.”
“Dean, that’s not our call. We made it through so much already. Why do you
think I stayed in enforcement all this time? All I ever wanted was to keep you
safe, 'cause I knew we’d always end up here. Always believed you and me were
meant to be.” Castiel suddenly kissed him hard. “Still do.”
“Cas.” Dean choked back a sob, already stupidly emotional. “I know what you
have to do.” Everything else seemed so unimportant now Scout was home. All Dean
wanted to do was block out a shitty world, but the virus was coming and someone
had to fight for Sam. Cas was their only hope. Salvation, maybe. “You still
gotta leave. I know that now.”
“Dean… stop it.”
“No, Cas. We have to help him get his mate back. I’d do anything for you, kid.”
Dean blinked the hurt away when Scout stared up into his eyes. A long road of
uncertainty stretching out before them. “Even if you don’t think so.”
                                 ………. «» ……….
***** True Mates *****
15. True Mates
Castiel was holding Dean close while they watched the other children play
together. Piling in to welcome their big brother home. It was hard to believe
anything could take that peace away. Dean smiled down at them running circles
around each other at his feet, oblivious to the storm raging outside – or
inside his heart. Holding on to their fragile innocence by a fraying thread.
The one thing Dean always tried to protect. He was almost the same age as Scout
when he knew for sure Castiel was the only alpha he would ever want. Ever need.
Dean heard himself sigh. Not knowing how each puppy would present, or even what
tomorrow would bring. His happy ending used to be a done deal, but their story
was far from finished.
“I don’t know what to think anymore.” Scout eventually pulled away, shoulders
still shaking from sobbing. Dean wasn’t expecting a response, but comments like
that didn’t help him believe he was truly forgiven. Scout inherited the strong
genes of a dominant alpha Castiel milked to death whenever Dean felt a bit
frisky. No coincidence he seemed to fill his mate with a pup every time he took
a dip inside him. Castiel loved that. Just another reason they were meant to be
(like he needed one). Castiel didn’t think anyone ever loved someone the way he
loved Dean. So sure their bond would last forever, he mixed his blood with an
omega when they were still children. Castiel started to develop antibodies that
would give him some of those traits Dean seemed convinced made him resistant to
the virus. Who knew that one romantic gesture between two little boys might
just save them all. Fate was one sneaky bitch. Scout’s escalating protests to
let him tag along brought his dad back to the painful reality of what the fuck
they were going to do now. Castiel wouldn’t risk it. “But you can tell them,
Daddy.” Scout was dangerously close to throwing an epic sulk, but Castiel
wanted his son to take responsibility for some of the stupid stunts he pulled
lately. Prove himself worthy to a potential mate. “Tell them they have to give
him back.”
“Scout, it’s not that easy.” Castiel tried to let him down gently. Just because
Sam put him in charge of reintegration didn’t mean jack shit when it came to
enforcing a national law. “I don’t have that kind of clearance.” Castiel wasn’t
very happy with the way Scout talked about Harley like he was a possession,
even though he knew exactly how hard that was to fight. Spending years
consciously striving to keep raw instincts in check every time he saw the
fading scars on Dean’s throat. Claiming wasn’t the same as owning, despite the
selfish need to lock his perfect omega away so no one else would dare to even
look on him. Castiel struggled to pull his mind back to the twenty-first
century.
“You do.”
Scout reckoned he heard that word on CSI or some crap. No clue why Castiel
couldn’t just ride in on a white horse, whisk Harley away and drop him back
into Scout’s arms. His dad was like the main man in enforcement. There was
nothing he couldn’t fix.
“Scout.” Castiel said sternly. Dean would know that steely gaze anywhere. It
wasn’t up for debate. “You’re not coming with me, and that’s final. You need to
stay here.” Castiel wanted the older pups to help Dean out now he was expecting
again. Keeping his reasons to himself for now.
“Daddy, please.” Scout whined, through drying tears. “I think I love him.”
Scout cringed when he heard Willow snort behind him. So, mister-don’t-give-
a shit-about-anything alpha just confessed to actually having feelings. Oh, the
fun she was gonna have later. Dean deliberately graced Scout with an
understanding smile, but now he was even more worried about the two boys.
Neglecting to share with his own father how much it hurt, like physically hurt,
to be away from the other half of your soul. Dean kept all that pain to himself
for years and look what that turned him into. It took decades and a very
persistent Castiel to shake that from him. Dean didn’t want any pup of his to
ever feel so hopeless.
“It’s not just because of the danger, Scout. I want you stay here and help
Papa. Be a good example for the little ones. 'Specially now - ” Dean glared at
him, so Castiel managed to swallow the rest of his sentence but Willow was
watching him like a hawk. Sniper eyes flicking between her parents with a
little smile. Guess Daddy had a little announcement of his own. Dean hadn’t
actually planned on telling the other pups yet. Their daughter was a genetic
mystery. She looked exactly like Dean paired with the senses of a sniffer dog.
Dean doubted she would ever present as an alpha. More likely inherited a few of
her father’s many talents on accident. Dean could never hide anything from her,
so he sat them all down in a circle to break the news gently. Splitting all
their attention between five kids was practically impossible, but the pups
never went short of a cuddle when they needed one. Dean gave Cas that special
look only a true mate would understand. Didn’t seem any point in denying it
now. Castiel smiled at Willow when he saw her green eyes were shining. “Papa’s
going to have another baby.” Castiel said softly, not even attempting to hide
his glow of pride. “So, I need you all to look after him while I’m gone, okay?”
Willow beamed with the smug smile of always being right. Another curse she had
to bear when it came to sussing out the dynamics of their ever-growing family.
She was still pissed with her jerk brother for causing so much heartache now
she knew for sure Dean didn’t need the stress. Scout tutted loudly before
letting out a long sigh. Not sure how those two managed to do anything else at
all when they spent ninety percent of their time reproducing. Willow kicked him
in the thigh when he opened his mouth to make some stupid comment about it. She
wasn’t going to put up with any more of his bullshit for a second. He never
said a word.
“You’re in charge while I’m gone, Princess.” Castiel stroked his daughter’s
face, hoping the usual night time free-for-alls might simmer down if he put her
on bedtime duty. Knowing she would have them all settled before ten with
military precision. The boys looked horrified. Poppy giggled. “You’ll be fine.”
Castiel laughed, cuddling the youngest boys in turn when they both jumped into
their daddy’s lap and clung on for dear life.
Scout looked hurt. Castiel knew he was still thinking about what happened
before. Why Papa would pop out pups like there was no tomorrow when he wasn’t
even sure he could keep just one must have been a bitter pill.
“Hey.” Castiel prised Jay and River from around his neck and sat down by his
son, tentatively slipping one arm around Scout’s shoulders. “Things were a lot
different back then.” Castiel tried to smile, imagining how insecure his own
father made him feel as a boy. What Alex did that horrible day that damaged
Dean so deeply. Castiel wasn’t in the habit of making promises he wasn’t sure
he could keep, but Scout needed to hear it. “I’ll get him back to you. I
swear.”
                                  ……. «» ……….
Scout went to bed that night lying awake and dreaming of the day he would see
Harley again. Not wanting to think about what he must be going through. Scared
and alone. All he had to hang on to was an empty promise. Scout vowed to
protect him, but he let him down. One job. He had one job and he fucked it up.
Scout was gonna start digging. He might have taken one step on the path to
forgiveness, but he still needed to find out exactly why Dean abandoned him
when he was born. Something to do with enforcement, that much was obvious -
even though his parents thought he wasn’t smart enough to pick up on that. With
his dad out the way he might have an inch more breathing room to get inside the
system. He had to do something. Consumed by the guilt of leaving his omega
without the comfort of strong alpha arms around him. He wanted to cry.
Dean was slowly getting undressed when Castiel finished locking up and checking
all the pups were asleep. Dean was physically aching and emotionally shot.
Castiel could almost taste the anxiety leaking out of him.
“I just don’t get it.” Dean muttered, without turning around. He was already
down to his boxers and Castiel was finding it difficult to focus on anything
except a canvas of soft skin that would look much better with his handprints
all over it.
Dean still found it hard to open up when something was really bothering him.
Any contact with this mutant virus crap Sam told him about could threaten
everything he had. So torn apart inside at the thought of Cas having to leave,
he couldn’t stop his big mouth from stating the obvious. Trying not to sound
like a sulky teenager. One of those was more than enough for any family.
Family. Dean wasn’t sure it was always a conscious choice wanting to be better
than John, and definitely better than Alex, when it came to raising children.
There was still a lot of pain there despite everything Castiel had done to give
his mate a better life. Show him he was the most important man in the world.
Having to deal with the crappy parts of parenting a teenage alpha gave him a
new perspective, but Dean never forgot how he felt when his dad took him away
from Haven. A dark reminder of what he lost. All the time they wasted.
“Get what, baby?” Castiel stripped off and slipped in next to Dean.
“Nothin'.” Dean quickly turned over before changing his mind about keeping his
opinions to himself. “Just all this shit being dragged up again, like Scout
wanting to be with Harley is supposed to be a bad thing. My whole damn life
people drilled it into me that omegas don’t deserve the same happiness as
everyone else.”
Castiel rubbed his hands together to warm them up before he slid them under the
covers to search for Dean’s hips.
“So, don’t prove them right.” Dean tensed when Castiel gave his neck a tender
lick.
“And you promised you would never leave me again.”
Castiel jerked his hands away. He thought Dean was over that. Thought he
understood.
“You want me to go - you don’t want me to go.” Castiel flipped on to his back,
running one hand through his hair in frustration while he stared into the
darkness. “You practically kicked me in the ass to get me to go rescue Harley.
What the hell do you want from me, Dean?” Castiel was sorry he said anything at
all when Dean turned back. Suddenly face to face with misty green eyes. Dean
wasn’t mad. He was upset.
“I don’t wanna fight, Cas. I’m just scared. Sometimes it comes out wrong.”
“I know.” Castiel felt like his heart just collapsed inside his chest. “I’m so
sorry, Dean. I want to stay here. 'Course I do. You know how much I love
spoiling you when you’re carrying one of my babies.” He reached over to stroke
the tiny bump with a mushy smile.
“Cas.” Dean pushed his swollen stomach against the warmth of a soft palm.
Caressing the little pudge Castiel just couldn’t leave alone. Much more obvious
now Dean was splayed out on his back. “You don’t have to say sorry. We both
know you got no choice. I’m gonna miss you, is all. I never had to do this
without you. Not since - ”
“Hey.” Castiel stopped him. “Don’t think about it. You never have to feel like
that again.”
“I’m trying to understand, honest. I know you would have done the same for me
when we were that age.”
Castiel hummed an answer, lost as it vibrated on Dean’s stomach when he gave it
a little kiss.
“You know what, pookie?” Castiel always knew how to perk Dean up a bit. “I
would have walked a million miles to save you, crossed a burning desert.” He
watched Dean out the corner of one screwed-up eye to see if it was having the
desired effect. “Swum an alligator-infested river?” Dean elbowed him in the
side.
“Alright, Romeo. Don’t push it.”
Castiel pulled Dean into a crushing embrace. He suddenly looked deadly serious.
“I would have done anything to show how much I love you. Still would.” Castiel
added. “Anything.” Dean was now a hormonal mess, so Castiel let him snuggle
into his shoulder. They hadn’t been apart for so long, Dean wondered if he
might just pine away and die without him. Castiel stroked his fingers down
Dean’s arm. Tips coming to rest on the band around his wrist. Castiel lifted it
up to study the tiny dragonfly. Sometimes forgetting how long Dean held on to
that little silver promise. Remembering the hope reflected in his eyes that
day. A long lonely lifetime ago. Castiel ran one of the delicate wings between
his finger and thumb. “Keep this safe for me… and my pup.”
“Always.” Dean whispered. “I can't stop thinking 'bout what Scout said. Being
in love, I mean. Maybe Harley is his true mate, Cas. You just feel it in your
heart.”
“You don’t need to tell me, sweetheart. I’ve known that since I was thirteen.
Never wanted to be anywhere else.” Castiel suddenly kissed Dean breathless like
he wanted to remember the taste of soft omega lips until he came home.
Scout wasn’t quite ready to completely make his peace just yet. More focused on
getting his omega back from corrupt alphas making a last-ditch grab for power.
Sam’s office was slowly gathering enough dirt on the program to nail them all
to the wall, but with their leader down it was getting harder to keep a check
on local precincts. Chief officer down at Sioux City planned on moving Harley
to a special facility in the morning. Most of the many omegas picked up on the
streets got sent on after a day or two, but this one was too much of a
temptation. Poor kid didn’t sleep a wink. Every clink of metal making him jump.
Waiting for the horrible sound of lustful alpha pacing outside his room again.
Still leaking delicious pheromones after making out with Scout. Slick shot
through with drops of fresh blood any alpha worth his salt could smell a mile
off. A fertile young omega with no one to protect his virtue and save him from
a fate worse than death.
                                 ………. «» ……….
***** Quarantine *****
16. Quarantine
Castiel was struggling to fall asleep while they cozied up in bed. Despite
holding everything he ever wanted in his arms, he still couldn’t shift the
horrible sinking in his stomach and had to say something before Dean conked out
for the night.
“Dean, I want you to keep Bobby on speed-dial when I’m gone. Take the children
and stay there if things get rough.” Castiel said seriously. “I know he’ll look
after you.” Something about the way he said it made Dean feel sick again.
“Cas, I’m not helpless.” Dean patted pup number six with a little smile. “It’s
hardly my first rodeo.” He was trying to get excited about the baby, but so
much crap was still hanging over him. Threatening to turn his perfect world
upside down.
“I know, but I worry about you and that’s never going to change.”
Dean always wondered what he did to deserve such an amazing man. Castiel’s love
was absolute but there was a shadow on him Dean hadn’t seen since they were
children.
“Have I got anything to be worried about? What’s really going on, Cas?” Dean
instinctively knew his mate was hiding something. They always shared every
little detail. “I deserve to know.”
Castiel let out a stream of air. Dean was right. He did.
“Okay.” He took Dean’s hands. “I’ve been trying to find a way to say it, and
then you told me about the baby and I just couldn’t do it. You don’t need to be
thinking about anything 'cept keeping my puppy warm.” Castiel kissed Dean
again, savouring every second of their mouths being pressed together. Dean’s
heart was pounding when he finally pulled away. That sounded serious. “You know
how I’ve been doing a lot of hours at work lately?”
“Yeah.” Cas had been coming home late the last couple of weeks but Dean just
presumed he was putting in a bit of overtime.
“It’s not a coincidence. We need all the officers we can get right now. They’ve
taken a few in for testing, Dean.” Castiel admitted, reluctant to give his
husband anything else to panic about. “If they show any signs of the virus,
enforcement keep them under quarantine. It’s only a matter of time before they
work their way up to me.”
“But you’re in charge of reintegration.” Dean protested. “And you’re not sick.”
“Doesn’t seem to matter. This goes much higher.”
“Why?” Dean suddenly didn’t feel all that sleepy anymore. “I thought it was
only omegas being taken.”
“The world’s gone crazy. Being an alpha doesn’t mean a damn thing now. We’re
just as much at risk. Not in the same way maybe, but still.” Castiel didn’t
want to say anymore. He could see the colour slowly draining from Dean’s face.
“But, Harley - ”
“Hmm.” Castiel sighed. “I think they’re being taken for a different reason.” He
long suspected some of the young boys were being molested while they were in
custody but he couldn’t prove it. Hoping someone Scout cared about so much
wouldn’t be one of them. The official line was the supervised mating program
that seemed to have risen back up from the depths of an evil legacy. The truth
was actually much worse.
“You should have told me, Cas.” Dean murmured quietly. Castiel could have sworn
he looked disappointed. “We said no more secrets.”
“I know, darling. I’m sorry. I was only trying to protect you. It’s stupid, but
I didn’t want you to feel like you were a target.” Castiel hesitated. “You
know, 'cause of what you are.” Dean tried not to let the hurt show on his face.
He knew Cas didn’t mean anything by it, but the memory of being hunted still
stung sometimes. “They’re trying to stop them from breeding.” Castiel even
managed a dry smile when he nodded at Dean’s belly. “Probably a little late for
us.” They shared a soft laugh.
“You think?”
Castiel’s happiness soon faded.
“I might have to go in when I get back, if they don’t come for me first. That’s
all I was trying to do, Dean. Hold off from telling you until the order came
in. I don’t know why I ever thought that was a good plan.”
Dean felt like he was dying inside but he wasn’t going to let Cas feel guilty.
None of it was his fault.
“Best give you something to make sure you remember how awesome I am then. Just
in case.”
Castiel’s eyes flicked up, not expecting Dean to be up for sex while he was so
emotionally vulnerable. Maybe there was something to that romantic flattery
thing after all. He would definitely use that one again if it pushed Dean’s
submissive button.
“Oh?” Castiel asked slowly, mouth hitching up at one side. “Thought I was in
trouble.”
“Hmm.” Dean hummed against his lips. “You are.” Tracing a finger all the way
down Castiel’s stomach. “So, you’re gonna have to try extra hard for some
forgiveness.”
“I’ll do my best.” Castiel grinned, drawing in a breathless gasp when Dean’s
hand slipped inside his shorts.
“Hurry up, then.” Dean flipped on to his side, staring seductively over one
shoulder. He was going to make damn sure Cas knew exactly what he was missing.
“Don’t make me have to start without you.”
Castiel settled behind his mate, grabbing for Dean’s butt with a possessive
growl. Hot breath warming the skin of his neck. No chance of getting any sleep
now Dean’s slick-coated ass was nestled against his dick. Castiel dragged him
closer, clambering on top of his mate to play with his pussy when Dean turned
on to his back.
“Give it to me slowly, Cas.” Dean whispered the words into an open mouth, wet
with anticipation. “Slow and hard.” Castiel didn’t have to be asked twice.
Tilting up Dean’s hips and doing his best to settle between his thighs despite
the growing bump between them. Hooking both legs over his shoulders to secure
the path of least resistance. Dean felt tears fill his eyes again when their
bodies melted together, not knowing when they would see each other again.
Castiel shoved inside his mate with so much passion Dean could hardly catch a
breath. Fucking face to face like they couldn’t get close enough. Dean covered
Castiel’s back in scratches. A little reminder of what was waiting at home for
him. Castiel slammed their hips together when he felt his knot pop, smiling
against Dean’s lips while he emptied inside him. His skin was still throbbing
but damn, that felt good.
                                 ………. «» ……….
The rush of adrenaline wore off long before the morning. Dean was sore as hell,
sombre mood definitely not improved by a phone call from Jess before he got
chance to fill up on caffeine. Sam had taken a turn for the worse overnight,
leaving Dean reeling with helplessness.
Castiel was almost ready to leave, giving Dean his best sympathetic smile while
he pulled on his jacket. Picking up on bad news just from the look of despair
staring back.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, baby. I have no clue where to start. It’s
so hard to keep track of anybody without Sam.” He had no idea what else to say.
Sam was now on a respirator, sepsis slowly taking over from the inside out.
Dean never even picked up a medical dictionary but he knew that wasn’t good.
They both thought all the pain was behind them. Castiel knew he felt just like
he did when they were young, always dodging the enforcement bullet thanks to
his brother. Dean didn’t seem all that surprised split-tail bashing was back on
the agenda, but was never one to be able to keep his mouth shut for very long.
“Hate to say I told you so.” Dean let out a dramatic sigh.
“Then, don’t.” Castiel was scared of leaving Dean to fend for himself after
Sam’s warning. All the stress just made him sound bitchy. It was one hit too
many and Dean suddenly burst into tears. Clinging to Cas when he moved in for a
hug. He hated making Dean cry and now he wasn’t sure if he could muster up
enough resolve to go at all when his mate needed him so bad. “Dean, I’m sorry.
I just don’t know what to do for the best.” Castiel sprinkled Dean’s damp cheek
with loving kisses like that would somehow make everything alright. “But
Harley’s running out of time, and I made a promise to Scout. I want to try and
get him out before they come to take me in.”
“You might not have time. Why are they doing this, Cas? What the hell are they
playing at?”
“Dean, stop.” Castiel grabbed him by the shoulders to hold Dean steady when he
started hyperventilating. It was so unlike him, Castiel wasn’t quite sure how
to handle it. “They just want to do some blood tests, is all. Make sure I’m
clean.” He added gently. “Calm down.”
“How can I when they’re rounding up alphas?”
“You were okay with it last night.” Castiel guessed the news about Sam had
tipped Dean over the edge.
“I wasn’t okay but I’ve been trying so hard to keep it in. I'm sorry, Cas. If
you are immune they’ll wanna do all sorts of crazy shit to you - I just can’t.”
“Hey, come on. You don’t want the pups to see you like this. You have to be
strong for them, okay?”
Dean nodded with a sniff, wiping his face when he heard the patter of many feet
padding downstairs to say goodbye to Daddy. It took Castiel ages to make it to
the door without children hanging off him, deliberately stopping to blow Dean a
kiss from the end of the path before turning away so he couldn’t see his tears.
Castiel longed to stay at home, but he had to make a start before Dean chained
them together or Scout chased after him. Castiel knew a lot more about the new
quarantine laws than he made out. He never told Dean, but the apocalypse virus
was now spreading across every state line without mercy. They all knew Bobby
was up to something, sharing some secrets of his own before Sam collapsed.
Castiel didn’t have the same contacts but he had enough hope the underground
resistance would come through. Protecting unmated omegas until Sam was back in
the game. If he ever recovered. Castiel pushed that contemptible thought away.
Leaving Haven and his heart behind him.
                                 ………. «» ……….
“Assholes and elbows, omegas. Get in line.” One of the officers belted out a
haunting echo of a time long ago Harley didn’t understand. Some things never
change. Sioux City decided to transfer the latest ones before anyone realized
they were missing.
Harley blinked when the cell door slid open, bright sunlight pouring in and
hurting his eyes. A uniform blurred into view.
“Sorry - but I have to move you, kid. That pretty face is gonna get you in a
lot of trouble if you stay here.” The man doubted Harley even knew how much
danger he was in, obvious signs of an unexpected heat backing officials into a
corner. They had to get rid of that boy before his luck ran out. The fact he
had mating hormones practically dripping off him wasn’t lost on anyone. Even
some of the other omegas could smell he was ready for an alpha to breed him.
Harley didn’t want to stay there. Anything would be better than just waiting to
be violated, but he was scared Scout would never know where to find him if he
got shipped out and he couldn’t stand it. It didn’t look like he was going to
have enough freedom to make that choice for himself unless he made a run for
it.
Harley tried to break away from the back of the line, but he wasn’t quick
enough. One of the back-up crew grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, dangling
him like a little snack with his toes just touching the ground. Not much more
than a mouthful to the officer up front. Harley was trying to forget about how
much he missed Scout. His mate wasn’t a match for any of them, but he was cute
and he treated Harley right and that meant more than anything.
Castiel didn’t waste any time in heading out to Sioux City. Scout seemed pretty
sure that was the last place he saw Harley, so it made sense to start there.
Maybe not so keen to rush to the rescue if he knew enforcement were just
waiting for him to step out of line. Novak was getting dangerous. Castiel never
made a secret of the fact his true sympathies were with the omegas. He worked
alongside Sam Winchester for years, and that beautiful proposal to Dean was
once broadcast on every station. Wiping out the virus wasn’t even a priority
right now. Castiel was too focused on keeping his promise to Scout. Determined
to get Harley out with no idea he was walking straight into a trap to have him
locked in quarantine.
                                 ………. «» ……….
***** Deliverance *****
17. Deliverance
Sam was all Dean could think about once Castiel’s perfect silhouette dipped out
of view. He was desperate to see his brother again, but wasn’t sure his mom
would be up for watching the pups for long, if at all. Things between them had
been tense after their visit to the hospital, when all Dean came away with was
more questions and a bruised ego. Maybe he should have said something about Sam
being back in Haven, sick as he was. But as per fucking usual, whenever Dean
tried to protect someone it ended up blowing into a shit storm of epic
proportions. Castiel, his mother even on some level. Always defending her in
his head when he tried to justify how she could have left him - and now Scout.
Castiel once told Dean how helpless he felt when his mate got ripped away,
guessing that hurt must ache just as deeply inside his son. Silently nursing
the guilt of knowing he couldn’t keep his omega safe.
Swallowing down a remnant of battered pride, Dean shouted up to Willow to tell
her he was going over the road for a minute. He heard a vague reply before
pulling the door open, fresh Kansas air flooding his senses. His head was
suddenly swimming, eyes drifting in and out of focus while he scrambled for the
frame. Knuckles white when he dug the tips of his fingers in just to hold
himself up and clutching ever tighter when an unfamiliar pain shot down through
his stomach and spread out across one hip like it was trying to split him in
half.
Dean had been knocked-up enough times to know it was a warning. He was stressed
out his mind, hardly eating from worry and generally overdoing it in every
stupid way possible. Shamefully remembering the rather vigorous session he
offered up last night when he wanted to make sure Cas wouldn’t soon forget what
slick heat felt like wrapped around his dick. Poppy was only two, so he could
still recall the odd twinge but this wasn’t right. It felt different somehow.
The latest bump wasn’t exactly planned, but Dean would hold on long as he
could. Castiel would never forgive himself if any harm came to it. Always
blaming himself for everything like the state of the country was somehow his
fault, how he failed to protect them. That was an alpha’s job. His only job,
far as Cas was concerned and he took that role serious as a heart attack. Many
years together meant Dean knew exactly how that man’s mind worked. When his
head cleared, softer thoughts came drifting back. How much Castiel loved being
a father. Still cried like a pansy every time a new one popped into the world.
Dean straightened up with a bit of effort. Inhaling again and waiting for the
colour to come back to his face before attempting a tentative waddle across the
road.
He hadn’t got two yards before he heard someone frantically calling his name,
slowly turning his head to see a man hurtling towards him with one hand in the
air like Dean was supposed to wave back. Completely at a loss, and wondering if
there might be someone else behind him. He couldn’t care enough to check, and
the man stopped just in front of him before saying his name again. More like a
question this time. Dean squinted at him in the sunlight. The man looked
strangely familiar, but he couldn’t quite place it. More concerned someone
might have come to collect Castiel before he even had chance to get out the
state.
“Sorry? Do I know you?” Dean attempted cautiously, trying to slide past him on
his way over to find an accommodating parent.
“No. Well we haven’t officially met, but I know you.” He replied, sticking out
one hand in front of him for Dean to take. “You’re Castiel’s omega.” It was so
blunt, Dean couldn’t drag up the ability to be even mildly offended. “Jackson.”
Dean took the outstretched hand. “Jackson Carter?” He added, like that was
supposed to help. Dean gaped blankly at him while he waited for some kind of
verbal response. “I used to work with Novak in New York.” Dean’s heart jumped
unto his mouth with the horrifying realization time was up. Some faceless
terror must have sent an enforcement agent to take Cas in for testing. Dean
cringed at the irony of it. Wasting most of his misspent youth being afraid of
anyone who apparently had no hesitation when it came to dishing out the same
crap to their own. “I don’t suppose you remember, but I was there at your
brother’s press conference in Washington.” It all came fluttering back like a
happy little memory butterfly. Stashed away in a safe cocoon for so long it was
almost forgotten. Dean smiled to himself with the recollection of that perfect
day an alpha officer risked everything for the love of one man who had tags of
shame dangling from his neck. Dean got so caught up in being whisked off his
feet in front of a national audience, the thought never crossed his mind anyone
would recognize him after so many years. He looked Carter up and down. No
uniform, though. What then? There was still nothing on Dean’s face that looked
remotely like an expression. “Harley’s dad?” Dean made a strangled noise in his
throat when it finally clicked. He never knew the boy’s last name. That was
terrible. He should have asked Scout about him, shown more of an interest. Dean
was suddenly very aware he didn’t actually know much of anything, really.
Dean looked for something to lean against, but his hands just clamped around
empty air. The shock was enough on its own without the constant ache in his
side. He felt hot and dizzy again, struggling to process the unlikely odds of
someone Cas knew being related to Harley, and why the hell he neglected to
mention it. Jackson must have seen him wobble, reaching out to grab Dean by the
elbow just to keep him steady.
“You okay?”
“Fine.” Dean replied quietly. Clearly. Dean managed to regain his balance after
a few seconds, pouncing on the opportunity to find out more about Harley. Maybe
Jackson picked up on something before he settled in Haven. Might have some news
to take back to Scout, at any rate. Jackson told him how he got sick before
they moved states. He wanted to hide away, not sure what was wrong with him and
then he already had a mate of his own when the trouble started up again. Dean
felt an unexpected knot form behind his ribs. He just touched him. Probably too
obvious to wipe the offending hand down his jeans, just in case. He stuck it in
a back pocket instead. So, no one seemed to know how normals were becoming
vulnerable to the virus if they carried at least one omega gene. Dean knew that
bothered Sam, the not knowing. Wishing he could find an answer for him before
time ran out, for all of them. Everything was painfully empty inside soon as
Castiel left. He never really felt the need to be so close to him before.
Mainly because he was always right there. Dean couldn’t remember the last time
they hadn’t spent a night in a bruising embrace, willingly drowning in the low
rumble that always vibrated against the back of his neck while his alpha held
him close in the dark. Hazy memories of a lost lonely boy slowly pining away
into nothingness without his mate, once welcoming the void with open arms. Just
to be numb.
Dean shook himself out of it when the sound of Carter ‘s voice filtered back in
again. Harley’s mother was an omega, so Dean supposed that meant Jackson was
normal – ish, if Sam and Jessica’s dynamics were anything to go by. It was all
very confusing, and the glaring daylight was starting to make his eyes water.
“I don’t really understand it all yet, but I’m learning. I guessed Harley was
going to be a… you know, like you - no offense.” Jackson added quickly, seeing
the subtle pinch between Dean’s brows. Dean didn’t reply. He was fighting a
wave of nausea, and there was little point in making a drama out of something
he accepted a long time ago. Poor bastard was probably just as scared for his
own kid as he was for Scout. “I was hoping to catch Castiel. I held off from
bringing anyone else into it for obvious reasons, but now I think maybe it’s
time to call it in. See if the police can find them before they run out of
luck.”
Shit. Dean felt a surge of blood rush through his ears. Jackson didn’t know
what happened. Castiel was so consumed with relief and keeping his promise, he
hadn’t told anyone else about Harley being taken. Dean had no idea how he was
going to finish that conversation and tell Mr. Carter his little lost omega was
already in the hands of the law.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Dean couldn’t sleep that night, and it wasn’t just from the guilt of seeing the
despair on Jackson’s face when Dean told him about Castiel’s mission to rescue
Harley. Looking like he wanted to kiss Dean with a baseball bat. The gnawing
pain in his side was relentless, conquered only by the ache in his heart at not
having Castiel’s arms wrapped around him for the first time in so long he
couldn’t remember anything that came before. Willow decided she was gonna take
Daddy’s place while he was gone and settled Poppy and the boys before crawling
in next to her papa so he wouldn’t feel so alone. Scout spent most of the
evening sitting down by the pond like his whole little world had come to an end
before heading home. Staring mindlessly out the window and willing Castiel to
appear with Harley by his side until he couldn’t keep his eyes open anymore and
sobbed himself to sleep. Dean knew the stress was finally getting to him, only
made a hundred times worse by being away from Castiel. He kept drifting in and
out of consciousness. Assaulted by strange sensations, and a heady fog that
seemed to come and go with the pain. Dean had never been away from Castiel
since he claimed him. The damage done in those years of torment when destiny
decided to keep them apart was in danger of slinking free.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Jessica’s mother spent many months in one of the special facilities before they
were abandoned. Castiel guessed they were all much the same. Built on the same
shaky foundation of intolerance. He screwed up his nose with distaste when he
stopped outside the one in Sioux City. A clinical embodiment of the breeding
program turned train wreck. The whole building smacked of dilapidated Gothic
mansion with a token lick of paint. Sort of like Waverly Hills, but creepier.
Castiel took in a fractured breath when he marched through the corridors with a
badge he hadn’t worn with pride since he took Dean as his mate. The duty
officer watched him with a sort of passive indifference. Must be nice, he
thought. To be so cocksure of yourself while everything you fought for falls
down around you in shattered pieces like shards of broken glass. Castiel kept
the commanding look in his eye when he approached. He wasn’t confident. Wasn’t
even sure he would be able to find the boy, let alone come up with some
plausible bullshit that would just let him take Harley away without a shred of
paperwork.
“Novak.” The officer nodded at him. So, his reputation did precede him, then.
Dean would love that, Castiel thought absently. A little smile touching his
lips when his back started itching under the healing claw marks his omega
seemed determined to brand him with before he left.
Castiel demanded to examine the cells and do an inspection of any they picked
up recently, hoping Harley would be among them. It was no real secret the way
some of the boys were being treated, but how they managed to keep unwanted
pregnancies under control was anyone’s guess. Six pups and counting showed him
just how receptive male omegas like Dean were to alpha spunk. The program was
actually supposed to prevent them breeding to try and wipe out the gene, keep
their traits dormant in the population. A pitifully optimistic attempt to stop
the virus, but they had it all wrong. Castiel shook the fear from his heart
when he thought about it. Never knowing who would be next to drop. Sam was
fighting for his life and Dean was pregnant. The responsibility felt like a
crushing weight on his shoulders. They slumped forward in response.
Castiel already made his decision about what he needed to do if things went
sideways. He would agree to stay if they let Harley go. To have one of their
own with a miracle cure pulsing through his veins was the best bargaining chip
he had. It was risky and probably insane, but Scout’s happiness was more
important. Castiel would never make a promise to one of his pups if he intended
to break it. He had no idea what they might do to him when he handed himself
over like a compliant little lab rat. There was only one thing he knew for
sure. Dean was going to kill him.
                                 ………. «» ……….
***** Enemies And Allies *****
18. Enemies And Allies
Castiel didn’t feel quite so brave when he saw the chief eye him up and down
with a dark glint behind his smile.
“Thought you might make an appearance sooner or later.” He said flatly. “But
you can’t have that boy.”
“What boy?” Castiel did his best to frown in surprise.
“Oh, don’t bother. We know he was with your son. Why do you think enforcement
wanted him so bad? Cops have been tailing them for a few days now.”
Castiel felt like he couldn’t breathe. He was such an idiot. 'Course he should
have expected something like that from the top. Fucking snakes. All of them. It
took everything he had just to stay upright. He couldn’t trust anyone. Not
anymore. “Think Super’s gonna offer you a deal. Told me you got something we
want.”
“Really?” Castiel spat, bile tainting his tongue. “And what is that?”
“Think someone must have noticed how you never got sick. Even though you spend
every night rubbing up against your little bitch.” Castiel suddenly lunged
forward, grabbing that arrogant dick by his throat and slamming him back
against the desk. All the air rushed out of his lungs at the impact.
“Don’t you ever – ever talk about him like that.” The man dropped limp in
Castiel’s hand, scuttling away soon as he felt that iron grip slowly release
him. “He’s worth a hundred of you. You, and every other back-stabbing bastard
who wears a badge. I want to see the one who took him in, and I want to see him
now.” Castiel was red in the face, blowing sharp gasps of frustration from his
mouth. Now Dean would definitely go ballistic. How could he have been so blind?
Everyone seemed to know more about enforcement orders than him, and he was
supposed to be the boss. They must have taken Harley in when they recognized
Scout. Castiel finally allowed himself to take a deep breath. He had failed
everyone he loved. One after the other.
The warden insisted he left his badge and ID before they would let him out to
get his stuff. He sauntered down to the car, trying to decide how he could get
away with stalling long enough to get into the system and do a bit of
surveillance of his own. He knew all the codes, but now he was exactly where
they wanted him and Castiel didn’t expect he would be left alone for more than
a few minutes. They had him by the balls. Knowing they would come after him and
Dean, and probably the pups as well if he wasn’t back in the building in the
next thirty seconds. Officers at the precinct had orders to persuade Novak to
give up an armful, but if they had to take it by force, then that was okay too.
Castiel wondered just how much they knew about him inside the facility. Police
and enforcement were one thing, but he never anticipated that. Castiel was lost
in thought when he caught something move past him out the corner of one eye.
When he turned around, Cas guessed he must be seeing things. Until the
hallucination spoke to him.
“Hello, Castiel.”
“Jackson?” Castiel gaped in amazement. He couldn’t deny he was pleased to see
him. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Looking for my son. Why wouldn’t I be here? Dean told me everything. Figured
you might need a bit of back-up.” Jackson knew how to get around enforcement
shit. He did it for years. “Not even you can take them all out on your own.
You’re good, Novak.” His friend patted him on the back while Castiel’s heart
filled with fresh hope. “But you’re not that good.” Castiel nodded, so relieved
he had an ally in a former officer with as much riding on it as him. Nothing
quite says motivation like saving your son from being bent over by a big alpha
with too much testosterone.
“But how did you know I would be here? Scout went home before they moved
Harley, I think. He doesn’t know any more than we do, or where they would take
him. Scout thought he was still locked up in the station at Sioux City.”
“He’s an omega.” Carter said sadly. “I knew they would hide him away somewhere.
Is he inside?”
Castiel suddenly had an idea, and pushed Jackson out of sight behind the car.
“They wouldn’t tell me, but I think he must be. Listen, they already got the
drop on me, but maybe we can use that to our advantage. If I can drag their
attention away, get into the database and find out where they took your son.”
“They’re not just going to let me walk in, Cas.”
“I know, but they want my blood - and they can have it, but you can make damn
sure I’m not going to make it easy for them.” Castiel flashed Jackson a wicked
smile.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Willow was already up and dressed when Dean stumbled downstairs. She only
needed one look to see he had been crying again. She felt so useless.
“Morning, Papa. You okay?” Obviously, he was far from it - but she needed Dean
to know how much she cared about him. “Want some breakfast?” Dean shook his
head, not a single word managing to slip past the lump in his throat. He
dropped his cell on the counter after sending a quick text to Cas. “What’s the
matter?”
As if being away from his mate wasn’t bad enough, Jess had called soon as it
was daylight. They had to get to hospital. The poison in Sam’s blood was
spreading, just a matter of time before it reached his heart, the doctor said.
Then it was game over. The only reason he survived so long already was because
his pulse was so weak. Struggling to push the toxin through his system. Dean
had to see his brother before fate took that last chance away from him.
“It’s Uncle Sam, baby. He’s not doing so well.” Willow stared at him, a sudden
pang of alarm punching her in the chest. Maya had gone back with her mom the
night before, but Willow knew she must be in bits. Trying to imagine how she
would feel if it was her daddy laid out on fresh sheets, just waiting for death
to take him.
“Is he going to die?” Dean couldn’t look at her. There was nothing he could
say. Willow offered to go with him, but Dean didn’t think she should see him
like that. Longed for her to hold on to a happy memory, just in case he didn’t
make it. Wanting his daughter to remember how Sam looked before he got sick.
Dean was almost too quiet. Thinking about his own mortality and the pain he
battled all night. Willow had felt him stir restlessly next to her while she
pretended to be asleep. “It’s okay. You go see Uncle Sam. I can take the boys.”
“Hey.” Dean mumbled, stroking her cheek with the back of one finger. She really
was beautiful. “You don’t have to do that. It’s not your responsibility to look
after anyone. 'Specially me.” Dean tried to smile, but it wasn’t very
convincing. His heart felt like a fragile mess of broken pieces, but there was
no way he was going to push all that misery on an innocent child. He dropped
them off at Bobby’s with a bottle of whisky to keep him sweet. Willow now
insisted on keeping him company, and Dean didn’t argue. He never wanted to feel
alone again. A nurse met them at the end of the corridor like she was expecting
them.
“You here for Sam Winchester?” Dean nodded. “He hasn’t got long.” She said
gently, touching Dean’s arm in sympathy like that would somehow make it easier
to swallow. “A few days at most. I’ll take you through.” Jess was at his
bedside, head in her hands. Maya was holding his hand but there was no
response. Sam was so still and pale, he looked like he was already dead.
Dean froze. He had no idea what to say, what to do. He could feel his legs
start to give way, clutching for the wall to try and hold himself up.
“Papa? You alright?” Dean could hear the panic in his daughter’s voice when he
saw the ground rushing up to meet him. Just catching the sound of Willow
shouting for help before the world fell into darkness.
He couldn’t remember anything else until he woke up on his back, staring at a
strip of artificial lights.
“You okay, Dean?”
“Mom?” Dean whispered. Maybe he was still unconscious and dreaming. “What
happened?” Mary looked practically grey with worry. A hazy image of Willow
leaning over him slowly came into view, green eyes wide and terrified. Dean
reached for her hand and gave it a little squeeze. “Hey, princess.”
She hugged him tight, no intention of letting go until Mary had to pry Dean
from her arms.
“Sure you’re alright?”
“I’m fine. I haven’t been looking after myself properly, but I will. Promise.”
Willow hid budding tears and buried her nose into his neck again. “Least if
they keep me in you can visit us both at the same time.” Dean suggested. His
mother didn’t look very impressed.
“Can you stand?” He heard his dad’s voice drift over one shoulder.
“I can try.”
                                 ………. «» ……….
Castiel was on his way back in when he caught the ass end of a very disturbing
conversation.
“What omega does he want? That blonde kid?”
“Yeah.”
“That the one Novak’s spawn was banging?”
“Yep. Moved him to level four. Little shit keeps trying to run away.”
“You can’t blame him. I can imagine what some of them would like to do to that
boy.”
“Don’t think they’ll get close enough. Super wants him in solitary so he isn’t
tempted to make another break for it.”
Castiel felt sick. Hope was a rare thing lately, but he had to save Harley -
whatever the cost. If he couldn’t keep his word, it meant nothing. Scout would
never forgive him if they never saw each other again.
“Novak. 'Bout time. Hurry up, we got the lab all set up.”
Castiel saw his chance, and took off down one of the many corridors. Half the
guard were at his heels, but he led them a merry dance before they finally
caught up with him. Holding him fast with an officer on each side. He was
pinned tight by a hand digging under each arm, and not very gently at that.
“You done?”
“I think so.” Castiel gave up, and let them lead him away to medical. “You
swear to let that boy go if I do this? He’s got nothing to do with it.”
“You got fuck all to bargain with.” The chief gasped, desperate to get his
breath back when he pushed Castiel down into a seat. “Just 'cause Winchester
gave you a bit of power. Doesn’t mean jack shit now, Novak. We got the right to
hold you. Roll up your sleeve.”
Castiel sighed. The sooner it was over, the better. He knew Dean was waiting
for him.
“Then I can go?”
The man laughed in his face. A cold, cruel thing that made Castiel want to
punch him.
“You ain’t going nowhere 'til we drain you dry. Orders.” He added, with a
smirk. “Now do what I said and roll up your damn sleeve, already.”
Castiel had no choice but to stall for time, and he already had a plan to lift
some of that blood for his own reasons. He sat back and closed his eyes while
someone jabbed a needle in his arm. It seemed to last forever, only opening
them again when he felt something press against the hole. He waited until the
men were busy before staggering to his feet, quickly slipping one of the phials
into a back pocket. His arm was sore and he was still bleeding like a stuck
pig, but he had enough about him to try and play for time while Jackson rifled
through the files.
They were soon discussing what they were supposed to do with him now. He was
weak from losing so much blood, but Castiel held his head high while one of the
guards shoved him in the back to keep him moving.
Castiel reckoned Jackson probably had enough time to get the information they
needed. Suspecting he guessed right when an alarm echoed through the stark
corridors. There was a rush of noise, and Castiel assumed Carter had managed to
find the boy and get him out. God knows how many more were still locked up in
there, but there was nothing he could do about that yet. No doubt he was in for
another round of prick the enforcement officer soon as his body managed to get
his cell count back up. He could wait a little longer. Just long enough to make
sure Jackson and Harley got clear before he started working on a little escape
plan of his own.
                                 ………. «» ……….
***** Salvation *****
19. Salvation
Castiel decided to play along with their mind games for now. He was hopelessly
outnumbered, and not stupid enough to arouse any more suspicion when they were
watching every damn move he made. Now he was slap bang in the middle of so many
treacherous officers, he lost count.
“If you intend to stick me full of holes, at least give me somewhere
comfortable to sleep it off.”
The man in charge nodded to a guard to show Novak to his quarters. They had
orders from the top to keep him until they got what they needed, but they had
to be careful. Castiel had a lot of power in his own right and if it all went
south, no one wanted to be on the revenge end of an extremely pissed off alpha.
Castiel resigned himself to spending the night there. He had no idea Dean had
even collapsed, but he was released under the condition he wasn’t alone. Mary
took him home and left John sitting vigil at Sam’s bedside. Time was running
out. For everyone.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Castiel forced a sarcastic smile when the door closed behind him again. Reeling
from another round of being jabbed in places no one should ever be jabbed in.
Making sure he was definitely alone before pulling the little bottle of blood
from his pocket. He twirled it around in deft fingers, wondering aimlessly if
Jackson was smart enough to get away. Echo of sirens still ringing in his ears.
Castiel had no way of contacting him. No way of knowing if he got Harley out
safe. The officer already took his work cell, but years being hitched to a
sensitive omega meant he always carried a secret spare. Whenever Dean was in
heat, he was more demanding of attention than a teenage girl. Honestly, Cas was
worried sick about him and not just because he was pregnant again. Looking
after so many pups when he could hardly walk a mile without having to take a
power nap was a big ask. Willow was Heaven sent, but she was only a kid.
Castiel reached inside his jacket to fish out the phone he only used for Dean,
scrolling through some of the more exclusive picture messages with a soppy
grin. He saw the text Dean sent the day before. Castiel guessed he was trying
hard to be brave but even with reading between the lines and far too many
smiley emoticons to really mean it, he knew Dean was in trouble.
Castiel was jerked back to a rather depressing reality when he heard someone
calling his name from outside the window, accompanied by a hail of small stones
just to secure his attention. How that marvel of a man had any idea what room
he was locked-up in was a mystery, but opportunity wasn’t going to knock twice
so Cas pulled himself up on the bed and stared down at Carter waving like a
maniac with a little blonde pup hanging off his arm. They were out. Castiel
could have kissed him. He pushed the tiny window open. It gave him an idea, and
a little spark of hope.
“Jackson?” Castiel mouthed, not wanting to make too much noise in case he set
the alarms off again. “I thought you were long gone. How did you find me?”
“Lucky guess.”
“I’m sure.”
Castiel grinned down at him. Let him keep his secrets for now. Maybe a few
years in covert intelligence were finally paying off. Least enforcement had
taught him something useful. It was a long shot, but Cas hoped Jackson could
catch and threw the tiny bottle out the window with strict instructions to high
tail it home and give it to Dean at the hospital in Hutchinson. He was going to
text him to get back there asap and meet up with Carter. No matter what anyone
said, or did Dean had to do everything he asked. Cas felt guilty he had kept so
much back from him. Always second guessing how much he really needed to know -
scared the stress would be too much for him while he was carrying. But because
of Dean, Jackson was here. Cas didn’t think he could love that man any more.
Carter knew from the pleading look in Castiel’s eyes what he had to do,
saluting him once for old times’ sake before reluctantly leaving his friend to
a dark fate with a very dishevelled Harley clinging on to him for dear life.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Dean couldn’t seem to rest no matter what ridiculous position he contorted his
swollen body into. Those cruel words echoing like a warning in his head. Sam
only had a few days before he would stop fighting. Stop holding on. Dean hated
it. Hated being a fucking useless lump. He couldn’t save him. Another sudden
twinge in his back forced him to sit up, lurching over a luckily placed bowl
while he emptied his stomach. Willow heard him retching and shot upstairs like
a pistol. Mary already insisted on staying over to look after the boys. Poppy
was Willow’s department.
“Papa, you okay? Do you need Grandma?”
It was so sweet, it was all Dean could do not to burst into tears.
“No, baby. I just got sick again. I’ll be fine in a minute.” That was total
bullshit, but Dean didn’t want to worry her any more than she already was. Dean
checked his cell with a frown when he saw the little light flashing. Jumping up
and rushing to get dressed when he read the last text from Cas. “Go check on
your brother for me, will ya? There’s somethin' I gotta do.” Dean made a
valiant attempt at a smile, but it wasn’t very convincing. Willow humoured him
anyway.
“Sure, Papa.”
Scout wasn’t doing so great. Willow still thought he was a total jerk, but she
could see he was hurting. She couldn’t imagine how much Dean must be feeling it
since he was mated to Daddy and now he was all alone. Willow didn’t have to be
an expert in omega lore to figure that one out. Being apart must wrench at his
heart like it was being tugged right out his chest.
Willow forced herself to keep her opinions of Scout’s latest bout of
destructive crap to herself for now, and perched on the bed next to him.
“You wanna talk about it?” Scout shook his head, never taking his gaze from the
window and the jagged line of trees stretching down towards the pond. It only
made his heart ache more. “You know Daddy will save him.” Her voice was so full
of conviction, Scout finally blinked up at her.
“I know.” It wasn’t just the pain of missing Harley. Sam’s life was in doubt,
Dean was in danger of going into early labour after the scare he got, and most
of it was his fault. Scout knew he had a lot of making up to do.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Sam was no better in the morning. John never left his side all night, hardly
even glancing up every time someone came in to prod at him just to see if he
was still breathing. No one spoke, and what the fuck could they say anyway. He
was a horrible colour, air rattling in his chest while his heart pumped more
poison into his body. Jess hadn’t slept for days. She wanted Maya to go home
and take some comfort from Willow, but the girl point-blank refused. Insisting
she wanted to be there at the end. The guilt still haunted her, never realizing
how important her dad was to her until she might lose him.
It took Carter a good few hours to get back to Haven with Harley in tow.
Pitching up a storm about wanting to see Scout, but Jackson made a promise to
Castiel and he wasn’t about to break it. He hadn’t really understood why
Castiel was so insistent, until he looked down at Sam. He had never seen anyone
so close to death. John gaped at him.
“Who the hell are you?”
“My name is Jackson, Jackson Carter. I need you to get this into him real
quick.” He thrust the blood sample out, but John just stared blankly at him.
“What?”
The poor guy looked so desperate, John took the bottle from his shaking hand.
“Castiel thinks this might help Dean’s brother. Sam, isn’t it?” John nodded,
head tipped to one side in confusion.
“Why didn’t Cas bring it?”
“Long story. I don’t have time to explain, but you have to trust me. He doesn’t
think we could convince anyone here to try it, so I lifted a syringe.” John was
still eyeing him up and down. It was risky and probably useless, but they were
running out of options.
Dean literally bumped into Jess in the corridor when she took five minutes to
replenish her caffeine levels. She looked awful, but Dean wasn’t faring much
better. Flushed and sweating, and so out of breath he was doubled over with one
hand protectively cradling the pup.
“Dean? What happened?” Jess gasped. “I thought you were supposed to be on bed
rest.”
“I’ll rest when I’m dead.” Dean swept past her, almost collapsing with relief
when he saw Carter. “Thank God. Is he okay?” Dean grabbed at Jackson’s arm.
“Cas? Is he okay?”
“He’s alright, I think. They won’t let him go, Dean. He wanted me to meet you
here.”
“I know, he sent me this weird ass text. Have you got it?”
Carter gestured to John. His mouth was hanging open. Jess was stunned into
fearful silence.
“Dean, what the hell is going on?” Dean didn’t answer, frantically grabbing for
the needle and pulling the cap off with his teeth. John held him back. “What
are you doing?”
“If Cas thinks this might work, we have to try. I would trust him with my
life.”
“The doctors are doing everything they can.” John persisted. “You can’t just go
round pumping blood into people.”
“Dad, stop it.” Dean pushed John’s hand away. “I’m gonna do it. He’s dead,
anyway.” John looked into his son’s eyes, torn between basic logic and the need
to pull Sam back from the edge of darkness. He seemed to be suspended in time,
before suddenly snapping back to his senses. He nodded and wedged the back of a
chair under the door so no one could get in and stop them. Dean drew up some of
Castiel’s blood into the syringe, surprised most of it didn’t end up on the
damn floor the way his hand was trembling. He didn’t want to waste a single
precious drop. “Dad? Help me.” Dean begged. “Please.”
John held one of Sam’s arms steady while Carter told Jess everything. It was
all too much to take in, but Dean was struggling to find a decent vein so she
didn’t pester him for details. He slapped at the skin a couple of times, nausea
turning his stomach at how pale and unresponsive Sam was.
Dean spread out searching fingers, eventually finding a spot where he could
ease it in. Even though Sam was still comatose, it was like Dean couldn’t bear
to hurt him. He watched that red elixir flow into his brother’s arm while the
room fell silent. Everyone knew it was their last hope to save him. Dean wished
Cas was there. Wanted him to see if he was right all along. See if the man he
loved really was salvation. Dean didn’t know what he expected, but nothing
happened. Jess was standing next to him with her head resting on Dean’s
shoulder, tears falling down her face.
“Now what?” John was staring at Sam like he expected him to jump up and hug
him. Dean had to sit down, his breath little more than a whisper. The pup was
wriggling like mad and sending pain shooting down his back.
“We wait.”
                                 ………. «» ……….
***** A Perfect Haven *****
John was pacing restlessly by the bedside while they waited. He never said much
of anything, even after a few beers, but now his emotions were completely
wrecked. Sam being so sick was a constant worry picking at any shred of
optimism he had left, and he was terrified their last-ditch attempt at dragging
him back from the brink of death was a terrible mistake. Dean seemed so
insistent Carter had just delivered a miracle cure, but that was a couple of
hours ago now and Sam hadn’t even twitched so much as a finger. Dean was
deathly white. The waiting was the worst thing. Every minute felt like a
lifetime. He kept a lot locked away inside since Castiel left. He was in almost
constant pain while his battered body struggled to accommodate the growing pup.
Both of them hanging on by stubborn determination.
Dean scanned his cell for the millionth time, desperate for some message of
hope - something to let him know that Cas was okay. Carter’s warning had ripped
at his heart like a dagger. Not knowing for sure when he would see his alpha
again. Dean needed him more than ever. He was trying to stop the tears from
coming again when he heard his dad sigh out a broken gasp behind him. Dean’s
eyes flicked up. John was staring down at Sam with the soppiest smile that ever
graced his face. Sam’s eyes had started to flutter open, chest pulling in dry
gasps while he forced his body to take in enough air without the mask that
still covered his mouth.
“Sammy.” Dean murmured, falling to his knees next to the bed and grinning like
a banshee. His brother was awake. Dean would never be able to find the words to
explain how he felt at that moment, so he didn’t try. The expression of pure
joy that stretched across his face was enough, and it seemed to perk Sam up in
an instant. Like everything that had gone before was just a distant memory.
Dean helped him to sit up while frantic hazel eyes darted around the bay. It
took Sam a few minutes to figure out what happened.
“How long have I been like this?” He managed at last, reaching out for Dean
like he wanted to make sure he was real.
“Too long, Sammy.” Dean sighed through happy tears, carefully slipping his
fingers into Sam’s hand. “Way too long.”
                                 ………. «» ……….
Castiel was still trying to figure out a way to get out of that fucking place
when he was startled from his thoughts by the sound of scraping metal. Echoing
along the empty corridor and letting him know he wasn’t going to be left alone
for long. His body ached, both arms dotted with the tell-tale signs of how many
times he got stuck with needles over the last few hours. There was no respite
from it, precious images of Dean and their family the only pleasures that kept
him going. He had no idea if the sample he dropped down to Carter had saved
Sam, or if Jackson even reached him in time. Dean made it pretty damn clear the
poor bastard was already on borrowed time. Castiel felt sick, and not just from
parting with so much blood. Reluctantly preparing himself for another spate of
torture when the door slid open. A very shamefaced officer was blocking the
exit, but the words he forced out next were the last things Castiel expected.
“Alright, Novak. Up you get.” He mumbled, eyes fixed on the ground at Castiel’s
feet. “We got orders to have you released.”
“Orders?” Castiel blinked at him in confusion. Not sure he heard right. Maybe
the excessive blood loss was messing with his head. The only man who could pull
that kind of clearance was laid up in a hospital bed with his life ebbing away
like a shifting tide. Castiel suddenly smiled to himself. Looked like Carter
made it after all.
It was the first thing Sam did when he woke up. Jackson had told him everything
while he listened in stunned silence. Sam once doubted how much he had done to
make the world better, but not anymore. The chaos that tried to take down
everyone he cared about was enough to validate all the sacrifices he made. His
memory was sketchy at best. He must have been out of it for weeks. His brother
looked like he wasn’t going to be able to hang on to Sam’s little niece or
nephew for much longer, and he owed Dean his life. The least he could do was to
make sure Castiel was by his husband’s side when their baby came into the
world. Sam called all his contacts from the hospital bed. Bobby was in much
deeper than he ever let on, and was on the case as soon as he heard Sam was
back up and kicking some serious ass.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Carter went home to check on Harley once he was satisfied Sam was alright. He
wasn’t completely clueless as to what went down in those horrible facilities,
and he wanted to make sure his little boy hadn’t been bruised and battered by
so many alpha officers jacked-up on sexual frustration. Dean gave him a
grateful hug before turning his attention back to Sam.
“I want Cas, Sammy.” Dean almost apologized for needing to go home so soon, but
Sam wouldn’t hear of it. Brushing him off with a dismissive wave. “I don’t want
to leave you, but I have to see him.”
“Dean, I know you do. Go home.” Sam smiled at him. He still felt sore as hell,
but managed to push himself up the bed to convince everyone he would still be
breathing tomorrow. Dean had been holding back for Sam, but the thought of soon
being wrapped up in a crushing hug uncoiled his emotions like a broken spring
and they all came flooding out in a rush. He didn’t want anyone to see how
fragile he really was without Castiel. Dean pecked Sam on the cheek with a
tenderness he rarely showed to anyone but his husband.
By the time he got back to Haven, Castiel was already waiting for him at the
gate. He ran into Dean’s arms and devoured his mouth before Dean managed to get
a single word past those lips that were now covered by Castiel. They kissed for
a long time before finally pulling away from each other. Cas let Dean take a
well-needed breath, but both hands absolutely refused to let go of his ass.
“I missed you so much, Cas.” Dean leaned into him again, savouring the warmth
of his alpha’s body pressed against his hips. “How d'you get back so fast?”
“I had help.” Castiel grinned at him. “I’m so glad Sam’s alright, Dean. He gave
the order to release me. Shit, I owe that brother of yours big time for getting
me home to you. I think Bobby might have helped spread the news once word got
out. Carter reckons he was responsible for a leak that went viral in four
hours.”
“I didn’t think he even knew how to turn on a damn computer.” Dean smiled right
back, letting covetous hands caress his butt while he stared into loving blue
eyes. Bobby was full of surprises, telling the world how an innocent bond of
lifelong friendship had cured so many people. Castiel’s blood was now being
reproduced on a monumental scale. Distributed out to clinics up and down the
country to inoculate as many as they could. Building up an immunity in alphas
and omegas alike. Everyone finally coming together with the common purpose of
saving as many souls as possible. Understanding it didn’t matter what gene
nature decided to brand you with. People were all the same inside. Prejudice
slowly began to filter away, never to return. “I always said Bobby had hidden
talents. I love that old bastard.”
Talking about how much they owed their friend got Dean to thinking about how
much he had missed him lately. He wanted to fill Bobby in on all the details of
Sam’s recovery, so Dean decided to take a waddle down the street for a long
overdue visit. Cas refused to let his mate go anywhere alone now he was so
close, so they headed down to the yard together. Holding hands and swapping
stupid smiles all the way down Eighth Street. Bobby had always been the go-to.
He never judged, never gave up on the boys, and more importantly - never moaned
about Dean propping his feet up on the end of the couch when he dropped in for
a cold one. Resigned to sipping on soda until puppy number six made an
appearance.
Castiel helped his mate get settled with a loving attentiveness that just came
naturally after so many years together. Bobby told them about everything he
picked up from one of his many covert spies down at central while Cas made sure
Dean was comfortable. Pulling him into his lap so he could reach the swollen
stomach. Running both hands over the pup with devotion.
“So, what happened after they dropped the ball?” Dean asked, taking a gulp from
a can of juice while he let his alpha mollycoddle him. Bobby handed Castiel a
shot of rye instead - just to keep him awake. He looked completely worn down,
and was still way too quiet for someone who just saved the planet.
“Looks like that bullshit about registering omegas was all a smoke-screen to
keep their data on the system.” Bobby shook his head in distaste. “I’ll never
understand how things got so bad again.”
“Well they won’t be able to hide much longer. Cas said most of enforcement is
being disbanded.” Dean wasn’t entirely sure that was a good thing. Most of them
were complete dicks (apart from Castiel, of course) but they had been there for
so long, no one knew which way the country might be headed without them.
“Yep.” Bobby nodded, taking another nervous glance at Castiel. “S'what I heard,
too. They’re tearing it all down. I guess no one really trusts them anymore.
Not since everyone found out how the virus was released.”
“But what about you, Cas?” Dean asked with concern. He could tell something was
really troubling him. “You’ve never known anything else.”
“Dean.” Castiel sighed, shuffling under the weight of Dean and pup combined.
“Do you honestly think I could care less about that stupid job? Long as I have
you, nothing else matters. It never did.” Dean knew right then his insecurity
would never haunt him again. Promising himself he would let Cas indulge him
shamelessly until the puppy came. Maybe even after that for a bit if he could
get away with it. “I’m just worried I won’t be able to look after you all the
way I should. Six pups.” Castiel murmured, still affectionately stroking the
latest one through Dean’s shirt. “That’s a lot of responsibility.” Dean looked
hurt, but Cas wasn’t finished. “Responsibility I embraced the day I found out
you were carrying Scout.” Castiel hummed against Dean’s cheek. “And don’t think
for one fucking second I don’t want it, but I have to be realistic.”
“We got plenty behind us, Cas.” Dean covered both of Castiel’s hands with his
own where they were still resting on top of the bump. Castiel knew that was
true enough. Maybe he was fretting over nothing. Dean and Bobby shared a
knowing look. So that’s what was up with him. Protective instincts were taking
a dip. Mentally exhausted, and completely drained of blood until he could
hardly see straight. Dean felt like an asshole. “I’m sorry, baby.” He
whispered. “Let’s get you home and into bed.” Castiel seemed to cheer up a bit
at that. “To sleep, Cas.” Dean smiled again. “You need to rest.”
“I need you.” Castiel growled against Dean’s throat.
“Okay - but sleep first.”
                                 ………. «» ……….
Dean didn’t say much to Cas about how much pain he was in over the next few
weeks. He suspected that pup was coming soon, and there was nothing he could do
to stop it. All the stress followed by unimaginable relief had pushed his body
to the limit. Sam was getting stronger by the day. The poison in his blood had
almost completely filtered out since he had the transfusion, but the virus left
its scars. Inside and out. Nothing would dampen the fear that his body had been
permanently damaged by such a terrible infection. Dean asked him to stay with
them for a while, Jess and Maya too, until he was back to his normal annoying
self. Sam agreed, but the thought of all that work still stretching out before
him like an endless highway had crushed his spirit. Something had to give. Sam
spent many lonely hours wondering if he would ever be able to take on that role
again. The presidential election passed him by, but he didn’t care. There were
more important things in life than power - his brother’s growing belly not the
least.
Dean was getting the youngest pups ready for bed when he felt a crippling pain
shoot underneath his stomach. He knew it was still too early, but there was no
mistaking the signs. Only upside to that was it wouldn’t feel like it was
splitting him in half this time. Scout was the most difficult because he was
the first, but it never got much easier. Boys didn’t exactly have the right
equipment, despite being an omega. Poppy refused to settle before she got a
goodnight kiss from Castiel. Dean tried to lift her up when he felt something
flood down the inside of his thighs. Scout had come to help, now staring at
Dean with his mouth open. He bent over and grabbed his tummy, like that would
somehow persuade the baby to stay put until Dean was ready.
“Get Daddy.” Dean gasped, holding back a curse. Scout shot downstairs,
reappearing a few seconds later, and dragging Castiel into the bedroom by his
hand.
Castiel fell to the floor between Dean’s legs, always insisting on delivering
the pups himself. Dean hated hospitals at the best of times, but after Sam he
never wanted to set foot in one again. Cas had always helped Dean birth the
others, but they usually had a bit of warning to get the children over to
Mary’s before all the screaming started.
“You alright?” Scout asked, white as a sheet. “Papa?”
“I’m fine.” Dean mumbled, bracing himself against the bed to push. “You just
gotta help Daddy get it out, okay?”
“Dean - no.” Castiel objected. “They can go over the road.”
“There’s no time, Cas. It’s coming. I can feel it.”
“Okay, sweetheart. Okay.” Castiel stroked the hair back from his mate’s face
and eased him into the best position. He could see the skin on Dean’s stomach
pull tight when he lifted up his shirt and gently slipped off the rest of his
clothes. Dean couldn’t even care enough to be embarrassed about his bits
hanging out with their children in the room, doing his best to hide his dick
with a blanket. Castiel secretly wanted Scout at his side. Not the best bonding
exercise, honestly - but it was something they could do together. The colour
was slowly coming back to the poor kid’s face, so Cas pulled Scout down beside
him. Dean was flushed red, already sweating and writhing in pain every time
another contraction seared through him. Willow tried to do her bit, but all she
could do was cry when she saw so much raw agony carved into her papa’s face. It
wasn’t helping, so Castiel asked her to hold the other pups back and give them
some room. Clear waters suddenly splattered all over Castiel’s hands while he
tried to feel for the head. Dean had his knees yanked up far as they would go,
fingers digging into the back of his thighs to try and take his mind of how
quickly he was stretching open. He heard Scout drag in a tight breath of fear,
not sure how any man could possibly take that without passing out.
Scout suddenly heard Castiel call him back to reality. He needed to slip in a
couple of fingers to turn the shoulders. Scout peered between Dean’s legs in
amazement when the head started to emerge, gazing at a spread of soft golden
hair. The rest followed quickly. Castiel wrapped the new born up in his shirt,
passing it to his son so he could hold the little baby when she took her first
breath of life. Scout could feel the tears warming his cheeks, but he couldn’t
bring himself to brush them away.
“What do you want to call her, Scout?” Dean asked through a deep rush of air.
“We hadn’t got that far, but you know how Daddy likes all that nature stuff.
Another flower, maybe?” Scout thought about all the happy times he had spent
down by dragonfly pond. Remembering when he saw Harley for the first time,
chewing on a stalk with floppy white petals. The same kind Dean had once
aimlessly plucked from the grass before tucking it behind Castiel’s ear as a
token of his love.
“Daisy.”
“I like that.” Dean smiled up at his son. “Cas?”
“It’s perfect.” Castiel whispered through happy tears, watching the squirming
bundle with a mushy smile.
“I understand now, Papa.” Scout held his baby sister in his arms, cuddling her
to his chest while he stared down at her in awe. She was the most beautiful
thing he had ever seen. “You would do anything to make sure your pup was safe.”
Scout finally got it. Dean never wanted to be without his firstborn. He just
wanted his son to have the best chance he could give him when everything else
felt so hopeless.
Scout forgave Dean for everything that day and they never mentioned it again.
It seemed like that boy grew up overnight now he had a potential mate to care
for. Scout looked after the other pups like his own. Dean and Cas were never
short of a babysitter for date night.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Scout presented properly by the time Daisy was about six weeks old. Castiel was
worried so much alpha attention would be a bit much for Harley, but Dean was
surprisingly okay with it.
“Trust me, I don’t want any details.” He told Scout one morning. “Just make
sure Jackson is happy about it.” Carter got vaccinated along with the rest, now
open about the fact he was married to an omega. Haven had always been a place
where no one should hide away in shame. Dean actually kind of liked Harley’s
mom, and she had some wonderful recipes for apple pie. Castiel was still a bit
concerned they were so young, but he couldn’t really justify a decent argument.
He was only thirteen when he wanted to mate Dean. “I never want us to fight
about anything, Cas. You know how much I love you. How much I’ve always loved
you. If you want them to wait, I’ll support you a hundred per cent.” Dean
wasn’t too proud to admit he still needed the security of an alpha that would
go to the ends of the Earth to make him happy.
“I know you would, and that means so much to me.” Castiel swept his husband up
in a possessive embrace and held him close. He could feel Dean snuffle against
his cheek. “Hey. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
Dean blinked at him. The pups were used to so much public affection. It didn’t
look like it was going to change any time soon, so they may as well suck it up
and make the best of it. Dean caught Scout’s eye over Castiel’s shoulder.
“It’s an omega thing.” Dean smiled at him. “You’ll get used to it.”
“High maintenance.” Castiel whispered into Scout’s ear when Dean took Daisy for
a feed. Castiel grinned at his son while Daisy sucked on Dean’s chest and
filled up her tiny tummy. “But worth every single second.”
                                 ………. «» ……….
Scout and Harley spent most of the afternoon slobbering all over each other on
the banks of the pond. Scout never missed a curfew these days, and Harley
seemed much more responsive than usual. Not being very successful at hiding his
desire when he felt droplets of warm slick slide out of him at the thought of
letting Scout claim him. Ever since Scout presented, they were finding it much
harder to keep their hands off each other. Maybe the time had come to have that
conversation everyone had been avoiding.
“You know I want us to be together.” Scout tried hopefully, sticking his tongue
in Harley’s mouth for the hundredth time that day. “Properly together like
Daddy and Papa.” Harley really wanted that too if he was honest, but part of
him seemed scared he might be cast aside one day. Legacy of a broken society
difficult to shift completely.
“But it’s for life, isn’t it?” Harley said quietly. “What if you want someone
else one day?”
“Never gonna happen.” Scout could feel his heart pulsing excitement to every
bit of his body while he stared into those eyes that had captivated him since
the day they met. “I’ve wanted to bite you since I tasted you for the first
time. Let me knot you, Harley.”
His omega blushed scarlet at that, not really understanding what it meant.
Harley’s scent was so strong now, Scout knew he was ready to let an alpha take
him. He picked his boy up off the grass and dragged him back up Eighth Street
by one hand before he could even figure out where they were going. Dean was in
the kitchen, as usual.
“What’s the matter?”
“I need to talk to you and Daddy.” Scout said valiantly, even though he was
shaking like a leaf. Dean was waiting for the inevitable bombshell, and he
didn’t have to wait long. “I want to claim Harley.”
Castiel almost dropped the cup of coffee he was holding.
“No, Scout. You don’t know what you’re saying.”
“Yes, I do. I thought out of anyone, you would understand.” There wasn’t much
Castiel could say to that. “You knew Papa was the one for you soon as you met.
I feel the same. I don’t want to have to wait like you did. I can feel it in my
heart.” Dean had forgotten how cute Harley was. Just standing there in silence
with his hand wrapped around his alpha’s fingers. No wonder Scout was
completely smitten. “I want to claim him 'fore anyone else gets the chance.
I’ll never want anyone else. He’s my true mate, Dad. I know he is.”
“Can’t you wait 'til you’re fourteen?” Dean squinted hopefully at him through
the corner of one eye.
“Dean.” Castel gasped. “That’s still too young.”
“Cas.” Dean took him to one side. “They’re the same age we were when we fell in
love. Can you honestly say you weren’t as sure then as you are now? I can’t. I
have never regretted waiting for you - even for a second. I don’t want my son
to feel like we don’t support his choice. Think about how much that hurt when
other people tried to tell us we were crazy. Your father, mine. They were
wrong, Cas. They all were. I don’t want to make the same mistakes.”
Castiel hesitated. Something inside him knew Dean was right by the way he
searched his eyes. Implicit trust. Castiel dragged in a deep breath. He turned
to Scout.
“Do you love him?”
Scout didn’t hesitate.
“Yes, Dad. I really do.”
Castiel couldn’t bring himself to dismiss the sincerity in Scout’s eyes. He
knew exactly what that felt like, never once doubting Dean was the boy he would
cherish for all eternity.
“Let me think about it, okay? It’s forever, Scout. That’s not a decision to
make lightly.” Castiel seemed so serious sometimes. He just needed a bit of
time on his own to try and remember how Alex made him feel when he crushed his
soul that day. Scout nodded. He was hoping his dad might have said something
one way or the other. Waiting was hard.
“I’ll talk to Daddy.” Dean smiled. “I think I know how to persuade him.”
Scout knew his papa had always been looking out for him. All that bitterness
had disappeared without a trace and Dean even made it up with his mom since Sam
got better. Mary had tried hard to atone for the past. Dean knew she loved the
pups to pieces. All bloody six of them. He smiled to himself when he thought
about how much he loved her. He had forgiven her a long time ago. Last time
they spoke, Mary had leaned in for a hug and Dean held on to his mother like he
never wanted to let go. Willow couldn’t resist putting in her two cents worth
since they were apparently having the talk about Scout’s future. She could see
the devotion in her brother’s eyes whenever he looked at Harley. Willow slid
over to him and kissed him on the cheek.
“I know you mean it. I’m behind you, jerk. If you’re sure that’s what you want.
But if you ever hurt Papa again, I’ll chop it off and turn you into a girl.”
Willow was watching the love flow so effortlessly between her parents with a
smile on her face. How beautifully they fitted together. She felt something
inside her swell with affection. Hoping one day she would find a mate that
would care for her so deeply. She knew Castiel had left his heart in Haven when
he was thirteen and it never caught up with him until he held Dean in his arms
once more.
Scout kissed her back.
                                 ………. «» ……….
Turned out Castiel had been worrying for nothing. Sam wasn’t well enough to go
back to work full time, so Cas was put in charge of the entire program now
enforcement was being scaled down. Most of the border patrols were abandoned.
Many officers charged instead with cleaning up the facilities, so they could
re-open as immunity clinics. Their halls now filled with omegas lining up to
get a shot instead of being locked away like criminals. Dean often got all hot
and bothered watching his husband take command. He had never been more proud of
the way his alpha took over everything Sam had tried to do and see it through
to a happy end. More than content just to stay at home with the baby while
Castiel fixed the world.
Sam eventually chucked in politics for good. He had given more than enough over
the years, and all he really wanted was to concentrate on getting better with
his family beside him. Moving back to Haven, so he and Jess could bring Maya up
in a place filled with unconditional love. Sam would have been voted in by a
landslide, but the world didn’t really need him anymore. Dean did.
Dean took his brother a flask and a sub for breakfast on the first day at his
new job. Sam was standing in Bobby’s yard in a set of dusty overalls with the
sun behind him. Dean happily watched his brother wipe the sweat from his face
with a dirty rag.
“Shit, Sam.” Dean grinned at him. “From the Whitehouse to the auto shop. Bit of
a drastic career change.” He perched his butt on the nearest hood, grateful he
could actually bend again. Daisy was strapped to his stomach. She stirred when
Sam tickled her cheek with an oily finger.
“Honestly.” Sam sighed, surprising himself at how nothing about that felt
wrong. “That’s as close to the other side as I wanna get for a while.” Sam
decided to work for Bobby so he could stay in Haven. Far away from bright
lights and a stack of paperwork. “Cas has it covered. There’s nothing more
important than family. Being with the people you love. I’m ashamed to admit, I
almost forgot that.”
“So, you finally got it.” Dean hummed. “'Bout damn time.”
“Makes me sick to say this, but I want Maya to see what true love is really
about. You and Cas, Dean - I never met two people more meant to be. I can’t
think of a better example of how perfect life can be if you share it with
someone you love.”
Daisy was snuffling at Dean’s chest.
“Maybe you should drop that hint to a certain alpha. He keeps falling asleep on
me.”
Sam laughed.
“I would take what you can get, Dean. Scout and Harley will be mated soon.
You’re probably gonna have a grandbaby before that pup is even walking.”
“Well.” He kissed the baby’s cheek with a smile. Sam thought his brother seemed
so calm and content these days, and Dean didn’t think he had ever been happier.
“I can think of worse things.”
                                 ………. «» ……….
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