for the trope mashup: 11. Fantasy/Magic + 34. Hurt/Comfort :D
Eep. This is over two months late but I did get to it so like. Better late than never, right? Thank you @casbeanwrites, for your endless patience even though Iâm almost 100% sure you forgot about this because, like I said, itâs two months late. Anyways, here you go. Please enjoy⌠whatever this is.
Panting, Dean weaves through the forest.
Cas? Could use a little help here, buddy.
I will be there momentarily. Please do try your best not to get killed.
âNo promises,â Dean mutters darkly, narrowly ducking under a wayward branch. The shouting behind him grows closer, and Dean swears. Catching sight of a break in the trees, he be-lines for it, bursting out in the open air with a rush of relief. Itâs short lived, however, as he comes face to face with a wide open clearing and exactly nowhere to hide.
âWell. Shit.â Dean spins around, one hand drifting to the knife in his belt and the other dropping his bag protectively behind him.
After a moment, his three pursuers burst out of the woods, looking mean and very pissed off. Slowly, they advance towards him, and Dean sends another urgent message Castielâs way. His response comes in the form of exasperated concern blasting through their mental link, and Dean winces, shaking his head to clear it.
Stalling it is.
âAlright, fellas.â Dean says, raising his free hand placatingly. âWe can do this the easy way or the hard way.â
One of bandits, Deanâll call him Baldy, snorts. âYeah, I donât think thatâs going to be an issue.â He turns to elbow the guy next to him. âGrab the bag.â
His buddy steps forward, snatching the bag from where Dean had dropped it. As he retreats back to his friends, he shoots a foot out at the back of Deanâs knees, knocking his legs out from under him. With a grunt, Dean stumbles to the ground before glaring up at them.
âI said,â Dean says, a little louder this time, craning his head skyward. âThat we can do this the easy way or the hard-â
With a sound like a thunder crash, a creature the size of a house barrels out of the clouds above them. Terrified, the three men grasp for their weapons but they couldnât have hoped to be fast enough. Before they can even blink, a massive foot shoots out, effortlessly pinning all three of the bandits to the ground.
Wings buffeting the ground as he steadies himself, Castiel glowers down at them. His eyes are a bright, otherworldly blue, the only source of light against a sea of black scales. Those in turn are a dark, polished obsidian, seeming to blur together despite the bright afternoon light and making it impossible to tell where one ends and the other begins.
Dean grins.
âFellasâ, he says amiably, climbing to his feet. âMeet the hard wayâ
Youâre ridiculous. Castiel grumbles, for Deanâs ears only. And for future, if you intend to end up two-hundred paces south of where we had originally planned, I would appreciate an advanced notice.
âFine, okay.â Dean mutters out of the corner of his mouth. âMay have miscalculated a bit, thatâs my bad. Can we focus here?â
Your bad, huh? Thatâs a novel sentiment. Glowing blue eyes swivel back towards the terrified bandits. Castiel cocks his head, something like amusement coloring his voice. Widening his thoughts to include the men in question, he asks: Should I eat them?
Dean watches in satisfaction as the men visibly pale, seeming to shrink under Castielâs penetrating gaze.
Dean considers for a minute. âNah,â he says, finally. âThey can run home back to their families, talk about the big scary dragon roaming around, like anyoneâll believe âem. Maybe make them piss their pants a little. The usual.â
Fine. Castiel rumbles, and this thought Dean knows is just for him. But Iâll have you know that Iâve had considerably less fun since you showed up.
âLove you too, babe.â Dean says, just to see the split second of utter confusion on the banditsâ faces, their eyes shooting between him and Castiel as if they canât decide which of them is more terrifying.
As if to help answer their question, Castiel leans down until his snout is inches from the leader, the man going cross eyed trying to keep him in focus. Slowly, Castiel starts to growl, the rumble of it quickly building to a crescendo that drowns out everything around them. His lips curl back to reveal blue flames that spill out of the side of his mouth, curling along his jaw.
I would run now, little ones. Castiel says, raising his foot just slightly.
They donât need telling twice.
Dean doubles over laughing at the sight of three grown men stumbling over themselves to get as far away as possible. Castiel huffs a breath through his nose, tail flicking in amusement as he watches the bandits disappear over the horizon.
âThink that scared âem off for the next decade or so?â Dean asks, brushing dirt of his pants walking over to retrieve the bag Baldy had conveniently left behind.
Youâre being too conservative. Iâd say twenty is more than likely. Castiel butts him gently with the side of his head. Need a lift?
âHell yes,â Dean enthuses, scrambling up into the hollow space where Castielâs neck meets his back.
With a rush of air that buffets all the trees around them, Castiel pushes off from the ground. Once airborne, Dean sighs, stretching out to press his face to the warms scales of Castielâs neck.
âMissed you,â he murmurs. The sound is lost to beating of Castielâs wings, but Dean knows from the contended rumble in Castielâs chest that he heard him.
â
They make it home in record time, Dean somehow managing not to fall asleep and slip off mid-flight. Sliding down from Castielâs neck, Dean regards their little home fondly, tucked away in the side of a conveniently secluded mountain. Itâs small, most rooms consisting of caves Castiel had hollowed out himself, and itâs filled with a collection of odds and ends that Castiel fell in love with and acquired through years. (Himself included, Dean thinks with more than a little amusement.)
To one side thereâs a library, complete with the fruits of centuries of Castielâs labors. Adjoined to it is a kitchen, added later to Deanâs delight and Castielâs trepidation. Finally, tucked further inside is the bedroom, or what passes for a bedroom when its original owner is a centuries old mythical creature. When Dean had first arrived it was just a pile of soft mosses and other flora that Castiel had seemed content to lounge around on. Then Dean had started sneezing within ten feet of it, and adjustments had to be made. Itâs since been converted to a real king size bed, acquired from somewhere Dean really doesnât want to think too hard about, and the nest of blankets, pillows, and other soft fabrics Castiel managed to procure makes it a fair compromise. All things considered, itâs not a bad place to spend the rest of your life.
Thereâs a rustling sound behind him, like a thousand wings flapping all at once, and Dean snaps out of his daydream, turning to face his husband.
âHey, Cas,â he says, as he takes him in. Even after all this time, the fact that this is his life still renders him somewhat breathless. Castiel might be two stories tall with the power to scare entire kingdoms into submission, but itâs Cas who has the perpetual bed-head and quiet smile, the piercing blue eyes that never manage to quite lose that otherworldly blue. Currently, heâs also very naked, so that doesnât hurt either.
Castiel raises an eyebrow at the blatant once over.
âHello, Dean,â he rumbles, leaning in for a kiss that Dean returns eagerly.
âMissed me too, huh?â Dean says when he pulls back, grinning.
âI should think that would be obvious,â Castiel says, like thatâs not something he could or should be embarrassed about.
Dean smiles at him fondly for a moment, before abruptly remembering the point of the entire ordeal. âWait,â he says, snapping his fingers. âBefore we get side-tracked. I got your stuff back.â
Reaching behind him, he passes the bag to Castiel, who visibly brightens.
âThank you, Dean.â Castiel says, the unfiltered joy in his voice never failing to make Dean blush.
âYeah, sure thing.â Dean scratches at the back of his neck self-consciously. âDonât think I was able to get all of âem, but I figured some were better than none.â
âThis is perfect.â Opening the bag, Castiel carefully removes the contents to reveal several black, glittering scales. Individually, he turns each one over in his hands, examining them closely for damage. Presumably deeming them satisfactory, he brushes past Dean, heading over to a box near the corner where he reverently deposits each one.
Dean frowns slightly, watching the entire process. âI gotta say I donât know what the big deal is. Itâs not like we arenât tripping over those every three feet in here. Whatâs it matter if some goons want to make off with a few?â
âItâs difficult to explain.â Castiel says, closing the lid of the box carefully and making his way back over. âThese scales come from me and by extension they are a part of me. They contain trace amounts of my power which, in the wrong hands, could prove disastrous. Also,â he adds as an afterthought, âI donât care for anyone but you touching them. It feelsâŚâ he frowns, searching for the word before finally settling on: âWrong.â
Dean grins. âShucks, Cas. You sure know how to make a guy feel special.â
Castiel shoots him an dry look. âMy apologies. I didnât intend for my basic physiological explanation to be misconstrued as a compliment.â
Dean snickers, reaching up to begin the process of shedding his travel gear. When he raises his arms above his head to shrug off his coat, however, a sudden burst of pain has him gasping. Bringing a hand to his side, he grimaces when it comes away bloody.
Castiel is on him in a flash.
âThey hurt you.â With a noise that can only be classified as a growl, Castiel drops to his knees, jerking Deanâs coat out of the way in an attempt to locate the issue.
âItâs fine,â Dean lies, wincing as Castielâs gentle prodding proves fruitful. âThe bleedingâs mostly stopped. It doesnât even hurt anymore.â
Quickly and efficiently, Castiel tugs off Deanâs outer coat before divesting him of his shirt and undershirt in rapid succession. Carefully, he peels off Deanâs slipshod bandage job and stills at the sight of what lies beneath.
âThat bad, huh?â Dean asks, weakly.
Heâd caught a glance of it earlier, having ducked behind a tree to hastily place a field dressing. Itâs a long cut, starting near the top of his ribcage and traveling to end somewhere above his navel. It had seemed fairly shallow at the time, although- Dean supposes- being hopped up on adrenaline likely hadnât helped with accuracy. But if Castielâs continued silence is any answer, apparently itâs a lot worse than it heâd thought.
Using the small basin of water they usually keep in the kitchen (and when did that get there?) Castiel carefully dabs at the wound, cleaning it up to the best of his ability.
Despite himself, Dean flinches, and the look Castiel levels him with could make armies run screaming. The only thing keeping Dean standing is knowing that the rage isnât directed at him.
âDonât move.â Castiel orders. âIâm going to get more bandages.â Dutifully, Dean stays as still as he can, and itâs not until Castiel is once again kneeling in front of him that he finds his voice.
âOkay, I know what youâre thinking, and itâs not worth it.â
âI disagree.â Castiel says, voice still dangerously calm, but Dean sees his eyes start to glow in that familiar way that means heâs about to start shifting forms and wreaking havoc. âI think the look on their faces as I tear their limbs off one by one will be very worth it.â
âLook, Cas. Iâm sorry-â
âDonât-â Castiel cuts himself off, gritting his teeth. âDonât you dare apologize.â
âOkay, but⌠I could have been more careful.â Tentatively, Dean brings a hand down to rest carefully against the side of Castielâs cheek, relieved when he turns his face into it.
âYouâve never been careful in your life.â Castiel sighs, somewhat ruefully. âIt would be foolish of us both to assume youâd start now.â
Dean smiles softly, and after a moment Castiel returns it. âSounds about right.â
The silence that falls is gentler now, less fraught with worry. Dean watches idly as Castiel works, meticulously stitching up the wound and applying more bandages with the experience of someone whoâs done it many times before.
âYou know that, out of all humanity, yours is the only opinion I care about,â Castiel says, abruptly, and Dean blinks at the sudden change in subject. âAnd you also know that I would happily raze entire kingdoms in your name.â
Uncertain as to where this is headed, Dean nods quietly, shifting to card his fingers gently through Castielâs hair.
âTherefore,â Castiel continues, âif it would make you feel better to let those-â, he breaks off, growling out a world Dean doesnât understand but assumes form the tone is the highest of insults, â-go, then I shall defer to your judgement.â
âThanks, babe.â Dean says, eventually, struggling to keep his smile in check and missing by half a mile. âI appreciate you not smiting the entire rest of my species because they were mean to me.â
Castiel nods seriously. âHowever,â he warns, voice severe again. âIf they come back I reserve the right to deal with them as I please.â
âCanât argue with that.â Dean agrees. Sliding his hand down, he taps Castiel on the cheek. âAlright, babe: howâs it looking?â
âI am almost finished.â Carefully, Castiel tapes the last bandage in place, smoothing it out with his thumb so it rests flat. Rocking back on his heels, he takes a moment to appraise his work. After a moment he nods, leaning in to press a lingering kiss to Deanâs side. A quick burst of otherworldly magic shoots out at the touch, jumpstarting the healing process, and Dean shivers for reasons definitely (mostly) medically related. Seemingly satisfied, Castiel rises to his feet with a grunt, drifting comfortably back into Deanâs space until his face is only inches away.
âWhatâs the verdict, doc?â Dean hears himself ask, voice surprisingly hoarse.
Castiel tilts his head. âYouâll live,â he says, solemnly, and Dean breathes a sigh of relief.
âHowever,â Castiel continues. âI regret to say you will be horribly disfigured. I am afraid Iâll have to leave you for a more appealing mate.â
Gaping, Dean can only stare at him. After a moment, he catches sight of the slight uptick of Castielâs mouth and everything clicks into place. Cackling, he reaches up to drop his arms around Castielâs neck.
âWas that a joke?â Dean asks, unable to keep the delight out of his voice. âA genuine human interaction? Youâre getting better at this.â
Castiel brightens, his entire demeanor shifting as he moves to wrap his arms around Deanâs waist. âWas it adequate?â He asks, somewhat shyly. âIâve been practicing.â
âYour expertise is astounding.â Dean says. âLet me give it a test run.â
Leaning forward, Dean noses at the side of Castielâs jaw, sliding up until his mouth is ghosting across his ear.
âIâm sorry I worried you,â Dean breathes, watching in satisfaction as Castiel shivers. âWould you be willing to let me make it up to you?â
Castiel smirks at him, eyes dark. This, at least, is a human interaction in which heâs very well-versed. Dean lets himself be tugged into the bedroom, and heâs still snickering up until the moment Castiel pushes him (gently) down onto the edge of the bed before unceremoniously crawling into his lap.
Dean lets out a sigh, hands coming up to settle firmly on Castielâs hips, tugging him in closer. Any lingering amusement fading to be replaced with something slow and warm that builds low in his gut and spreads its way through the rest of him.
Reaching forward, Castiel fits his hand around Deanâs jaw, thumbing distracting at the corner of his mouth. Then, he leans in close, knocking their foreheads together:
âIâm sure I could be persuaded.â
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Tag list (let me know if you want to be added/removed!): @mishtho, @sudo-apt-get-destiel, @charmedbycastiel, @feraladoration
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I was tagged by @casbeanwrites to list ten songs I canât stop listening to and tag ten people. Disclaimer I never listen to music so this is gonna be all Mumford and some weeb shit as well as soundtracks.
1. Guiding Light - Mumford and Sons
2. Beloved - Mumford and Sons
3. The fucking. Entirety of Cascade from Homestuck (because itâs like... an instant anxiety reducer.)
4. Granger Danger from AVPM (for the same reason as above)
5. âPortalsâ from Endgame by Silvestri because... reasons. (Contains spoilers)
6. Feel the Tide by Mumford and Sons
7. Ok I genuinely donât have 4 more because I have NO music that I listen to and itâs a tragedy.
I also have no one else to tag but thank yâall <3