Gossamer Empyrean, Part 2

[otp_destiel]

Title: Gossamer Empyrean
Pairings: Dean/Castiel
Rating: NC-17
Spoilers: Season 5, with mentions of info from "Clap Your Hands if You Believe."
Warnings: slash, AU, dom!Castiel, sub!Dean, mild het, bare backing, Grace!sex, oral, orgasm denial, bondage (tie!sex)
Word Count: 33,421
Note: This fic was written for the deancasbigbang 2013. It is the sequel to Into Temptation and the second in the Trinity Trilogy, but stands entirely on its own and can therefore be read without reading Into Temptation first or reading the planned sequel afterwards.
Summary: A hunt dealing with missing persons quickly leads to an elaborate plan in a desperate attempt to prevent what is happening and possibly save one of the kidnapped children. The only problem? Dean isn't at all enamored with the role that he has to play. He'd rather be doing something other than playing Castiel's sex slave and looking pretty.

Beta: aerilex

Artist: stefy-coool - Art Masterlist

Castiel would be lying if he said that he wasn't looking forward to seeing Dean in the clothes that he'd retrieved for his hunter to wear on their trip. He'd tried to be entirely objective and select only that which would be both appropriate and sufficient for their mission but he wasn't entirely sure that his personal desires hadn't influenced his choices. The complete lack of shirt was one such decision that he had wrestled with extensively. He would love to say that his final decision was based purely on the fact that this way Oberon would be able to see his mark on Dean's shoulder and easily see just what kind of catch his hunter was, but he feared that his desire to see his human shirtless might also have played a role in it.

The fact that he had felt compelled to bring a shirt for some of the other days merely reinforced Castiel's suspicions, but he told himself that would be okay as by then Oberon would already have seen Dean. Besides, that shirt still allowed his claim to be seen as the shirt didn't have normal sleeves but rather was open along the arms except for near the neck and the upper arms, where it pinched briefly together. He was sure that Dean wouldn't be found of it either, but at least his hunter would love to have a shirt then. Not that he understood his human's need to cover up his body.

"Cas, where's the shirt?" Dean asked from the bathroom. "And what in God's name is up with these pants? Is this real leather? It is, isn't it?"

"There is no shirt," Castiel replied, patiently. "And yes, the pants are made of hand tooled leather."

"Jesus, they're probably worth more than my entire wardrobe put together. And what the hell do you mean, there's no shirt?"

"Dean, we talked about this before. You must be dressed-"

"-like a fucking fae slave, yeah, yeah, I know."

Castiel frowned, not understanding why Dean was complaining if his hunter already knew the reason why it had to be the way that it was. It was a trait which he'd observed not only in other humans as well, but which he had failed to comprehend in all of them thus far.

"Fucking jewelry," Dean muttered.

That made Castiel smile as he was rather proud of the adornments that he had acquired. In order to flatter and complement his hunter's coloring he'd gone with a bronzed gold and emerald theme that he was sure would attract attention to Dean's eyes and the light smattering of freckles that dusted his human's nose and various other patches of skin. For Dean's neck there was a large necklace of emerald studded bronzed gold shards that would rest on his hunter's collarbone and draw the eye down to Dean's pectoral muscles as well as up to his eyes. For his human's left bicep there was a thick chocolate colored leather band to help draw attention to his mark upon Dean's shoulder and to help define the muscles of his hunter's bicep. Further down, running from both of his hunter's wrists to halfway up his forearm there were two emerald studded bronzed gold vambraces.

The latter were of the kind that could be used to bind Dean's wrists together though Castiel had no intention of using them as such. Oberon, however, was sure to note the difference, which was surely why he had gotten them. And finally there was the single earring that he'd chosen. It was to go on Dean's right ear, to balance out the upper arm brace his hunter would wear on his left arm. It wasn't one of those earrings that required a piercing because he didn't like the idea of making holes in his hunter's body, even if humans did it all the time, but rather one of those earrings that remained on by wrapping around the entire ear. It started at the top curving over the outer shell of the ear, before curling down around it to the lobe where it rested just inside the ear in order to support the weight of the large emerald shard that hung from its lowest point. The whole thing was fashioned like a vine with delicate emerald leaves and gold filaments, designed especially to attract a fae's attention given their affinity for plants and vines in particular.

"Is this make-up? What the hell?"

Castiel sighed, he'd known that this was coming as it was the one thing that he'd not had the courage to mention before, knowing how much he'd already been asking of his hunter. Before he could reply, though, the bathroom door slammed open and Dean stormed out. His hunter's face was thunderous but the effect was entirely ruined by the rest of Dean's appearance. The chocolate leather pants were as tight as he'd thought they'd be and left little to the imagination, just as he'd hoped that they would. The jewelry meanwhile looked as good as he'd known that it would, highlighting and enhancing Dean's features rather than distracting or detracting from them, even if he noticed that the earring was missing.

Altogether, Dean looked stunning and Castiel could hardly focus his attention on what his hunter was saying. All he wanted to do was grab his human and force him down onto the bed and not let him up until Dean knew exactly who he belonged to.

"No, I... just no, Cas," Dean stated, shaking the small bag that the sales woman had put the make-up into.

"Dean-"

"Don't Dean me! It won't work."

"The fae-" Castiel tried again only to be interrupted once more.

"-are sick bastards."

"Regardless, we must at least appease Oberon if we are to succeed in this endeavor. And while a certain amount of leniency will be granted if I tell them that you are a recent, uh... acquisition, there are still various customs and practices that must be adhered to."

"Leniency?" Dean asked, facial expression calming slightly.

"Behaviorally. So say if you react adversely or hesitate, it will not harm our cover story."

"I won't blow our cover."

"No?" Castiel asked, stepping closer, far closer than his hunter ever complained about so that he'd hardly have to move at all to claim those lips he so much wanted to taste. "Not even if Oberon were to touch you?"

As he said it, Castiel flattened a hand over Dean's chest, causing his hunter to jump slightly and start to pull back before Dean froze. "Goddamnit! I won't then, I'll be expecting it."

"Even so, he will be able to tell that you're not used to it," Castiel continued, allowing his hand to trail across his hunter's chest to Dean's shoulder and then back as he circled his human, coming to a standstill behind him, out of sight. He paused there for a moment before crowding close and letting his hands settle possessively onto Dean's hips, feeling the way his hunter had to still the impulse to jump at the intimate touch. He just savored the opportunity to press himself so fully to Dean before he leaned forward, bringing his lips close to his human's ear. "The fae have no concept of personal space, Dean. They view humans as their personal property to do with as they please. Make no mistake, even as mine, Oberon will feel at liberty to touch you, especially at the beginning."

The way that Dean shivered against him had Castiel biting his lips not to moan and it took a conscious effort to ensure that his vessel didn't react either. Oh if only his hunter knew how enticing he was just now with all of that naked skin on display! He forced himself to pull back, lest it all become too much and he lost control of himself. He allowed his hands to remain, though, letting them roam what he'd always wanted to touch and he told himself it was just so that his human would get used to it before they met Oberon. Even that was trying his control, though, as just the feel of Dean was already far better than he'd ever dared hope, which made him helpless but to wonder what it would feel like to have the man writhing beneath him, submitting as he claimed him.

"Great, so I get to be pawed at by some freaking human snatching, supernatural perv," Dean snarked, but Castiel detected an odd note to his hunter's tone.

Concerned, Castiel walked the rest of the way around his human until he stood before Dean once more. There was a strange look to his hunter's eyes but he couldn't figure it out, shuttered as Dean was at the moment. Without prying further, he couldn't identify what it was that bothered his hunter so he let it go for now, focusing instead on the subtle way that Dean leaned into his touch. It was barely perceptible and he might have missed it if it weren't for the fact that he was hyperaware of each and every move that his charge made just now. He suppressed his smile and let his right hand move up Dean's arm, along his shoulder and neck, before cradling his human's face in his hand.

"It'll only be for a short while," Castiel promised, unable to resist running his thumb across Dean's lips.

Castiel tried to tell himself that it was just to prepare his hunter for that kind of touch should Oberon be feeling particularly daring, but he knew it was from how much he loved it when those lips fell slightly open in surprise and moist, hot air caressed his finger.

"Cas," Dean said, lips brushing against Castiel's thumb as his charge spoke.

Now it was his turn to shiver and Castiel finally pulled back entirely, pretty sure that he'd lose all control if he didn't. "You need to wear the make-up, Dean."

That drew a visible reaction from his human which Castiel easily recognized before his charge crossed his arms in front of himself and scowled. "Why?"

"Because it is common practice among the fae and those who keep human slaves."

"So? Can't you be different?"

"Not if we wish to make Oberon think that I am just another angel."

The moment that Castiel said it, he knew that it had been a mistake. The look of shocked realization that crossed Dean's face made that more than clear. At least it was better that this come out here rather than in Avalon.

"Wait, angels have slaves?" Dean demanded.

"Had, and that is not what my brothers and sisters would have called them, but they did take supplicants at one time, allowing them to worship them."

"And they wore this crap?"

"Those that went to Avalon, yes."

"Avalon?"

"The faerie realm."

"I-" Dean began, pacing away from Castiel before stopping and turning to look back at him. "Well that's just awesome."

"I'm sorry, Dean," Castiel offered sincerely. "If it were up to me, I would not ask this of you. I find that you have no need of such enhancements."

"Jesus, Cas, you can't just say things like that!"

Castiel tilted his head to one side with a frown, not at all sure what he'd said wrong. Surely his charge was happy to know that he didn't think that Dean needed those types of cosmetics? Or was it because he was once more commenting on his hunter's beauty? Was there some convention that only human females were allowed to admire a male's perfection? It would make no sense as he had witnessed human women complimenting each other's outfits and hair. If women were allowed to do so, then why would men not be? Although now that he thought about it, he had not seen Sam and Dean do so other than when they didn't look good, like after a hunt or when Sam chose a particularly offensive shirt.

"Besides," Dean continued, looking away. "I don't know how to put on that crap."

"I can do it."

"You can? Why?"

"I observed the woman at the mall as they demonstrated their wares to those who sought to acquire them."

"And you think you can do it from just that? Shit, man, you can poke an eye out if you're not careful!"

"Do you not trust me?" Castiel asked instead.

"What? No! Dude, I'm doing this, aren't I?"

"Then let me."

Castiel held out his hand for the make-up bag and Dean hesitated only briefly before handing it over. Contrary to what he would have initially suspected with his headstrong charge, Castiel found that sometimes he just had to take control of the situation. There were times when Dean reacted very well to that, surprisingly so, which of course did nothing to help him curb his dominant instincts when it came to his human. There were times when he wished that the Righteous Man had triggered his own submissive instincts, but how could Dean have? Despite all the strength and fire that his hunter possessed, his charge was still, in the end, human. But his submissive instincts would have been easier to control or hide than his dominant ones. At the start he'd thought that they'd also have been more welcome should Dean have detected them, but now he wasn't so sure anymore.

Although his hunter was easily the most stubborn human that Castiel had ever met and he doubted that there was an end to the fire that burned so hot and fierce within Dean, there was also a very great vulnerability to his charge. He'd first felt it when raising him from Perdition and he strongly suspected that it had been a large part of why he'd lost so much control as to stake his claim on Dean, but he had gotten glimpses of it from time to time on Earth as well. He hadn't seen it so much at the beginning, but the more time went by, the more frequent his glimpses of it became. He wasn't sure if that was due to the fact that Dean felt vulnerable more often due to his walls crumbling or whether it was because his charge trusted him more and didn't feel the need to hide it as much. He hoped that it might be the latter and the fact that his hunter never allowed his vulnerability to show when there was anyone else present was proof that he might be right.

Therefore Castiel was no longer sure that Dean would have appreciated any signs of submission from him. While his charge could do with more people listening to him when his hunter tried to warn them, he was beginning to see that the last thing which Dean needed was someone else to feel responsible for. Not that his human didn't already do so on some level for him- he was Dean after all- but the fact that he was as strong as he was both physically and in his character were apparently great sources of comfort to his charge.

Which only made Castiel's desire to take more control all the harder to resist.

Castiel sometimes couldn't help but wonder if he'd done something to displease his Father in the past because Dean Winchester almost seemed specially designed to try all of his patience and resolve.

It was a particularly egotistical thought and one that never would have occurred to Castiel even a few months ago, but his charge had definitely wrought changes within him. He'd be more worried if it weren't for the fact that Dean was the Righteous Man himself, and surely if it was his Father's favorite who was responsible for making him change, then that was okay.

With that thought Castiel opened the make-up bag and emptied its contents onto the table. Doing so he found the small velvet bag the earring was kept in and he picked it up, handing it to Dean before he turned his attention to the other items from the bag.

"Uh, what is this?" Dean asked, confused.

A glance showed Castiel that his hunter had opened the bag and pulled out the earring. "An earring."

"An earring? It doesn't look like one. Besides, I don't have holes and I don't care what the fae traditions are, I'm not getting my ears pierced!"

"You don't need to, it's meant to wrap around your ear."

"Huh?"

The confusion was genuine rather than Dean playing dumb deliberately to get out of wearing it, of that much Castiel was sure. Figuring it was easier to just show his charge rather than explaining it, he took the earring from his human and tilted Dean's head away from him so that he had easy access to his ear. His actions startled Dean but his hunter didn't protest, allowing him to do what he needed and he moved closer than strictly necessary. The compliance thrilled Castiel and he found that he once more had to ensure that his vessel didn't physically react to the show of submissiveness from his chosen mate. It would not do to alarm or unsettle Dean now when they would rely so much on his hunter's trust in him.

The adornment was slightly trickier to put on than expected, but Castiel managed in the end and he was surprised at how many similarly colored highlights it brought out in Dean's hair color. Automatically, his hand reached up and he ran his fingers through his charge's hair, not quite realizing what he was doing until Dean made a surprised sound at the back of his throat. Finishing the gesture so he wouldn't look as startled as he felt, Castiel stepped back to admire the full effect of the earring.

"Dude, it's heavier than it looks," Dean complained, reaching up to touch it before moving to the opened cupboard to have a look at the full length mirror there.

Castiel watched Dean as his hunter appraised himself and his new outfit. He could tell from the faces that his human pulled that Dean didn't like what he saw, but he did. Oh he definitely did. Even from the back the view was more than admirable and he found his eyes instantly drawn to his charge's ass, encased as it was in chocolate colored leather. He forced his attention back to the make-up to ensure that his human didn't catch him staring.

"I look like a high-grade hooker," Dean finally stated.

"No, you look like a high-ranking fae slave, which is exactly what we need."

Dean just pulled another face but still turned back towards him so Castiel didn't comment on it, instead indicating to the chair that he wanted his charge to sit in. With a look of defeat, his hunter did as he was told and Castiel perched himself on the armrest, lifting Dean's chin so that he had better access.

"Should I close my eyes?" Dean asked softly.

"You can if that makes you more comfortable," Castiel replied. "But only after I've applied the kohl."

The way his hunter's eyes widened and the man cursed when Castiel picked up the appropriate tool made him fear that his charge would bolt. The moment passed however and all that happened was that his hunter grabbed onto the other armrest tightly enough for his knuckles to go white. Personally Castiel didn't understand why Dean was so resistant to the make-up, but he refrained from commenting and instead started applying it, just as he'd witnessed several of the sales women do. He fell into a routine as he worked, simply adjusting the angle of Dean's head whenever necessary as it was clear that his charge didn't know the different positions he required to successfully apply the subtle shades of eye shadow and concealer. He would have preferred to not have needed the latter, but he'd known how little sleep his human normally got and Oberon would wonder why his slave had shadows under his eyes.



"There," Castiel said, pulling back when he was satisfied.

The kohl emphasized Dean's eyes greatly and he was quite pleased with himself and his handiwork though he doubted that his human would see it the same way. Instead of watching Dean make more faces at his own appearance, he focused his attention on putting away the make-up.

The sound of a key in the lock was their only warning before the door opened and Sam stepped into the room with two bags of takeaway.

"Sorry I was so long, but you wouldn't believe the..." Sam trailed off in shock as he caught sight of his brother. "Jesus Christ on a pogo stick!"

Castiel froze, not at all sure what to do. Sure, Sam had known what they were doing when he left to go find lunch (it had taken him longer to find all that he'd needed than Castiel would have liked), but Dean hadn't quite known what it was that his little brother would see him wearing.

For a few moments nothing happened and Castiel was sure that neither brother moved but for to breathe. Then Sam's face and chest started to contort and it took him a moment to realize that the younger Winchester brother was trying to suppress outright laughter.

"Shut up, bitch," Dean growled, shoulders back and posture so stiff and straight that Castiel worried his hunter might snap.

"Dude, you look..." Sam began before dissolving into howls of laughter.

Castiel's eyes narrowed at the younger Winchester. He thought that Dean looked amazing but he knew that this kind of reaction from Sam would only serve to make his hunter even more uncomfortable than Dean already was with his attire.

"It could have been you," Castiel finally stated.

"Wha-?" Sam asked.

"It could just as easily have been the younger children that the fae are interested in and then it would have been you needing to be dressed similarly to Dean. Only with more make-up."

A lot more, Castiel thought seeing as Sam didn't possess Dean's striking features to begin with. Nor his hunter's general good looks or physical grace and presence, to say nothing of his soul.

"Yeah," Dean stated. "What Cas said."

"But it's not," Sam replied before he frowned. "Wait, why more make-up?"

Castiel merely raised an eyebrow even as he could suddenly feel Dean stiffen as well and he felt the human need to sigh rise within him. He was doing this for his hunter.

"Hey, are you calling me ugly?" Sam questioned.

"'Course you are, Sasquatch," Dean retorted.

"No, seriously."

Now Sam was offended. Castiel was no longer certain that there was a right way to interact with humans. It seemed that no matter what he did or said, someone got upset with him.

"You do not possess your brother's beauty," Castiel replied truthfully. "And the sound of your voice is grating."

Dean's expression was caught somewhere between embarrassment and laughter while Sam just looked indignant now. Better to distract them.

"Your food is getting cold."

That worked instantaneously for Dean at least as his hunter stepped forward to snag the bags of take-out from his brother. Sam, however, was not so easily distracted, looking at Castiel for a few moments longer before moving to join his brother.

"Dude, you bought everything!" Dean exclaimed with glee.

Castiel turned to look and indeed it seemed like Sam had gotten one of everything off the menu.

"I didn't know how long you guys would be so I wanted to make sure that you wouldn't go hungry," Sam explained.

"You're awesome!"

"When the negotiations run long enough, the fae provide food," Castiel said.

"Yeah, I bet they do," Dean muttered darkly. "Especially for the slaves they like, right?"

"They have not attempted to trick us into feeding fae magic laced food to our slaves before," Castiel responded, but at Sam's alarmed look between himself and Dean he continued. "But I will be able to sense the difference so anything I hand you will be safe to consume."

"Awesome."

The knowledge didn't seem to deter Dean from his current meal though and Castiel watched in amusement as his hunter began stuffing himself, much to Sam's obvious dismay. If the younger Winchester didn't want to see his brother eat like that, it was a wonder to him that Sam had bought it all. Or did that only apply when the boy thought that Dean would go hungry? Not that his human ever seemed to not be hungry.

It was a phenomenon that Castiel had observed in shock and no little wonder at first but one that he believed that he'd elucidated since. One of the times that he'd found his precious hunter drunk at a bar, Dean had protested being taken home before he'd finished his food even though Castiel had been able to tell that it had gone cold and that his human was actually full for once. It had been more of a mumbled sentence, but he'd caught enough of it to be able to make out the gist of it. Dean had not wanted to leave the food because you had to eat all that you could when you could because you didn't know when you'd next have the chance to eat. Castiel felt a familiar stir of anger at the thought that his hunter had gone hungry at times as a child. It was an infuriating thought and he'd promised himself that his human would never want for food ever again, not so long as he was around and he had no plans to leave.

Ever.

"Dude, stop staring, it's rude," Dean snapped at his brother.

"You're wearing eye liner," Sam replied in shock. "How'd you get that on so well?"

"It's kohl, not eyeliner," Castiel corrected. "And I applied it."

"You?"

"Yes."

"Apparently all he's got to do is watch the sales girls do it once and he's an expert," Dean explained, pausing in the process of stuffing himself.

"You let him near your eyes after only having seen it once?" Sam demanded, incredulously.

Castiel frowned at that. "I would never hurt Dean."

"I didn't mean that you'd do it intentionally, but I know girls who poke themselves in the eye despite having used it for years."

"So? It's Cas, not some random chick," Dean said as if that explained it all.

It hadn't occurred to Castiel just how much trust that his hunter had displayed in allowing him to apply his make-up, but it warmed him how Dean had done so with minimal prodding now that he did. It also made his hand itch to slot itself into place over the claim he'd burned into his human's soul and body; to fully activate their bond so that he could feel exactly what Dean felt for him and to make his human aware of the exact extent of his own feelings. He would too if he wasn't afraid of overwhelming his charge and running the risk of driving Dean away forever.

Humans didn't like or approve of the possessiveness of dominant angels to their submissive partners and the absolute last thing that Castiel wanted was to scare away his hunter forever. He'd rather hide his true emotions and remain close to Dean as a friend.

"Crazy," Sam muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

It was just a casual glance that Castiel sent Sam's way but he was instantly grateful that he did. Although the younger Winchester's voice had been mild as if dropping the topic in favor of eating his lunch instead, he saw that the boy had actually pulled out his phone. As it was only a week ago that Dean had shown him all of the photos that his human had taken with his phone recently, he suspected that he knew exactly what Sam was up to and what he would do with the photo.

In the blink of an eye, Castiel stood beside the younger Winchester and had grabbed the phone before Sam could capture an image of his brother.

Sam jumped in his seat, yelping before he scowled. "What the-! Give me back my cell, Cas."

"No," Castiel replied.

"What's going on?" Dean asked, looking between them.

Instead of replying, Castiel handed his hunter Sam's phone which was still open to the photography app. Or at least that's what he thought that it was called. His human, meanwhile, scowled as he saw it and shot Sam a dark look before pressing a button and stuffing the phone into one of Castiel's pockets.

"Hey!" Sam protested. "That's mine, give it back!"

Dean snorted. "No."

"What?"

"You'll get it back when Cas and I leave."

"No, give it back now."

"Why? So you can take a photo of me? I don't think so."

"Like you wouldn't have if the situation was reversed."

"I wouldn't have gotten caught."

"You didn't catch me, Cas did," Sam retorted with an odd tone to his voice, glaring at him.

Castiel tilted his head, regarding the younger Winchester and trying to figure out what it was that Sam was implying but failing to do so. What he didn't understand was why the boy was surprised that he would aid Dean in this manner.

"Yeah, and that is because Cas is awesome," Dean stated, beaming at him.



Castiel was still enjoying the pleasant emotions that had arisen from Dean's earlier little displays of trust and happiness when they arrived at the forest.

"So now what?" Dean asked as he turned off the Impala's engine. "We just go through the portal?"

"No, we must wait for a reply to the announcement of our presence and the token I sent through earlier," Castiel replied.

"Token?"

"A type of gift offering. Don't worry, I was able to acquire everything for it earlier."

"And how long will we need to wait?" Sam inquired.

"Not long hopefully. Even with time moving slower on the other side in Avalon they should have had enough time to consider the situation and reply. Besides, the fae are experts at moving between the realms and can ensure that their reply doesn't take as long to reach us as it otherwise would."

"Alright, let's do this," Dean stated, opening the door and getting out.

The way his hunter looked down at the ornate slippers he now wore made Castiel smile though he did his best to suppress it. Dean may despise them now, but he was sure that his charge would come to appreciate them once Dean had spent a few hours kneeling on the ground beside his own feet. The supple material would not chafe or constrict his human's feet no matter how Dean sat.

"Which way to the portal?" Sam asked, stretching as he too got out of the Impala.

"South," Castiel replied, pointing in the right direction. "But it is best if we part here so that no fae see us together as you are not dressed appropriately to be viewed as a slave."

"I know, I was just planning on keeping an eye on the portal when I can, to keep others away from it."

"A good idea."

"Yeah, we'll mark the area so you know where it is," Dean added.

"Good," Sam said before a wicked grin crossed his face. "Now hand me the coat, Dean."

His hunter scowled and for a moment Castiel thought that Dean would refuse before his charge reluctantly took off the coat that he'd grabbed on the way out to somewhat disguise his appearance. Castiel had offered to fly them straight to the portal and so avoid the chance of anyone seeing them but his human had refused. He wondered if Dean had regretted that choice when people had stared when they'd been stuck at a red light in town because apparently this was a 'sheltered little backwards town' as Sam had put it. Castiel didn't think that Dean's name for it bore repeating even if only in his mind.

"Dean, the keys," Sam pushed, holding out the hand that wasn't holding the coat.

"Don't you dare douche her up again," Dean warned as he reluctantly relinquished his baby's keys.

It was with some surprise that Castiel realized that he thought of the Impala like that. As Dean's baby. It was odd as he knew the Impala to be nothing more than metal, electronics and leather, but somehow it just felt wrong to think of her like that. His charge was affecting him more than he knew, but then the Impala had been Dean's home for most of his hunter's life. For that alone she deserved some respect, so Castiel petted her roof as he walked past, earning himself a quick smile like a burst of sunshine on a cloudy day.

"Come, this way," Castiel said, walking towards the woods.

Dean followed him swiftly but Castiel thought that was probably so that no one would come by and see him dressed like that rather than out of some unconquerable rush to get on with the next phase of this hunt.

"Hey!" Sam called out after them. "My phone!"

Castiel felt about in the pocket that his hunter had put the cell into and sure enough, it was still there. Waiting until they were at the edge of the forest, he turned around and pulled it out. When he tossed it back at Sam, he did so carefully to ensure that it would be caught but also so that by the time the younger Winchester had it once more, that Dean would be safely out of sight. He then turned to follow, eyes drawn to his human's leather clad ass with longing. His choice of outfit was turning out to be more of a torture for him than anything else.

In order to remove the temptation from his sight (and that was the only reason!), Castiel stepped closer to his hunter. His hand went out automatically to rest on the small of Dean's back, ostensibly to guide his charge and acclimate him to what was to come, but really he knew that it was because he could at the moment. Something which he knew that Dean would be all for should his hunter ever be presented with a similar situation.



His hunter jumped at Castiel's touch, already partially shifting before Dean froze. "Fuck."

"It's fine," Castiel assured. "This is why I plan to tell Oberon that you're a recent acquisition."

"Won't that decrease my... uh, value as a slave?"

"Not at all. Given the fae's usual method of acquiring humans, almost all of their slaves need to be..."

"Broken in?"

"Trained up. So the fact that you still have some adverse reactions isn't at all a poor reflection on me. If anything, it will serve to tantalize Oberon with the thought that he could still claim you despite my very visible and permanent claim."

"And that's okay?" Dean asked. "For the negotiations I mean, because personally it's downright creepy to be thought of that way."

"Yes, it could serve as a distraction."

"Oh, good then. I guess. So what should I expect from him and what do I need to do?"

"Though possessive, the fae like to covet other people's things and slaves, especially when they deem them to be of some worth."

"Like I said, fucking crazy and creepy."

"As such, I should expect Oberon will want to touch you."

"And you'd allow this? Or rather angels would?"

"To a certain extent, yes, and you'll have to go along with it. But should his hands drift too far down or should he attempt to kiss you, simply step back and say that your master has ordered you to remain unspoilt by others."

"Master? Unspoiled?" Dean exclaimed incredulously.

Castiel merely nodded, guiding his charge slightly to the left. "That is how the fae would view it."

"And that's all I can say?"

"On that, yes. You will also need to keep your eyes lowered unless ordered to do otherwise and..."

"And what, Cas?"

"And you will have to sit at my feet during the negotiations."

"What, on my knees?"

"At first, yes, but after a while you may shift into a more comfortable position if necessary. Also, as I said before, don't eat or drink anything I haven't approved and as a slave that would not be at a table or on a plate, but rather whatever I deign to hand you, when I deign to do so."

At this point, Castiel was glad that they'd reached the portal as he could feel how uncomfortable Dean was getting. Giving his hunter a few moments to pull himself together, he stepped up to the portal and checked it for a reply. As he'd been by earlier to throw through the traditional olive branch tied to a collection of extremely rare herbs and magical plants that did not grow in Avalon and which the fae treasured greatly but could not easily get ahold of, he could easily tell that there was none yet. He was sure that it wouldn't take much longer though as the selection of plants and herbs that he'd chosen for his token made it a very generous and valuable gift to Oberon, sure to catch the faerie king's attention and greed.

"Anything else?" Dean finally asked, voice strangely high and oddly strangled.

Castiel turned to look at his human, looking radiant in the afternoon sun and oh so tempting. If he could, he'd take Dean right here and now. "No, not unless I need to tell you that you cannot interrupt or speak during the negotiations unless we are alone."

Dean laughed. "Only speak when spoken to, gotcha."

Now Castiel was certain that his charge was implying something more than what Dean was saying, but he couldn't possibly fathom what it was. Why did humans seem to feel the need to constantly do that rather than simply saying what it was that they actually meant? It seemed like a needless complication that merely got in the way of clear and effective communication.

A rippling of the very fabric of reality drew Castiel's attention back to the portal just in time to observe two gorgeous and intricately woven hair garlands float through.

"The hell?" Dean questioned, stumped.

"My token has been accepted and Oberon is willing to meet with me," Castiel explained.

"And so he sends you flower wreaths? Just what did you send him?"

"An appropriate gift for a fae king."

"So basically plant crap?"

"Dean."

"What? It probably was."

"Put this on," Castiel said in lieu of arguing what he knew he could not win.

"Put it on? Huh?"

"On your head."

The way that his charge's confusion melted into dismayed realization was still as fascinating for Castiel to watch as the first time that he'd witnessed Dean's face morph from one emotion into another. Humans were so expressive, even those that others complained were far too difficult to read. He didn't find it particularly hard to tell that something had changed, even if he was still only just learning what each arrangement of facial muscles meant.

"Oh, hell no!" Dean retorted, trying to shove the hair garland back at him. "I'm not wearing that!"

"Of course you will," Castiel replied reasonably as he put his own one on. "It is a gift from the faerie king, it would be unspeakably rude to reject it."

It amused Castiel that after all that his hunter had already acquiesced to today that this would be the thing to make Dean balk the most. It probably had something to do with how much flowers had become associated with women in modern times. The thought that his charge probably viewed this as 'chick-flicky' only served to enhance his amusement of the situation.

"Why do I have to get this one? It has ribbons in it and yours doesn't," Dean whined.

"Because I'm the master and you're the slave. And yours has a tail at the back which could get caught against the back of my chair," Castiel replied, deciding against explaining all of the nuances of faerie hair garlands.

Not only was Castiel pretty sure that his hunter wouldn't care, but it was all incredibly complex. For instance the type of ribbons woven into Dean's garland marked him as an angelic slave whereas the garland's tail indicated his general slave status for the reason he'd given his human. The types of flower used also signified various things and he'd been pleased to see that both garlands contained the important types. Oberon had clearly been suitably impressed with his gift as he knew that the faerie king could not be in doubt as to the nature of this meeting and therefore its desired result from the angelic perspective. The inclusion of pearls on his garland and glass beads on Dean's confirmed this fact.

Honestly, Castiel was quite looking forward to the fresh garlands that would be provided for them tomorrow. These ones consisted mainly of white blossoms and ornaments as the fae put great emphasis on color coordination which was why he'd been so careful in selecting the jewelry, clothes and make-up for Dean's attire. It was also why the current garlands were all white, to ensure that they wouldn't clash with their features and outfits. Those given to them tomorrow, however, would be specially crafted and tailored to their coloring.

"Do I have to?" Dean complained.

"Yes."

Castiel stepped forwards and rearranged the garland on his charge's head after Dean had just dropped it on there. Once he was happy that his hunter would make the best possible impression, he stepped back.

"I forgot earlier, when we are moving, you should walk about two to three paces behind me at all times unless I reach for you or indicate otherwise," Castiel instructed.

"Yeah, okay. How do we go through? Do we just step into the rippling space?" Dean asked.

"Yes, but I shall hold you to ensure that we do not get separated between the realms."

"I take it that's not good?"

"No, you could get lost in the space in-between or in time."

Dean's eyes grew large at that and Castiel wondered at how that could scare his hunter when the prospect of eventually confronting an archangel had been accepted with far less stress, worry and fear. Or at least the obvious external signs of it.

"Yeah, hold me tight," Dean said before he pulled a face. "Or you know what I mean."

Castiel did precisely that, wrapping an arm around his hunter's waist and pulling Dean tightly up against him before he stepped through the portal. For him the connection between his realm and Avalon was a swath of striking colors and a rush of sound, but he had been told that for humans the transition appeared instantaneous to the senses though it was still quite a rough ride. That was why he didn't instantly release his charge upon arrival, but kept hold of Dean until he could feel that his hunter wouldn't fall over or sway alarmingly when let go.

As Castiel had expected, they were met by an honor guard on the other end in Avalon. The guards were wearing as ornate a costume as he'd suspected that they would, partially made up of armor but mostly silks and other gauzy fabrics that would provide no protection were it not for the faerie magic woven into them. There wasn't much here that could harm them so he supposed even that wasn't necessary, but like kings everywhere, he didn't see Oberon giving up any of the pomp, splendor and ceremony that went with the old rituals and traditions.

Though Dean didn't show it, Castiel knew that his hunter had to be surprised at catching his first glimpse of the fae. Unlike in their own realm, the faerie were not invisible to humans here and were instead visible in all of their supernatural glory; something which actually differed quite a lot from fae to fae. Calling them one race would almost be wrong but for the fact that that was precisely how they saw themselves, having united so very long ago as to have forgotten the names of their original races. Faeries like Oberon could almost pass for human but for the glossy delicate wings that most of them possessed while others were so different that they'd have trouble fitting in anywhere but on Halloween when they'd probably still stand out for having the best and most realistic (if one looked at that as being the most nonobvious for where the different parts were) costumes.

The honor guard consisted mostly of fae of the latter kind and Castiel was sure that was because of their more feral looks and intimidating posture. They all had elongated and sharp needle like teeth, a pale blue tinge to their skin, furrowed brows and leathery wings topped with sharp talons. Their garlands were dark with briar thorns and poisonous flowers. The darker blue swirls of warrior tattoos were visible on their arms and curling up the sides of their neck, stopping just shy of their faces. If he remembered correctly, only the most accomplished and skilled of faerie warriors were allowed the facial tattoos.

Altogether it was a good thing that Dean could only catch sideways glimpses of the fae as Castiel knew that they had to be setting off every hunting instinct that his charge had, especially with the sharp, glittering spears that they held. Under any other circumstances, he was sure that it would come to a fight between them and Castiel could all but picture his human as Dean would look doing so. It was an odd image for a dominant to have of a desired submissive, but he knew that there was nothing about his situation with Dean that was normal, so why should this be? Besides, he knew that his hunter was a warrior, it was woven into the very fabric of his being if he wasn't mistaken, which made his feelings for Dean all the more ridiculous and gave him the added strength that he needed not to act on them.

"Welcome, my Lord," the head guard stated, stepping forwards and giving a little half bow. "King Oberon welcomes you to his kingdom and awaits your presence and that of your slave in the palace."

The way that the faerie's eyes trailed over Dean told Castiel that his human was already making the impression that he'd needed his charge to. The blatant interest and approval were but two more reasons why he was glad that Dean was required to keep his eyes lowered as he knew that his charge would not react well to either of them.

Castiel gave the head guard a curt nod before gesturing towards the path that led away from the clearing in which the portal was located, the woods around them thick and dark. "Lead the way."

Predictably only a few of the guard preceded them down the path before the lead guard gave another half bow. "After you, my Lord."

The faerie soon fell in beside him and for that Castiel was pleased as it meant that he could no longer leer at Dean who was following his instructions and walking slightly behind him, but still close enough for Castiel to reach should the need for quick action arise. Not that he expected it to, but the situation coupled with Dean's slave behavior and attire had kicked his dom instincts into overdrive. It would be a relief when the negotiations themselves actually began and he was not only free, but expected, to reach out and touch his slave whenever he so desired. And that would have to be a lot because there was no way that Oberon would believe that he didn't want to constantly touch a slave of Dean's caliber. Indeed, if he didn't then he was sure that the fae king would put in an offer for his hunter which was the last thing that they needed just now.

They had only walked down the path for a few minutes when a swarm of what at first appeared to be glowing lights approached them. Upon second glance, though, Castiel was sure that they were actually faeries, just very small female ones who glowed with an inner light that shown from their naked, unclothed skin. Absently he noted their ample breasts, but only because he knew that was how his hunter preferred his women. A pity that Dean wouldn't be able to appreciate the sight now, not that his charge would do so if Dean were to realize the implications of their presence here and now.

His wings pulled in tight against his vessel, the feathers flattening in disapproval as Castiel glanced at the head guard. Surely Oberon would not allow more slave hunting parties until their negotiations were complete?

"Excuse me, my Lord," the fae beside him apologized before stepping forward up to the swarm.

The conversation that followed was entirely in one of the many faerie dialects which Castiel, like all of his brothers and sisters before him, pretended not to be able to understand. Apparently Oberon had temporarily suspended all expeditions to go find more human slaves but this order hadn't filtered down to everyone and the swarm was not happy with the news, not at all. A few broke away from the larger group to fly around him and then Dean. Caught off-guard, his hunter stepped back in surprise, a hand rising, probably to swat the fae away, before his charge remembered what they were doing and dropped his eyes and hand.

Castiel would have smiled except that the behavior of the swarm was unacceptable and so he growled and spread his wings, blocking their view and access of his charge, visible as his wings were to faerie eyes. "Is this how the guests of King Oberon are treated in Avalon?" he demanded darkly.

"No, my Lord," the head guard replied, signaling for some of his men to herd the swarm away. "Please let us be on our way."

Not wanting to let the opportunity to gain an upper hand even before the negotiations had started pass untaken, Castiel waited a few moments before letting the matter go with clear reluctance, knowing that news of the incident and his reactions to it would be reported back to the fae king before their arrival at the palace.

The rest of the journey was uneventful and soon the forest lightened around them, the dark foreboding trees giving way to a lighter kind that grew further apart, allowing flowers and grass to grow between them. It was within this part of the forest that Oberon had decided to build his palace, a spacious structure built entirely off the ground in the trees, the ancient limbs having been specially grown just the way the king wanted them with lots of faerie magic and artisan craftsmanship so that flowering vines were interwoven into the very structure, the rich variety of them used meaning that there were always flowers on the walls.

The palace entrance had a large deck before it that acted as a landing platform and when Castiel saw it, he stopped and half turned, holding out an arm to his human. Dean obediently stepped forward, allowing Castiel to pull him close so that he could fly them up to the platform, the fae honor guard scrambling to catch up with them.

That the palace construction impressed Dean was clearly obvious from the awe that his human fairly radiated. A quick look back showed Castiel that his hunter was also sneaking glances up at his surroundings. Then their gazes met and he felt a rush of heat and arousal at the sight of Dean looking up at him through his eyelashes before the moment was broken as his charge looked back down. Turning to face forward once more, he tried to suppress the physical reaction his lust provoked in his vessel, but he found it surprisingly difficult to do as it was far less pleasing than it would have been to satisfy it.

Their arrival outside the throne room with its impressive and massive doors made of intricately woven and blooming vines gave Castiel something else to focus on. He used his Grace to open the doors rather than wait for the guards posted on either side to do it, knowing that his brothers and sisters who had visited before him would have done so as well. Oberon's obvious lack of surprise proved him correct.

"Welcome to Avalon, Lord..." Oberon began, rising to his feet from his grand, backless throne.

"Castiel," he supplied, giving a half bow.

"Lord Castiel," Oberon finished, giving him a regal nod. "It is a great pleasure to have an angel in my palace once more after all of these millennia."

It was a blatant lie, Castiel knew, as angels had only ever come to Avalon to negotiate the closing of faerie portals and the release of captured human slaves, but he could detect no hint of deceit in either the king's tone or aura. He would have to be on his guard during their talks as he would clearly not be able to use Oberon's body language to tell him what the fae king was really thinking or planning.

Well, at least not all of the time, Castiel amended as Oberon's eyes fell on Dean and he saw naked lust shine bright from every feature of the faerie's face.

"It is an honor to be here and to meet the famous fae king," Castiel replied courteously. "My brothers and sisters have spoken very highly of you and your hospitality."

Flattery apparently worked extremely well on faeries of all ranks, their natural arrogance predisposing them to believing it all.

"And they have ensured the continuous welcome of all angels in Avalon," Oberon replied in kind. "Though I have to admit, none of them have ever brought such a gorgeous slave with them."

Castiel obligingly stepped aside, allowing Oberon to move closer to examine Dean. His close attention to the faerie king allowed him to note each and every appreciative and lust filled glance as well as the flash of dismay and disappointment when Oberon's eyes fell on his claim and the fae king not only saw the permanence of it but felt it with his magic as well. The way that the golden hued eyes went unfocused for a moment told him that Oberon was looking beyond Dean's physical body and right at his very soul. Though he had known that it would happen, it took all of his willpower to resist bringing a wing up and around to block his charge's most precious feature from the faerie king's sight.

"I really must congratulate you, Lord Castiel," Oberon said as he stepped closer, walking around behind Dean, his eyes dropping down to admire his human's leather clad ass. "He really is exquisite."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Castiel responded, watching as, inevitably, the fae king reached out to touch.

Dean had clearly been expecting it as his hunter hardly reacted to the first brush of Oberon's fingers on his back and for that Castiel was glad. It still grated to allow another to touch what he saw as his but it would have been far worse if his charge were able to display his full dislike of it.

As Oberon continued his circle around Dean, the faerie king stopped at Castiel's mark. Luckily for all of them, Oberon didn't actually try to touch it, though the king did lean closer to look at it closely, laughing at what he saw.

"You weren't taking any chances with this one," Oberon commented.

"No, I knew how valuable he was as soon as I laid eyes on him," Castiel replied, oddly delighted at being able to speak about his true feelings for his hunter so freely.

The only thing which dampened his mood on the issue slightly was that if he knew Dean at all- and he most definitely did- then his charge probably thought that he was making it up, lying and telling Oberon exactly what the fae king needed to hear.

"I have never seen a human soul like his before," Oberon continued. "It shines almost as brightly as..."

Angelic Grace. Though the faerie king didn't say it, Castiel knew that was what Oberon meant because it was the exact same thing that had crossed his own mind when he'd first laid eyes on the Righteous Man in Perdition. It was a mystery that still continued to fascinate him, especially given how emotive and expressive Dean's soul was, allowing Castiel to read his hunter in an important way, especially when his human was being contrary.

By now, Oberon had completed his circle of Dean and the fae king stood before Castiel's charge once more, now running both hands over Dean's chest. His hunter was holding out remarkably well given that he knew that Dean had never been with another male before, right up until Oberon brushed his fingers deliberately over Dean's nipples. His hunter made a small noise of surprise or instinctive protest at the back of his throat as he flinched back half a step before freezing in place.

"Kneel!" Castiel ordered, having been able to see how his hunter's teeth had clenched, no doubt in anger at himself for the mistake.

Miraculously, Dean dropped to his knees instantly and the automatic obedience sent a thrill through Castiel which he now allowed to show on his face for the faerie king to see.

"My apologies, Your Majesty," Castiel said, stepping closer so the edge of his trench coat brushed against Dean's arm. "He is a recent acquisition and I have not yet had the time to fully train him."

"Recent?" Oberon repeated, looking up at Castiel.

"Mm, yes. He was quite feisty when I first found him; very passionate. It is a trait I'm trying to redirect rather than stamp out entirely."

Oberon laughed at that, eyes flickering back down to Dean lustfully. "Yes, I can understand that desire quite well and I know how difficult it can be to achieve without breaking them entirely."

Knowing what Oberon wanted and preferring to be the one touching his hunter, Castiel reached down and ran his fingers through Dean's hair before tilting his charge's face upwards.

"Look at me, slave," Oberon commanded and Dean did.

Castiel wondered what his hunter saw when he looked at the faerie king. Oberon was supposed to be quite beautiful by human standards, but then humanity was quite fond of gold and the fae king was that, golden from his eyes to his hair and even the color of his skin and most of his wings.

"His eyes are the color of new golma leaves," Oberon commented and Castiel was glad for the permanence of his claim over Dean. His human was turning out to be even better of a distraction than he'd hoped and Castiel feared that if Dean didn't literally have his mark burned into his very soul and body that the fae king would have given serious thought to challenging him for ownership of his charge.

"He must make you the envy of your siblings," Oberon commented before finally dragging his eyes away. "But come, let us sit so that we can commence our business."

With a slight tug to his hunter's hair, Castiel indicated that Dean was to rise before he followed Oberon further into the room. Unlike human throne rooms where the king or queen sat alone at the end of a hall or elevated on a platform, the faerie throne was simply the most ornate of several seats placed in a circle around each other. Some had backs while others like Oberon's did not to accommodate those fae who had wings. He himself chose one with a back to emphasize how 'other' his wings were by letting them pass straight through the chair. Dean walked forward and knelt on the soft pillows laid on the floor for precisely that purpose.

It didn't escape Castiel's notice that all of the slave pillows were oriented to give Oberon the best possible view of the slaves themselves. Luckily for them, that put his claim on Dean's shoulder in full view of the faerie king which would serve as a good reminder that his human was not available even if it meant that Dean would have to be more careful with his actions.

Oberon himself had brought two of his slaves into the room with him, though Castiel knew that the king had many more. The one closest to him was a small exotic looking young woman with long dark hair and almond shaped eyes. The other was a blue eyed boy with hair so fair it looked almost white. The contrast between the pair was striking and he thought that was probably the precise reason that they had been chosen to accompany Oberon today. Well that and they were probably also some of the better trained slaves who wouldn't react rebelliously when they heard an outsider arguing with their master and king on preventing the capture of any more humans.

"You are here regarding the open portal and our hunting trips to acquire new human slave stock," Oberon stated without pomp as soon as he was seated.

If only it were that simple, but Castiel knew that there were many elaborate faerie procedures and an evening banquet to attend to before any negotiations could begin. No, Oberon was fishing to see if that was all that Castiel wanted, but that was a good thing as it meant that at least one of the kidnapped humans had not yet fully succumbed to the fae or become trapped here.

"Yes, that and the return of any slaves not yet tied to Avalon," Castiel replied formally.

Oberon nodded, turning to a faerie servant standing beside his throne. "Have the girl drugged until further notice."

"Yes, Sire."

Castiel dropped his hand to Dean's shoulder, squeezing it gently. It looked like they might be able to rescue Sandy Kendal after all.



Part 3