Living Right Is In the Trying

[reticentric]

Chapter Twelve

Zachariah looked beyond smug even with a swollen and bruised nose held in place by white tape. He slithered fully into the room wearing a dark suit because above all he loved the illusion of appearing important. Castiel squared his shoulders and watched him shake hands with Crowley, murmuring something about a “job well done.” He did not have it in him to be completely surprised by this revelation. Obviously Crowley was capable of anything. He was just worried that they had all clearly underestimated Zachariah.

“I told you, I always deliver.” Crowley grinned. “Well I’ll let you two love birds coo for a while. I am sure that you have lots to talk about.”

The door shut with an audible click behind him as he left.

Castiel exhaled deeply but he didn’t move from his place by the window. He tapered down any fear that he was feeling to focus on the truths of the matter. He was no longer that frightened eighteen year old questioning his place in the world or whether it was right or wrong to let his guardian do unpleasant things to him. Yes he wasn’t as savvy as many others his age but he was stronger and smarter now. And he refused to be intimidated by Zachariah any longer.

“So here we are again.” Zachariah mused glancing around the room. “This place is a bit tawdry for my tastes but I suppose it will have to do until we return home. Only at the Retreat can I give you the help and counseling that you honestly need my boy. I realize that I was very harsh with you upon our last meeting but, well, tempers were heightened. I don’t want you to go to hell. I want to save you.”

“You do not have the power to save me.” Castiel replied matter of fact. “You are just a man and not much of one. However there was a time when you provided me with food, shelter and clothing and I shall always remember that. But it doesn’t outweigh all of the horrible things you made me do in God’s name. Cheating people out of their hard earn money. Promising them cures to terminal diseases. Thinking back on that part of my life makes me so ashamed.”

Sensing the time for pretense was over, Zachariah shrugged. “I simply gave them what they wanted. I mean anyone could look at you and see that you’re not an angel. That you’re just as corrupt and base as the rest of them. But when those lovely wings come out you’re different. You’re holy. People want to believe in a higher power. They want to believe that some divine being is watching out for them.” He smiled. “So that is what I gave them. I presented them with a young, nubile angel to assuage their guilt and calm their fears and lessen their woes. I helped them.”

Castiel glared at him. “You tricked them. They trusted you as a real religious figure and you used that trust to prey on their insecurities. You profited from their misfortunes and that is a horrible thing.”

Zachariah pulled the top off a decanter of alcohol and sniffed it. “Well if they were stupid enough to believe me I suppose they got whatever they deserved.”

“Do you even believe in God?”

“Of course I do. That doesn’t mean that I’m not also practical.”

Shaking his head, Castiel wet his lips. “I’d rather die than go back to the Retreat with you.”

Zachariah smirked to himself. “The others and I were about to leave when I met Mr. Crowley; did you know that? Anyway we were outside the restroom of that diner and Anna was helping me tend to my nose. She was ranting and raving about your lack of respect when he overhead our conversation. We got to talking and I was amused to discover his plans for you. He’s a terrible, disgusting man of course but I was not against using him to get what I wanted. I paid him double for you and then sent the others away, saying I would join them eventually. Shall I let you in on a little secret though?” He lowered his voice. “He thinks he’s going to keep you. He thinks I am going to just walk away and let him have you.”

“Neither of you are going to have me.” Castiel snapped. “I belong to myself. I am only here because Crowley threatened someone very dear to me and-”

“Ah yes the hooligan that broke my nose.” He frowned deeply, clearly repulsed by the memories. “What was his name? Dean? I’m shocked you would be interested in someone like him, Castiel. I always figured you were a homosexual but you tended to gravitate towards men like Inais back then. He was devastated after you disappeared by the way.” Pause. “He’ll be happy to see you when we get home. Perhaps if you are nice I will let you spend some time with him.”

How is it possible to talk and talk to someone and yet never be heard? “One of my deepest regrets is that I wasn’t able to take him and others like him with me when I left. At the time I thought you trying to force yourself on me was unimaginable; a punishment for being the way that I was, for having wings. Now I know better. What you did spurred me to escape and I have had a wonderful life because the fear you caused gave me the courage to run. And if you attempt to take me back to the Retreat I will run again. I will keep running until I am completely free of you.”

Zachariah clapped slowly. “Pretty words Castiel and nothing more. I am not above keeping you in a locked room for the rest of your life if it means I get to have you all to myself.”His brows narrowed and he stepped closer. “If it means I get to rub all over those pretty feathers. You are one in a million-as far as we know-and now that you’ve been brought back into my life I am going to make sure you never leave.”

For a brief moment Castiel could picture that sort of life. Locked in his room while Anna and Rachel brought him food and told him repeatedly how lucky he was. His pleas to be released falling on deaf ears or being mocked by the likes of Raphael and Virgil and perhaps Michael if he were in the mood. And although he would fight Zachariah’s advances each and every time, he knew someone like him was not against restraining him to get what he wanted.

He’d never see Dean or Gabriel or anyone else ever again. Even faced with another dreary prospect of a future he still couldn’t determine which would be worse. He’d be a whore either way.

Smoothing a hand over his face, he cracked his knuckles. “Have you always been such a dick?”

Zachariah blinked at him. “Did you learn such language from Dean?” A beat. “I would bash that boy’s skull in if I could. He is obviously nothing but a common thug.”

Castiel’s eyes drifted to the fireplace for the poker but saw nothing. Crowley would be smart enough to remove it. “Dean is wonderful and I wager that if you tried to harm him he would beat you to death.” His fingers brushed his neck before grabbing at the fabric of Dean’s shirt. “Or at least break another of your bones.”

“And that would make you happy, wouldn’t it?” Zachariah was suddenly in his space glowering at him. He boxed him in against the window. “If your little dog broke off his leash and attacked me? I always knew there was something dark about you Castiel. Maybe it’s the wings. Maybe they…” He trailed off and his eyes bulged when they noticed the marks on Castiel’s throat. “What in God’s name are those!?”

Castiel shoved him hard and he stumbled a few steps back. “What do they look like?”

“You stupid little whore! How dare you let someone so unworthy defile you. Didn’t I teach you to treat your body like a temple?” He grabbed Castiel’s shoulders and shook him. “I will drain the evil from you if it is the last thing that I do. I will heal you and save you from your heathen ways. Don’t worry, Castiel. I will make you better.”

Zachariah leaned forward to kiss him and Castiel gasped, his mind going completely blank for a moment. You are not eighteen anymore. You can take care of yourself, his brain reminded him. If he won’t listen, show him.

So Castiel did.

He slammed his forehead into Zachariah’s face and Zachariah shouted in pain but released him, staggering back like a wounded animal. He held to his nose which was bleeding once again and sputtered for breath. “How dare you! You cannot do that to me!”

Castiel rolled his eyes and punched Zachariah in the jaw like he wished he had done years and years ago. Zachariah’s head snapped back and Castiel hit him again in the stomach; he gripped his shoulders and jabbed his knee into his groin, sending the older man to his knees with a pitiful howl. “No Zachariah, you cannot do that to me. I am not a toy and I am certainty not here for you to use as you please. For years you have been the monster that lurked in the darkness but I am not scared of you anymore. And if you try to touch me again I will destroy you.”

The door opened next and Crowley stepped into the room, arching a brow at the sight of Zachariah sweaty and clutching his crotch on the floor. “I’m not sure but I don’t think this is a very productive type of foreplay.” He tsked Castiel as he helped Zachariah up. “I knew that wasn’t pleasurable crying. I am terribly sorry but I did tell you that he was quite raw.”

“You also said he was untouched.” Zachariah growled angrily. “I want my damn money back!”

“Nonsense.” Crowley patted his shoulder, brushing imaginary lent off his jacket. “Why don’t you go get cleaned up while I have a word with your paramour. I promise the next time you see him he’ll be receptive to whatever you wish.”

Grumbling with bloody hands, Zachariah huffed by shuffled out of the room and down the hall most likely towards a bathroom.

“Well that was interesting.” Crowley chuckled when he was out of earshot. “I should have expected as such but I thought you would behave now that we have an agreement.” He strolled over to his liqueurs and poured a glass of Scotch, taking a tiny vial of something out of his pocket and dumping it into the alcohol. “But no matter. I always come prepared.” Grinning he walked up to Castiel and handed him the glass. “Drink this.”

Castiel frowned at it. “What did you put in it?”

Crowley feigned innocence. “Hm? Oh just something to help you relax. Something to keep you from beating poor Mr. Adler black and blue. It’s not poisonous and it won’t have any lasting effects. It’s not LSD or anything. It won’t knock you out but you’ll be more manageable.” When Castiel didn’t drink, he reached into his other pocket and pulled out his cell phone. “It is in your best interest to drink Castiel. Otherwise...” He held up the screen to show off the picture of Dean beaten and unconscious that he’d snapped. “I’ll have my friends visit sweet little Dean again.”

Castiel knew that he could refuse to drink and let Crowley do what he wanted to Dean but honestly, he’d never be able to live with himself if Dean were killed. Dean was good and passionate and selfless, and he deserved a bit of loyalty. Besides for some odd reason, deep down, Castiel had the feeling that everything was going to be okay. Perhaps it was just a sense of faith but it helped him take the glass from Crowley and swallow its’ contents, coughing when the alcohol burned his throat.

“Good boy. Now just lie down and relax.” Crowley smiled and pointed to the bed. “I’ll go give Mr. Adler some pain pills and maybe a Viagra and you’ll be good to go.”

He left and locked the door behind him.

The effects of the drugs hit faster than Castiel expected and he idly wondered if Crowley had given him a double dose. He toppled over onto the bed on the side near the window and allowed himself to slide down to the floor, his limbs tingling like they were asleep. His head rested against the thick mattress and he blinked at the hazy images before his eyes, the room tilting just a little. His skin suddenly felt feverish and he pulled at his shirt but had enough wits about him to not take it off.

Zachariah would return and-well whatever happened maybe eventually he would be rescued or he’d escape somehow. He wondered if he ever saw Dean again, would he still want him after Zachariah had had him?

~*~

Gabriel pried the top off a wooden crate and rummaged around in the coarse straw, pulling out several different types of guns. “I know what you are thinking. If I hate guns so much why do I have them? I have them because the constitution says that I can. And well you never know when you might need to shoot a bear around these parts.”

Dean was only half listening to him. He stared into space and rubbed his already sore and busted knuckles as he tried to think what he would say to Castiel when everything was okay. If Castiel even wanted to talk to him of course. At the very least he’d apologize for all of the shit he’d brought into his life and offer up some kinda way to make it up to him. If that way happened to be hitting the highway and never showing his face there again then he would do it. But right now he just wanted to make sure Castiel was okay. He wanted to look him over with his own eyes and touch him with his own hands.

After he put his foot so far up Crowley’s ass that he left him tasting leather for the rest of his life.

Exhaling deeply, he walked over to the Impala and popped the trunk, pulling up the floorboard to look under where the spare tire was kept. He yanked up a nondescript toolbox and opened it, taking out the thigh holster inside and strapping it around his right thigh. He took out his favorite gun-a Colt 911 with an ivory handle-and tucked it behind him into the band of his jeans.

“Dean?” Gabriel waved him back over. “What are you doing?” Upon noticing the thigh holster, he smirked. “And here I was wondering if you even knew how to use a gun.”

Dean shrugged. “My dad was in the Marines. My brother and I didn’t like hunting so he’d just take us out shooting sometimes.” He took the gun Gabriel handed him and checked to see if it was loaded. Finding it was he slipped it into the holster.

Balthazar looked almost amused. “You look as if we’re going to war.”

Dean met his gaze. “Aren’t we?”

Balthazar appeared to think on it for a second before nodding. “There is quite a bit we don’t know about you, isn’t there?”

Dean’s jaw twitched. “Something like that.” Pause. “So what is the plan exactly?”

Gabriel passed a small black handgun to Jake. “Well as fun as I’m sure it would be to go in with guns literally blazing I thought we’d be sneakier. We know that Crowley has at least five assholes with him, and his driver Brady. The local Sheriff owed me a favor so I know where they are and the basic layout of the place. Nothing fancy really; the house is built like every other farmhouse around these parts but one of the rooms has bars on the windows. I bet my sweet ass that’s where Castiel is being kept.” He picked up a sawed off shotgun and a box of shells. “Since you’re more banged up than the rest of us, we’ll clear a path while you get Castiel out.”

“I don’t like the sound of that.” Dean admitted. “I don’t want any of you getting hurt or killed.”

Jake smiled. “Guess we’re going to have to be extra careful and not let that happen. But ya know Castiel is our family and he’d be ready to throw down for any one of us. So either way we’re going but this way you get to look like the hero.”

“Oh shut up.” Dean said with a tiny grin. “I just meant…” He sighed and licked his lips. “What happened to Cas? I know I shouldn’t blame myself; I was told that Cas is a big boy and blah blah blah but well I do blame myself. He went with that dick to save me, and I feel responsible for whatever happens to him. I’d feel the same way if one of you were shot. Even Balthazar.”

“Touching.” Balthazar rolled his eyes. “We are all going to be careful, Dean. Besides you can’t do this alone so you need us. All we have to do is not get killed while you find Castiel and get him outside. Perhaps another type of distraction would be in order.”

“I could start a fire?” Jake suggested. “Little bit of gas in a flask should do the trick. And while they are dealing with that we could swoop in and pick ‘em off. We just gotta keep them busy long enough to get Castiel. Afterwards we’ll deal with the fallout.”

It wasn’t much of a plan but it was all that they had so Dean would take it. “What if someone gets killed? One of them I mean?”

Gabriel rubbed his chin. “I’d say we try to avoid that but who knows? Better them than us.”

So very true. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

Five minutes later Dean sat on the passenger side of Rufus’ truck while Balthazar drove them towards Crowley’s. Gabriel and Jake were behind them in Gabriel’s car. To be honest he felt like he could throw up at any minute but he tried to stay positive. It didn’t matter how they found Castiel as long as he was alive. He could heal from broken bones or whatever else but he couldn’t come back to life. If he was dead Dean did not know what he would do although burning the place down to the ground sounded like a good idea.

If he survived however he’d have an interesting story to tell Sam. He could hear his outraged bitching already. As long as he didn’t end back up in jail for something worse than grand theft auto. Gabriel seemed pretty content with the whole deal so maybe he had an in with the police. To be honest Dean wouldn’t be surprised because there was obviously more to Gabriel than he was letting on. All those guns and his blasé attitude; who knows what the dude used to get up to before he decided to live off the grid?

“Are you alright?” Balthazar asked slowly. “I mean are you going to be alright? Will you be able to do this?”

Dean sniffed. “I won’t fall apart. I’ll be good once we know Cas is safe.”

“I am sure that Cassy is well.” He didn’t sound too convinced however. “There is something to be said for Crowley’s timing. If this had been years ago our dear Cassy would not have been as adept as he is now. Even if we find the worst I have no doubt that he will be able to overcome.”

“This is so fucked up.” Dean grunted as he shifted in his seat. “But if Crowley had to flip the fuck out-yeah-I’m glad it’s now so that I can help. Just hope no one gets killed. Ava would kick my ass again if anything happened to Jake. Andy too.”

Balthazar laughed, flashing straight white teeth. “That she would. She was oddly absent when we left but I am choosing to look upon it as a good thing. I suspect if she had seen something horrible she would have at least told us about it.”

Good point. I’m sure she would have. “I think she would. Maybe she didn’t see anything.”

“She always sees something.” He said absently.

Dean bit into his bottom lip. “Can I ask you something?”

“If you must.”

“Does it seem odd that our first reaction was to go get Cas instead of calling the cops?”

“No. Castiel is one of ours and besides the lovely Sheriff the rest of the police department is quite incompetent. Crowley would have just bought them off to look the other way. This is how it would have been done in the past so I see nothing with doing it now.”

“Good point.”

Leaning forward to get a better view out the windshield, Balthazar merged off the road so that the truck was hidden by a crop of thick trees. “We should walk from here.” He pointed to the flash of white peeking out from between gnarled branches. “We can use the foliage to stay hidden until we are close enough to strike.”

Gabriel pulled up behind them and they all got out and did one last weapons check.

“Okay Angels, let’s go save Bossley.” Gabriel glanced at them. “Be careful.”

If there is a God let’s hope he knows that he owes me a favor after taking my mom.

They crept slowly through the thick trees and bushes towards Crowley’s house, careful not to make too much noise. Crowley’s expensive cars were parked in the driveway but there was no one about and no cameras mounted to the porch pillars. It was Dean’s guess that Crowley probably figured there was no need for heightened security when you were out in the middle of bum fuck nowhere. Or maybe he was just that arrogant.

The pain in his side and face had dampened and he didn’t know if it was because of Rufus’ pills or the adrenaline beginning to course through his system but he welcomed it. He didn’t want a stupid thing like a fucked up rib to slow him down. This was too important for anything to go wrong.

Jake reached the house first and he flattened himself to the side, holding his gun to his stomach. He craned his neck to make sure no one was coming and then hurried towards the very back where he was going to start the fire. There was a brief moment of nothing and then the crackle of flames could be heard as yellow and red licked along the grass. It was small at first but then it started to grow and climb up the wall of what could have been the laundry room or pantry.

Gabriel-who looked so freaken serious that it was kind of scary-waited until the smoke got thick enough to see and smell before slinking in the direction Jake had taken. Dean could hear heavy footfalls heading towards the fire and two gruff voices cursing, asking what the fuck was going on. So far so good.

Two of Crowley’s men burst out of the house with blankets. They beat at the fire on the grass and attempted to smother it, bitching about getting their clothes covered in soot. Dean caught sight of Jake seconds before he lunged from his hiding place and smashed his fist into the shortest dude’s face. Blood and a few teeth flew from the guy’s mouth and he toppled over like a tree, hitting the ground hard. The second man yelped and threw a punch but Jake blocked it and delivered a strong uppercut to his chin, knocking him out cold just like the first.

“Gotta love super strength.” Gabriel whispered. “C’mon help me drag these assholes somewhere.”

Dean watched as they lugged them into the bushes beside the house and left them there. With the fire still basically burning and simmering, the foursome trekked inside as quietly as they could. Balthazar purposefully ducked into the den and started a ruckus, breaking vases and overturning chairs to gain someone’s attention. Gabriel did the same thing in the kitchen.

Raymond-the brick house that had beaten Dean down stalked unhappily out of the living room passing right by where Jake and Dean were hiding out of sight. He thumped angrily into the kitchen and Dean nudged Jake to follow, thinking Gabriel would need all the help he could get with that dick.

The final two men hurried down the stairs and into the den; the house quickly filling with the sounds of raised voices and the sound of furniture breaking.

Dean took that as his cue and started for the stairs, getting halfway up when Brady appeared at the top. He reached for his gun but Brady just looked at him before saying over his shoulder, “No I don’t see anything, boss. I think the guys are just rough housing.” He grabbed Dean’s collar and physically shoved him into a closet. “Your boyfriend is in the room at the end of the hall. Count to ten and then go there.”

He left the door open just a crack before turning and walking away.

What the fuck is going on? Trouble in paradise? Whatever long as it helps me get to Cas.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Si-

Dean frowned as a figure slowly walked past, his eyes catching a glimpse of a bald head. He eased the door open as silently as he could and peeped out, nearly gasping in shock at the sight of Zachariah. What the fuck is he doing here!? he thought frantically to himself. He watched Zachariah opened the door to Castiel’s room with a small key and trudge inside, shutting the door behind him. When there wasn’t an audible click Dean praised God and quickly followed.

He came up behind Zachariah who was loosening his tie and thumped him in the back of the head with the butt of his gun. The older man groaned but fell to the floor unconscious. Dean glared at him and kicked him in the nuts just because.

“Piece of shit.” He growled. “Cas? Cas are you in here?”

A giggle sounded from near the bed and Dean sprinted over almost tripping on the fluffy carpet. Castiel was slouched against the bedside table, thankfully still dressed and apparently no worse for the wear. His cheeks were flushed red, his expression dazed but he didn’t have any bruises and the bed itself was still made.

“Cas!” Dean dropped to his knees in front of him. “Cas? Hey hey, Castiel can you hear me?”

Castiel blinked at him. “Dean? Deaaan I’m so happy to see you!” He wrapped his arms around Dean’s neck. “I really like you. I really like you and I don’t wanna be here anymore. Zachariah is here and I don’t like him.”

Dean cupped his face. “Cas? Did they drug you? You looked stoned.” Pause. “I need you to try to focus man. C’mon can you do that for me?”

Castiel grinned. “I’d do anything for you. I-”

It happened so suddenly that for a brief moment Dean honestly had no idea why he was sprawled out on the floor or why his head was throbbing. It wasn’t until the spots stopped dancing in front of his eyes that he realized somehow Crowley had sneaked up behind him and cracked him across the back with a cane. An honest to God cane.

“Well, well, well.” Crowley mused, staring down at him. “This I honestly did not expect.” He kicked Dean’s gun away from him. “You’ve surprised me Dean. If I weren’t planning to kill you I’d offer you a real job working for me. Obviously you’re smart and cut throat.”

Dean groaned. “Shut the fuck up. I’m-I’m taking Cas and we’re getting the hell out of here.”

Crowley chuckled. “No I don’t see that happening. Poor Mr. Adler though; he’s had a rough afternoon. I don’t think his penis will be in working order today. Oh well, I got paid up front.” Clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth, he hauled back and whacked Dean in the side, forcing him to cry out in pain. “I’m sorry did that hurt? Did I hurt you! You stupid, stupid moron!”

Gritting his teeth, Dean rolled onto his stomach. “Fuck you.”

“Crowley.” Castiel crept more into view. “Sto-stop. Just stop.”

Crowley sighed and grabbed a handful of his hair. “And you! You’re been way more trouble than you’re worth.” He tossed him over towards the chaise lounge. “I should just sell you or something once we reach Las Vegas and be done with you. Or have those pretty wings clipped.” He turned his attention back to Dean. “Maybe after this you’ll see that this is not a game! That I mean business.

Crowley straddled Dean’s legs and caught him under the chin with his cane, pulling up and up as much as he could, choking off Dean’s air. Dean sputtered and tried to dislodge it but found that he didn’t have the strength. That the pulsing pain in his body was blocking out everything else and draining him, making his head loopy and his muscles limp. But he kept struggling. His hand came down near his thigh holster and fumbled for his second gun but Crowley stepped on his wrist and pinned it to the floor under his fancy shoes.

“Crowley stop!” Castiel shouted.

“Or what?” Crowley laughed and tightened his hold on the cane. “What are you going to do?”

The shot was loud when it rang out and Dean wondered if Crowley had gotten tired of choking him and just decided to do the job cleanly. It wasn’t until Crowley hissed and fell over that Dean got enough oxygen back to realize what had happened. Of course the gaping bleeding hole in Crowley’s head probably helped. He coughed and sucked in air, his eyes locked on Crowley’s open lifeless ones.

“Dean.” Castiel whispered.

Making his legs move, he crawled over to him and gently took the gun from his hand. “Cas. It’s okay. It’s okay, man.” He pulled Castiel into his arms for a hug, burying his face into Cas’ neck. “Fuck. You saved my life.”

Castiel rubbed his back. “I don’t feel very well.”

“It-yeah it’s probably whatever that douche gave you.” Dean’s voice was a low rasp in his throat. “Hopefully it’ll wear off.”

Footsteps in the hallway sounded and Gabriel rushed into the room with Balthazar and Jake behind him. They all looked at Crowley’s body with a mix of surprise and satisfaction, thinking he’d gotten what he deserved.

“Are you two okay?” Gabriel inquired. “Wait don’t answer that. You’re alive so you’re better than he is. We should be getting the hell outta here before his boys wake up.”

“No hurry.” Brady strolled in with a smile. “I doubt they will care.”

Gabriel turned his gun on him. “Yeah I’m guessing you’re not too broken up about this?”

Brady bent down beside Crowley’s body and went through his pockets. “Not really. Crowley isn’t the sort of man that you mourn or miss. Most of the time he was a bastard so really you guys have done me a big favor. And to show my gratitude I’m going to dispose of the body for you, and see that Mr. Adler leaves you alone.”

Gabriel arched a brow. “Out of the goodness of your heart?”

“Look you killed Crowley and now I get to take over his business because I’m basically the only one who knows how. Like I said you did me a favor. So do you want me to help you out or not?”

“Well when you put it like that... You’re not gonna try to shake us down later?”

“No offense Gabriel but you don’t have anything I want.”

“We’ll hammer out some terms, then.”

“Fair enough.”

Dean let their chatter fall into the background. He rearranged himself on the floor so that he was more comfortable and so that he could get a better look at Castiel. His blue eyes were hazy but he seemed a little more coherent than before. His fingers traced the blooming bruises on Dean’s neck and Dean exhaled with a shudder, feeling like he was hanging on by a fraying thread. It was weird because he feared something happening to Cas more than he feared dying. When Crowley had been choking him all he’d been thinking was please God let Gabriel and Balthazar take Castiel away from here.

“I’m sorry.” He murmured into Castiel’s ear. “I’m so sorry.”

“I’m fine Dean.” Castiel replied softly. “A little dizzy, and I do want to laugh at Gabriel’s height for some reason. But I’m alright.”

Dean kissed his forehead. “Never do that again. Never give yourself up for me.”

Castiel smiled. “Did you think twice about coming to rescue me?”

“Of course not.” Dean said fervently. “I’d have come sooner if I hadn’t been knocked out.”

“How you can possibly think you’re worthless when you are so-so clearly not is beyond me.” Castiel nuzzled his cheek. “But that’s alright because I am willing to help you learn your value, Dean.”

Instead of replying he just nodded and stood on shaky legs, pulling Castiel up with him. It was time to go home.

Chapter Thirteen