Chapter Text
Of course Azriel would be as unnecessarily cryptic as every other angel save Cas, and maybe a couple of others. And of course his pie was gone. Dean was also reeling from one of the strangest interactions he’d ever had, but that was secondary. Or, at any rate, he was making it secondary so he didn’t have to dwell, analyze, and freak out. Helpful to this goal, the pack was coming out of the apartment and over through the park to ask what the shadow thing who'd disappeared into thin air without wings had been. At least it had sounded like they left without wings, the terrifying shadow Dean had noticed when not looking directly at them said otherwise, but the lack of noise was still on the pro side of the list.
For some other reason that Dean wasn’t privy to, Stiles was the one to step up and explain things to Scott—the loudest questioner—while the remainder of the pack cuddled up into the empty spaces in their little circle. Isaac squished in-between Dean and Derek, and the, whatever Dean was, given the horrifying list of what had gone into him, was about to start a conversation with him when Sam grabbed his brother’s arm, nodding in the general direction of his car. Agreeing that they should probably talk even though he didn’t particularly want to, Dean complied and they walked out of hearing distance, leaning back on Sam’s vehicle to talk.
As he pressed against the metal he noticed the lack of tail and a quick check of his hand showed no claws. This whole random shifting thing was going to be a big problem, though that explained why Dean had been able to leave the group. For some reason his tail always wrapped itself around people he loved, snaking out and being a nuisance of itself. He could kind of feel it and move it, but the thing seemed to run on some mental instincts that Dean had yet to work out how to exercise veto power over. There was so much he hadn’t figured out yet about his shift, and he knew it would only get worse as time went on. The relief of knowing was mostly left behind when he then took into account the whole blood cravings, but those weren’t exactly bad yet. Not like the all-consuming hunger of when he'd been a full vampire, rather a steadily pulsing desire in the back of his mind or when he looked at Derek’s gorgeous throat. That would also probably change, but at least he would have time to talk to his mate about it, ‘cause really thinking about it? A blowjob from a part-vampire was practically a recipe for disaster.
“Are you going to stay here? For more than just the summer?” Sam asked
Dean blinked, having expected nearly any other question and slightly thrown from the train of thought he had been on with his vampiric tendencies.
“I think so, I mean, I’m sure Derek wants to, and I kind of do. I think some of the pack is staying here too, plus they go to universities within driving distances. Why?” He tilted his head. "What's up?"
Sam rubbed a hand over his face with a long sigh before answering. “Listen Dean, as much as I’d like to pretend differently, I’m not going to be able to help you on this one. Don’t get me wrong, I want to, I really want to help you learn to control your shift, and figure out how to deal when you’re not human, and see what each influences you get from your different creatures, but I think at this point I’d just get in the way. ‘Cause I still think you’re making a mistake with trusting Derek so easily and letting him get away with so much, and he’s the one who’s going to do the most to get you through this.”
Surprised, Dean fought the urge to stand there and just blink in confusion. One day Sam’s practically itching to tear Derek’s head off, and the next he’s actively acknowledging the guy? “What changed?”
“Nothing really, I've, just, been thinking about it.” Sam sighed, then shrugged and met Dean’s eyes. “And when you were first Turned, when we fighting those demon-wolves, nothing could stop you from going to him. You didn’t care who saw you, who you had to go through, you just refused to leave him. He was your only thought, and I, given what I did, or didn't do, I don't want to lose you as my brother. Not anymore than I already have.”
That whole time was kind of fuzzy, but that part Dean could remember, the pain his mate had felt and the overwhelming need to protect and help. He honestly wasn’t sure exactly what he’d done other than kill a bunch of things, get covered in blood and end up curled up beside his mate protecting his most important packmates. Guilt rushed through him as he realized that in his shoddy memory Sam barely factored in except to note, ‘not pack’. How the hell had that changed.
“So I’m leaving.” Sam continued after a few moments of silence and Dean jerked his head up in surprise.
“What, right now?” He asked, taken off guard. It was one thing for his brother to cave to the fact that Dean wasn’t getting rid of Derek, but it was another thing completely for him to actually go off and leave Dean in his mate’s admittedly capable hands. It was another thing for his baby brother to leave.
“I came here to help you and to get rid of the demons. The demons are gone, and I can’t help you anymore. I’m fine with the pack, but I don’t want to be around Derek after what he did to you. I don’t know how you’ve forgiven him, but I don’t think I can. I know I can't.” Sam shrugged again, “Summed up, Castiel said I was too focused on my anger to care if you were happy, and he was right. Thinking on that, though I still want Derek dead, I want you to be happy more. And if I’m spending this whole time angry at him while he's trying to teach you, that’s not going to help you.”
Stunned, Dean blurted out, “I love him. I forgave him because I love him. You’re still my brother Sammy and one of the three most important people in my life, but…” He trailed off without adding, I don’t know if you’re still number one. Even if I knew that for certain, I can’t order you guys anymore, it’s no longer Sammy, Cas, everyone else, Derek’s there, Stiles' there, the pack...
Whatever he meant, Sam seemed to get what he was saying, smiling lowly. “Ya, I figured.” Pulling himself up from the serious pose he'd taken, Sam bumped Dean’s shoulder with his own, “Now can we braid our hair? Mine first.”
Dean laughed, ducking slightly as he was reminded of another reason he loved his little brother. He hated emotional times, but Sam knew him well enough to stop before he got so cornered and backed up that he just shut off.
Still chuckling he agreed, “Alright, you want a French braid? ‘Cause if you do, you’re shit out of luck, I’ve no idea what that is.”
Sam just grinned. They stood together for a little while longer before Dean decided to dip back into the edges of moment territory. “I think Derek’s going to tear down the house so we can rebuild a new one, he’s been wanting to for a while now. When it’s finished you have to come visit.” Sam nodded in agreement and Dean ended the threatening moment. “Want me to tell Cas to come over? I don’t know, I almost think you should leave without saying goodbye to him as payback for all the times he’s disappeared.”
“That would be rude.” Sam chastised, then proceeded to wave at the angel when he looked over.
Cas tilted his head and Dean wondered if he had figured out the function of a wave. But he nodded, turning to Stiles and saying something before heading over to the Winchesters.
“You’re leaving.” Cas stated as he drew near.
“Ya.” To Dean’s surprise Sam actually looked awkward in preparation for whatever he was about to say next. “But before I go, I have to ask. What’s up with you and Stiles?”
Wait, what? There was a Cas and Stiles? Since when?
The angel’s head tilted further but he answered, “He’s my nephilim.”
“Your nephilim? In just what manner is he your nephilim?” Dean asked, glancing at Sam before turning again to Cas. What had he seen?
Seriously, if Cas’ head tilted any further it was going to fall off, and then Dean would never find out exactly what they were talking about.
Sam was the one who ended up answering that. “You guys were looking pretty, enthusiastic, earlier.”
Oh. Oh Cas you player.
Cas went to speak but Dean interrupted him with a laugh and a clap on the shoulder, “You’re finally getting some cloud seeding done! Now if I had just known back at the brothel that you swung the other way…” I totally would’ve fucked you myself.
But that was another life, and wasn’t what had happened. “How’d that happen?’
“How do these things usually happen Dean?” Cas asked sarcastically and Dean grinned without repentance.
“Sarcasm and cloud seeding! Our little angel is growing up” Dean cooed, receiving a murderous glare for his troubles. While Cas could be fucking terrifying, this time it was ruined by the red spots on his cheeks and the way he adorably shuffled in place.
“Be nice” Sam reprimanded, as always the support of the group “I think that’s really great Cas”
The angel looked at him warily, but seemed to take his statement at face value, nodding “Thank you Sam.”
Still amused by the thought of Cas and Stiles together, Dean wondered momentarily on the ramifications of Cas’ vessel being so much older than Stiles. That would be a problem for random people on the outside, but who gave a fuck, Jimmy was probably around the same age as Dean, and Stiles was only a number of years younger than Derek. Cas was probably as old as the Earth, and Stiles as a nephilim didn’t seem to be that much younger, though his memories were.
“It’s great” Dean decided to try and reassure Cas in case the angel thought he was only making fun of him.
The side of the angel’s mouth quirked up in a smile and they stood there in comfortable silence until Isaac made a loud noise across the park and Sam slapped his hands against his vehicle, exclaiming, “Alright, I’m off then.”
Ah well, it had to have ended eventually. “See you man,” Dean said, hugging his brother tightly in farewell.
“Goodbye Sam” Cas’ serious voice made it sound like a last goodbye and Dean had to stop himself from laughing in amusement or shuddering with foreboding.
The angel received a hug as well and then Sam got in the car, nodding at Dean before he shut the door, “Let me know when you’ve finished the house, maybe you could meet Amelia.”
“Sounds good bitch.” Dean agreed with a smirk
“Jerk” Came the reply with a grin, and then his brother was once again gone. Surprisingly, this time it wasn’t so bad.
~*~
Watching Dean and Cas come back to the group, Stiles decided to intercept his angel on the way. Dean let him go with a wink and a grin that Stiles really didn’t want to know about. From the way Cas blushed however, perhaps he should be a little more aware.
“So Sam’s gone?” Stiles asked, making small talk until he could figure out what he wanted to say.
“Yes.” Was the monotone answer.
“You do realize you’re ruining my plans for building up with small talk.” Stiles pouted, awkwardly running his hand through his hair.
“Oh, right. How’s the weather?” Monotone changed to extremely serious and Stiles bust out laughing, looking around at the sky.
“Well, it looks pretty nice, barely a cloud in sight, though I’ve heard there’s a chance of rain later tonight.” He mused, following with the same serious tone.
Cas nodded, grinning, “Was that enough build up then?”
“Bored already? I could probably make enough small talk that you’d forget what the original conversation was going to be” Stiles totally didn’t exaggerate, rambling on was an almost fool proof way of getting out of heavy conversation. But no, now this was important. “I’m pretty sure Dean and Derek are staying, I heard Dean tell Isaac he’d probably find somewhere to be a mechanic, and I know Derek’ll want to stay, so you’re staying too right?”
Cas dropped the mock serious act and looked considering, finally admitting, “I’m not sure what I’m going to do now that I’m almost fallen. Azriel did, something, to my grace, it's not as close to gone as before, but I don’t know if that's temporary or whether I’ll be able to fly again. And I still need to teach you how to use your grace so you don’t almost kill yourself again, but I think overall, for a long while at least, I’d like to stay here.” He paused, “You’ll be going back to university after the summer?”
“Ya, but I’m transferring to the closer one that most of the rest of the pack is going to, I decided that back before I came home for the summer.” Stiles answered, doing a fair job of resisting the urge to pat Castiel down to try and figure out what Azriel had done to him. It was made slightly easier by his conflicting desire to jump for joy. He did honestly want to be closer to home this coming year, for both his dad and the pack, but bringing him closer to Cas was an added bonus. One last big thing, then the rest could wait. “Also, what, are we? Like, what are we doing?”
Cas pondered the question for a few moments. “I don’t think I’m the best person to ask that question.” Then he smiled, “I enjoy spending time with you, listening to you, you’re mine.”
“Awesome. All of that back to you, and I think we should date.” Stiles stated with a matching happy look. He didn’t really know what they’d be, boyfriends sounded too young for what they’d been through, lovers was incorrect as they hadn’t slept together yet, partners sounded like they’d been together for a long time…
“We could just be together? An angel and his nephilim?” The angel suggested with a head tilt.
"A nephilim and his angel." Stiles hummed teasingly. That could work. “I like it.”
“Good” Cas offered his hand and Stiles took it as they made their way toward the group.
“Stiles! Derek and Dean are staying!” Scott exclaimed enthusiastically.
“They’d better, do you have any how many plans have been made with them staying?” Stiles responded, wondering if they had just decided that for good now. It had pretty much been a given it his mind, and if they had tried to leave he may have needed chains covered in wolfsbane. And whatever would work to keep Dean from running. “Oh hey Dean, have you decided what you are yet? Angel? Vampire? Werewolf? Void creature? You could be edgy and go with demon.”
“Definitely not.” Dean responded easily. “I’ve never wanted to be anything other than human, so I'm not picking favorite.”
“Void Vampire,” Allison teased, “You started craving blood yet?”
“First time I was turned I wanted blood almost right after, it’s been almost a day and I haven’t bitten anyone.” Dean smiled sweetly as he answered. "But you never know."
The werewolves of the group stilled nervously until Scott spoke up, “You know in the second part of that answer your heartbeat skipped.”
This time Dean’s grin was nothing but predatory, fleetingly showing fangs that were just different enough from a werewolf’s to count. “No need to worry, that part of this game I’ve been through before.”
Surprisingly it was Cas who chuckled at that, and Stiles assumed that there was some sort of joke revolving around Dean being Turned into a vampire. The rest of the pack evidently got this too and joined in with easy, if slightly awkward laughter. Stiles was going to conform with the laughter until he noticed the look Dean and Cas exchanged. It was one of those looks that said, ‘thanks for backing me up, even though you totally weren’t there the last time I became an insane blood drinking creature who wanted to feast on innocent victims’. Okay, maybe he was reading too much into it, but still, Stiles made a mental note to ask Cas about that later. As hot as Dean was, he didn’t think it would be very fun to find him snacking on the human pack members.
“When are we starting work on the house?” Isaac asked, changing the subject.
Derek shuffled his foot, belaying his uncertainty in a way he never would’ve done when they had first become a pack. “I think I’m going to knock the whole thing down and build a new one. We’ll still use the plans and all, I just think we need a clean slate to start out on.”
“So does that mean we get to knock the rest down? Or are you going to get an actual company?” Leave it to Scott to stop a tense moment from happening before it had even started, in a way that could totally be offensive but just came out as innocent.
“I think we should still do it. Some things I’ll need to bring people in on, but it’ll be the pack house, so most of it I want us to build.” Derek answered, and Stiles could tell how important this collaboration was to their Alpha by the nervous note to his tone
So he answered the unspoken request, “And then we get to move in. This’ going to be fantastic, though with all that’s happened I don’t think that’ll be ‘til next year, which is too bad ‘cause the apartment’s getting a little small, especially since you two need to move in, but it’s definitely something to look forward to.”
Fleetingly in that sentence he remembered how excited Erica had been to design so much of the house and how Boyd had had a hand in the library, and Stiles was forced to stop his ramble before it really got started, casting his mind elsewhere so he didn’t get sad and disturb the others. Warmth poured through him along with a squeeze of his hand and Stile quirked a thankful smile at Castiel, bumping his shoulder into the angel’s. He hadn’t yet figured out how to manipulate their bond which was irritating, but he’d needle away at Cas until he was taught. From the protectiveness the angel had shown while Azriel was there and the closeness now, he doubted much prodding would be needed.
Laughter from Derek and Isaac brought Stiles’ attention back to the group and he looked around at them, a soft smile on his face. Scott, Allison, and Isaac were grinning and hanging off each other, Isaac on the side talking with Derek and Dean over something or other that was making the wolves laugh and the void creature blush. Meanwhile Scott and Allison were immersed in a conversation over how many room’s the three of them would have, an argument that they’d been following since the very first rough designs of the house were done, ranging from each having their own to just caving and having one. To Derek’s other side Cas stood with a grin on his face, listening to the conversations being had but content without joining in with any of them. Stiles put more of his weight on his angel, letting his head rest to the side on Castiel’s shoulder as he looked at his pack.
So far this summer had been messed up, full of fear, blood and death, but they were still a pack, they had somehow survived. And, he thought as Cas released his hand to wrap an arm around his shoulder, while they had lost two of their family and would miss them dearly, they may have come out of things a little better than before.