Chapter Text
Castiel’s head was pounding and his side throbbed as he dragged himself up from the floor. He’d tried to refuse Raphael’s order and paid the price for it. If he didn’t get away from the Alpha now then he’d never see his brothers again. He was sure of that.
Cas stumbled up the stairs trying to keep his head clear, but it wasn’t easy. He carefully pulled on his trench coat to hide the blood oozing from his back. Cas grabbed what he could, knowing Raph could be back any moment, then stumbled out to his car and started driving.
Once he was on the road and out of town he fumbled with his phone, calling Gabriel.
“Gabe?” Oh god. His voice sounded really rough.
“Cas! Are you ok?”
“No. He wants to kill me Gabe. I’ve got the car. I’m on the road. I’m trying to not pass out.”
“Fuck! Stay awake Cas. You got money?”
“Some. Maybe enough to get there. But I can’t stop, Gabe. If I do he’ll find me.”
“You’re going to have to stop. You can’t drive all the way without sleep. Just drive as far as you can and let me know where you get. Call me every hour or every thirty minutes. Fuck. I don’t know. Just keep me updated so I know you’re safe.”
“Ok. He can’t find me this time, Gabe. If he does…”
“He’s not going to find you and if he does I’ll kill him. Just get here where I can protect you.”
“Ok. See you soon, Gabe.”
Cas hung up and focused on the road. He could do this. He could get to California and to Gabe’s house and maybe get Michael and Lucifer to help protect him.
————
Cas had just crossed into South Dakota when his car sputtered and died. He tried the key, but it wouldn’t start. He was a sitting duck. Not a good predicament for an unmated Omega. He searched for local shops and called the first one on the list.
“Crowley’s Car Service.” Said a bored sounding woman.
“Hi. Um. My car died. I’m near 90 & 29. I need a tow so I can get back on the road.”
“Just driving through?”
“Uh. Yeah.”
“Our truck’s out of service.”
“Oh. Uh. Thanks. Guess I’ll call the next shop on the list.”
“Don’t do that, hun. Just skip on down to Winchester. He’ll take real good care of you.”
“Oh. Um. Thanks.”
Cas hung up and scrolled until he saw Winchester Auto Shop and Restorations. He quickly called the number.
“Winchester.”
“Hi. Um my car died on 90 near 29. I need a tow so I can get back on the road.”
“Be there in about 15 minutes.”
The phone went silent. That was really professional. Cas texted Gabe telling him the car broke down and was going to be towed.
Cas started scratching at his arm. What if Raph got home shortly after he left? What if he’s only 10 minutes behind him and gets to him before the truck can? What if he never sees his brother again? Cas started trembling. He practically jumped out of his skin when someone knocked on his window. A mechanic, not Raph. Cas let out a long sigh and got out of the car.
The mechanic offered his hand to Cas. “Dean Winchester.”
Cas jumped a little before shaking his hand. “Castiel Novak.”
“Nice to meet you, Cas. I’ll have you hooked up and at the shop in no time. You can wait in the truck if you want.”
Dean watched as Cas got into the truck. He sighed as he started hooking up the car. Cas had all the classic ‘I’ve been with an abusive Alpha’ marks on him. With how swollen his face was Dean was surprised he was even still awake. He must be one tough little Omega Dean thought as he secured the car then got into the truck.
Dean cut his eyes toward his passenger. He thought the guy looked nervous before getting in the truck. That was nothing compared to how nervous he looked right now. "So what you doing in Sioux Falls?"
Cas couldn’t scent Dean. He thought that once they got in the truck he’d be able to pick something up, but there was nothing. While alphas didn’t normally use scent blockers it wasn’t unheard of if they had to deal with the public. Especially if they might be picking up random omegas and their broken down cars from the side of the road. "...Just driving through."
"Ah. Where you headed?"
Cas couldn’t understand why Dean seemed so relaxed. Couldn’t he smell his nervousness and fear? Maybe he was one of those alphas that got off on that and that’s why he wore the blockers. Oh god. "...To visit friends."
"Where you from?"
Cas’ leg shook and he scratched at his arm. He had to get out of this truck. He had to get away from the alpha. He had to get as far away from Raph as he could. "...Chicago."
Dean watched Castiel. He looked jumpy and kept looking around like someone might be following him. He moved closer to the man and whispered. "Abusive relationship?"
Cas' eyes got huge and he scratched at his arm and bit his swollen lip before nodding a little.
"This the first time you've left?"
Cas looked down and shook his head.
"He always finds you?" Cas nodded as a tear rolled down his cheek.
"Where's your phone?" Cas patted his pocket then the other one. "Umm. must be in my car."
"Ok. When we get to the shop I'm gonna check something on it. We have to be silent while I do, ok?"
"Ok."
"If I'm right he might be tracking you like my ex did." Cas' eyes widened. "If he is we're going to act like you don't know and make him think he's hearing a real conversation then one of my guys will drive your phone to a trucker we know and he'll take it who knows where. Ok?"
Cas nodded. "But I need to be able to talk to my family."
"We'll get you another phone. Ok, so here's what we'll say if I'm right." Dean proceeded to walk Cas through what would be done and said while they drove to the shop.
When they got back to the shop Dean removed the phone from the car as quietly as possible. He messed with the phone a little, just as he thought, an app that tracks the gps and records sounds. He carefully opened the door of Cas' car and put the phone inside and gently closed the door so it wouldn't slam. He walked back over to Cas.
"Dammit. He is tracking you." Cas' eyes widened. "It's show time."
Cas nodded and moved near his car. "Hold on. I need to get my phone out of my car." He opened the door and picked it up. "So, yeah. Like I was saying it was making a weird noise. Can you check it out for me?"
"Sure thing, man. What did it sound like?" Cas made some screeching sound and Dean fought back laughter.
"Oh. Yeah. That's nothing. I should have you out of here in about thirty minutes."
"Really? Thanks. I'm trying to get to my friend's house in Seattle."
"Well, you'll be back on the road in no time. Go sit in the waiting room. I'll call you out when it's ready."
Cas nodded and went to the waiting room. Just having the phone on him made his anxiety worse. He watched Dean pick up some box and walk around his car and check the inside. He got out of his car holding some sort of box which he held toward the window for Cas to see as he mouthed 'tracker'. Cas felt like he couldn't breathe. Dean gave him a concerned look but he waved him off. Raphael was never going to leave him alone.
Cas watched Dean check his car out until a van pulled up outside and Dean waved at it. Dean walked into the waiting room.
"Ok, Mr. Novak. It's all done. That'll be $75.43. How will you be paying?"
Cas swallowed. "Cash." He put the phone down on the counter and acted like he was paying Dean. Dean picked the phone up.
"Have a great trip. Hope you don't have to come back here again."
"Thanks."
Dean took the phone out to the shop and picked up the tracker. He put both into the van and waved at the guy driving then walked back into the waiting room. "Ok. Got everything lined up so your phone will head to Seattle. That way you're safe to go where ever you were really going."
Cas fought back tears. "Thank you."
"But, unfortunately you won't be leaving today. I have to order in parts for your car, which means it can't stay here in case that ex shows up here. I'll have to tow it back to my place and work on it there."
Cas nodded then bit his lip.
"Not enough money to stay in a hotel that long?"
Cas shook his head. "No. Especially not after having to have parts replaced. I might not even have enough to make it to California."
"You can stay with me. I swear I'm not an ax murderer or something."
"Isn't that what an ax murderer would say to get someone to trust them?"
Dean laughed. "Yeah, but honestly, I'm not.”
"Why are you doing all of this for me, Dean?" He had to know. Why was this alpha going out of his way to help him?
Dean sighed. "I've been you before. Had an ex in Kansas like that. Luckily I have some nerdy friends that figured out he was tracking me and did what I just did for you so I could be up here with my uncle."
"Oh. I'm sorry." Now Cas was really confused. He’d been in the same position? Maybe he was an omega or at least a beta, but his body screamed alpha.
Dean shrugged. "It's in the past. I'm gonna load your car back onto the truck so we can get it to Bobby's..." Dean hesitated and took a deep breath. "Think you can follow me in my car? I don't want to have to come back here tonight."
"Of course."
Dean took his keys from his pocket, gripping them tightly before offering them to Cas. "Don't hurt her. She's my baby."
Cas took the keys. "I won't. I'll be careful. Which one is it?"
"The black Impala."
"...You mean the show car out there?"
"That would be the one."
"Are you sure you want me to drive it?"
"Honestly, no. My only options are leave her here over night, drive out to Bobby's and back to get her, have Garth drive her over when he gets the truck, or let you drive her while following me. I'd rather not do the first three, especially the third one, so that leaves you. Your car is in good shape inside and out so you clearly take care of it. If you knew how to work on it then you wouldn't need me right now."
Cas nodded. "The only dent in it is from Raph kicking it when he was mad at me."
"And he's not here to hurt Baby, so, I trust you." Dean went out to the garage and loaded Cas' car back on the truck. What was he doing? It was one thing to help the guy out so he wouldn't be a punching bag anymore, but now he's invited him to stay with him and is letting him drive Baby. He took a deep breath then motioned for Cas to go get in the car as he got in the truck and pulled out so Cas could follow him. Baby roared to life and Dean caught Cas' expression when she did. God he's adorable. Dean watched Cas follow him all the way to Bobby's.
Bobby walked out to the porch when he heard both the tow truck and the Impala pulling onto the property expecting to see Dean and Garth or maybe Benny. What he didn't expect was Dean to be in the truck and some...stranger...to be driving the Impala. His eyes widened at this.
Dean got out of the truck and glanced at Bobby shrugging. "Hey old man, this is Castiel. He's gonna be staying with me until I can get the parts to fix his car. Cas, this is Bobby, my uncle, but he's kinda like my dad."
Cas waved. "It's nice to meet you." Cas wasn’t close enough to really pick up on the other man’s scent, but he caught a faint scent of hard liquor and old books
Bobby nodded his head. "Boy, can I have a word with you?"
"I'll be right back, Cas." Dean jogged over to Bobby. "What's up?"
"Who is this Castiel? Why was he driving the Impala? Why is he staying with you? And why is his car here instead of at the shop?"
Dean rubbed the back of his neck. "New customer. His car broke down." Dean sighed. "He's basically me when I left Alistair . He's running from an abusive ex that had a tracker in his car and a tracking app on his phone. We gave his ex the same treatment we gave Al and since the gps would lead to the shop, we couldn't keep the car there. He left with what little bit he could toss in his car and not a whole lot of money. I had people to help me. He should, too."
Bobby nodded placing a hand on Dean's shoulder. "You're a good man. Just be careful."
"I will. I'm gonna get him settled and maybe we'll come over tonight if he's ok with it."
Bobby nodded. "Nice to meet you, Casteel."
Dean rolled his eyes. "Castiel."
"Ain't that what I said?"
Dean shook his head. "Forget it. Just call him Cas." Dean jogged back over to Cas. "Come on. Lets go upstairs so I can show you my place." Dean opened the back of Cas' car and pulled out a few bags then headed for the barn.
Cas stopped short, tilting his head with narrowing his eyes. "You live in a barn?"
"Yeah, but it's been converted. Come on."
Cas grabbed some of his stuff and followed Dean up the stairs and into a nice apartment. He looked around and was surprised that Dean kept everything nice and tidy. He followed Dean into a bedroom and looked around it, putting stuff down next to where Dean had placed his stuff. He tried to pick up on the other man’s scent. Surely his house would smell like him. But all Cas could find was lingering smells from the garage Dean worked at. Nothing that screamed his biological status or the scent of just Dean.
"This is your room." Dean turned toward Cas and gently put his hand on his arm, noticing how Cas flinched at the touch, but didn't pull away. "Please make yourself comfortable while you're here. If you need anything at all you can ask me or Bobby. We'll be more than happy to help. Oh!" Dean slid his hand from Cas' upper arm toward his wrist and lifted his hand, placing his phone in it. "Call your family or whoever you trust and let them know they can reach you at my number until we get you a new phone."
Cas swallowed hard at the physical contact, nodding. "Thank you, Dean. I don't know how I'll every pay you back for all of this."
Dean laughed a little. "Don't have to. Like I said, I was you once. Maybe one day you'll be helping someone that needs it." He glanced down to his hand still holding Cas' arm and his eyes narrowed as he gently shifted his sleeve. "Do you have more like that?"
Cas looked down at his arm and pulled it from Dean's hand as he covered the burn with his own hand. "Yeah." He said softly.
"Fresh like that?"
Cas nodded.
"I'll be right back. I've got a first aid kit with stuff that can help." Dean hurried to get the kit and returned. He motioned to the phone in Cas’ hand. “Wanna call them first?”
Cas looked at the phone. “I suppose I should.” He dialed Gabe’s number. “Hey Gabe.”
“Cas?”
“Yeah.”
“Who’s phone are you using?”
“A friend’s. My car broke down after I left. Dean’s the mechanic working on it.”
“And he’s already a friend?”
Cas scratched at his arm. “Yeah. I guess. I mean what else would I call someone that found out Raph had installed tracking software on my phone and put a tracker in my car then set it up for people to take both to Seattle so he’d think that’s where I am? Then he brought my car to his house to work on so if Raph comes past the shop it won’t be there. And he’s letting me stay in his guest room so I don’t have to get a hotel.”
“...Wow. I want all this guys info.”
“Yeah. Ok.” Cas scratched harder. Dean gently grabbed his hand to stop him. He took the phone and put it on speaker.
“Hey. Gabe right?”
“Yeah.”
“Name’s Dean Winchester. I’m 6’1” and an Aquarius.” He shot his cute smirk towards Cas who just shook his head. “I live on the outskirts of Sioux Falls, South Dakota with my uncle. I’ll send you a photo of my ID if you’d like.”
“Thanks, Dean. That would make me feel a little more comfortable.”
“Cas might be stuck here for a bit. I have to order in parts. I’m gonna set him up with one of Bobby’s cars so he’s not just stuck here. I’m gonna take him into town tomorrow and get him a new phone, but until then you can call this number.” Dean made eye contact with Cas. “He’s welcome to stay here as long as he wants. I’m sure this Raph asshole will look around where you live to try to find him, but he has no reason to look here.”
“That’s up to Cas. If he feels safer there then he should stay there.”
“Yeah. We’ll get to that when the car’s fixed.”
“Why are you doing all this for a complete stranger?”
“Besides him being sexy as hell?” Another winning grin when Cas’ eyes widened and he blushed. “I was him once. I know what he’s going through and I want him to be able to get away this time.”
“Thanks again, Dean.”
“No problem. We’re gonna let you go. He’s had a pretty rough day.”
“Bye, Gabe. I’ll give you my new number when I get it.”
“Thanks. Cas, be careful. Don’t let him pressure you into anything. If you feel uncomfortable let me know and I’ll get you here.”
“You’re on speaker. He heard you.” Cas said blushing.
“Good. Bye guys.”
“Bye, Gabe.” Cas looked at Dean when the call ended.
Dean smiled softly then dug through the kit. “This salve is great for burns. Uh, you need help? I mean if there’s some you can’t reach on your back or something.”
Cas chewed on his lip then sighed. “Yeah. Probably.” He winced as he shrugged off his trench coat.
Dean gasped. “You’ve been bleeding.”
"Oh. Yeah."
Dean sighed. "Unbutton your shirt. I'm gonna get some water and a rag. I'll have to soak it so we can get your shirt off."
Cas nodded as he started unbuttoning his shirt with trembling fingers. He sucked in a breath when Dean returned and gently held a wet rag where his blood soaked shirt was stuck to him.
"Sorry." Once Dean was sure the shirt had loosened enough he gently helped Cas remove it. He fought tears at the state Cas' torso was in.
"Not so sexy now, huh."
Dean gently placed a hand on Cas' shoulder. "You are still incredibly sexy. This," he said motioning to Cas' body, "is something that will heal. Sure some of it will leave scars, but it doesn't define you. It doesn't show your self-worth. It's just shit you had to go through to get to where you are. I know it's hard to see that right now, but it's true."
Cas shrugged, not believing Dean. Dean knew not to push too hard, at least not yet.
"You should probably get clean before you put medicine on. Wanna take a bath or shower?" Dean saw Cas stiffen. "Not with me. I'll work on dinner while you get clean." He gently turned Cas' face toward his own and looked into his eyes. "I'm not going to try to do anything with you or take advantage of you. That's not why I invited you back here. Nothing will happen here that you don't want to happen. Ok?"
Cas nodded. “Thanks.”
“If you need any help just call for me. I’ll just be in the kitchen.” Dean said as he left the room.