I´m so so so sorry this took so long, but I loved the idea I got from your prompt and I HAD TO write it into a proper fic and then I wanted it betaed but my beta is just a human with personal life and then I had to rewrite a whole part BUT here you go.
Enemies to lovers + roommates, scifi!au, 7.7K words
"How’s your roommate?" Sam asks as he dropshimself on Dean’s bunk.
"I hate the guy."
Sam raises an eyebrow. "Why don’t you request areassignment?"
"Because he always cleans his mess, doesn’t snoreand sometimes does my laundry. I know there are bigger assholes than him. LikeZachariah for example," Dean shivers to demonstrate how disgusting hefinds the idea.
"Still, there must be a better match foryou." Sam looks guilty. He’s been Dean’s roommate ever since the academy.Until he married. Expecting a child qualifies Sam and Jess for better housing in a different part of the spacestation. Dean doesn’t envy them. Well, maybe a little, but he doesn’t blame Samthe way Sam blames himself.
"It’s okay," Dean dismisses Sam’s commentwith a shake of his head. "We barely see each other anyway."
That’s not exactly true. They meet at their room andthey meet at work. They almost always clash. All the engineers are assholes andlook at the pilots as if they are a lesser species. Which is bullshit becausemost pilots have almost as much technical knowledge as engineers, they’re notmeatheads.
But Castiel is worse than all the other engineers Deanworks with combined. He has no sense of humor, he’s always grumpy and he makesit his personal goal to make Dean feel stupid at least twice a day. Also, he’sstupidly hot which only makes Dean angrier.
"You ready?" Sam asks as Dean adjusts hisjumpsuit.
"Yeah, let’s go."
"Have you read the last check report?" Casasks as he hands Dean the tablet.
"Of course I did," Dean grumps. At leastmost of it.
Cas squints dubiously and proceeds to tell him what heshould be careful about. Dean rolls his eyes. "I know every noise Babymakes, I’ll know if there’s something wrong with her."
"That’s adorable, yet irrelevant. Read the reportor I won’t let you out of the dock."
"Asshole," Dean mutters, opening the file.
He frowns when he realizes Cas hasn’t beenexaggerating. There’s a problem with one of the ODT nozzles which might causeproblems when maneuvering in high speed.
"I ordered the parts but for now you’ll just haveto be careful," Cas says as ifreading his mind. Dean nods and hands him the tablet.
"It’s okay, she won’t let me down."
The Impala is an older ship, but she’s in mintcondition and she’s undertaken some tweaks. Where the new ships go for refined,she’s a brute force. Ideal for the part of the quarter they’re headed to today.
"Just don’t tinker with it, I don’t want youmessing it up like the last time," Cas warns.
Dean rolls his eyes. "It was once and thepart was faulty."
"It was just once because I took away yourtoolkit so you couldn’t try again."
"I’ve been fixing the ship before you evenstarted the academy, you-"
"Come on, Dean! What’s taking you so long!"Sam shouts at him over the dock.
Dean lets out an exasperated sigh and jogs to theship.
"Good luck," Cas shouts after him. Deanreplies with a mock salute.
When he gets in, Sam’s already there checking hisequipment. Dean flops into his seats and starts the pre-launch check.
"Let’s go, Baby," he says with a grin andtakes off.
Thank you for the prompt! I made it into quasi-historical fantasy AU, because pretend gay relationship in real history didn´t make much sense to me. I hope you don´t mind. I think it´s still very sweet.
“What’s wrong?” Dean asks nudging Cas’ side.
Cas heaves a sigh and pets his horse who tries to munch the laces of his tunic. “The Solstice,” he says and pushes the horse’s head away.
“I thought you liked Solstice, that it’s a big deal for your people.”
“It is,” Cas says closing the door to the stable. Dean waits for him to elaborate. Eventually Cas caves in.
“There’s going to be a huge celebration in my mother’s house and I’ll have to show up and she will parade me in front of all the unmarried rich man in hope that one of them might find an interest in me. I will have to smile and be polite while I feel like cattle at the market,” he explains on one breath.
Dean frowns. The fact that Nebesians approve of relationships between two men or two women is still hard to wrap his head around. It makes him uncomfortable in a strange way. He often catches himself thinking about it late at night. What has never occurred to him is that Cas would actually have to get married being the second son with no inheritance.
“Do you have to go?” he asks.
“It’s my mother, my home. I want to go, I just wish… I wish I had more freedom in that regard. Like you.”
Dean barks out a laugh. He doesn’t have to marry since he has no family and has been supporting himself since childhood. But he’s not free. There are too many rules that tell him who he can or cannot be with. At least that’s true in his country.
“Is there any way to stop her from acting like that?”
It’s Cas’ turn to scoff. “Do you think I’ll manage to get married till Solstice?”
Dean bites his lip as a spark of idea ignites something in his chest.
“Would being engaged suffice?”
Cas cocks his head. “Yes but I don’t-”
“We could pretend,” Dean suggest, “you can tell her I’m your fiancé and she will leave you alone. Unless-”
“Unless what?”
“Unless it would be an issue that I’m not Nebesian.”
Cas shakes his head. “No, that won’t be an issue. Nebesian tolerate marriage with foreigners.” A happy smile slowly lightens his face. “You would really do it?”
There’s a lump in Dean’s throat. He swallows around it.
“Yeah, you’re my best friend, I’d do anything to help you.”
The smile Cas gives him makes Dean’s heart beat faster.
It’s easy to forget Cas is an aristocrat when Dean usually sees him road-weary in his riding clothes. It’s impossible to not think about it upon seeing his home. Where the rich people in Dean’s country tend to bury themselves behind thick stone walls, Nebesians prefer airy intricate architecture with high arcs and slim columns. They also love immaculate decorative gardens like the one Dean and Cas has to cross to get to the palace.
Inside Dean’s attacked by lights and colors. Everywhere Dean looks he can see the finest silk in bright colors embellished with gold and gems. He feels like a spider among butterflies in his black pants and jacket. The only thing that resembles a jewel is the silver badge of his rank on his chest - a pentagram in a fiery circle. He wasn’t allowed to bring his sword which makes him nervous, but at least he carries an ornamental dagger on his belt.
Cas gently grabs Dean’s elbow and leads him through the crowded room.
It’s the first time he sees Cas in a traditional celebratory outfit and it takes Dean’s breath away more than all the splendor of the house.
He’s wearing a long sleeveless robe opened at the chest, revealing his tattoos. He’s shining with silver thread and sapphires. His face is painted according to custom - sparkly powder dapped on his cheekbones and the bridge of his nose, his eyes framed by black kohl. He looks otherworldly.
Dean’s only able to tear his eyes off him when they stop in front of Cas’ mother. She looks equally stunning as her son but in a regal, kind of intimidating way. Her robe, similar to Cas’, is silvery gray adorned with clear crystals, Dean thinks they might actually be diamonds.
Cas bows deeply, catching his mother’s hands and kissing them. “Mother dearest,” he says stiffly when he straightens, “it’s a pleasure to see you after so long.”
She gives him a smile that brightens her stern face. “You too, son. I’m happy to see you’re well.” Her blue eyes turn to Dean. “Who’s your friend, Castiel?”
Cas lets go of his mother’s hands to put a warm palm on Dean’s shoulder. “Let me introduce my fiancé, Dean Winchester.”
Dean bows down deeply. He can hear it, the wave of whispers expanding through the crowd. When he looks up, most of the eyes in the room are on him.
"Fiancé?” Cas’ mother says in a cold tone.
A muscle jumps in Castiel’s jaw as he clenches his teeth. “Yes, mother, my fiancé.”
There’s a pause that feels like an eternity. Then she smiles, but her eyes remain cold.
“How lovely,” she says with a fake cheer. “Let’s go somewhere we can celebrate in private,” she says and turns her back to them.
Dean shoots Cas a nervous look, Castiel takes his hand and squeezes it tightly as they follow his mother.
The moment the door clicks shut Dean feels trapped.
“Who is this man and why do you think I should accept him as your future husband?” Cas’ mother strikes, her demeanor changed.
Dean stares in awe as Cas grows in front of her, squaring his shoulders and holding his head high. He hasn’t let go of Dean’s hand.
“Dean is the right hand of ambassador Singer,” Castiel says. His mother’s eyes widen as she hears the name of the richest and most influential foreigner in all of Nebesa.
“We’ve met when we were both on a business trip and we decided to make each other company on our travels. Dean helped me out of trouble several times because he’s brave and strong and clever. He’s also the kindest man I know and I love him deeply.”
Dean can’t breathe, his cheeks are burning. He tries to remind himself Cas is just acting, but it’s too hard.
To Dean’s horror, Castiel’s mother turns to him. “Are you going to drag my son out of Nebesa?”
“Na, Ma’am. My place is here. I have to travel a lot, but so does Castiel. We always come back here though.”
Her eyes narrow before she speaks again. “Are you able to provide for my son?”
“I’d say so, ma’am. My job is well paid and the ambassador can provide a suitable living for me and my husband if we decide to settle down.” Dean’s voice hitches on the word husband but otherwise, he’s proud of his speech.
Castiel’s mother takes a long time to study both of their faces. Then she sighs. “Welcome to the family, Dean,” she says stepping closer. She offers him open palms and he puts his hands into them. Her smile is genuine. “Call me Naomi.”
Dean nods, stunned. “Thank you for accepting me. Your son means the world to me.” He says and his eyes automatically dart to Cas who’s cheeks are as red as Dean’s must be.
Naomi takes them back to the main room and announces their engagement. There’s a round of cheers that makes Dean a bit uncomfortable, but then the celebration turns back to the Solstice.
There are chants and sacrifice, burning ritual fires and dancing ritual dances. But then it’s just people having a good time.
Dean enjoys it immensely. He loves the food and the heavy Nebesian wine but most of all he loves posing as Castiel’s partner. It’s so easy it’s almost scary. When people ask how they’ve met, Dean does have to lie. When they ask what he likes the most about Cas, he can go on for hours.
It’s quite late when Cas grabs Dean’s hand - something Dean got used to very quickly - and whispers into his ear: “Shall we dance?”
Dean smiles and follows him to the dance floor. Nebesian dancing is strange, they just lean close to each other, arms wrapped around their partner’s waist and sway with the ethereal music played on harps and flutes.
Castiel’s body is warm against Dean’s. He feels like he could bask in the warmth forever.
“I think our acting was quite good,” Cas whispers. Dean nods, his cheek brushes against Cas’.
“But maybe, we could do one more thing to make it more plausible.” Cas looks at Dean with his beautiful eyes and wets his lips with his tongue. Dean’s heart is beating so heart it must be audible over the music.
“What?” he asks even though he knows. He just needs to hear it, to be sure there’s no misunderstanding.
Cas smiles softly and cups Dean’s face with his palm. “I’m going to kiss you.”
Dean leans down, their lips meet. It’s like fireworks going off. It’s like everything he ever wanted and feared to ask for.
He pulls Cas closer and slips his tongue between Cas’ parted lips. Cas kisses back just as hungrily, his hands clench in Dean’s hair.
They are both breathless when they part.
“I’m not sure this kind of kissing is appropriate,” Cas says with a chuckle.
“Would it be appropriate to leave to your rooms?”
Cas’ answer is a bright grin and a tug on Dean’s hand.
They bid goodbye to the remaining guests and Naomi and head upstairs into Castiel’s chambers.
The moment the door shuts behind them, Castiel pushes Dean against its hard wood. His kohl-rimmed eyes look dark and fierce as they pin Dean in place.
“I don’t want to pretend anymore,” he growls.
Dean’s heart drops through his stomach, he can feel blood stopping in his veins.
“What?” he whispers breathlessly.
He knew this was just a game, he should have been more careful than getting so lost in it. He just hoped it would last longer.
“I don’t want to pretend that this is just an act, that I’m not actually in love with you.”
Dean’s ears must be playing tricks on him because there’s no way Cas has just said this.
“You’re… what?”
Cas presses closer to him. “I loved this night and I know you did too. I want this to be real, not just an act, not just a dream I dream when you sleep next to me on our travels.”
Dean stares at him with jaw slack.
A shadow runs across Cas’ face. He lets go of Dean and takes a step back.
"Oh-”
Dean grabs him and pulls him back in. Cas makes a surprised sound when Dean kisses him.
“I want it too,” Dean mutters against Cas’ lips, barely able to stop kissing him now he’s allowed to, “oh god how I want it.”
They stumble to Castiel’s wide bed where they undress each other. They’ve seen each other naked before, but this is different. They take the time to discover and cherish each other’s body with eyes, hands, and lips before they join their bodies in one.
If the quests hear the sounds of their passion it’s alright, they’re a young engaged couple after all.
