Summary: Castiel is a clumsy witch with a famous bloodline who never seems to get a spell right. Dean is an unattached familiar who stumbles his way through life seeking a purpose.
Pairing: Castiel Novak/Dean Winchester
Characters: Dean Winchester (young and present age), Castiel Novak (young and present age), Sam Winchester (witch), Gabriel (witch), Charlie Bradbury (familiar)
Summary: Castiel is a clumsy witch with a famous bloodline who never seems to get a spell right. Dean is an unattached familiar who stumbles his way through life seeking a purpose.
Pairing: Castiel Novak/Dean Winchester
Characters: Dean Winchester (young and present age), Castiel Novak (young and present age), Sam Winchester (witch), Gabriel (witch), Mary Winchester (mentioned), Charlie Bradbury (familiar)
Hey guess what? This chapter is gonna hurt juuuust little but so heads up. Don’t hate me.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was well after midnight when Sam watched the candles go out in the witch’s hut.
Finally. I was beginning to think he’d never go to bed, Charlie sighed. She stretched languidly and dug her claws into the moss beneath her.
“I know,” Sam grumbled, finally blinking and turning his head away from the hut. He sat in between the roots of a large tree and laid his head against the trunk. “Do you really think Dean is Castiel’s familiar?”
Charlie walked over and curled up in Sam’s lap. You were there, Sam. You saw the shock on Gabriel’s face when his brother shot a ball of fire across the room. His powers didn’t manifested out of thin air. And Dean---he didn’t want to leave with you Sam. That has to tell you something.
Sam looked towards the hut before pinching his eyes closed. “Yeah, it does,” he muttered.
Sleep, Sam. Hopefully Dean will be better in the morning and we can talk more.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Castiel’s eyes began to slip closed. He’d been watching over Dean for hours after Sam left.
“Cassie, he isn’t going anywhere. You need to get some rest,” Gabriel yawned and stretched on the misshapen cushions strewn across the floor.
“I will,” he lied.
Gabriel groaned and pulled himself up on to his elbows. “You used an incredible amount of power today. You need to rest and recharge. If not for you, then for Dean. You pull your magic from him. For the love of the Gods, Castiel, sleep.”
Castiel sighed and turned towards his brother. “I suppose you’re right. I am exhausted.” He yawned and stood, taking one last look at Dean before walking over and flopping down on the couch. “I can’t believe after all this time I have a familiar.” He smiled and looked to his brother. “Did you have an immediate connection to Lucy?”
Gabriel picked at a loose thread on a pillow. “Of course I did. She slithered up to me when I was looking for fennel in the woods. At first, she scared the hell out of me,” he chuckled. “But then this---this overpowering feeling of comfort surrounded me and I knew. I reached down and she coiled up my arm and hung herself over my shoulders and that was that,” he shrugged. “But Cassie, what happened today---I’ve never heard of power manifesting like that. Dad isn’t even able to do that and he’s one of the most powerful witches that ever lived.”
Castiel rested his arm over his tired eyes. “It’s terrifying if I’m being completely honest. I’m worried.”
“About what?”
“Ending up like mother,” Castiel barely whispered.
Gabriel sat up and frowned. “Cassie, you could never end up like her. Ever. There isn’t a mean bone in your body. You used to cry over butterflies, remember?”
Castiel smirked. “The castle reeked for almost a month.”
“Don’t ever worry about becoming like our mother.” Gabriel rested down on the pillows with a groan. “And if you do, I’ll kick your ass.”
Searing, immense, debilitating pain. His limbs were weak and trembling. His head throbbed, blurring his vision. And fuck he was hungry.
He sat up, wobbling as he tried to find some semblance of balance. His eyes scanned the unfamiliar room, spotting two men asleep.
His breath came in pants and his heart began to race.
Sam? he thought. SAM!
Nothing. He shook his head and pushed off whatever he was sitting on. Soft, cold dirt welled up between his toes as he crept across the hut.
“He’s awake!”
“Castiel! Castiel’s brother!”
“His name is Gabriel, you moron!”
“Shut UP, Balder! Castiel wake up!”
Dean’s hand shot to his hip, patting around for his knife. “What the fuck---” He realized that he was unarmed, and completely naked.
“Castiel!” Pital screeched.
Dean’s eyes scanned the room, looking for the source of the voices. They landed on three heads hanging from the ceiling, excitedly bouncing up and down and bumping in to each other. He stomped over and grabbed one.
“Quiet!” he hissed, clapping his hand over it’s mouth. “I’ll crush your stupid little face if you say one more word,” he warned.
Pital pinched her eyes shut and trembled.
“Get your hands off my sister!” Flox yelled, chomping his teeth at Dean’s fingers. He bit the skin on Dean’s knuckle hard enough to draw blood, eliciting a yelp from Dean.
“Goddamn it!” he yelled, relinquishing his grip on the head to cradle his hand.
“Wha---what’s going on.” Gabriel sat up and rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand. He yawned and looked around the room, eyes finally landing on Dean. “Castiel!” he yelled.
Castiel immediately shot up off the couch and to his feet. His eyes widened when he saw the man standing in front of him.
“Dean?” he whispered.
Dean turned towards Castiel with a glare. “How do you know my name. Who are you?! And why the FUCK am I naked?”
Castiel took a step forward and raised his hands. “My name is Castiel. That’s my brother Gabriel,” he tilted his head towards his half asleep brother.
“Hi,” Gabriel said grumpily as he waved.
“Do you remember anything? You were in the market today and---”
“I was with Sa----where’s my brother? What did you do to him?” he demanded, taking a large step towards the witch.
“Sam. Yes, we met him tonight. He’s fine. He’s right out there,” he pointed out the tiny window towards the woods. “You were flying in the market today and fell from the air. Do you remember that?”
Dean scowled and pulled his eyebrows together. “I was---I was looking for Charlie,” his head whipped up.
“She’s fine too, she’s with Sam,” Castiel assured him.
“I was flying and started feeling sick. The air started feeling really thin, I thought there was a storm coming and then---” He looked at Castiel and shook his head lightly. “I saw you. I saw you and then this force,” he held out his hands and spread his fingers, “it pulled me directly to you. I remember falling---that’s it. I just remember seeing you and falling.”
Castiel smiled sweetly and took a step towards Dean, close enough to touch him now. “Dean, I believe you’re my familiar.” He reached out and brushed Dean’s wrist with his fingertips.
Orange sparks manifested when their skin touched. Dean’s skin thrummed with electricity as he felt magic swirling in his veins. He recoiled and stepped back quickly, bumping into the altar and knocking over glass bottles.
“It’s ok, Dean. Don’t be scared,” Castiel said, trying to comfort his familiar.
“I’m not scared because this,” he gestured between them, “isn’t happening. Sam get in here now!” he shouted.
“Dean, please. We should talk about this. I swear you have nothing to worry about,” Castiel begged, reaching for Dean’s hands.
“Don’t. Touch. Me,” he growled.
Sam burst into the hut, groggily looking around. “Dean? Dean! You’re awake!” He rushed over to his brother and hugged him tightly.
Castiel watched as Dean visibly relaxed in his brothers arms before pushing him away.
“Is it true?”
Sam frowned and looked to Castiel. “We think so.”
“You think? I’m gonna need a little more than ‘think’, Sammy.”
Gabriel sighed and got to his feet, dragging a pillow up with him. “Sit down and cover up, Dean. We all need to talk.” He tossed the pillow in Dean’s direction and motioned towards the couch.
~*~*~*~*~*
“The Novaks? You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Dean sighed, running his hands down his stubbled face.
Castiel visibly flinched and looked at the ground. Sam put his hand on Castiels’ shoulder gently. “The Novaks are one of the first families, Dean. Their bloodline is pure.”
“That doesn’t mean I gotta be ok with this,” he sighed.
“Dean,” Castiel said quietly, “I would never mistreat you. I’d be honored if you were my familiar. I’ve been waiting so long---”
“Listen, Cas. I don’t know you and you certainly don’t know me. I don’t care how long you’ve been waiting, I’m not going to be some witch’s pet.” He stood, holding the pillow tightly to his groin. “Let’s go Sam.”
“Dean, please,” Castiel begged as he followed Dean to the moss curtain.
“No! I’m not going to stay here just so you can treat me like I’m some---some thing for you to play with! I don’t need a witch, and I certainly don’t need you.” He batted the moss out of the way and stomped into the night.
I can’t stop. Have I said that recently? *Throws chapter three at you and runs away*
Summary: Castiel is a clumsy witch with a famous bloodline who never seems to get a spell right. Dean is an unattached familiar who stumbles his way through life seeking a purpose.
Pairing: Castiel Novak/Dean Winchester
Characters: Dean Winchester (young and present age), Castiel Novak (young and present age), Sam Winchester (witch), Gabriel (witch), Mary Winchester (mentioned), Charlie Bradbury (familiar)
Tags: @cateyes315 @omrj007
If you’d like to be tagged in this please let me know!
Castiel gaped at the unconscious bird in his arms. It was massive and beautifully marked. It’s breath came out in staggered puffs and quiet squawks.
“Castiel,” Gabriel rested a hand on his brothers shoulder, “are you alright?”
He stood frozen in place, unable to focus on anything other than the bird. His limbs were buzzing with electricity and his head was shrouded in a fog. His mind racing with the words KeepProtectMine.
Gabriel reached his hand out to inspect the bird when a snarl came from the back of Castiel’s throat. Castiel turned around sharply, chest heaving. It could have been the sun but Gabriel swore he saw orange lights glowing behind his brothers eyes
“DON’T. Touch. Him.” He held the bird close enough to his chest that he could feel it’s breath against his neck. It seemed to slow it’s breathing as it unknowingly nestled into the mans arms.
Gabriel held his hands up in defense and backed away slowly. “Ok, Cassie. I’m not going to hurt it. But I think we should get him back to your place.” Gabriel tossed the wide eyed merchant ten gold coins and collected all of his brothers things. “Come on, let’s go.” He coaxed his brother along, looking over his shoulder every few steps to make sure he was still following.
“Really Charlie?” Sam crossed his arms and leaned against a wooden post as he watched his familiar drink her fill.
What? She thought. They gave it to me. It would’ve been rude to refuse. Her amber eyes glanced up and winked once before lifting her head. The orange cat started licking at her paw delicately.
“Have you seen Dean? He said he was going to stretch his wings but that was an hour ago.”
Nope, I haven’t seen him since we arrived. She wiped her paw against her face and up to her ear. Should we worry he’s gone and flown into another closed window?
Sam chuckled and shook his head. “I’m sure he’s fine, but he did leave me with his meat stick, so who knows.”
Can I have it?
Sam rolled his eyes and patted his leg, gesturing for Charlie to follow him. “He’d eat you alive, like most of his food,” he joked. Charlie trotted along side her witch as they started to leave the market.
Sam wait Charlie thought in a panicked voice.
“What’s wrong?” He watched as Charlie’s tail flicked sharply back and forth and sniffed the air. “Is it Dean?”
Yes and something else--Oh, Gods. Sam can you feel that?
Sam crouched down and laid his hand on the dirt in front of his familiar. “That’s---that’s a lot of power, Charlie. I’ve never---Gods it’s almost making me nauseous.” He held his stomach and looked around, eyes landing on a merchant nearby. “Excuse me, ma’am,” he stood and walked up to her stand. “Have you seen a man about this tall,” he held his hand just above his own shoulder, “brown hair, green eyes?”
The merchant shook her head. “No, sorry sir I haven’t. Are you---” she shook her head. “Can you feel that magic as well? I thought me and the other men were the only ones.”
Sam’s eyes widened. “What other men?”
She pointed to where Charlie was sitting. “A little while ago, a man was here buying herbs and started acting strangely. He--he started feeling sick and then this giant bird fell straight from the sky and into his arms. He was so protective of it. It was like something out of a storybook. He wouldn’t even let the other man that was with him get close enough to touch it. They took the bird with them.”
Sam ran a rough hand down his face. “Can you describe them for me? Which way did they go?”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Gabriel held back the moss curtain as his brother rushed into the hut.
“I need ginger, the echinacea I just purchased, dandelion, and peppermint oil,” Castiel said in a shaky voice as he laid the hawk on his altar. He cushioned it’s head with a pouch of lavender and stroked his fingers through the feathers on the back of it’s head.
Gabriel gathered the ingredients and set them next to the bird, eyeing his brother warily. “Cassie, it looks like he’s in pretty bad shape. Are you sure---”
“I need to do this. I have to do this. If you aren’t going to help me then you can leave.” Castiel pulled a black bowl carved with intricate runes in front of him and quickly began sprinkling in the herbs. He sliced the ginger and added it to the mortar bowl and crushed all the herbs together into a paste. He lowered himself until he was eye level with the bowl and carefully squeezed in two drops of peppermint oil.
“Cassie, how do you---”
“Quiet,” Castiel hissed. He reached up and pulled a few cardamom seeds from a box and mashed them into the mixture. “Water,” he demanded.
Gabriel huffed and walked over to the sink, filling a glass. He handed it to Castiel and watched as his brother spit into the cup before he poured half of it in the mortar, then drinking the rest himself. He picked up a bottle with a stopper on the end and sucked some of the mixture into it.
“Ok, here you go. Come on little one, open up for me,” he cooed. The hawk let its mouth fall open and Castiel smiled, petting it’s feathers gently. “That’s it,” he whispered. He squeezed the dropper into the birds mouth, letting the potion soak into it’s tongue. The bird licked and swallowed, then hung it’s mouth open for more.
Gabriel watched in awe as his brother fed the dropper, drip by drip, to the hawk until it was gone.
Castiel sighed in relief when it was empty, bracing himself against the alter. “He’ll be ok now. He was just nauseous.”
Gabriel gripped his brothers shoulder and spun him around. “How on earth could you possibly know that?” he gasped.
Castiel looked at his brother with a confused expression. “He’s a bird who’s afraid of heights, Gabriel. Of course he’s going to be nauseous.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“The blue eyed man who hardly leaves his home. He lives in Splitwood Grove I believe,” the merchant pointed towards the path out of town.
Sam and Charlie quickly followed the merchants directions. He’d heard of a man living in the woods but people rarely saw him. He was rumored to have the purest form of magic in his bloodline, but that was most likely just stories made up by children.
“If they hurt Dean I’ll rip their lungs out,” Sam growled as he swatted vines out of his way.
Charlie jumped from limb to limb in the trees above him. It doesn’t feel like bad magic, Sam. I’m sure he’s alright. He probably ran into something again and they took him home to heal him.
Sam looked up as he spoke. “I’ve never felt that kind of power before, Charlie. That was a very powerful witch. I just hope he’s---”
There Charlie thought. Dean’s through there.
Sam pawed his way through dense thickets and ivy into a clearing. There was a small hut in the middle of the woods surrounded by flowering bushes and lush green trees. A small creek curved around the back of the hut and led into the front yard creating a small pond.
This doesn’t look like the lair of a big bad witch, Sam. It looks like a grandma lives here Charlie snorted.
Sam drew his hand to his hip and popped a button on his belt. He pulled out a silver blade and held it tight. “We’ll see.”
I can’t stop writing this so here, have chapter two! Ready for some snarky shrunken heads and a failed meet-cute?
Summary: Castiel is a clumsy witch with a famous bloodline who never seems to get a spell right. Dean is an unattached familiar who stumbles his way through life seeking a purpose.
Pairing: Castiel Novak/Dean Winchester
Characters: Dean Winchester (young and present age), Castiel Novak (young and present age), Sam Winchester (witch), Gabriel (witch), Mary Winchester (mentioned), Charlie Bradbury (familiar)
Tags: @cateyes315 @omrj007
If you’d like to be tagged in this please let me know!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Castiel scrubbed his knuckles over the growing stubble on his cheek as he frowned at the bubbling pot. He pulled off a sprig of lavender and tossed it into the cauldron. A wisp of smoke poofed out and curled into the air.
“I think it needs more bruisewort. What do you think?” He looked up past the drying herbs hanging from the ceiling to his only companions.
“Don’t ask me.”
“Mrrff! Nrrrm grmml ffrrn!”
“Are you ever going to unsew his mouth?”
Castiel sighed and reached for a small knife. He ducked under a small bundle of yarrow and reached up, lightly grabbing a very angry looking brown shrunken head. He turned the head towards his face and raised an eyebrow.
“Are you going to play nice with the others?” The head rolled its eyes then blinked twice. “Good. Hold still.” He lifted the knife to it’s mouth and gently cut away the yellow twine holding the heads mouth shut. Once free, the head opened it’s mouth wide, stretching it’s jaw.
“It’s about time. I thought I was going to suffocate!” the head shouted.
“Balder, you don’t even have lungs,” Castiel groaned.
“You better not try to bite Flox again.”
“Oh would you shut up, Pital!”
“Stop!” All of you, or so help me--” Castiel braced himself against his rickety altar, digging his toes into the soft dirt. He looked to the potion that was now a syrupy goo and sighed. “Thirty years old and I still can’t make a healing potion.”
The creak of his door pulled him from his wallowing.
“Haven’t you ever heard of knocking?” Castiel sighed.
“On what, Cassie? The wall of moss you call a door?” Gabriel walked up behind his brother and whistled through his teeth.
“What’s uh---what’re we trying to make here?” he asked, pulling the spoon from the pot and watching the potion ooze off.
“Healing potion,” Flox called out.
“I thought you got that one down years ago?” Gabriel asked, leaning in to sniff the goo and regretting it immediately.
“I did. This one,” Castiel gestured towards the pot, “was for my hive. The queen is injured and keeps fighting off the drones who come too close.”
Gabriel dropped the spoon and stared at his brother. “It’s for a bee? A bee, Castiel?”
Castiel grabbed the pot and walked over to his makeshift sink, pouring the contents down the drain.
“Did you need something, Gabriel, or did you come here purely to annoy me?”
Gabriel squinted and poked Balder in the cheek. “I was on my way to the markets. I thought my little bro might want to get out of the house--well, hut--and get some fresh air.”
“You do need more Vervain,” Pital chimed in.
“And Poppy,” Flox offered.
“Looks like I’m going with you,” Castiel sighed.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dean let his fingers sink into the coyotes pelt. He hated this part of the market, but humans loved their rugs and scarves made of fur.
“Poor guy,” Dean murmured. He patted it once more before moving on to a stand with dried meats hanging from the awning.
“Fine selection of goods today,” he merchant said from behind the booth, gesturing towards his items.
“Yeah, I can see that. You have any rabbit?” he asked, poking at a string of venison strips.
The merchant smiled, his brown teeth making Dean grimace. “How much ya needin’?”
“Just enough to get me through the afternoon.” He looked in his brothers direction, seeing him look carefully through a wicker basket full of feathers. His arms were already piled full of burlap bags stuffed with books and spell ingredients. “Gonna be a long one.”
The merchant sliced Dean off a generous chunk of jerky and skewered it onto a stick. “Five silver pieces,” he said expectantly.
“Five! That’s robbery!” Dean scoffed.
The merchant waved the dried rabbit back and forth in front of Dean.
“Three. And these.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out two shiny brown feathers with black streaks.
The merchant scoffed and waved Dean away. “What am I going to do with bird feathers. Get out of here, I have actual paying customers.”
“They’re feathers from a red tail hawk. A familiar’s, actually. But if you aren’t interested...” Dean started stuffing them back into his pocket.
“No, no-no, wait.” The merchant raised his hands. “Let me see.” Dean grinned and handed them over and watched as the merchant delicately ran his fingers through them. “Fine. Here,” he handed out the rabbit as Dean dropped three coins on top of the feathers.
“Nice doin’ business with ya,” Dean said before biting off a chunk of the jerky. He walked towards his brother and bumped him with his shoulder. “Want some?” he asked, waving the meat in Sam’s face.
“Gross, Dean. No.” His eyebrows shot up. “Hey, how’d you even pay for that? I thought you only had five coin?”
“I bribed the merchant with my feathers,” Dean said around his meat, his cheeks sticking out like a chipmunk.
“Dean,” Sam sighed, “you know they lose their power if they aren’t given to your witch. They’re useless otherwise.”
“Yeah well he didn’t know that now did he?”
Sam shook his head as they walked to the next tent and inspected small glass bottles. “Hey, have you seen Charlie? She shifted and ran off about ten minutes ago.”
“Nope, been to busy scamming an idiot,” Dean laughed.
“Do you think you could---” Sam lifted his chin and nodded his head up towards the sky.
Dean groaned and shoved his meat stick against his brothers chest. “Fine. There better be some of that left when I get back.” Dean rolled his shoulders and took a deep breath. Crouching slightly, he jumped into the air as his arms were replaced by wings. His legs shrunk down to scaley feet with razor sharp talons. Shifting mid air was something Dean was always immensely proud of, it was the one good thing he could do as a familiar. He soared above the market, his eyes tracking everything and anything that looked remotely like Charlie in her cat form. He let himself glide for a minute, letting the wind drift him over the livestock section and sure enough, there was Charlie. She was in the cow’s pen lapping a bowl of milk two little kids put down for her.
Found her, live stock pen, he thought to Sam. Gonna stay up for a bit and stretch my wings.
He let himself glide around the whole market and watched people come and go. There was a strange electricity in the air today. Maybe there was a storm coming, but there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Dean felt himself being pulled towards an herbs tent which was odd, because he never had the use for them. He watched as a blond haired merchant handed a man bunches of yellow flowers and bulbous pods on long stalks. He lowered himself so he was flying just above the tent.
“If you’re making healing potions, might I suggest Echinacea? It’s good for colds, infections and even wounds.” The merchant offered Castiel a small pouch.
“Thank you, yes I will take some. Do you also have Valerian root?” Castiel rummaged around in the glass bowls while Gabriel tapped his foot impatiently.
“Cassie come on,” he whined. “We’ve been here forever and I’m bored.” He looked up to the sky and blew out a deep breath.
“You’re the one who wanted me to ‘get out of the hut’. Deal with it.” Castiel let his fingers sink into a bowl of dried Evening Primrose but stopped when he felt a chill run up his spine. He whipped around and faced his brother.
“What was that?” he gasped.
Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “What was what?”
“You didn’t feel that?” Castiel turned around in a circle, his eyes darting in every direction. A small gust of wind, barely enough to rustle the dried herbs nearly knocked Castiel to the ground. He bent over, grasping his knees and sucking in deep breaths.
“Castiel, what’s going on? What are you feeling?” Gabriel hovered over his brother and held onto his shoulder.
“I don’t know,” Castiel winced. “It feels like I’m being---aarg.” He cried out as he stood up straight as an arrow, his head tipped back to the sky. “Feels like I’m being pulled---”
Castiel dropped his wares and his arms instinctively shot out just in time for a large red tailed hawk to fall awkwardly into his arms.
Summary: Castiel is a clumsy witch with a famous bloodline who never seems to get a spell right. Dean is an unattached familiar who stumbles his way through life seeking a purpose.
Pairing: Castiel Novak/Dean Winchester
Characters: Dean Winchester (young and present age), Castiel Novak (young and present age), Sam Winchester (witch), Gabriel (witch), Charlie Bradbury (familiar)
Psssttt...want another chapter today? Ok cool, here ya go.
If you want to be tagged in this let me know! Also, I eat comments like cookies and they fuel me fingers for writing.
“I think I’m gonna go,” Gabriel hooked a thumb towards the door. “I’ve been away from Lucy for longer than usual, and not to compare situations here, but--” he rubbed his shoulder with a frown.
“It’s fine brother. I have it from here.” Castiel walked over and hugged his brother tight. “Thank you for everything,” he whispered.
“Yeah yeah, you softy. Send word if you need anything? Anything. Understand?” He winked and looked over his brothers shoulder. “And you, hawk.” Dean popped his head up and raised an eyebrow. “Play nice. My brother might not be able to whip up a Regeucio Intimie, but I sure as hell can.” He patted his brother on the shoulder and swept the moss out of the way before walking out of the hut.
Castiel turned to Dean, anxiously wringing his hands. They were alone for the first time. Electricity sparked in the air as Castiel looked into Deans eyes. Dean stared back expectantly.
Castiel shook his head and said the first thing that came to mind. “I uh--I have no idea what that,” he waved a hand towards the door, “spell is.” He let out a heavy breath as he walked over to the makeshift kitchen and pulled a jar from the cupboard. He fidgeted with the top, his hand shaking as he tried to pull the lid off.
Dean cleared his throat and watched the witch visibly shake. “It’s a banishing spell,” he offered. “Basically, the witch sends the offender to another dimension. Do you need help with that?” he asked, pointing at the jar.
Castiel shook his head quickly. “No I’m fine, thank you,” he lied. He set the jar down and turned to face Dean. “I have no idea what I’m doing,” he confessed. “I’ve never---I haven’t even fostered a familiar before. I truly don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”
Dean face softened as he watched the witch’s forehead crease. “Um, well, the first thing my witches---not mine, obviously, you know---” he cleared his throat loudly. “We usually sit down, have a meal together and get to know each other before any casting happens. Kinda breaks the ice.”
Castiel huffed a laugh and ran a hand down his face. “I can’t cook.”
“I can,” Dean offered instantly, inwardly kicking his familiar for jumping to help the witch. “I mean, uh, I can make something, y’know, simple. I cook for Sam and Charlie all the time.”
Castiel raised his head and looked at Dean. “You’d be comfortable doing that?”
Dean shrugged. “Not a big deal. Plus I haven’t eaten more than a few bites of jerky in a day and a half. I’m starving.” He looked at Castiel and watched a his lip curl into a small smile. “Where’s your pantry?”
Castiel led Dean through a small woven curtain into a carved out hole in the back of the hut. There were shelves dug into the walls and a small rug laying in the back.
“This is my root cellar. Fruits and vegetables are on the shelves with herbs and spices used for cooking. There’s meat and cheese in there.” Castiel kicked the rug out of the way to reveal a hole filled with white pouches tied with string.
“I can work with this,” Dean said smiling. “Why don’t you go start the fire and I’ll see what I can come up with?”
Castiel nodded, mentally taking note that food made Dean seem very happy, and brushed past the curtain. He gathered firewood and tossed them into the fireplace before swinging a large black pot over the stack. He looked down at his hands and contemplated for a moment.
“I wonder,” he whispered. Kneeling down, he held his hands out, palms down to the wood and closed his eyes. Orange and red swirled behind his eyelids as his hands began to tingle. He gasped, falling back on his heels when he heard the wood crack and pop as the flames worked their way up towards the pot. He stood quickly and turned around to see Dean standing there with his arms full of food.
“I uh,” he held up the packages, “hope you don’t mind. I’m really hungry.” He walked around Castiel and sat on a small stool. “I could feel that,” he murmured as he pulled the string off a package.
“I’m sorry,” Castiel said immediately. “I didn’t---I just wondered---”
“It’s alright,” Dean smiled faintly. He unwrapped the chunk of meat and tossed the paper into the fire. He turned the meat over in his hand and picking at a piece of fat.
“Do you need a knife? I can---”
“Nope,” Dean smiled earnestly this time. He held up his pointer finger and flicked it to the side. Castiel gasped when a long brown talon emerged where a fingernail used to be. “Don’t worry, it’s clean.” Dean chuckled to himself as he started carving up the meat.
“How did you do that?” Castiel asked, walking over and kneeling down to get a better look.
Dean shrugged. “I dunno. Kinda always been able to do stuff like that.” He tossed a few pieces of meat into the pot. “I can make feathers sprout, the claw thing, and I have really fucking good eyesight.” He finished cutting up the meat and threw it into the pot before peeling open another package. “You got anything like that?”
Castiel shook his head. “No. I think it’s been established that I am, in fact, a ‘shit witch’.”
Dean laughed at the mocking tone the witch used as he sliced a thin piece of cheese off and popped it into his mouth. “Yeah, well, that’ll change now I guess.” He frowned around his talon as he licked it clean. He looked up and sighed, eyeing the three now sleeping heads. “What’s the deal with those?” he asked, gesturing with his chin.
Castiel turned and smiled up at the heads. “That’s Flox, Pital, and Badler. I accidentally cursed them when I was twelve.” The witch shook his head and raised an eyebrow. “Gabriel said it was be irresponsible to pawn them off on someone else, so they’ve been with me ever since. They’re a handful but you’ll learn to love them.” He smiled and turned back to Dean who was staring at the witch with an unreadable expression. “I mean, what I meant to say was--”
“Cas you can calm down,” Dean chuckled.”Ok, yeah it took some time getting used to this,” he gestured between them, “I mean, I’m still getting used to it obviously, but you don’t have to tiptoe around.” Castiel nodded and stared at the fire. “So, cursed, huh? What were you trying to do?”
Castiel licked his lips and smiled. Dean watched as the witch’s tongue wet his lower lip before sharply turning his head towards the pot.
“Believe it or not, I was trying to grow their bodies back.” Castiel looked up at Dean through his lashes. “I found them at the market and felt so bad for them. They were just hanging there, dried out and sad. So I bought them and took them home. I must’ve added too much willow bark because after I added it to my cauldron and--poof. Literally,” he laughed.
“So you like brewing?” Dean asked as he sprinkled rosemary into the pot.
“I suppose I like the idea of it? The only ones that ever turn out alright are my healing potions. Anything else and it’s just a huge pot of slime.”
“Except for the one you made me,” Dean murmured, glancing over at the witch.
“Yes. Well, those were under different circumstances.” He looked up at Dean and for a moment they held each others gaze.
The fire popped loudly, making the men jump. Dean chuckled and turned his attention back to stirring the pot. “Our brothers seem to think you were able to make it because I was here, not to mention I was feeling sick.” He tapped the spoon on the side of the pot and laid it down, his eyebrows pulling together. “How did you know I was afraid of flying?” he asked in a quiet voice.
Castiel shifted his feet out from under himself and sat cross legged on the dirt. “Well, you were falling. I caught you and then,” he ran his hands nervously over his thighs, “I could just feel it. Your thoughts were racing and I could feel your anxiety. It stopped when you were closer to the ground. It completely stopped---”
“When you brought me here,” Dean finished. He nodded and tapped his fingers on his knee. “Yeah, you know I can kind of almost remember that? I remember feeling safe. And I remember tasting something bitter, but after that I just---” he sighed and stood up, looking into the pot. “I just felt like everything was going to be ok. Bowls?”
Castiel blinked as the familiars words registered. “Oh, yes.” He stood quickly and went to the cupboard. He pulled out two bowls and grabbed a hard loaf of bread on the way back to Dean.
Dean piled their bowls full and carried them over to the couch, placing one in front of the witch. “Your brother seems like a piece of work,” he said before taking a bite.
Castiel chuckled and tore a chunk off the end of the bread and handed it to Dean. “Funny. Sam said the same about you.” He dipped his bread into his bowl and took a bite as he watched Dean smile.
“Yeah well he isn’t easy to get along with sometimes, either. Been that way since he was a little kid.”
“You two seem very close,” Castiel hedged.
Dean nodded. “I raised him,” he said around a mouthful.
Castiel let his bread drop into his bowl. “Your parents---”
“Died when I was eleven,” he muttered.
“I’m very sorry, Dean. I didn’t know,” Castiel whispered.
Dean shrugged. “That’s why we’re talking, isn’t it? Getting to know each other.”
“Would you tell me more about them?” the witch asked as he pushed the bread around in his bowl.
“Not that great of a story. Dad was a witch, mom was his familiar. He pushed her too hard and she got sick.” He looked at Castiel with a piercing expression. “The kind of sick you don’t recover from when your witch uses up your power and leaves you to die. Alone.” Dean stood quickly and walked over to the sink, dumping his bowl into it roughly.
Castiel stood on shaky legs and watched Dean’s shoulder hunch. “Dean I’d never---”
“Yeah, that’s what dad said, too.” He sighed and rubbed his jaw. “Said he’d never hurt her, never leave. He did both. Left me and Sammy to fend for ourselves because he couldn’t take what he did to her.” He turned around and crossed his arms as he rested against the large wooden log counter.
The witches heart sunk and Dean must have felt it because his eyes shot up. “Don’t do that,” he pointed a sharp finger in Castiel’s direction. “Don’t feel bad for me. I don’t need your pity,” he spat.
“I don’t pity you, Dean.” He walked forward until he was a few feet away from his familiar. “Of course I feel sorrow for your mother, I cannot fathom a witch being so selfish. I’m just sorry you had to go through it alone. You were so young, it couldn’t have been easy raising your brother.”
Dean scoffed and looked anywhere but at Castiel. “You know, it wasn’t even all that bad. We had each other for a long time and we were alright. I taught him how to hunt and fish. Hell we even moved out of dad’s old place and built our own home.” He frowned and wrapped an arm around his waist.
“Then why do you feel so upset?” Castiel asked.
Dean’s eyes flicked to the witch then down at his feet. “It was Charlie.”
Castiel cocked his head. “I thought you two---”
“Yeah, of course we’re friends,” he waved a hand in the air. “I love her like a sister. But the day Sam met her I knew. I knew I was going to be alone after that. I came to terms with that. I’d rather be alone than all used up and dead somewhere.”
The witch’s reached his hand out and gently laid it on Dean’s arm that was hugging his stomach tight. “You don’t have to go through life alone anymore, Dean.”
Dean stared down at the witch’s hand and bit the inside of his cheek. A feeling of comfort spread throughout his chest before he shrugged it off. He watched as Castiel removed his hand and frowned.
“You cooked, I’ll clean up,” the witch said quietly before turning to his half eaten dinner. “It was delicious, by the way. Thank you.”
Dean scuffed his foot into the dirt. “Yeah, no problem. I think---I’m gonna go stretch my wings if that’s alright.”
Castiel turned to Dean with his eyebrows pulled together. “You never have to ask my permission Dean. I just ask that you stay relatively close to the hut. Being too far apart right now isn’t--”
“Yeah, I got it.” Dean shoved off the counter and headed towards the door. He peeled off his shirt and hung it on a nearby twig sticking out from the wall. He pushed past the curtain and sighed into the cool night air. He looked up into the sky and watched a flock of birds pass overhead. The thought made his stomach ache a little.
What are you doing? he thought to himself. He peeked back through the moss and watched as Castiel slowly moved through the hut, picking up stray pieces of string and packaging.
Running a hand roughly through his hair, he groaned and walked back into the hut.
“So,” he rested his hands on his hips. Castiel turned quickly to Dean with a confused expression. “I told you about my parents. Time to hear about yours.”
Summary: Castiel is a clumsy witch with a famous bloodline who never seems to get a spell right. Dean is an unattached familiar who stumbles his way through life seeking a purpose.
Pairing: Castiel Novak/Dean Winchester
Characters: Dean Winchester (young and present age), Castiel Novak (young and present age), Sam Winchester (witch), Gabriel (witch), Mary Winchester (mentioned), Charlie Bradbury (familiar)
So- who’s ready for the next chapter?! BECAUSE I SURE AM! Have some protective Cas, mad/scared Sam and a slightly turned on Gabriel (because I’m a sl*t for Sabriel)
“Castiel!” Gabriel tightened his grip on his brothers shoulders. “Do you understand how ridiculous you sounded just now? And how in hell did you know how to do that?” He motioned towards the potion on the table.
Castiel shrugged off his brothers hands. “I just---I felt what he needed. He was feeling ill and---”
“Cassie, I think this bird might be cursed. I think when you touched it, it infected you, too. We have to get it out of here.” He walked over to the bird and scooped a hand under it.
“NO!” Castiel shouted and held out his hand. The ground under their feet trembled and the dried herbs hanging from the ceiling shook hard enough to rain down pieces into the men’s hair. Flox, Pital, and Balder huddled close together and whispered comforts to each other.
Gabriel watched in shock as his brothers outreached hand began to glow a brilliant shade of orange, the color that flashed in his eyes earlier at the market.
“Castiel,” Gabriel breathed out, watching the color creep up his brothers arm and flash in his eyes.
“Put. Him. Down.” Castiel demanded in a low growl that sent a ripple through the hut.
Gabriel gently let the hawk back down on the altar and backed away. “Ok, Cassie. I’m not going to hurt it.”
The light dissipated as Castiel turned to the hawk and gently picked it up, cradling it against his chest. “It’s alright little one, I have you.”
~*~*~*~*~
“Gods, did you feel that Charlie?”
Sam stopped in his tracks when he felt a blast of power ripple under his feet. He looked up to Charlie who was cowering on a branch above his head.
I don’t like this, Sam. I don’t think we should go in there.
“We have to. Dean’s in there and who knows what they’re doing to him.”
Sam snuck up to the hut and tightened his grip on the knife. He used the point of it to move away a vine covering the entrance to the hut. He held back a growl when he saw a dark haired man holding his brother against his body. Glancing down to Charlie, Sam nodded.
He burst through the moss curtain and ran straight for the dark haired man. The sound caught the man’s attention and he turned, immediately holding up a hand.
Orange and red flames manifested from his palm and roared towards Sam. Charlie hissed and jumped up on a shelf, hiding behind a stack of books. Sam dove out of the way, taking cover behind an a table. He was so caught up in seeing his brother being held hostage that he didn’t notice the blonde man already cowering under the table.
“Hi?” Gabriel said with his eyebrows raised.
“You---” Sam ducked lower when a fireball flew over head. “Who the hell are you two and why do you have my brother?” he asked, holding the knife to the other mans throat.
Charlie took her chance and pounced at Castiel. She soared through the air and landed on Castiel’s shoulder, sparing a moment to look down at Dean before digging her claws into the witches shoulders.
Castiel cried out and immediately stopped the flames from his hand. He gripped Dean tight and swung his hand around, gripping Charlie by the back of her neck.
Sam stood, hauling Gabriel to his feet with him as he watched as Castiel struggled to stop his familiars attack.
“EVERYBODY STOP!” Sam shouted. He pressed the blade closer, nicking Gabriel’s jaw.
Castiel turned and glared at Sam, his eyes widening when he saw the fear in his brothers eyes.
“Charlie, get off him. And you,” he pointed the knife at Castiel, “put my brother down. NOW.”
Castiel hissed in pain as the cat removed her claws and trotted over to sit at Sam’s feet. “No,” he growled.
“What do you want with him? Why did you steal him from the market?” Sam demanded.
Gabriel raised his hands in the air, making Sam flinch and return the knife to his throat. “We didn’t steal him. He fell from the sky. Literally. He fell into my brothers arms. He was unconscious so we brought him back here.”
“Is that true?” Sam asked Castiel.
He looked down to the hawk and frowned, petting his head softly. “Yes. I---” the light in his eyes softened until it was completely gone. “I felt something--pulling inside me. I felt sick and then,” he smiled fondly as he ran a finger through the birds feathers. “He found me.” He looked up to Sam with sad eyes. “I’m sorry for the misunderstanding. I never wanted to hurt---”
“Dean. My brothers name is Dean,” Sam said warily.
“Dean,” Castiel sighed. “Is that your name, little one?” Sam watched in awe as his brother nuzzled against Castiel’s chest, squawking softly.
“Uh, not to break up such a sweet and terrifying moment but uh,” Gabriel gestured to the blade at his throat.
“Oh, uh. Sorry,” Sam grumbled, pulling the knife away slowly.
“Okaaay,” Gabriel clapped his hands together. “Now that Cassie is done being totally dramatic, why don’t I make some tea and we can talk this out?”
~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sam’s eyes never left Dean even as he was sipping his tea. Dean was still sleeping and Castiel held him close, constantly whispering to him.
“So,” Gabriel cleared his throat, “there wasn’t exactly a good time to introduce myself at the time. I’m Gabriel, and this is my brother Castiel.”
The Novaks? Charlie thought.
“That’s impossible,” Sam said, looking down at the orange cat.
“We are,” Castiel murmured.
“Cassie here has lived quite the sheltered life. It’s not surprising no one knows he’s out here. I, on the other hand--”
“Yeah, we all know where you live. High on the mountains, looking down at everyone else,” Sam sneered, never looking away from Castiel. “Can you stop touching my brother?” His jaw clenched as he stared at Castiel.
Castiel’s head whipped up, his hand stalling. “You never told us your name,” he accused.
“Sam. This is Charlie. Now stop fucking petting my brother.” He stood quickly and towered over Castiel.
“Uh, Cassie, maybe lay the bird--”
Dean.
“Dean,” Gabriel sighed as he rolled his eyes, “down and we can talk more comfortably?” He tipped his chin towards the altar and nodded.
Castiel scowled at his brother but stood. He laid Dean down and took a last look before returning to his seat, visibly anxious.
“I truly did not mean to worry anyone,” Castiel whispered, wringing his hands together.
“What exactly happened?” Sam asked in a much more relaxed tone.
“Gabriel and I were at the market, and like he said, Dean quite literally fell from the sky. I was buying herbs and I felt like something was pulling me up into the air. A force pulled me to my feet and jerked my head back and then---he just fell. I caught him and brought him back here to help with his nausea.”
“Nausea?” Sam raised an eyebrow.
Castiel dug his toes into the dirt nervously. “As soon as I touched him I could feel it. He hates flying,” he chuckled. “He was feeling very ill so I made a potion to cure it.”
Oh my Gods that’s why he can’t land for shit Charlie laughed.
“Yeah, can we talk about that for a minute?” Gabriel interjected. He looked to Sam and took a deep breath. “Cas has never---” his eyes flicked to his brother for a moment. “Cas is a shit witch ok? I’m sorry, Cassie, but you know it. I know it. He’s never been able to make an actual potion, let alone making one without a step by step guide from a gimoire. And the fire is certainly new.” He leveled a look at his brother.
“You’ve never done that before today?” Sam asked.
“N-no, never. I didn’t think I had powers.” He lifted his hands and frowned. “I’m so sorry, Sam.”
“I don’t get it,” Sam sighed, shaking his head.
Sam. I think Dean is Castiel’s---
“You’re all a bunch of idiots, aren’t you?” Balder shouted.
Sam’s head whipped up. “What the fu---”
“Familiar!” Flox smiled.
“Yes, yes! Finally! Castiel has a familiar!” Pital chimed in.
Castiel lifted his head and stared at the heads. He whipped his head towards Gabriel with a shocked expression.
“It’s...it’s possible, Cassie,” he said with a shrug. “I mean, when I met Lucy there was a definite shift in my power. But you’ve never---I’ve been casting since I was seven and you’ve never really been able to.”
“Meeting Dean gave you all your powers at once,” Sam sighed, running both hands down his face. He sighed and leaned his elbows on his knees. “He isn’t going to like this.”
“Why?” Castiel turned and looked at the sleeping hawk. “He’ll fulfill his destiny as a familiar. Isn’t that what he’d want?”
Charlie snorted. You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into.
Castiel glanced at the cat before looking to Sam. “Dean is---he’s not like other familiars. He’s--resistant. He hates the thought of being tethered to a witch. He’s tried with a few but he always found any excuse not to stay.”
On the altar, Dean flapped a wing awkwardly and cawed. Castiel and Sam immediately jumped up and hovered over him.
“I need to take him home,” Sam said, reaching out to scoop his brother into his arms. Castiel’s hands shot out and gripped Sam’s wrists tight enough to turn his knuckles white.
“He’s staying with me,” he growled.
Stop Dean thought weakly.
“Gods, Dean are you ok?” Sam whispered as he cradled his brothers head.
Feel...weird. Sam what’s going on?
Sam pulled his eyebrows together. “We’ll talk about that when we get home, ok?”
NO! Dean thought loudly. I need to stay here. Something’s---Fuck, Sam I can’t explain it. Just leave me where I am. It feels safe. I’m so tired...
Sam’s expression grew angry as he watched Castiel smile down at his brother. “One night. ONE,” he demanded as he shook a finger at Castiel. He looked around the hut looking for a spare room to stay in. Realizing that it was just a one room home with no bedrooms he sighed. “We’re staying right out there,” he pointed to the patch of woods they came through. “If anything, and I mean anything happens to my brother, I’ll slit your throat while you sleep.” His eyes darkened as he glared at Castiel.
“He’s my familiar. And why on earth would I hurt such a beautiful creature?” He reached out and let a tail feather slip between his fingers.
“Just---stop touching him like that.” Sam sighed heavily and nodded to Charlie. “Let’s go.” He took one last look at Dean before leaving the hut, Charlie at his heel.
Gabriel pressed his lips together and walked over to his brother. “Well that was---educational. You have a familiar, you can shoot fire from your hands. Pretty big day,” he smiled and knocked his shoulder against Castiel’s.
“Yes, it was a wonderful day,” he whispered.
Gabriel cocked an eyebrow and pointed at Dean. “You think his brother is single, because, damn.” He whistled through his teeth and laughed when Castiel gaped at him.
Summary: Castiel is a clumsy witch with a famous bloodline who never seems to get a spell right. Dean is an unattached familiar who stumbles his way through life seeking a purpose.
Pairing: Castiel Novak/Dean Winchester
Characters: Dean Winchester (young and present age), Castiel Novak (young and present age), Sam Winchester (witch), Gabriel (witch), Charlie Bradbury (familiar)
Chapter Twelve- Dean and Cas are awkward around each other since the bath and obviously pretend like it never happened. They start practicing and testing the strength of their bond.
Warnings: Lil bit of smut in the beginning.
Dean dressed in silence as after dying off in the changing room. His mind was racing as he yanked his shirt over his head.
Fucking stupid, he thought. Stupidstupidstupid. Never should’ve gotten involved with a witch.
His heart sank and his stomach twisted. Castiel must’ve been walking further and further into the castle and stretching the bond.
“Can’t even be away from the damn witch for more than five minutes without---arg,” he doubled over and held his stomach. “Fuck,” he hissed. He flung the door open and headed down the corridor towards the main hall. The servants were finishing cleaning up after the party and talking quietly. A little girl noticed Dean in the doorway and cleared her throat. The others turned and smiled.
“Hello, Mr. Winchester. Is there something we can help you with?” an older woman asked.
“Uh, you wouldn’t happen to know where Cas is, do you? He’s supposed to be with his father and I,” he gripped his stomach tighter, “I have no idea where that is.”
The woman wiped her hands on her apron and quickly walked over, taking Dean by the arm. “He’ll be in his chambers, I can take you,” she smiled.
Dean raised a hand to the servants and let himself be led back down the hallway.
“He’s too far away, yes?”
Dean swallowed thickly and nodded.
“Don’t worry, we’ll be there soon Mr. Winchester.”
“Dean. Please, call me Dean.”
The maid nodded and directed him down a spiral flight of stone stairs. She plucked a torch off the wall and handed it to Dean. “He will be at the bottom of the stairs on the right.”
Dean nodded a thanks to the maid before she turned and walked quickly down the hallway. He walked slowly down the stairs feeling slightly better already being closer to the witch. He reached a landing and came to another long hallway. He could hear voices murmuring behind a door but his attention was directed to the stairs that still wound deeper under the castle. He stuck his neck out and turned his ear towards what sounded like humming.
The groan of a door opening pulled his attention.
“Dean,” Castiel breathed. “What are you doing down here?”
The familiar waved a hand vaguely towards his stomach. “Uh, not really feelin’ so hot.”
The witch frowned. “Yes, I felt it too. I apologize. Father needed to speak with me and I assumed it would be in the throne room.”
Dean chuckled. “Yeah that’s where I looked first. Some lady led me down here.”
They stared at each other for an agonizingly long minute before Dean cleared his throat.
“Cas, can we talk abo---”
“You must be tired. Let me show you to our room.” Castiel walked quickly up the stairs two at a time as Dean followed slowly behind. He watched as Castiel stopped in front of a set of large wooden doors with his hand on the knob. He glanced at Dean before pushing them open and gestured Dean inside.
There was a large bed pushed against the right side of the room covered in blue blankets and fur throws. A dusty desk sat in the corner covered in old books and loose papers. Dean walked inside the room and up to a bookshelf stuffed with wooden toys and more books. There were simple drawings of bugs and flowers pinned to the wall and a small burn mark in the center of the floor.
Dean turned to Castiel who was scuffing his toe in the entry way. “This is your room, isn’t it?”
Without looking up, Castiel grinned. “What was your first clue?”
Dean walked over and tapped his foot on the burn mark and Castiel chuckled, running a hand through his still damp hair. “Plus, I don’t think other kids read this much.”
“There wasn’t much else for me to do when I was little so,” Castiel waved a hand towards the bookshelf. Dean sat down on the edge of the bed and watched Cas’ face fall.
“Must be weird coming back,” Dean muttered as he ran his fingers through the thick fur of what used to be a deer.
“That’s an understatement.” Castiel sighed and walked over to sit next to Dean. “I hated this place,” he whispered. “I couldn’t wait to leave.” He looked up to the faded stars on the ceiling. “Do you see those?”
Dean looked up and nodded.
“My mother painted those for me when I was three. She would spend a lot of time in here with me while the others were in class.” He leaned back on his elbows and stared at the ceiling.
“Class?” Dean asked, laying down next to the witch.
“We---they had tutors. Father brought them in from all over the world to teach my siblings how to cast and brew.” He pulled his eyebrows together and frowned. “It didn’t take long for them to realize I was a lost cause and suggested I spend my time doing something else.”
Dean laid on his side and propped himself up on an elbow. “And that something else was being stuck in your room?”
“Essentially. I was bitter about it for a long time, but I figured I’d spend my time learning. Gabriel, as annoying as he is,” he chuckled, “gave me great advice. He said I should read and learn as much as I possibly could so I’d be ready.”
“Ready for what?”
Castiel shrugged. “I have no idea.”
They lay there and watched the stars in comfortable silence. Dean watched as Castiel’s eyes grew heavy and began to close. He pulled a blanket up from the bottom of the bed and covered the witch, smiling as he immediately nuzzled into it. He laid down next to him and slipped the deer fur over his body. He reached out and ran a fingertip through the witch’s hair before closing his eyes.
Goodnight, Cas.
~*~*~*~*~*
Castiel pressed his face into the soft pillow and sighed. He felt a steady breath gently puffing against cheek as he peeled his eyes open. The sun was shining through the window and blanketed Dean in a soft yellow glow. He smiled softly and trailed his fingers up the familiars arm to cup his cheek. Dean hummed in his sleep and leaned into the touch. Castiel let his hand drift to Dean’s chest and traced the bonding marks with feather light touches. Orange sparks chased his fingertips and tingled under his skin.
“Tickles,” Dean mumbled. He shifted closer to the witch and draped an arm around the witch’s waist.
Castiel chuckled and felt his chest swell. “It’s time to wake up, Dean.”
The familiar burrowed deeper into the blankets and shook his head, tightening his grip on the witch’s hip. A sharp intake of breath made him open his tired eyes. The first thing he saw was a pair of blue eyes with orange sparks flickering through them. He grinned and pressed his fingers roughly into the witch’s hip as he rolled his hips forward.
“Dean,” Castiel gasped, his eyes now flaming. “We should---o-o-oh,” he moaned as Dean’s hand slipped lower, now grazing his hardening cock.
“Do you want this?” Dean barely whispered. His leaned in and brushed his lips against Cas’ chest.
Castiel nodded quickly. “I do. Yes,” he hissed when Dean’s fingers lightly stroked the head of his cock. “But I’ve never---” The breath punched from his lungs as Dean gripped him tight and slid his thumb over the witch’s slit.
Dean kissed his way up Castiel’s chest and looked into his flaming eyes. He licked his lips and smirked when he felt the witch fuck himself into his fist.
“Never what?” Dean whispered, leaning lose enough to the witch’s mouth that he could feel his staggered breaths against his lips.
A knock at the door made Castiel jump.
“What?” he barked, his voice breaking.
“Sir it’s time for your lesson,” a timid voice called from the other side of the door.
Castiel looked back to Dean who sighed and rolled out of bed. Frustratingly running a hand through his hair, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and hung his head.
“Dean, I---”
“It’s fine, Cas,” Dean huffed as he pulled on a pair of pants.
“No, it’s not. Before we were interrupted I was going to say,” he sighed heavily and pinched his eyes closed, “I’ve never---been with anyone. Like that.” He gestured towards the center of the bed where they were laying moments before.
Dean raised an eyebrow and looked at the back of the witch’s head. “You’re joking.”
Castiel stood and turned to face Dean. “Does it look like I’m joking? Dean, I left the castle when I was young. I live in a hut and avoid people at all costs. Is it really so hard to believe that I’ve never---never done---”
Dean walked quickly over to his witch and ran his hands up and down the mans arms. “Hey, it’s ok. I’m sorry. I just kinda figured, y’know,” Dean shrugged.
“Know what?”
Dean scoffed. “Look at yourself, Castiel.” The familiar turned the witch around and faced a floor length mirror in the corner of the room. He hooked his chin over Cas’ shoulder and ran his hands up his neck. “You’re amazing. Sexy as fuck.” His fingers threaded through his wild bedhead. “Your hair, your body, fuck Cas, your eyes? Seeing their reaction when I touch you drives me crazy.” He nuzzled his nose into the crook of the witch’s neck and inhaled deeply. “You drive me crazy. Never been like this with anyone else,” he whispered.
Castiel bit back a smile and lowered his gaze from the mirror. “And to think, a few days ago you were dead set on not being my familiar.”
Dean rolled his eyes and let his hands fall to the witch’s hips. “Even if it wasn’t for the bond I don’t think I could stay away from you. But if you aren’t comfortable with the touching or the---y’know, other stuff yet, just say the word and I’ll back off.”
The witch felt his mark spark and watched in the mirror as it glowed to life. “I--I like what we’ve done so far,” he confessed in a quiet voice. He felt Dean smile against his neck and plant a soft kiss there.
Another knock made both men groan.
“Coming,” Castiel called out.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Dean sat with his feet perched on an old table in the library as he watched Castiel clumsily read Latin words aloud.
“Misce casia, hamaemilla, et ocimum in patera post machinim,” the witch mumbled as he sprinkled herbs into a bowl.
“Machinam,” Dean corrected.
Castiel looked up long enough to scowl at the witch and return to his book.
“Iterate interdum haec verba: Haud equidem tali me, avertam oculos meos, et vidi cum viridi caeruleo per eam!” He tossed a lit match into the bowl and it immediately erupted in a green smoke. “Dean, look.”
Dean watched the witch bat his eyelashes. “No shit!” He scooted closer and looked into the witch’s once blue eyes. “They’re the same color as mind now!” He took Castiel’s chin between his thumb and pointer finger and rolled his head from side to side, examining them. “That’s fucking cool, Cas. Can you change your hair and everything, too?”
The witch shrugged and rubbed at his eyes. “Most likely. It’s a simple transformation spell. He blinked rapidly and Dean watched as they changed back to blue.
“Simple? Cas a week ago you couldn’t do any of this. Now you’re changin’ your eye color on a whim. That’s awesome, I’m proud of you.” He felt his mark warm and saw the blush rise on Cas’ cheeks. “I think you’re ready for bigger stuff.”
“Like what?”
Dean tapped his chin and looked around the room. “There,” he pointed at a large candlestick on the mantel above a fireplace. “Turn that into a plant.”
“Dean, I don’t think--”
“Exactly, don’t think. Just do.” Dean gripped the witch by his shoulders and pulled him up into a standing position. “Try. For me,” he breathed against the witch’s neck.
Castiel sighed and rolled his head from side to side. “Ok. Ok, I can do this.” He stared at the candlestick hard and clenched his fist. “Virtute implere manus, convertat huius candelabri ut autem flos.” He rose his palms up and watched as orange wisps circled his wrists before floating towards the candlestick. It swirled around the silver stick and clung to it as leaves and petals blossomed from it’s stem. The mist dissipated and Castiel gasped as he walked over to the fireplace.
He plucked the rose off the mantle and walked back to his familiar, smiling widely as he handed it to him.
Dean took the rose and sniffed it deeply. “You’re a natural, Cas.”
Summary: Castiel is a clumsy witch with a famous bloodline who never seems to get a spell right. Dean is an unattached familiar who stumbles his way through life seeking a purpose.
Pairing: Castiel Novak/Dean Winchester
Characters: Dean Winchester (young and present age), Castiel Novak (young and present age), Sam Winchester (witch), Gabriel (witch), Charlie Bradbury (familiar)
I’m back, bitches! Had real life things to attend to for the past few days and I’m going to be busy all day tomorrow so have a double chapter! This one might be longer than usual because I’m going to write until my brain refuses to work anymore.
In chapter 13: Dean and Castiel test how far away from each other they can get before it’s too painful and try to find each other just using the bond (it’s basically hide and seek lol).
Dean finds something horrible in the basement of the castle.
Warnings: Mentions of animal mutilaion. It’s in the second part of the story and starts when Chuck asks Gabriel about his horse Pearl.
“Are you sure?”
Dean hopped from foot to foot and shook out his hands. “Yeah, definitely. You basically mastered casting and brewing this week, this is the next step.”
Castiel bit his cheek. “I don’t know. I don’t like the thought of you being in pain.”
Dean walked up to the witch and rested his hands on either shoulder. “Hey, not that I don’t like being in the same room as you all the time, but at some point we’re going to have to be apart. We gotta test it.” Castiel sighed and lifted his hands to rest on the familiars wrists. “As awesome as you are, Cas, I don’t think it’ll be that hard. Just---push the pain away and find me as fast as possible ok? It’ll be alright. If I can’t take it before you find me, I’ll come back and we’ll meet here. Sound good?”
Castiel nodded.
“Great,” Dean beamed. When he suggested that they test the bonds Castiel was reluctant at first, but with Dean’s incessant pestering, the witch finally gave in. The only stipulation was that Dean had to be in his familiars form because he was stronger that way and could hold out longer.
“Ready?” Dean stepped back and tilted his head back and forth, cracking his neck.
“As I’ll ever be,” the witch sighed.
Dean took his shirt off and tossed it on the table. He lifted his arms out to the side and Castiel watched as feathers started sprouting from his skin. His face contorted and his eyes changed from green to a brilliant yellow. His body shrunk and his bones cracked as his familiars form took over. Once he was changed he flapped his wings and hopped over to Castiel, his talons clicking on the stone floor.
Castiel chuckled and knelt down to pick him up.
Careful, those fuckers are sharp, Dean thought as he perched on the witch’s arm.
“Not too far the first time, alright little one?” Castiel held his arm out to the side.
Dean rolled his eyes, which made the witch laugh. Give me two minutes. He tightened his grip around Castiel’s arm slightly before pushing off and flying into the air. He flapped up towards the chandeliers and swooped down to the witch before he soared out the doors.
He wove his way through the halls and down a flight of stairs, scaring a maid carrying a basket of laundry. He could feel the bond pulling but wanted to push past it and go further. He flew down another set of stairs and recognized that he was near Chuck’s chambers. He rested on the large stone landing and hopped towards a spiral staircase, cocking his ear to the side.
A light melody was floating up the staircase. The same humming that he heard last time he was looking for Castiel seemed to be calling to him. He lifted off the stone floor and carefully flew down the steps until he reached the bottom.
An uneasy feeling immediately hit him. He couldn’t tell if it was being away from his witch or the dimly lit cell in front of him. The humming was louder and seemed to be coming from it. He hopped towards it but stopped when he heard movement. His heart hammered in his chest when he heard chains rattle.
“Come closer, little one,” a voice cooed.
Dean immediately walked forward even though his mind was telling him to get the hell out of there. He was close enough now to see the form of a person kneeling on the floor. Their arms were above their head, shackled by chains bolted to the wall. There was hay and blankets covering up something painted in red on the floor.
“Aren’t you the prettiest little bird. What’s your name?” The chains clinked slightly as the figure shifted.
Dean Winchester, he said without thinking
Why are you saying your own name? I’m coming to find you, by the way, Castiel thought to his familiar.
“Dean Winchester,” the figure hummed. “I’ve never heard of you. Who might you belong to?”
Castiel Novak.
Again, why are you speaking our names? And how far did you fly? You aren’t even on the second floor!
“Interesting. That’s very unfortunate for you. I hear he’s quite the dud as far as witches go,” the figure chuckled darkly.
Dean lowered his body to the floor and glared into the cell.
“Oh, little one, don’t worry. I’m sure he’s improved since we last met. Would you mind doing me a favor? You see, I’ve been in this cell for so long and I’m dying to stretch my legs. I can barely stand up in here and my knees are sore from kneeling. Would you mind coming closer?”
Dean hopped to the edge of the cell quickly and peered inside. A woman with long, matted brown hair sat in the middle of the cell. Her black frock was ripped and covered in dirt, her skin covered in bruises and caked mud. She looked up to the familiar with dark brown eyes and smiled.
“Do you see the red mark just there?” She pointed with a crooked finger over her shackles.
Dean I can’t find you. I can’t even feel where you are. Is everything ok?
“Answer him little one. Tell him you’re fine and to keep looking.”
I’m alright. You just suck at this. Come and find me, Cas.
“Good boy,” she smiled wickedly. “Now, if you don’t mind, would you use your talons and scratch at that line for me? I’d be so, so thankful if you did.” She licked her lips and shifted anxiously.
Dean titled his head and stared at the line on the floor.
“I would be in your debt,” she promised. “One little scratch, that’s all you have to do. Please, little one. You can do this for me can’t you?” She rose off her knees and into a crouched position.
Dean willed himself to fly away, to go tell Castiel about what he found, but instead he felt himself reach out a talon and scrape it across the stone floor.
All at once, the chains fell off the woman’s wrist and clattered to the floor. She rose up and smiled wickedly at the hawk. She raised her hand and a burst of blue magic hurdled towards the cell door and blasted it open. Dean fluttered backwards as his heart slammed in his chest.
The woman walked out of the cell and ran her hands down her head and body. The mud and dirt disappeared as her hair smoothed out and shined in the light of a torch. Her once tattered and ripped frock turned into and elegant, sparkling dress as it swished up to the familiar. She reached out and ran a sharp fingernail through his feathers and smiled.
Who are you?
“My name is Amara. Tell Castiel I’ll see him soon.” With a flick of her wrist, blue smoke surrounded her body she she vanished.
~*~*~*~*PART TWO~*~*~*~
When Dean came to, the first thing he saw were a pair of very worried blue eyes staring at him.
“Oh Dean, thank the Gods you’re alright.” Castiel rested his palm on the familiars forehead and frowned. “How are you feeling?”
Dean blinked slowly and reached up to grab the witch’s hand. “M’fine.” He looked around the room and realized Gabriel, Lucy, and Chuck were standing behind his witch. “What’s with the audience?”
Castiel swallowed thickly. “I found you laying outside my fathers chambers. Are you hurt? You’ve been unconscious for an hour or so.”
Dean sat up and cleared his throat. Castiel quickly grabbed a cup off the table and offered it to him. “I’m not hurt. Just feel---I dunno, weird.”
“Do you remember anything before you passed out?” Gabriel asked.
Dean opened his mouth but was interrupted. “Let’s not bombard him with questions,” Chuck said as he ran a hand through his hair. “He probably was just too far away from Castiel, right?”
Dean shook his head. “No, I don’t think that was it. I don’t feel like---it’s not like the first time I was too far away.” He lowered his head and swirled his cup before taking a drink. “I remember flying down a flight of stairs and seeing your chambers,” he pointed to Chuck. “And then---” he sighed and rubbed his head. “There was this noise coming from down the stairs.”
“The stairs next to my chambers?” Chuck asked nervously.
Deans eyes widened as he began to remember. “Shit. Oh shit.” Dean stood on shaky legs and grabbed Castiel. “She said---she said she’d be in my debt if I helped her. I swear, Cas. I didn’t want to. It was like---like she fucking made me do it. I’m so sorry.”
Castiel began to tremble as he clung to his familiar.
“Who? Who Dean? What happened exactly?” Gabriel asked as he reached out for Lucy. She wrapped her arm around his waist and held him close.
“She was chained to the wall. She said if I helped her, I’d be in her debt. She asked me---” Dean shook his head, “she told me to scratch something on the floor and when I did---Oh Gods.” He took a deep breath and blew it out. “I think I released her. She blew the door open and said to tell you that she’d see you soon.”
“Who was it?” Castiel asked, his voice shaking.
Dean pinched his eyes shut and frowned hard. “Cas, I’m so sorry. It was Amara.”
Castiel’s body stiffened immediately. “That’s not----that’s impossible. She’s dead.” He looked to his father who was pale and shaking. “Tell me that’s not possible,” he shouted as his eyes flecked with orange.
Everyone stared at Chuck for what felt like forever. He licked his lips and shifted on his feet.
“Dad, what’s going on?” Gabriel’s voice shook as he spoke.
Chuck sighed and reached over to grab a cup off the table. He drank it all in one large gulp before clearing his throat.
“You were all too young to remember,” he whispered, “but when Amara turned six, she started developing powers at an alarming rate. Your mother and I couldn’t keep up and we had no idea what to do.” He looked to Gabriel and frowned. “Do you remember your horse Pearl?”
Gabriel nodded. “I remember you telling me I couldn’t ride her anymore because she fell and broke her leg.”
Dean cringed.
“One night, your mother came home from visiting her sister and rode into the stable to put her horse away. She found---” he cleared his throat roughly and looked at the ground. “She found Amara with Pearl. Your sister had cut--” his voice broke as his eyes began to water. He took a deep breath and clenched his fists. “She cut open Pearl and removed her heart. Your mother found her covered in blood and playing with her entrails.” He turned to Gabriel and reached out to him. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered.
Gabriel flinched away and backed up into Lucy.
“Don’t you dare,” she hissed. “Don’t touch him.”
Chucks hand felt limply to his side. “Your mother was in shock. She asked Amara why she did it. She said she ‘wanted to see a how her insides worked’. Your mother and I thought it was misplaced curiosity---”
“Misplaced curiosity?” Dean gasped.
Chuck raised a hand in his direction. “It’s horrible, but some gifted children do those things. They-they---they want to know everything and go to lengths to learn. We thought that’s what it was until we found her familiar.”
“Rosy. I remember her,” Castiel whispered to himself. “She was a fox we found wandering in the woods behind the castle.”
Chuck nodded. “About a week after the bonding ceremony Rosy went missing. We thought we were wrong and Rosy wasn’t Amara’s true familiar. But we found her in your sisters toy chest one day. She had been killed and made to look like a stuffed animal.”
Castiel gripped Dean’s hand tight and let out a disgusted sound.
“She started showing sings of immense power. She got upset with her chambermaid and froze her to the floor. She screamed so loud once that every candle in the castle blew out. The most worrying thing though---”
“The most worrying?” Gabriel scoffed. “You’d think that was when she disemboweled my fucking horse!” Lucy held him gently as tears ran down his face.
Chuck flinched at the words. “She could make people do anything she wanted just by speaking to them. Your mother thought it was mind control and I agreed.” He looked to Castiel. “You don’t understand the things she capable of.”
“I’m starting to,” the witch hissed. “Why didn’t you help her? Teach her to control her powers, not lock her away in a cell!” His eyes flared with orange and Dean felt a river of fear and hatred run through his mark.
“You don’t understand, son. She scared off or killed any teacher we brought in. You remember Sir Crowley of Near Garden, the most powerful witch in the state? He’s buried in the woods behind the castle.” Chuck shook his head and sat in a chair next to the table. “She was too powerful and unwilling to reign in her powers. Your mother and I did what we had to do. For everyone’s safety.”
“And I let her out,” Dean whispered. “It’s all my fault.”
“No,” Castiel said immediately. He held Dean’s face between his hands and stroked his thumbs over the familiars cheeks. “It’s not your fault. You didn’t know.”
“Dean, do you know where she went?” Lucy asked in a shaky voice.
The familiar shook his head. “All she said is that she would see Cas soon.”
“Well that’s not terrifying at all,” Gabriel scoffed.
“We need to find her immediately,” Castiel said as he turned to his father. “Where would she have gone?”
Chuck hung his head and shrugged.
“Well think harder!” Castiel shouted. His hands began to shake and glow orange.
“I don’t know!” Chuck cried out. “She rarely left the castle walls and wasn’t exactly a sentimental child. She never played or had friends or---”
“Wait,” Gabriel looked to his brother with wide eyes. “The river. We made a fort by the river, remember? We used to play knights and dragons. We would sneak down there at night and tell scary stories.”
“It’s worth a shot. What are we waiting for? Let’s go.” Dean tugged Castiel’s hand and pulled him towards the door.
“Dean, wait. We can’t just go and---and what? Kill my sister? No.” He planted his feet and pulled his hand away.
Dean spun around and glared at his witch. “She’s gonna kill you, Cas. I didn’t get the sense that she’s looking for a family reunion. She’s pissed, and powerful.”
“All the more reason to be prepared,” Gabriel said. “We’re going to need potions an--and people. The more power the better.”
“I’ll go with you,” Lucy said, lacing her fingers through her witch’s hand.
“I could rally the guards and soldiers,” Chuck offered.
“No. No, no, no!” Castiel shouted. He walked up to his father and looked down at him. “She’s been locked up her whole life. She’s lonely and scared. And if she’s half as powerful as you say she is, she’ll wipe them out with a flick of her wrist. Are you willing to sacrifice your whole army to try and kill your daughter?” Castiel turned to his familiar. “Dean and I will go alone.”
“Like hell you will,” Gabriel scowled.
“She wanted to see me. She didn’t mention anyone else. Dean and I can’t be very far apart from each other so we have to go together. I will not risk you or Lucy’s life. I wont. That’s final,” he said cutting his hand through the air.
“Why you? What makes you so special?” Lucy asked.
Castiel ran a hand through his hair. “We were close. Closer than any of the siblings,” he sighed. “She would come into my room when she was young and sleep on my floor when there was a storm. The lightning scared her and I would tell her stories until she fell asleep. We---we were best friends for a few years until,” he trailed off.
“Then we’ll go. But Cas,” Dean cupped his witch’s cheek gently. “We’re going to be prepared. You’re strong but I’m afraid she’s stronger. Gabriel is right. We’ll need potions. I’m not going out there without you being protected.”
Dean felt his mark begin to warm and sparkle.
“You’re right,” Castiel sighed.
“Alright, then,” Gabriel clapped his hands. “Let’s start brewing.”
