#also i can see steve bringing a little creature into the gas n sip his own little guy

[spnsmile]

Day 28: Hellscape

@winchester-reload​  <3

“So, do you have a family? Steve?”

It took Castiel a moment to reply at the name he adopted in Gas n Sip after the fall. It was taking time to get used to but it was lucky, he chose a name short enough to remember. He glanced up from the cabinet where he returned the mop after cleaning the toilet to Nora manning the cash register.

“Um.”

“That friend who was just here,” she went on when he didn’t reply, “You know… the guy whose waiting for you with that classic car? Is he someone special to you?”

Castiel saw her nod at the glass window to where Dean’s impala was still parked with the hunter leaning on it as he waited for Castiel’s shift to be over. Castiel was honestly surprised to see Dean after he unceremoniously left the bunker. Not that he didn’t wish to see Dean at all. Every night he prays, calling Dean’s name silently because it still gives him hope. So maybe this was the answer to his prayers. The escape to his personal hell…

“Yes.” Castiel sighed, “he is special to me.”

He closed the doorknob and missed the meaningful look Nora threw in his direction. “Is there anything else you wish for me to do before my shift is over?”

The cash register dings and Nora looked up beaming.

“No, everything’s perfect, Steve. You’re really an angel—”

“No—"

“You can have your break early. But are you sure I’m not interrupting anything today? You can still meet me tonight?”

Castiel thought hard about it and wondered if this little trip with Dean would take time. He took one look at the impala outside then back at his superior.

“I’m sure we can finish our business quickly. He is efficient in his job.” He wondered why Nora’s face suddenly turned a deep shade of red with a press of lips tight as if forcing herself not to smile.

“I think he is, you enjoy yourself.” She managed.

Castiel gave her a tiny nod and smiled before heading out, finally ready to face Dean again. The sight of the impala tugged something in his heart, the sight of Dean waving and smiling at him pulled something in his soul and he wondered…

The case with the Rit Zien was anticlimactic. Dean came in time to save him and together they killed one of the most dangerous creatures on earth, at least for Castiel who understood why it was attracted to him. He was just glad it didn’t go after the baby, or Dean for that matter because believed it or not, Castiel could remember Dean’s pain, even if he could no longer see it in this form. That night, Castiel had Dean drive him to the nearest clinic, made sure the baby was okay before returning to Nora’s residence where Dean also had to help with the cleaning of the place.

“Your hand…” Dean said once they got rid of the smashed objects and now waited for Nora to come home.

Castiel tried to hide his bleeding hand out of sight but whether it’s because he was now human, or that Dean was just naturally trained to be fast, Dean snatched his wrist and hissed at the long bleeding gash on Castiel’s palm.

“It’s fine.”

“Fine my ass, hold it, I’m gonna get the first aid kit in the car.”

The baby was fast asleep and looking much better. Castiel sat opposite Dean on the couch and patiently watched as Dean plastered a square bandage on his palm after cleansing it with antiseptic in the gentlest manner. The warm on his fingers pressing on his, it’s a feeling Castiel wanted to indulge. Wanted to have more.

“You gotta stop damaging your body, it’s permanent now you know. Until we find away.” Dean said with a solemn look at him.

Castiel locked eyes with him.

“You still think I can regain my grace…?” Castiel asked in disbelief. Dean gazed at him warmly and nodded.

“Sure. You’re Cas. You’re an angel, damn right we’re gonna find a way again. There’s always away. We’ll find it.

“We?” Castiel asked skeptically. Dean’s eyes widened a little. It tempted Castiel to ask what’s been going on with Dean because he knew something was wrong, Dean was not telling him something. He wanted to help but at this rate….

Dean let go of his hand slowly. Castiel pulled it back avoiding Dean’s eyes. Nothing has changed except him no longer an angel.

“I’m sorry, Cas… there’s something I have to fix first…” Dean hesitated but when he met Castiel’s eyes, it only made Castiel worry more.

What are you not telling me, Dean? He wanted to ask. Why do you look like you’re in pain… why can’t you trust me… why don’t you have anyone to help you…? I am… it’s all my fault I’m…

Dean left the house minutes before Nora returned and waited for Castiel in the impala where he drove him back to where Castiel intended to stay.

In the Gas N Sip.

But when Castiel searched for his pockets, the key was nowhere to be found. He checked all his pockets, left and right before it occurred to him that it must’ve felt during the encounter with the Rit Zien.

Castiel stared at the locked door of Gas n Sip. The lights were all off, there was no one inside. He looked around him but the station was empty, Dean left minutes ago and probably driving home…

Home… He looked around the empty station with a sinking feeling. What should he do? He didn’t have enough money for the payphone, he has no cellphone.

The shop was closed. He was locked out. His heart clenched, the feeling of helplessness clawing in. The night was deep, the clouds too dark and ominous. No sound could be heard except the buzzing flies on the street lamps. The street was empty. It was another night of being homeless.

And he was alone again. What should he do?

This heavy feeling in his chest…He was in so much pain. He didn’t like being helpless. The Rit Zien was right. The pain was too much. If this was hell…

Castiel blinked back tears.

Someone… someone…

“What are you doing still out there, idiot?”

Cas turned around to see Dean standing behind him with curt eyebrows. The impala was behind him with its lights on. Castiel didn’t notice him return.

“Dean.” Castiel swallowed, wordless.

Dean stared at him hard, gave the Gas n Sip one look then back at him again with his frown deepening.

“What happened?” he stepped towards Castiel, stopping before him with a deep-set look in his eyes. “Cas?”

Castiel told himself he would never be a burden to Dean. But he couldn’t find it in him to stop when he poured everything to the Dean about the missing key, the locked door, the empty street, being alone—everything—

“I can pick it if you like.”

“No, I…” Castiel breathed, at last, the two of them still standing outside the door. “I can’t afford to damage it that way.

“Why are you still here anyway? Don’t you have an apartment to stay?”

Castiel didn’t answer. Something in Dean’s eyes ignited and before Castiel could ask, Dean is pulling him towards the impala.

“Come on, I’m bringing you back to the Bunker. Sam’s probably resting by now, he won’t notice us.”

“Why would Sam…?”

But he didn’t press at the sudden guilty expression on Dean’s face. He shouldn’t.  Dean was helping him, he couldn’t ask for more.

Except—

“Dean. What are you wearing?”

Dean was wearing weirdly patterned pajama pants with hotdogs for design. Castiel stood at the other side of the couch in what Dean was now calling his favorite spot in the Bunker. A small room with a television and a large couch but nothing else except alcohol. He supposed it’s Dean’s own private chamber for his favorite beverage, there are plenty of rooms in the Bunker so…

“Stop staring.” Dean said with gritted teeth, “It’s comfortable and we’re doing movie night. Don’t worry about being noisy, I angel proofed—”

“Angel proofed?” Castiel tilts his head, then nodded in understanding. “Oh… so the angels after me wouldn’t be able to enter?” Of course. He was still a burden.

But as long as Dean would have him, Castiel will stay… He will take everything Dean would give him in crumbs.

Dean shrugged but there it was again, the angry glint in his eyes not meant for anyone but himself. Castiel studied Dean as they both sat down the opposite sides of the couch, him in his fresh clothes after a warm shower, Dean in his sleeping shirt and pants. Castiel sighed at Dean’s grumpy expression. At least he figured, it wasn’t him that Dean was angry at… always, the person Dean would be angry the most…

How he wanted to ask Dean a lot of questions but instead—

“Thank you for the clothes.”

“It’s nice to see it fits,” Dean mumbles, I mean I did buy it for you but left it in the trunk of the car. Anyway, you’re safe here, you can stay here until morning.”

Castiel didn’t press. He nodded at the arrangement even if it was obvious Dean’s keeping something from him. But Dean near him now, how can he even rest?

“Here,” Dean threw a pillow in his direction which he caught aptly. Dean settled beside him, two pillows, and a blanket at hand.

“Are you going to sleep here? Aren’t we watching a movie?”

“Of course, we are, but call it insurance. Just make yourself comfortable, Cas.”

Castiel watched Dean’s every move. The man punched the pillows then threw the blanket over them, raising a leg on the couch and playing the button on the remote.

“Are you feeling okay, Cas?” Dean suddenly asked.

“Y-Yes. Of course, Dean. Thank you.”

“For what? This? This is nothing.”

“Yes, but you saved me from…” he didn’t say hell. It would only bring up memories from the past both too painful for them to remember so Castiel chose to bury it deep inside him. Just like how Dean seemed to do it most of the time. He believed it to be unhealthy.

“I’m glad I returned,” Dean said with a frown, “I was suspicious when you wanted to return in the store. Should’ve made sure you had a proper place to stay before kicking you out. Damnit.”

“Well, I’m not your responsibility.”

“Of course you are,” Dean growled. That raised plenty of questions that Castiel didn’t ask. Instead, he turned his eyes back on the television and sighed. He will never forget how Dean was there when he was crumbling down…

“Thank you, Dean.

“Shut up, alright?” Dean didn’t sound angry this time. He sounded desperate. Castiel wished he could help Dean but as he understood it, the only help he could do now is let Dean fix whatever he needed to… and then when he has the time for him, Castiel will be there. Because Dean needs him. He can still feel it, that bond that binds them together to end here in the Bunker again, together.

“Why is a rotten tomato allowed to decided what movie is recommendable and what not?” Castiel asked after an hour but no one answered. Instead, he found himself staring at a snoring Dean with mouth open, fast asleep. His feet which were just on Castiel’s lap, now on his cheek. Castiel grumbled and pushed Dean’s foot down his lap again, listening to Dean's mumble names of food but didn’t wake up.

How careless of him to be sleeping like this where he is vulnerable. Enemies could be lurking around and he’s down here, sprawled before Castiel, unafraid.

Castiel rubbed Dean’s foot.

It’s rare for Dean to sleep so soundly like there was nothing to worry about in the world. For a hunter such as he… it was a big thing.

Castiel carefully set Dean’s legs on his lap again and watched Dean instead. It was the same feeling as before, it never changed. His feeling whenever he’s watching Dean… remained and he’s glad.

This was just another trial for them but he’s certain that in the end, he and Dean will find away.

He just wished Dean would stop grumbling about pie.

art by gabester-sketch <3 patreon gift <3

#suptober20 #hellscape #with domesticity and dean #plus bonus art i got from patreon haha #destiel fic #destiel art #not my art but wee here for gabe too #casdean #destiel #comfort #gas n sip #suptober2020 #deancas

[lothirielswanmarvel]

Dinner with the Avengers (and a Turtle)

The clang of iron against wood smacked my ears sharply. Shouts arose in the distance–some out of fear, others were battlecries. A plethora of smells attacked me at the same time in a merciless cycle. I was doing what many would dream to do, but few would dare to accomplish.

Sit at the dinner table with the Avengers.

"Let us feast!" Thor boomed, holding his fork high before it dived into the mountain of lasagna on his plate.

"Wait!" Steve Rogers stared down everyone, mentally breaking our resolve and making us set our utensils down. He reached out to Tony on one side, and Natasha on the other.

"We have to say grace first." He said.

Tony snorted and rolled his eyes, but a sharp kick from Pepper under the table made him take Captain Steroid's hand. Natasha joined hands with Clint, and Bruce, who came in late from the lab and could take the last seat available, was seated next to Thor. We all knew the terror of this position: anyone who sat close to Thor was bound to be peddled in crumbs and stains, along with being scarred for life.

"Bless this food and the hands that prepared it," I peeped open an eye to catch Pepper's smirk, and Thor's excitedness that he made edible human food (not really, Pepper kept him away from the dishes...all of them).

"Many thanks for the meal and company, especially our new friend, Sam."

Sam Wilson, who also contributed to making the heap of lasagna, sat a few seats away from me. I didn't know much about him except that, like Rhodey, he was also from the military. The two were sitting next to each other now, itching to exchange their war stories.

Tony sighed as Steve continued, "What a blessing to come together today. Our thoughts are with Clint as he battles his coffee addiction–"

"And by battling, you mean giving up and living at Starbucks." Clint mumbled, silenced by a nudge from Natasha's arm.

"–And with Bruce, who has survived another day in Tony's lab. Our thoughts are with everyone else as they go through another day in the twenty-first century–by the way, God, the forties were better–may everyone be blessed and filled with happiness."

"You're forgetting someone." Steve opened his eyes for the first time since he started speaking. Bruce gave him a knowing look.

"Come on, he deserves some recognition!"

"Fine." Steve shut his eyes again, and angled his face towards the ceiling. "Our thoughts are also with Bruce's new turtle, who left the dog park to join this circus."

All eyes fell on Bruce, who was holding Thor's hand in one fist and a squirming-green glob in the other. It was Bruce's new companion after a crazy day at the park running from soccer moms. The turtle hadn't been around for long, but Bruce already had plans to make him mascot of the Science Bros cult.

"He had to!" Bruce replied defensively, acknowledging the green-shelled tortoise in front of him. "There was a duck uprising at the park! And the soccer moms were chasing after me for fresh meat!"

"Bruce! Respect your elders!" Steve remarked. He regained his composure, and finished the prayer, "Jesus give me–us!–strength...Amen."

"Amen." Tony the Atheist rolled his eyes in disgust. Thor was amazed by this new custom, at least until he found out it was for another totally different God other than himself.

The mountain of lasagna was eagerly passed around as Thor boasted about his newfound cooking skills. Bruce edged away from the Asgardian right next to him, sacrificing his salad bowl to his turtle.

"The art of Midgardian cooking holds my interest!" Thor declared. "And after assisting Lady Pepper with the main dish, I had time to prepare an Asgardian delicacy for my dear friends!"

Pepper's eyes widened with fear, but she kept her composure. "T-Thor, that's okay. Really, we made tons of food, we can save it for later–"

"I shall bring it forth!" For the first time ever, Thor ran away from a full plate of food for something presumably less edible and more terrifying. There were some panicked glances shared around the room before Sam spoke up.

"You guys have an amazing pad, here." He replied before taking a bite of a breadstick.

Pepper's frigid demeanour vanished. "Thank you so much, Sam! We're happy you could visit us–Steve has told us a lot about you."

"All good, I'm hopin'." Sam replied.

"The best," I spoke up before digging into mouth-watering crimson sauce dotted with spicy herbs. "I heard you're a fan of Marvin Gaye."

"Yes ma'am." He said with a dashing smile I'm sure he learned from Steve himself–that's probably where his manners came from, too. "You're interested in him?"

"Well, I hear it from Tony's bedroom a lot, so I kinda have to." I replied.

Pepper nearly choked on a forkful of lasagna as Natasha shot Tony a dark glare. Clint covered his face with a napkin, snickering underneath the beige veil.

"Are you into Bell Biv Devoe too?"

"Yeah! Steve, why have you been hogging this person all to yourself?"

"And the Commodores?"

"Are you trying to make me fangirl, Y/N?" Sam wiggled his eyebrows at me, his massive arms folded on the table.

"Michael Jackson!" I grinned.

"You're killing me!"

"Do you think that's a good name for him?" Bruce replied.

We all looked at him. "Who?"

Bruce pointed at his turtle, who was nudging a part of the pasta with its nose. "My turtle. I don't know, Michael Jackson is too snazzy–I want to name him after a periodic element!"

At the mention of science, Tony became invested in the conversation. I watched the new entertainment with amusement as I took a bite of the lasagna. Pepper and Sam had done a marvelous job; the mix of gooey parmesan, the soft texture of noodles, and more invaded my mouth as a welcome intruder.

"Does he look like a Seaborgium?" Bruce picked up the squirming turtle who was playing with it's meal and held him right in front of his face, nose to nose. "Maybe we can call him Rubidium and nickname him Ruby?"

"How's Cobalt sound?" Pepper suggested.

"That's pretty cool," Bruce shrugged, and propped up his turtle on his silverware. "Any others, though?"

Natasha patted her perfect crimson lips dry on her napkin. "Boron?"

"Eh, Tony would nickname him 'moron'–don't act like that's not true, Tony."

"Germanium?"

"Steve would hate him, and Tony would call him Hitler."

"Seriously, Bruce?!"

"Yes I am, Tony."

"Bismuth?" Pepper replied, nibbling on her salad.

"That sounds like meth, Pepper." I said.

She gagged on her food, once again striking Tony's shin under the circular table. The great Iron Man squealed and withered under Pepper's scowl.

"She's right. Tony would think that way." Bruce looked down at his tortoise, disappointed.

"But you're not supposed to." Nat's eyes burned deep into my soul across the table. I shivered and sunk low in my seat, trying to hide under the white tablecloth.

"I can't name him Rhodium. There can only be one." Bruce glanced up at Rhodey.

"How about Xenon?" Tony finally offered, leaning over the table to offer the turtle his entire bowl of salad. Pepper slapped his arm.

"Ouch!"

"Eat your vegetables, Tony!"

"But mom!"

"Now!"

"It's cuter in the bedroom..." Tony muttered, making my face turn red as I was scarred for life. That was one thing Marvin Gaye couldn't keep me from.

"Eh, I don't want to name him after a noble gas." Bruce watched as his little friend scurried over to a spare piece of lettuce that had fallen out of Tony's bowl and started to devour it.

"I HAVE RETURNED, MY FRIENDS!"

We all instinctively flinched at Thor's voice, but that wasn't the worst part. My nose wrinkled as another smell wafted into the room, mixing horribly with the spicy herbs of the lasagna. It was a pungent smell...and it was advancing towards the table.

Thor dropped a dish of nightmares on the table, it's true monstrous form hidden under a cloak of tin foil. That didn't stop tons of tiny flies from scurrying over it.

Bruce clutched his turtle to his chest defensively. "Holy cannoli...is that Tony's offspring?"

Tony snapped, "Ha ha. I'll have you know that I am civilized in the lab, Bruce."

"I'm in there with you, Tony-Macaroni. Nothing comes out of there alive again."

"You do!"

"I lost my soul the first time I went in there!"

"Is that because I stole your heart, Brucie?"

Thor beamed down at his disgusting Frankenstein. It's face hadn't even been revealed, and my stomach was ready to run away and leave me behind to rot. I wouldn't blame it, personally.

"Who would like to try it first?" Thor studied the pale faces of the people sitting at the table. "Ms. Potts, would you like to–"

"No thank you! I'm a vegan." Pepper quickly stuttered.

"Starting when?" Tony remarked.

"Starting now."

"Perhaps our new guest should have the honors." Thor turned to Sam, who I pitied more than ever.

I could see the fear in his eyes. Clint, being a fellow bird, stretched out a wing towards a feather in need, "You know what, man? Food is lame. Like, who needs it, anyway? I just live off of dust...and dirt...and Natasha's scraps."

Natasha sipped a wine glass that I knew was vodka. She nodded afterwards. To my surprise, she didn't show any reaction yet to Thor's death plate. Maybe it was all the alcohol–she needed a lot to deal with Tony, so everything was probably a blur to her.

Thor gasped when he laid eyes on Bruce's new pet. He bellowed, "What is this mighty creature?"

"He's my friend," Bruce held it closer to his chest, "I found him at the dog park. He survived the duck uprising."

"Maybe we should call him Thorium," Rhodey said thoughtfully. "Especially if that means our lives are spared from not dying at this dinner table."

Thor grinned at the turtle. "If you do not wish to taste my feast prepared, perhaps I can cook it for you! I can roast it in Clint's coffee for extra zest!"

Everyone at the table shot Thor terrified looks.

"You're not cooking my friend!" Bruce remarked, scooting his chair away from Thor. The sudden movement made the layer of bugs on Thor's platter shift. The insides of my stomach swirled with waves of nausea. I wasn't hungry anymore.

"And you are not wasting my coffee!" Clint stated firmly. I took a closer look at Clint and, loan behold, there was a Starbucks cup underneath the table near him. Steve would kill him later.

"That's a no on Thorium..." Tony uttered. Pepper was too petrified of the dish on the table to snap at him.

That turtle is in for bad luck: being roasted by Thor, forced to endure the torture of being the Science Bros mascot–

Science Bros.

Science Bros.

Bros.

"Bromine." I said. "Bromine sounds cool...if you like it."

The turtle squirmed in Bruce's hands, and he took it as a sign. Bruce stared at the little guy, almost asking for permission. "Bromine...I like that. Bro-Bro is the coolest!"

"I deem thee Bromine Bruceson, worthy of living under the roof of the Avengers!" Thor cheered.

"This was much more interesting than a night of Netflix 'n Chill." Sam replied.

#wait until they reach dessert #marvel #avengers #natasha romanoff #bruce banner #tony stark #james rhodes #sam wilson #thor #steve rogers #pepper potts #clint barton