Archive of Our Own ^beta

Castiel couldn’t take it much longer. They were sitting in the library of the bunker the second day in a row, without any notable success. That could be because Castiel was the only one really busying himself with the books. If he didn’t know any better, he would have thought that there was a love spell at work, but sadly Sam and more so Gabriel always looked at each other that way.

Castiel wouldn’t deny that Sam was at least temporarily engrossed in the books, but with Gabriel it was like trying to get blood out of a stone. As long as it wasn’t about a case or their lives depended on it, you didn’t even need to try to get Gabriel to pick up a book. It seemed like a more or less helpless archangel didn’t rank high enough on the priority list of the elder to read a damned book.

After it was revealed that he had only faked his murder at the hands of Lucifer, Dean gave the brothers a hand or two. How helpful he had been, was anyone's guess, after all he only came when the brothers were practically finished and the archangel could make a joke at their expense, at least at the beginning.

But apparently a trust had been created, because when Dean had gotten himself into this situation, God knows how, he had turned to the brothers. Okay, technically he turned to Sam, but that was because despite his vessel, Dean wasn’t able to talk. Writing didn’t work either. Because Dean was writing in Enochian, which in theory Sam and party Castiel should be able to read and understand, but that would have been too easy. As it turned out Enochian evolved like every other language did. Sam was too young to understand it and Castiel didn’t have any books, which made the translation of this ancient form possible.

With therefore severely limited communication with Dean, Castiel, Gabriel and Sam were trying to find the problem and a solution for more than 24 hours now.  Sam somehow discovered that the problem was witch based. Castiel wasn’t sure how the angel figured that out, maybe the rune for it hadn’t changed.

Now after about 36 hours, for the hunter about 25 to 28, due to human necessities, they were still sitting here and Castiel couldn’t take it much longer. It wasn’t the reading that caused the problem, but the unresolved sexual tension, which was raising by the minute. Castiel wanted to yell at them, so that hunter and angel finally were honest with themselves and each other regarding their feelings, but it wasn’t really an option. Sam would probably fly away instantly, and Gabriel wouldn’t talk to Castiel for hours. Maybe not a bad option after all.

The fact that Sam would probably vanish for days, which would mean that Gabriel would be unbearable the whole time, made Castiel abandon the plan again. But if nothing about this situation changed in the next 10 to 15 minutes, Castiel would put a bullet in himself. How could two people be that blind?

7 minutes later a chair war moved with a squeak. Castiel looked up from his book. Gabriel stopped even pretending to read the books. He was standing and stretching. “I need something to eat and a beer,” he proclaimed. “Cas?” “Get something for me,” the younger hunter mumbled, although he was afraid that Gabriel would come back with a load of sweets. However, nourishment for the nerves probably wouldn't hurt in this situation.

Gabriel vanished towards the kitchen. Castiel toyed with the idea of counting to read for a second or two. Then he decided against it. He put the book down on the table and looked over to Sam. The angel noticed him starring. He too put down the book, before turning to Castiel.

“Did you find something yet?” Sam asked, when Castiel made no move to say something or look somewhere else. “No,” Castiel answered. “Did you?” He knew the answer to that one. “No,” Sam said. “Ah,” Castiel made in acknowledgement. Sam under the impression that the conversation was over, pick his book back up. But Castiel didn’t stop starring. “Do you ever think of saying anything?” Castiel asked.

The book practically fell out of Sam's hand, but the angel tried to cover it up. “I don’t know what you are talking about,” he mumbled, blushing. Yes, let's practice lying again, how the hell did the angel ever manage to deceive them? “Are you’re sure this is your final answer?” Castiel asked. “Yes,” Sam stated. His voice sound much more confident again. His gaze flickered to the tunnel through which Gabriel had disappeared and from which he would also appear again.

“It takes a while for him to find enough candy to give me some without under-provided himself,” Castiel said. “He eats too much sugar,” Sam proclaimed. “I tell him that all the time,” Castiel said. “But he doesn’t listen.” Sam made a sound of agreement, which made Castiel wonder a) if Sam had ever alerted Gabriel to the fact that he was consuming too much sugar and b) how often healing Gabriel's wounds had also countered the problems of overconsumption of sweets.

“Gabriels eating habits wasn’t what I wanted to talk about though,” Castiel explained. Sam sighed, as if he had already feared that the hunter would bring the conversation back to the original topic. “I wanted to talk about your feelings for my brother.” Sam’s gaze jumped from his book to Castiel. Wided eyed he looked at the human.

“No use pretending you aren’t in love with him,” Castiel stated. “Even a blind man with a cane could tell that you like him that way. I’m not the only one, who noticed. Heaven and Hell know it. Everyone we met knows it.”  Castiel saved himself from telling Sam how Gabriel felt and acted when Sam died or simply disappeared from the face of the earth for an indefinite period of time. He wanted to help them not humiliate his brother.

Sam looked at him with a pitiful look. “Don’t tell Gabriel,” Sam pleaded. Castiel wanted to throw his arms up in the air in frustration. “That you have to do yourself,” the hunter told the angel. “I…he…I,” Sam stuttered. “Don’t tell me, you think he doesn’t return you feelings,” Castiel asked. “Why do you think, he’s been sitting here with us for two days? He read two books. One yesterday, one today, presumably to pretend, he cares about Dean’s problem.”

Sam's gaze, which had been on the empty seat across from him when Castiel had explained to him why he thought Gabriel was there, flickered to Castiel when the archangel's name was mentioned. “I’m not saying that Gabriel doesn’t care at all,” Castiel assured, even though he wasn’t sure he said it for his or the angel’s benefit. “But for him to actively participate in the research, the problem has to be bigger than an archangel experiencing minor inconveniences. Given all the games Dean has played with us, he might want to make him suffer a little.”

Sam gave Castiel a look, who the hunter couldn’t quite place, before the angel went back to his book. Yup, the conversation had achieved absolutely nothing, if Castiel had really screwed up, Sam would now withdraw from Gabriel, who would sink into self-doubt and become unbearable. Maybe a love or truth spell would help these two get their shit together. Castiel shook his head.

He wouldn’t let his brother get bewitched on purpose, even if it probably would help smooth his nerves. But speaking of magic. What about to Rowena? The curse that had been imposed on Dean, was some strong magic, maybe Rowena could help them identify and even breaking it.

In that moment Gabriel came back. He unloaded his arm on the table. Castiel wasn't entirely sure how he managed to transport all the candy and the two beer bottles without dropping anything. Castiel snatched one of the bottles and opened it, while Gabriel looked through his candy. After Gabriel found what he had been looking for, he set down.

“Catch,” he said, before he threw something at Castiel. Castiel caught it. At least it was chocolate, the younger brother needed the nourishment for his nerves now even more than before. “Have you found anything by now?” asked Gabriel, who obviously didn’t feel like reading any more or even pretending to. Sam just shook his head. “Not yet,” Castiel explained.

“That sounds like a but, Cas,” Gabriel said. “I have an idea,” Castiel explained. “An idea how we break the curse?” Sam asked. “Maybe,” Castiel allowed. “What if we call Rowena?” Gabriel's eyes brightened. Sam's darkened. “We should totally call her,” Gabriel proclaimed. He was already pull out his phone. “I’m going to check on Dean,” Sam said and stood up. Gabriels’s gaze followed the angel, until he disappeared into the depths of the bunker.

Castiel buried his head in his hands. “What’s bitten him?” Gabriel asked. Castiel wanted to smack his idiot brother over the head, but he was sitting too far away for that. “What do you think?” Castiel asked instead. “No idea,” Gabriel answered.” He looked genuinely confused. Castiel groaned in frustration. “Do you know something I don’t?” Gabriel continued.

Castiel took a deep breath before he said, “Think about it. Sam and Rowena never had a problem with each other. But ever since you...ever since you had sex with her and he surprised you, he's had a problem with Rowena. What could that be about?” “You’re implying that Sam cares about who I have sex with,” Gabriel stated. “Don’t be ridiculous. Sam doesn’t care, he is an angel.”

“An angel, who has been human for some time and who spends most of his time around humans, you in particular,” Castiel reminded his brother. “You want to tell me Sam is what? Jealous?” Gabriel asked. “How would you feel if the person you love got involved with someone else?” Castiel countered. “Jealous? How did you feel, when he told us, he had sex with Ruby?”

“It’s not comparable at all,” claimed Gabriel. "And Sam never even hinted at wanting anything from Rowena." “Who’s taking about Rowena?” Castiel asked. “He doesn’t like Rowena that way, he was jealous of her.” “Don’t be ridiculous, Cas,” Gabriel demanded. "Someone like Sam can't want anything from someone like me." Castiel considered pointing out the profound bond between Gabriel and Sam that the angel kept mentioning but didn't because Gabriel was already calling Rowena.

After calling Rowena, the Novaks let the books be books for the time being. Castiel decided to get some fresh air and Gabriel went to check their inventory for something to eat other than candy. They met back in the entrance area, as Rowen graced them with her presence. Castiel feared the witch wanted one of their books as payment again.

As Rowena descended the stairs from the front door, Sam reappeared. Castiel wasn’t sure if it was to keep an eye on Rowena und Gabriel or because he really wanted to help Dean. “What can I do for you, boys,” Rowena asked. Castiel already started to regret suggesting calling Rowena for help. Based on Sam’s face, he did too.

“We’re dealing with a powerful curse and to break it, we need to know which curse it is in the first place,” Castiel explained. “We hoped, you could help us.” “You know, what I want,” Rowena told the younger hunter. “Yes,” Castiel replied. “But only after the work is done.” “Well then, which one of you was stupid enough to allow himself to be cursed this time?” Rowena asked.

“Dean,” Castiel said. “Dean?” Rowena asked, not recognizing the name. “Deaniel,” Sam explained. “Like the archangel?”, Rowena wanted to clarify. “Just the one,” Gabriel said. Rowena raised an eyebrow either impressed with this acquaintance or she had trouble believing the men. “Let’s have a look then,” she said eventually.

The brothers looked at Sam, as he was the last one, who interacted with Dean. “He is just annoyed and frustrated,” the angel explained. “Walking back and forth like a caged animal.” “Well then,” Gabriel said. “Everyone, come along.” Gabriel led the way, leading the group crisscross through the maze of hallways and rooms. Finally, they reached the room where Dean had practically locked himself in.

Gabriel knocked, regardless of the fact that Dean couldn't invite them in. Castiel opened the door. Sam had been right, Dean was pacing back and forth, but he came to a stop, as the group entered the room. Dean's gaze slid silently over the group before settling on Rowena. “She is here to help,” Castiel explained. What was he doing? Dean wasn’t a frightened animal. He could fell Rowena’s magic and figure out, why the witch was here. Dean crossed his arms over his chest and looked at Castiel, like he was asking him, if he was serious.

Somehow Castiel forgot all too easily that Dean was a powerful archangel. Rowena now took a step forward so that she was slightly in front of the men. She looked at Dean intently before muttering something that Castiel didn't understand. Rowena's eyes lit up purple. Dean seemed unimpressed by this show of power. “Hm,” Rowena finally said. “Fascinating.” Castiel looked alarmed at his brother, who also didn't seem pleased that Rowena found this problem fascinating. But they asked the witch for help and now had to deal with the consequences.

“That’s it,” Rowena said then. “Curse broken?” Castiel asked surprised. He looked at Dean, but the archangel had an expression on his face that showed a mixture of shame and resentment. “No, Castiel,” Rowena said in a scolding tone. “I know what spell was cast on your archangel. I’m just not really sure which variant.”

“So back to the books, yay,” Gabriel said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Sam looked like he wanted to say something, but he kept his mouth shut. The group of witch, hunters and non-archangel returned to the library. To Gabriel's obvious relief, Rowena didn't force them to go through the books anymore. Instead, the witch came to the table, which still had the books that the trio had left there when they stopped researching, on it.

Rowena looked at the books, clearly searching for one in particular. After inspecting Gabriel and Sam's books, as well as the stacks of read and unread between them, she wandered on to Castiel's last book and his stacks. She took the book, the younger Novak read last. After a look at the cover, Rowena skimped through the pages, backwards, so the part of the book, Castiel already read. Gabriel smirked at Castiel and the younger know, that he was in for a lot of teasing, when they had the archangel back in working condition.

“This should be it,” Rowena said suddenly. The men, who had watched the witch from the stairs, now came closer. “Was renamed but should be the same.” “A love spell?” Castiel asked. He had just skipped this part of the book. “Certainly,” Rowena countered. “It seems my work here is done.” “You’re supposed to break the spell too,” Gabriel reminded her.

Castiel was now standing next to Rowena, leaning over the book. “Please,” the witch said belittling. “I’m sure you know, how to break this sort of love spell.” “True loves kiss,” Gabriel murmured, but sounded as if he was very reluctant to even think about it. “Real loves kiss,” Castiel corrected. He had found the corresponding line in the book. “What’s the difference?” Gabriel asked. Castiel had no answer to that and neither did the other two.

“So, we have to find the true or real, whatever love of an archangel,” Gabriel stated. “Good luck.” The hunter threw his arms in the air before disappearing back into the depths of the bunker. “I’m going to check on him,” Sam said eventually. Castiel wasn’t sure if he was going to check on Gabriel or Dean. He would not put it past the angel to do both.

Maybe a curse broken by true loves kiss wouldn't hurt Gabriel and Sam. "The two of them still haven't got it together?" Rowena asked. Castiel flinched. He had actually stayed in the library to keep an eye on the witch. That worked very well. “I don’t know if they’ll ever be able to do that,” Castiel said.

“I could help,” Rowena suggested. “What?” Castiel asked. "Can you read minds recently?" "No, but everyone can see how they look at each other when they think the other isn't looking," Rowena explained. “It’s not cute anymore.” “As helpful as it might be to use a love spell to force them to talk to each other... Gabriel would kill me, if I allow you to do it,” Castiel explained.

“Who says he has to find out that it was your idea?" Rowena asked. “My idea? What is that supposed to mean?” Castiel asked indignantly. "And on the other hand, I have doubts about believing that you won't betray me to Gabriel if he is quick enough to catch you." Rowena shrugged her shoulders and turned away.

Castiel thought this conversation was over. But the witch did not deviate from her plan. Even though Castiel didn’t see Rowena casting the spell, Gabriel shout echoed through the bunker, “Rowena!” The older hunter came rushing out of the hallway into the entrance area. “What did you do to Sam?” he asked angrily.

“Nothing,” Rowena claimed. Castiel didn’t believe it for a second and his brother didn’t seem convinced either. “And why is there now a moose in our kitchen instead of Sam?” Gabriel asked. Now Castiel was curious and wanted to know what kind of lie Rowena would make up. “Maybe the curse is contagious,” Rowena suggested. Gabriel snorted, still not convinced, but turned on his heel and disappeared again.

“A curse contagious, really?” Castiel asked. “Regardless of the fact that Dean has more of Ariel's problem and what you did with Sam sounds more like Frog Prince.” “Same genre,” Rowena countered. “And your bother is way too worried of his angel, to question the logic.” Castiel made a sound of agreement. “I saw that, put the book back,” he said, now turning to Rowena completely. “Your allowed to look, but the books don't leave the bunker.”

Rowena made a dissatisfied sound but dropped the book on the table. “What are you still doing here anyway?" Rowena asked. “Where else would I be?” Castiel asked. “Encouraging your brother, helping the archangel, calming Sam,” Rowena suggested. “Hang on,” Castiel interrupted her. “Helping Dean?”

“I thought you were smarter than your bother,” Rowena said. “I’m disappointed.” “How am I supposed to help Dean?” Castiel asked.  Rowena sighed long and suffering. "Are you Novaks simply blind to your own feelings?" she asked. “What could I possibly mean?”

Of cause Castiel knew, what Rowena was talking about. He was quite aware of his feelings, but in what world would an archangel of Dean's caliber feel anything at all for a human like Castiel, with a soul broken by their life and tainted by demon blood. Castiel would save himself this rejection. He decided to ignore what Rowena said for the time being and just concentrated on making sure Rowena didn't swipe one of the books.

Eventually, Rowena had all the information she wanted and Castiel managed to get her out of the bunker without any of the brothers' possessions. Castiel glanced at the mess the books still made on the table before deciding that he would clean it up later, but definitely not alone.

Castiel wandered into the kitchen to fetch himself a beer. However, it turned out that this would be a bit difficult, as there was a moose in the kitchen and due to its sheer size, it practically blocked the entire room. Castiel blinked several times, to make sure he wasn’t imagining the animal. “Sam?” Castiel asked. The moose bowed his head, what Castiel chose to interpret as a nod.

Castiel petted the massive animal’s snout and asked, “He wasn’t honest enough with himself to release you?” Of course, there was no answer. “I’m afraid you can’t tell me where he is, can you?” Again, no answer. Castiel turned around and began searching for his brother. 

He found the older Novak in his room. He was sitting on the bed surrounded by candy wrappers. “Everything alright?” Castiel asked, gesturing to the empty wrappers. “No,” Gabriel said. Surprised by this honest answer Castiel froze in the doorway. “What lead to this…high need for candy?” “We have two cursed angels in the bunker with no way of breaking the spells,” Gabriel hissed.

Castiel face palmed. “You can’t be serious,” he said. “We talked about it earlier, you have the means to break Sam's curse.” “You don’t want to understand it, do you?” Gabriel asked angrily. “Sam is an angel, I’m human, a broken one at that.” Castiel wanted to say that he wasn't feeling any better himself, until he noticed that Gabriel, for the second time, was only pointing out that in his opinion Sam couldn't have any feelings for him.

“You didn’t deny it,” Castiel said. Gabriel didn't seem to be able to follow him straight away. “You didn’t deny you feelings for Sam,” the younger one explained. “Thank, Captain Oblivious,” Gabriel snaped. No, Castiel wasn't going to let himself be driven away now because Gabriel's self-esteem issues were preventing him from being honest with Sam.

“Why don’t you try it then?” Castiel asked. “Because I can pass, on having my hopes crushed when Sam doesn't transform back,” Gabriel said. “I will phrase it differently then,” Castiel decided. “Who else should it be if not you?” “I don’t know,” came from the bed. “He doesn’t spend more time with anyone then you”, Castiel explained. “That doesn’t mean anything,” Gabriel blocked.

“Name me one person that Sam spends enough time with that one would suspect a crush or the angel equivalent," Castiel demanded. “You,” Gabiel replied. “Apart from me,” Castiel countered. No further suggestions came from Gabriel. Castiel just thought that he had gotten his brother to think about it and then get the moose out of their kitchen, but of course Gabriel didn't make it that easy for him.

“The same could be said about you and Dean,” he stated. “Wha’s that supposed to mean?” Castiel asked. “Well, who is in denial now?”, Gabriel teased. Castiel looked at his brother outraged. “Okay”, he said then. “Okay, what?” Gabriel asked. “I’ll try to break Dean’s curse, you try breaking Sam’s,” Castiel explained. “Are you out of your mind?”, Gabriel cried.

“No,” Castiel replied. “But I’m not blind either. If that's what it takes for you to man up, I'll take the risk.” “Cassie,” Gabriel said. He definitely didn't expect that. “I can't watch this anymore,” Castiel stated. Gabiel opened his mouth to protest. “Don’t you dare to make a joke out of this, I’m serious.” “Cassie,” Gabriel said again.

He looked at his little brother with wide eyes and Castiel could see a vulnerability in them that Gabriel never really shows him. Then again, that wasn't really surprising. If Sam didn't change back for some reason, it would break Gabriel's heart and Castiel wasn't sure if his brother would survive that.

For a few seconds the brothers just looked at each other, then Gabriel got up from the bed. “Here goes nothing,” he mumbled. Castiel watched worriedly as he made his way to the door. Gabriel seemed genuinely afraid that this wouldn't work. The brothers returned to the kitchen together. Castiel remained in the doorway as Gabriel approached Sam. “Hey, Sam,” he said. The moose raised his head curiously. “This is going to be awkward.” Gabriel laughed humourlessly.  

Castiel practically held his breath as Gabriel took the beast's huge head in his hands and kissed it. There was a flash of lightning and the accompanying thunder, and then there was no longer a moose in the kitchen, but Sam. The angel's face was bright red. When Gabriel realized that his hands were no longer cupping a furry face but were resting on Sam's shoulders and that he was now standing on his tiptoes, he let go of the angel and took a step back.

Castiel smirked. He'd said it would work, but he wasn't sure whether he should send Rowena a gift basket or put a curse on her himself. “So true loves kiss, eh?” Gabriel said. Sam blushed even redder. Castiel hadn’t thought it was possible. “Let him be, Gabe”, Castiel advised. “But I told you so, didn’t I?”

He should have shut up, because now Gabriel turned to the younger man, who was still standing in the doorway. Castiel didn’t like the smirk on Gabriel’s face. “Don’t even think, you off the hock, Cas,” Gabriel said. “Your part of the bargain.” “Why?” Castiel asked, he sounded more panicked than he intended. “There was reasonable reason to believe you would be able to change Sam back.”

Gabriel looked at Sam, who’s face had returned to its normal colour in the meantime. “It will work,” Sam promised. Castiel blinked unbelieving at his brother and his angel. “Who else would it be?” Gabriel asked mischievously, using Castiel's own weapons against him. Sam's smile was probably supposed to be reassuring, but it wasn't. Gabriel came over to Castiel and patted him on the shoulder.

Castiel was actually sure that was all the encouragement he would get from his brother, but then Gabriel leaned forward and murmured in a way that Sam didn't hear, "When I call, Sam comes. Who comes when you call for angelic help? Think about it."

Gabriel was right of course. Sure, Sam came to too Castiel, if the hunter asked for it, but each time, one of the brothers called for both angels, once Dean started answering said calls, Dean always came to Castiel or at least he was there before Sam, if Castiel was the one calling. The archangel showed himself to Gabriel too, of course, but only reluctantly. Certainly, this could just be simple favouritism, but perhaps it could be more.

Since Gabriel wouldn't leave him alone anyway, Castiel might as well get it over with now. He took a deep breath, before he marched with determined steps towards Dean's room. Neither Gabriel nor Sam followed him, and he hoped they would talk about their own relationship, would be preferable.

Outside Dean's room, Castiel took another deep breath before entering the room. Dean seemingly gave up on imitating a cage animal, because he was laying on the bed and starring at the ceiling. He didn’t react as Castiel entered the room. “Hallo Dean,” Castiel said, as he closed the door behind him. He could do without one of their brothers eavesdropping.

Now Dean sat up. “I hardly need to tell you that the curse is a love spell,” Castiel said. Dean looked at him expectantly. "I know you know how to break this kind of curse." Dean nodded and made a hand gesture to get Castiel to continue. Castiel was a little jealous of Gabriel because he hadn't really been able to or had to ask for consent.

“So, I would…,” Castiel trailed off. Dean now swung his legs over the edge of the bed and urged Cas to come closer. With hesitant steps, Castiel came closer until he was standing right in front of Dean. The angel simply looked at him expectantly and Castiel realized that he had to be the one to initiate the kiss. At least Dean seemed to believe it would work. So Castiel gathered his courage and pressed an almost chaste kiss against Dean's lips. When he pulled back, Dean was smiling. “Took you long enough,” Dean said.

Castiel had rarely been so happy to hear the angel's voice. He almost flung his arms around Dean’s neck. “You knew?” he then asked when the slight accusation finally sunk in. "I hoped," Dean said. “And I wasn’t allowed to initiate anything myself either way.” Castiel couldn't believe it, but in Dean's defence, communication had been next to impossible. Dean put his hand on the still stunned Castiel's neck to pull him down and kiss him again.