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“So get this…”
“Sammy, you really need a new phrase. But what’s the story?”
“Some weird deaths in Vegas. A bunch of dancers have turned up eviscerated after their performances, hearts eaten.”
“Sounds like a horny werewolf, I’m in.”
They both grabbed their bags from their rooms, and headed to the garage. The Impala roared to life, and Dean started their long haul drive to Vegas.
Sam: We are on our way :)
Gabriel: See you soon big boy ;)
Sam snorted and put his phone away. He settled in for the ride, and thought about how grateful he was that they had grown out of pranks like the spoon in the mouth.
“Have you seen Cas recently?”
Dean’s grip on the steering wheel tightened.
“No, and I don’t really want to talk about this Sam.”
“Fine. But I’ll keep asking until you do talk about him. You know that.”
Dean didn’t reply, his eyes fixed on the horizon and his hands white. They spent the rest of the drive without speaking, the only noise the tires on the road and Dean’s endless cassettes.
17 long hours later, they rolled into Vegas and found a motel close enough to the strip to be useful but not close enough to break the bank. Charlie’s no limit cards had helped them tremendously along the way but they had habits they couldn’t break.
“With over half a million people, and God only knows how many dancers, how are we supposed to know where to start?”
“I have an idea. But going there won’t do us any good until later when performances start. Let’s grab breakfast and rest, Dean.”
Dean grumbled but nodded in agreement. They weren’t 26 and 22 anymore. A 17 hour drive took more out of him than he was willing to admit.
Across town, Gabriel sat on a bed looking at Castiel.
“Are you sure you’re up for this? This undercover seems wayyyyy more up my alley anyways.”
“No, Gabriel. I'm doing this.”
Gabriel threw his hands up in defeat. Cas was a stubborn bastard and he knew he wouldn’t win.
“In the meantime, shall we talk about the humanity that you love? Dean Winchester?”
“No.”
Cas turned his back to his older brother. Dean was still a sore spot in his head and his heart. He just stood there.
Why does this sound like a goodbye?
Cas tried to shake off the memory. It was long behind them. Jack had pulled him out, brought everyone back before stepping back and starting his hands off policy. Cas needed to get over Dean, and experience his life. He spent the next few hours trying not to drown in the memory of nothing . By the time getting ready rolled around, Cas had replayed those final moments hundreds of times.
The sun started to set as the two pairs got ready to head out.
Gabriel: he’s looking fine in green
Sam: good. We need to get Dean’s head out of his ass.
A few minutes later, the Impala pulled into an empty parking spot at the end of the strip. Dean had followed Sam’s directions to the club where the dancers had worked. Dean turned to Sam in confusion as he noticed that the line outside the club was full of men.
“Sam…. Is this a gay club?”
“Sure is Dean. Didn’t think you’d come if I told you they were male dancers.”
“And you were right. I’m not going in there.”
“Sure you are. Remember when your siren was a man? I do. Or Aaron? Your gay thing? How about when you helped Charlie flirt with a man? You’re gonna fit in more than I do in this place and I need you to help solve this case.”
Exasperated, Dean sighed. Sam had a point, and it wasn’t like he had to tell him it wasn’t his first time at a gay club.
“Fine. But you owe me.”
Sam grinned and they got in the line.
Backstage, Cas was pacing. He had a very skippy green outfit on, but black wings that almost matched his true form.
“This is a terrible idea, Gabriel.”
“Nah, you got this. You just gotta shake what good ole Daddy Chuck gave you.”
“Gross, Gabe. Disgusting actually.”
Gabriel shrugged and pulled out his phone. He snapped a quick picture of his disgruntled brother and sent it to Sam.
Sam: oh this is gonna be good.
Gabriel: I know. Priceless
A bell rang and Cas looked at his brother, panicked.
“You got this, bro. Go out there and shake some ass.”
Meanwhile, Dean and Sam had settled at a pair of chairs not too far from the stage. Dean crossed his arms, trying to look as uninterested as possible meanwhile Sam was grinning like a kid in the candy store. The lights went dark and the opening notes to “All the Single Ladies” started to play. A spotlight circled the stage before landing on the curtains as they opened.
Dean’s jaw dropped as he saw Cas in nothing but a sparkling emerald green bodysuit that only covered his dick. A pair of massive black wings adorned his back, stark contrast to his pale skin. He watched as Cas strutted forward, wearing confidence that Dean had never seen on his angel.
He blinked as he heard a camera shutter. Dean turned to see Sam wearing a shit eating grin, phone in hand as he captured the moment Dean saw Cas.
“You fucker. You knew. Is there even a case here?”
“Nope, there sure isn’t. But here’s some singles for your angel. Enjoy the show, Dean. And when it’s done, talk to him.”
Sam handed over a wad of cash and Dean stared at his brother. He pushed the cash into his older brother’s hand and turned back to the stage, smiling.
The moment that Cas saw Dean, his blood froze. The hunter was sitting next to Sam with a handful of cash, close enough to the stage to use it if he wanted. He had no choice but to keep dancing but the look on Dean’s face in that moment glued itself to the front of his brain. Cas had practiced for this, and he wasn’t about to let Dean stop him. That was, until the first dollar came out of his hands and landed on the stage.
Green eyes looked up to meet blue and time froze. It was like the final moments of the bunker, right before the walls opened and swallowed Cas whole.
Why does this sound like a goodbye?
Because it is. I love you.
“Find me after?”
Dean nodded as Cas turned to finish his dance. He carefully made his way backstage, dodging bouncers as he did. A tiny black feather caught his eye and he knocked on the door in front of it. The door opened, revealing Cas, who was still wearing his outfit.
“Cas…”
“Dean, come in.”
“Sam told me there’s no case.”
Cas shook his head. “I’m going to kill Gabriel.”
“Did they really make up a case, in Vegas, to get us to talk?”
“Seems like it. Dean, I-“
Dean rushed forward, sealing his hips against Cas’. His hands wrapped around the angel’s back pulling him close. He broke the kiss after a moment but started speaking immediately.
“I lost you. I didn’t say anything. I should have said I love you too. Cas, I love you so much and I’m sorry my head was buried in my ass when the Empty came.”
“I understand Dean. You needed time and we didn’t have it. Now we have all the time in the world.”
Cas captured Dean’s lips in another kiss, pouring every ounce of love he had into the hunter.