Chapter Text
Two months of amazing dates with Cas and Dean was really to call his bluff. There was no way this guy who took him on picnic dates, fed peas to ducks, tipped 25%, foraged for native greens for his salads, and went to elementary schools to talk about the environment was a killer. Castiel, on top of being a park ranger, was also a volunteer firefighter, part of the search and rescue, and led field trips when kids came to the Hoh rainforest. There was just no way.
And now Cas had invited him to spend four days with him at his cabin for their two month anniversary. No way a guy who celebrates a two month anniversary also slits people’s throats.
Dean isn’t sure why Cas lied to him on their first date but maybe it doesn’t matter. Cas has a pretty odd sense of humor. Maybe it was a joke Dean didn’t understand. Or maybe he was trying to show Dean that he was cool with Dean writing horror stories. Neither of them had brought it up the last two months so maybe it was best forgotten.
Dean packed his bag for the trip, making sure to wear the hiking boots Cas had helped him choose and bring a warm coat as well as sunblock. Washington weather is unpredictable at the best of times. Dean also packed his new jockstrap, and some poppers. He wants to surprise Cas and make sure the weekend was one worth remembering.
The drive to Cas’s cabin was long and tedious and Dean was thankful that Cas had always met Dean instead of Dean having to drive out here for each date. Although Dean couldn’t deny that the isolate would probably help keep distractions to a minimum. Dean found himself daydreaming about moving in with Cas and spending his days writing before making a nice dinner for the both of them in the evening. He could have a dog maybe. And there would be so much time for fishing.
Dean shook himself out of his daydream and called Sam. The Winchester brothers still informed each other of their whereabouts despite not having lived together since Sam left for college.
“Hey Jerk.” Sam said as he answered the phone. “Going out to your boyfriends for the weekend?”
“Yeah. It’s still another 30 minutes. I don’t know how Cas makes his drive all the time.”
“He must like you.” Sam chuckles.
“Poor sap.” Dean laughs.
“So do I get to meet him soon?” Sam asks. “I mean, staying the weekend together. Seems like it might be time to take him to meet the family.”
“If this weekend goes well it might be.” Dean says with a smile. “He’s… he’s pretty awesome Sam.”
“He’s gotta be. The Impala is going to be so dirty after this trip. It’s a forest. No way you are going to be able to keep her completely clean.”
“That just means Cas can watch me wash her.” Dean laughs.
“Wow. Thanks man. I didn’t need that mental image.”
“Hey, I’m gonna be wearing shorts. Ain’t my fault your imagination is dirty.”
“Whatever.” Sam groans. “Have a great time Dean. Text me when you go there?”
“You got it bitch. Love you Sammy.”
“It’s Sam. And I love you too.”
Dean drums along to the music as he drives. As he gets closer to his destination he finds himself lost. He turns down the music and after stopping to buy beer and ask for directions he’s soon at Cas’s cabin. He sends a quick text to Sam to let him know he’s arrived and gets out of his baby to look around.
Dean isn’t really sure what he expected but a cabin on a lake wasn’t it. Cas’s cabin is nestled in trees with a huge deck overlooking Lake Cushman. The cabin is mere feet from shore of the lake with a beautiful dock. Dean sees a row boat on the shore and chairs on the beach. This cabin is everything Dean has ever let himself dream of.
“You found it.” Cas calls to him from the deck. “I was worried I would need to track you.” He moves quickly down the stairs and wraps Dean in his arms. He places a kiss on his lips and Dean melts. He can’t stop seeing himself coming here to Cas every day.
“It’s amazing.” Dean says as he pulls away from the kiss. “I didn’t know you were loaded. No wonder you are such a do-gooder.”
“I’m not a do-gooder. I just believe in helping those that are in need.”
“But you are loaded?” Dean smirks.
“I have made some very lucky investments.” Cas says dismissively. “I haven’t always been a park ranger.”
“Are you telling me you were some corporate raider or Silicon Valley bro?”
“It hardly matters now Dean.” Cas says. He grabs Dean’s back from the backseat of the car and ushers him up the stairs to the cabin. Dean takes in the rich browns and warm textures in front of him. Cas’s cabin has a rustic charm with modern touches of convenience. The space is full of books and blankets but lacking photos or momentos. As beautiful as it is, it looks like a rental cabin more than a home.
“No pictures? Not even some art work?” Dean asks.
“I never know how to arrange that kind of thing.” Cas admits. “I hired someone to decorate the cabin. Left to my own devices I would probably have a camping chair and an air mattress.”
“It’s nice but a little impersonal. I could help you. I mean, if you wanted. Help make it more homey.” Dean feels a blush creeping on his cheeks and he hates it. He ducks his head and avoids looking at Cas.
“Is there something in particular you want to hang on the walls Dean?” Cas asks curiously.
“I mean,” Dean looks at Cas and rubs the back of his neck. “It’s beautiful here. We could take pictures on a hike or something.”
“Oh.” Cas looks out the window. “I suppose that would be nice.” He says unenthusiastically.
“Is there something you would like to hang on your walls?”
“You.” Cas says quickly. “I’m sorry. I thought that was what you were implying.” Cas studies Dean for a long moment. “I have made you uncomfortable.”
“No, no.” Dean chuckles. “I guess I just didn’t realize we were at a place where we were hanging up photos of each other. I guess it’s time for you to meet my family. I’m sure we could get some good photos by the lake in the evening.”
“Yes. Photos of us together. That would also be nice. I was thinking of you naked.”
Dean coughs suddenly, choking on his spit. “Naked? I mean, uh, maybe? No.”
“Then photos of us together by the lake would be very nice.” Cas leads Dean further into the house. He opens the door to the master bedroom and walks inside. He places Dean’s bag on the bed and turns to face him. “I have such plans for you while you are with me Dean.”
“Yeah, some fishing maybe? I like fishing.” Dean smiles brightly at Cas.
“Hunting actually.” Cas hums.
“I don’t have a hunting license Cas.” Dean’s face falls. “And I thought you couldn’t hunt in a national forest.”
“That’s not a concern Dean.” Castiel kisses his forehead.
“Why not?”
“We will cover our tracks. No one will know.” Castiel pats Dean’s shoulder and walks from the room.
“Well then what are we going to do with the deer carcass?” Dean asks following Cas.
“Deer?” Castiel questions.
“Or bird or whatever? Do you know how to break down a carcass? Do you have a giant fridge here too?” Dean looks around. “I wouldn’t be surprised. This place has everything but personal pictures.” Dean chuckles.
“Dean, we aren’t going to be hunting any animal.” Castiel shakes his head.
Cas laces their fingers together and leads Dean through the house. They go out the back door and approach a large shed on the property. He pulls the door open and pushes Dean inside and closes the door behind them. Dean is plunged into darkness and then blinded by a sudden light. They are in a small room that reminds Dean of a steel box. Cas motions to a small window he has opened in the wall. He looks through and sees a pale, thin woman curled into a ball on the floor. Dean jumps back and hits the outer door. He hears muffled yelling.
“Is someone there?! Please?! It’s been days! I just want to go home! I have children! Please! I won’t tell anyone! I didn’t even see anythi-“ Cas closes the window and the sound is cut off.
Dean searches for a door knob to escape but he can’t find anything. He turns and finds the seam of the door but nothing to let him escape.
“Cas, what the hell is going on?!” Dean yells. “Let me out please!” He claws at the seam of the door as Cas moves closer to him. He shrinks away and falls to the ground. Cas reaches up and presses a hidden button high above the door. Daylight floods in and Dean is on his feet in seconds running out the door. He trips on something and then feels a heavy weight on his back. His arms are pulled behind him and his face is shoved in the dirt.
Hot breath assaults his ear and he hears Cas. “I don’t understand Dean. What did you think I was preparing you for? You knew this was a part of me.” Cas sounds sad and confused and it would break Dean’s heart if he wasn’t so scared. He feels something thin and rough tighten on his wrists behind his back. Dean’s head is pulled up and Cas smacks him in the throat. Dean releases a wheezing breath sputtering instead of screaming. A quiet, angry sound escapes his throat. Cas sits him up and turns him around.
“Dean please. Try to calm down. Why would I have taken you on all of the hiking trips? Taught you how to track a missing person? Showed you how to find food in the wild? I thought you understood.”
“You’re- are you- please don’t kill me. I’m so sorry!”
“Kill you?” Cas smiles sadly. “There has been a miscommunication on my part. “I have no intention of killing you Dean. We are going to kill her. You and I.”