Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter 3

It was strange, as though there were a phantom itch he couldn't scratch. Dean cracked his neck and lifted his fist to knock on the door of… Dean looked down at the slip with the name and address. This client wasn't in heat, but was in need of mating for purely sexual gratification. Lisa Braeden.

Dean cleared his throat and put on a plastic smile.

When Lisa opened the door, Dean was struck by two things, one, her sheer beauty, and two… her scent. It wasn't often that Dean was paired with an Omega who's scent wasn't pleasant, but it did happen. 

Proud of himself for not crinkling his nose in disgust, he flashed her a smile. "Are you Lisa?"

She nodded, holding the door open for Dean. "Yes, you must be from the service."

Dean nodded as he stepped inside a quaint but nicely decorated house. Everything was exceptionally clean, he was almost afraid to sit anywhere.

When he turned back to face her, she had disrobed completely, stark naked and eyes raking over Dean's form with an obvious hunger.

"No talking. Get naked." Lisa said as she went right for his belt.

Again, with a forced smile, Dean stripped his shirt and as she dropped to her knees in front of him, all Dean could think of was Cas.

But then she suddenly halted her movement and wrinkled her nose. She looked up at him in confusion, slowly getting up. "You reek," she didn’t say as much as she accused.

Dean's eyebrows shot up. That has definitely not been a common occurrence either. "I apologize."

She gave him a disgusted look. "I thought your agency only had clean alphas."

"I am clean." Dean said, brow furrowed. "Occasionally we get scent marked by other clients, but we are all clean."

She gave him a bitchy, skeptical look. "I can't do this. I will need another one."

That was definitely a first. He started pulling up his pants. "Contact the agency, they will send a replacement shortly."

Lisa nodded, wrinkling her nose again. "Get out, I don't want you to stink up my apartment."

Dean nodded and gladly stepped outside. The angrier she got, the worse her scent became. He let out a relieved exhale as he started his trek back to the agency. 

Fuck. If he still smelled like Cas after a couple of weeks, he was going to need a full scrub down.

…. :::: :::: ….

Cas had made it a thing to always cook something with Dean when he was over for their scenting sessions. 

He would usually take a few deep inhales before showing him how to cut vegetables, stir sauce and not let anything get burned. It was a lot of fun, teaching Dean to cook, who was an excellent listener. Today they had planned to make pizza, which had turned out to be one of Dean's favorites. 

He loved the playfulness between them, scenting each other, while cooking. Enjoying the domestically of it all.

But this time it was different. When he opened the door for Dean, Cas's nose was insulted by a sickly sweet smell. He recoiled as his eyes widened, his stomach felt like it was turning. "What… what happened to you?"

Dean sighed. "Shit, I smell bad to you, too?"

He couldn't help the growl falling from his lips, his heart suddenly started aching. He touched his chest in confusion. "Fuck," Cas pressed out. It was hard to breathe suddenly and he stumbled backwards, bracing his hand on the backrest of the couch with a pained groan. "You were with someone else," he whispered. Of course Dean had been with someone else. It was his job. Cas knew that. Why did it hurt all of the sudden? "I smell… her," he growled.

Dean was instantly at his side. "I wasn't… she sent me away because… she could smell you."

Cas held his hand in front of his mouth and nose, shaking his head. "I'm so sorry, Dean. I feel so dumb for my reaction." He grabbed Dean's wrist and pulled him to the bathroom. "Take a shower with me, alright?" He needed to get that smell off of his alpha. 

Dean started stripping his clothes. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault." Cas cupped his cheek and gave him a pained look. "I'm just…" He shook his head as he started the water and stripped his clothes. "It's my stupid biology, so please forgive me."

Dean sat against the sink, his head down and shoulders slumped.

Cas was quickly undressing himself before he pulled Dean under the shower with him. "Come here," he said softly. "Everything will be fine." He hated seeing Dean so devastated.

"You can't know that, if I smell bad… I'll have no use anymore."

Cas shook his head. "The smell of that bitch," he growled, shocked at himself for this severe reaction. "We'll wash it away." He opened one of his shower gels and started to spread it over Dean's body. "Your scent is still there. Just buried."

Dean raked his hand through Cas's hair. "What if I'm broken? I won't be able to help you."

Cas could practically smell the distress and worry on Dean. He hummed, rubbing the soap over his scent glands before he pulled Dean close, rubbing his nose over it. "You're not broken, Dean," he inhaled deeply, Dean's beautiful scent mixed with the showergel. He couldn't detect that other Omega anymore. "Don't be afraid," he groaned as he pulled Dean into a tight hug, the water rushing warmly over them like a blanket. "Scent me."

Dean's face buried in the crook of Cas's neck and he took a long, deep inhale. He hummed. "She smelled so bad, I was glad she sent me back."

Cas exhaled slowly. Dean's words appeased his inner Omega. "I know, I have no right to… say anything, but I'm glad you didn't sleep with her."

Dean looked at him, expression stricken. "What happens the next time? Will… will you send me back?"

"What?" Cas gave him a shocked look. "Of course not… I feel ashamed for getting upset and I know I will get upset the next time, but… there is no one I want other than you. We'll make it work."

"You promise?"

Cas gave him a warm smile. "I promise." He reached out to card his fingers through Dean's wet hair. "Do you think… that there is a way I could book you exclusively? We can't be the first… um, pairing with this kind of problem. You know, with people who are scent compatible."

Dean shrugged. "I know there's been some cases, but as a rare alpha… I'm not sure."

"Maybe I should ask my doctor. I don't think he intended that I'll suffer side effects like this. Not if they can easily be avoided by you not seeing other Omegas," Cas wondered out loud.

"Yeah, I don't want to cause you any bad effects," he said softly.

“I know you don’t.” Cas carded his fingers through Dean’s wet hair, giving him a soft smile. “None of this is your fault. So, please don’t worry. I will take care of this situation, alright?” He leaned in to press a soft kiss to Dean’s lips. “I promised you that I will take care of you.”

Dean held his gaze for a seemingly long moment before he cupped Cas's cheek. "You're the kindest person I've ever met."

Cas gave him a pained look. "That's actually pretty sad. I'm not… in any way special." He knew a lot of kind people.

"Yes, you are," Dean said, a small smile curling his lips.

"That's very sweet of you to say, Dean." Cas rubbed his thumb over his cheek before he shut off the water. He pulled Dean out of the shower and wrapped him into a fluffy towel. "Let's spend the rest of our time in bed and I'll phone the agency and my doctor later to see what my options are."

Dean cupped Cas's cheek and dragged the pad of his thumb across Cas's bottom lip. "Thanks, Cas."

Cas's breathing hitched at the intimate touch, his lips tingling as he felt himself suddenly getting wet between his legs. "Um, yeah, no problem," he breathed out, slowly rubbing his skin dry on his own towel.

Dean's nostrils flared and he let out a contented sigh. "Fuck, I love your smell."

Cas squirmed in his towel, a soft whine falling from his lips that was impossible to hold back. He stepped closer to press his nose against Dean's throat, desperate for his scent that immediately calmed his nerves. He could feel slick running down his leg as he inhaled deeply. "Now you're smelling like you again."

With a soft growl, Dean craned his neck to scent Cas back. "Thank you for saving me," he whispered against Cas's neck.

"From what?" Cas gasped, melting against Dean as he slowly guided him to his bed, losing the towel on the way.

"From becoming useless," he said softly as he crawled onto the bed, bracing his arms outstretched along the headboard, in clear invitation. His knot was hard and at attention.

Cas slid into his arms, pressing his nose against Dean's throat as he slid his palm gently over Dean's chest. "You will never be that," Cas growled and he hated that Dean had that fear. "No matter what anyone says." He put his leg over Dean's to be even closer to his alpha. Fuck , seeing Dean's knot had resulted in more slick running out of him.

Dean nuzzled his nose against Cas's cheek with a soft hum. "I know you want these sessions just for scenting, but I'd love to taste your slick again."

"Fuck," Cas gasped out, squirming against Dean. "If you lick me, I'm going to lose it and will want more."

Dean's hand carefully raked through his hair. "I'll do whatever you ask."

"Dean," he complained softly. "I can't. This is an extra service and you mean more than that to me. I don't want to use you."

Dean held his gaze for a moment. "I wasn't offering a service."

Cas stared at him for a moment. "Are you asking to have sex with me… just for fun?"

He could instantly smell the insecurity on the alpha. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have suggested…"

Cas pressed his finger to Dean's lips to hush him. "Are you sure this is what you want and you're not just offering because… I scared you when you got here?"

Dean pressed a kiss to his finger before he drew it back. "I want you."

Cas's heart skipped a few beats before he pulled Dean in for a kiss, crawling into his lap. "I want you, too. So much," he breathed out as he guided his slick hole against Dean's cock. "How do you want me?" 

"Like this," he breathed out through a growl. "Love watching you ride me."

Cas hummed as he moved his body over Dean. He reached back to spread his ass, guiding his wet hole against the head of Dean's cock to tease it. He groaned at the delicious teasing pressure of Dean's hot skin against his own, threatening to push inside. His slick ran over Dean's cock as a new wave of lust ran over him.

"Beautiful," Dean gasped out, eyes locked with Cas's.

Cas smiled softly at Dean, the compliment giving him a funny feeling in his stomach. He carefully lowered himself, feeling the fat and blunt head of Dean's cock breaching him. Fuck, it felt glorious. He loved how big Dean was and that Cas was able to take him. Not being wet enough was finally a problem of his past.

Dean let out an animalistic growl, and when he looked Cas in the eyes, there was an impossible hope shining in them. "Kiss?" he asked timidly.

Instead of verbally answering, Cas bent forward to draw Dean into a deep kiss, all while he sank further down on Dean's cock. When he finally bumped against his knot, he needed a few moments to get used to Dean's girth, happily licking over his tongue in the meantime.

Dean's hands were in his hair, kissing back like a man getting to breathe for the first time. Cas could feel the possessive growl that escaped Dean's chest.

The growl pushed him to slick even more, his hips started to move on their own. The pressure on his prostate was maddening. He groaned against his lips before he leaned back and presented his throat to Dean, hoping he could feel Dean's teeth against his skin. Just the thought almost made him come.

Dean scented him, his lips pressing fevered kisses along his pulse point. And then he felt his tongue snaking out.

"Oh, fuck, yes, Dean, please," Cas started to fuck himself on Dean's cock, harder and faster. Dean's length sliding in with ease from all the slick. The pleasure was off the charts and Dean's lips on his throat felt like an infinite orgasm.

And then, to Cas's surprise, he sucked the sensitive skin between his teeth. Dean was giving him another hickey.

Fuck. "Please, knot now!" Cas cried out. He wanted – no, needed – to come on Dean's knot.

Dean's expert hands guided Cas slowly, using his slick to loosen his rim, and that magnificent knot started pushing inside.

Cas groaned loudly as it finally slipped in the rest of the way, locking Dean's cock inside of him. That in combination with Dean's tongue licking at the hickey pushed him right over the edge. His come painted Dean's chest and stomach as he groaned out, "Fuck, yes, alpha, yes."

Dean growled as he filled Cas, then licked the mark as though to sooth him.

It was an alpha instinct. They usually licked bites so they wouldn't get infected and Cas had no idea why that thought made him giddy. Probably the high of his orgasm. "Dean, you're making me crazy."

Dean hummed. "Should I stop?"

"Fuck, no," Cas replied with a satisfied hum before he pressed a soft kiss to Dean's lips. "You're amazing, do you know that? I love when you give me a hickey."

"I've never done anything like that before," he said softly.

Cas braced his palm on Dean's broad chest as he sat up to look at him with a smile. "I have to confess that I'm relieved to hear that." He sighed softly, looking down. "I'm sorry. I feel like I'm constantly crossing a line with you. It's just… that I really like you."

Dean braced his own hand over Cas's. "Me too."

Cas gave him a soft smile. “Please tell me if I say something inappropriate, or make you uncomfortable.”

Dean let out a soft laugh. "I don't think you could."

Cas tilted his head, his smile turning into a grin. “Inias often tells me that subtlety is not my forte, and I can be very blunt and tactless sometimes.”

"I'm sure it doesn't mean much coming from an alpha, but I like that about you."

Cas bit down on his lower lip, carding his fingers through Dean’s soft hair. His heart hurt and he knew why, although he didn’t want to think about it. “It means a lot coming from you, Dean.”

Dean pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. "Thank you. For being so good to me."

"I hate that isn't normal for you," Cas admitted after a moment, pressing his forehead against Dean's. "I wish it was."

"The time we get together I get to be normal, and I'll treasure that for as long as I live."

With a heavy heart Cas bent down to press another kiss to Dean’s lips. The thought of having a deadline on this… It was something that broke his heart. And he wondered for the first time if there was anything he could do to change that.

…. :::: :::: ….

Dean let out a shaky exhale as he looked at the boring, seemingly innocuous wooden door for his next client. An Omega in need of heat relief. He felt dirty, and wrong in his skin. 

Cas had tried to book Dean exclusively, but his insurance wouldn't cover it, nor was the agency willing to give up the exclusivity of a rare alpha. He wasn't always booked, but when he was, they made three times as much in one session than in a week for a regular alpha.

It was devastating, especially considering Dean wanted to help Cas, not make things worse. And it was the first time in his existence he genuinely looked forward to his times with an Omega.

Ketch gave him shit for it, and Benny called him a lovesick pup, but Dean didn't care. Cas was the first Omega who was genuinely kind to Dean, and the first Omega he had ever had sex with without reporting it to the agency for reimbursement.

Dean knew it was dangerous to have these thoughts, but he couldn't help how he felt. This longing, this almost need.

The door opened and a beautiful, dark skinned Omega in his early thirties looked up at Dean in surprise. "You're prettier than your picture."

With a forced smile, he said, "You must be Max?"

Max smiled and invited Dean in.

He didn't smell as bad as Lisa, but he didn't smell great. Shit, maybe Dean was broken…

Max scrunched up his nose. "Damn, we're not scent compatible…" He looked Dean up and down. "And that sucks because you're fine."

Dean sighed and ducked his gaze. "Would you like me to leave? The agency will send a replacement."

The Omega looked thoughtful at that. "I… I don't know." He leaned closer to take another careful whiff. "Oof. I'm not sure if I can tune that out. Are you the only alpha there that isn't dominant?"

Dean shook his head. "There's three of us."

"Are they all as good looking as you are?" Max asked, trying to look flirty, but the way he scrunched his nose wasn't a good sign.

Dean couldn't help but chuckle. "I want to say yes?" He took a step back. "I'm sorry, I even scrubbed extra hard." Parts of his skin were still kind of red.

"Well, It's not your fault. If our scents aren't compatible, that's just bad luck." He shrugged. "I'm a biology teacher. There is a lot of misinformation about scents out in the public. Did you know that you will only smell good for someone if you're genetically compatible? It's to ensure that the mating will work. And even though it happens rarely, if an alpha finds an Omega that is one hundred percent compatible, the scent changes and they will only smell good for that Omega and no one else. So yeah, you smelling bad to me is only our biology warning that we don't fit together, no matter how clean you are."

Dean was at a loss for a moment. He didn't know any of that. "What… what happens if an alpha's scent changes?"

Max gave him a sad look. "Like I said, it's rare, but there are cases. If the Omega that alpha is tied to wants it, they would have a great chance to buy the alpha as personal property. Because usually the Omega is affected by it, too. And in our society, it's Omegas first." The last sentence sounded a bit bitter.

"And… if he doesn't want to buy the alpha?" The giant rock formation building in Dean's stomach told him he already knew the answer.

Max looked uncomfortable as he replied, "I'm not sure, but working this job would be impossible."

Dean nodded, and flashed Max a forced smile. "If you contact the agency, they'll send someone else," he said as he made his way to the front door.

"I'm sorry. I hope you're not worried about the scent thing. Like I said, it happens rarely. Only with true mates," Max explained as he walked Dean to the door.

True mates were rare, so maybe Dean was just having a bad streak. "Well, thank you for being kind. It shouldn't be too long for my replacement to get here."

Max gave him a sad nod. “Yeah, no problem, man. It’s a shame, seriously. But what can you do?” He shrugged and winked at Dean before he opened the door for him. “Good luck.”

"You too," Dean said as he started the trek back to the agency. He really hoped that it was a bad streak, because if Cas and he were true mates, that would mean Dean would become useless and sent back to alpha camp for retraining.

Yeah, it had to just be a bad streak.

…. :::: :::: ….

Cas pressed his nose against Dean with a soft sigh, inhaling deeply as he relaxed against his alpha. They had to take a shower again because Cas could smell another Omega on him and it irked him that his nose was so sensitive. It was more than that though. Cas felt jealous and it bothered him a lot.

He sighed again, nudging Dean’s scent gland with his nose as he murmured, “I wish I could keep you here.”

Dean pressed a kiss to his forehead. "That the heat talking?"

"No," Cas murmured tiredly, before he licked at Dean's throat with a soft moan. "I'm selfish. I just want to keep you for myself and I'm still angry your agency is so... ugh."

Dean let out a soft laugh. "At least we get these days together." After a beat he nudged his nose against Cas's cheek. "Can I ask you something?"

“Of course,” Cas replied, looking up at Dean before pressing a soft kiss to his lips. He let his hands wander over Dean’s warm skin, enjoying their closeness.

"Do you think… uh, true mates exist?"

Cas raised his eyebrows in surprise, wondering why Dean was asking about that. "Um, yes. I think there is enough scientific data made about that phenomenon. It happens on rare occasion. Why… why are you asking?"

Dean flashed him a reassuring smile. "Just something the, uh… the last Omega said. We were, uh… we were always told it's a myth."

Cas felt a sting of jealousy again. He squinted his eyes at Dean. "Why did that Omega talk to you about true mates?"

That was met with a soft chuckle. "We weren't scent compatible either, and he said he teaches biology and kind of explained how that works."

Cas's inner Omega felt soothed by his reply. "Yeah, it's very rare. Omegas and alphas who are true mates change their scent, so it's clear that they were made for each other. The scent will make it clear they are off the market."

Dean hummed. "You'll be honest if I start smelling bad to you too?"

Cas had to laugh at that. “Dean, you smell like Heaven to me.” He furrowed his brow. “Is that… Are you worried about your scent changing?”

"I know that can only happen for true mates, but I've…" Dean ducked his gaze. "I've never smelled bad to an Omega before."

Cas felt a little confused about the conversation. “Dean, you don’t smell bad to me. And I am an Omega.”

Dean nodded. "I know, but the last few times I've been hired… I get sent back."

He couldn't really say that he felt bad about Dean not having sex without anyone but him, but his rational brain could see how this was problemetic. "Look, if you really have met an Omega who is your true mate, you would also smell bad to me. And you really don't, Dean. I can assure you. And seriously, you have no idea how rare it is to meet this person. I'm sure it's just... bad luck." Or good luck for Cas’s totally inappropriate jealousy.

Dean flashed him a small smile. "I'm sure you're right. You're much smarter than me."

Of course there was this little thought nagging his brain. The thought that he wanted to be Dean's true mate. It was ridiculous. Dean was an alpha. There was no way that this could end well. He would only get his heart broken, so it was nothing he should wish for. 

"You know, the Omega's scent will change, too, if something like that happens," Cas replied after a long thoughtful moment. "So it wouldn't just be you. If you're really worried about this kind of stuff, I could do some research into the matter and see what alphas can do if that happens."

Dean gently cupped Cas's cheek. "You continue to be so kind." He leaned in for a gentle kiss.

Cas turned them around on the bed, pulling Dean on top of him as he deepened the kiss and spread his legs. "I don't want you to worry," he murmured against Dean's lips. "You... you're very important to me."

Even though Dean smiled, it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Would…" he licked his lips. "Would you still…" Dean shook his head and nuzzled his face in the crook of Cas's neck.

"What is it, Dean?" Cas softly prompted him, carding his fingers through his hair.

"I know you won't need me anymore, but I… I was hoping you might still want to… hire me. Even after…" he confessed.

Cas stared at him, for a moment forgetting how to breathe. "Is that something you really want?"

Dean's lips curled up in a smile as he caressed Cas's cheek with the pad of his thumb. "I'd just hate to never see you again."

Cas swallowed dryly. He wasn't sure what to think. He was paying Dean to have sex with him. What if this was only a sale's pitch? He couldn't see any reason why Dean would want that. He searched Dean's eyes before he grabbed his cheek, his light stubble feeling nice against his palm. "Why?" he finally croaked.

Dean turned his face to kiss Cas's palm. "Because you're important to me too."

The way his heart skipped a few beats and butterflies stormed through his stomach made him realize how much he had wanted to hear those words. "I... Yes, I want to continue seeing you. Even after."

Dean let out a relieved laugh before he drew Cas in for a tender kiss.

Everything felt warm in his body and Cas felt a sudden surge of need. Not caused by his heat, but from the sheer fact that he wanted to be close to Dean. He crossed his legs behind Dean's ass, pushing him up into the right position to enter him again. "Dean," he whispered softly. "Take me. Make me yours." He knew he shouldn't say those things. But he wasn't kidding himself. He was lost. 

Dean growled as he scented Cas, shifting his hips to slowly slide his cock inside again. "Mine," he growled.

He knew he could still get away with this probably being a popular kink. Not that they had ever talked about it, but Dean just played along, so Cas guessed that he was okay with it. But that was the big problem, right? He didn't really know. He didn't know how much of this was Dean being a professional, or what he was really thinking. And here Cas was, playing house with an alpha, because he felt lonely and pathetic. 

He knew his scent must have changed to distressed when Dean stopped moving on top of him. Cas looked away, ashamed of his stupid emotions, making a mess of him.

"Cas?" Dean asked as he cupped his cheek.

"I'm sorry, Dean." He couldn't help the tear running over his cheek and angrily wiped it away. "I don't know what's wrong with me. My emotions are all over the place."

To his surprise, Dean gently pulled out of him. He wiped away the tear from Cas's cheek. "Can I help?"

Cas took in a shuddered breath, biting his lower lip before he looked up at Dean. "I... I would like to know... how much of this is real for you, and how much is just you doing your job? I know I shouldn't ask you. I just need you to be real with me. Because I can't... I need to know."

Dean furrowed his brow, expression almost stricken. "I… I don't feel like I'm working when I'm with you."

"So... you really mean those nice things you say to me?" Cas asked hesitantly. "That... you want me to be yours?" Fuck. What the hell was he doing? He would totally understand if Dean stood up and left him forever at this point.

"If… if things were different, I… yes, Cas. I wish you could actually be mine."

Cas got lost in Dean's eyes for a moment. His breathing hitched as he gave Dean a pained look. "I... I feel the same, Dean. And I know... it's impossible, but it doesn't change that you're the only thing on my mind and... how jealous I get when you're with other people."

"Are… are you sure you're not influenced by your heat?" Dean sounded so scared, so insecure.

Cas cupped Dean's cheek and nodded. "I feel the same outside of my heat. I know I'm being stupid... and I bet this happened a lot to you... shit, you must think I'm pathetic."

Dean leaned in for a soft kiss. "I don't. I think you're beautiful."

"Dean," Cas whispered as he drew him into a deeper kiss. "Fuck, I need you so much."

Dean hummed and shifted his hips, gently guiding his erection to Cas's hole again. "Yes, need," he growled.

Cas used his legs around Dean to push him inside. His cock impaled him easily, still being relaxed and open from the last time. He pulled Dean into a deep kiss when he felt his thick knot at his rim. Fuck, he felt like he was going crazy with want and need. He offered his neck without thinking about it, instinctively, whispering a broken, "Please."

Dean scented him, his tongue darting out to lick and suck along his gland as he started slowly fucking into him.

It was driving Cas insane. “Fuck, fuck, yes, Dean. Just like that. I wanna feel your teeth, baby, please.”

Dean's growl turned almost primal as he scraped his teeth along Cas's pulse point, never once breaking rhythm.

"Oh, fuck," Cas cried out as he suddenly came all over his body. Feeling Dean's teeth had pushed him right into an orgasm. "Alpha, please. Knot me."

Dean grunted as one of his hands slipped between them, massaging Cas's rim as he started pushing the knot inside. "Mine," he growled as his knot slipped inside, locking them together.

"Yes," Cas groaned as he enjoyed the immense pleasure Dean's thick knot was giving him. "I'm yours, Dean. My alpha." He leaned up to draw him into a deep kiss. 

Dean hummed into the kiss, settling against him as he continued to fill Cas. "My Omega."

Cas licked into Dean's mouth with a soft groan. "Do you like breeding me, alpha?" he asked, enjoying the playful dirty talk.

Dean simply growled again, another hot pulse filling him. "Breed…"

"Tell me," Cas growled softly. "Tell me, how much you want your seed to catch." He really wanted to turn Dean on, filling him with so much seed it would flow out of him.

Dean whined, a soft sound that still had a growled undertone. "Want… to breed you… to mate…"

"Yeah," Cas nudged his nose against Dean's throat. "You're doing so good. Fill me with so much of your seed. My mate."

Dean drew back, eyes wide. "Mate?" His eyes drifted to Cas's pulse point, his hand resting at the nape of Cas's neck.

Cas gave him a soft smile, his heart in pain. "I know I can't have you like that, but... I want you. I want you so much, Dean."

"Me too," he breathed out, barely above a whisper.

Cas carded his fingers through Dean's hair, drawing him into a deep kiss. "Then let's pretend alright? When it's just us... that we're together. That you're my mate."

Dean flashed him the sweetest smile. "You make me happy, Cas."

"I'm glad." Cas mimicked the smile, getting lost in green pools before he added a soft, "Mate."

Dean dove in for another kiss.

Cas rocked his hips up against Dean's body, enjoying the stretch of Dean's knot as he licked over Dean's tongue. A few open mouth kisses as he hotly breathed out, "Can you please... I want to feel your teeth again."

Dean grasped Cas's wrist and drew it to his lips, he pressed a playful bite to his wrist pulse point.

"Dean," Cas whined, his hips rocking up, squeezing Dean's knot before he presented his neck. "Here, please."

He could feel the heat of Dean's breath against his neck before those teeth grazed his skin. Dean started sucking at his scent gland, teeth leaving tiny bites.

Cas was losing it under Dean, moaning loudly as he wrapped his arms tightly around Dean's back. "Fuck, Dean. This feels so good and right."

Dean gasped against his neck. "Cas… I… I want…"

Cas groaned, wondering if Dean wanted the same thing. "Tell me," he breathed out with a soft moan.

Dean drew back. "I want to bite you," his voice was broken and scared.

Cas's breathing hitched before he leaned up to draw Dean into a deep and loving kiss. "I know. I want it, too. So much." He nudged his nose against Dean's neck. "I'm sorry that I'm making this hard for you. I... I keep presenting my neck to you. I shouldn't do that."

"If things were different," he growled softly, "the world would know you're mine."

Cas couldn't help the smile. "Yes, I would proudly wear your mating bite, Dean." He pressed a soft kiss to Dean's lips. "But this is our little world here. And in here you're my partner, my mate. Bite or no bite. I only belong to you."

Dean carded his hand through his hair. "I wish I could steal you away."

Cas laughed at that, leaning into Dean's palm. "I actually wish the same. I wish I could just keep you. With me… forever."

Dean sighed. "The only way that could happen is if you bought me."

“Bought you?” Cas asked with raised eyebrows. “Is that even possible? I mean, I couldn't even get the agency to give you to me exclusively for this year.”

Dean shrugged. "The biology teacher mentioned it. I don't know… I've never heard of it, but most used alphas aren't wanted…"

Cas chewed on his lower lip. He knew theoretically that an alpha could be purchased. Some people could get a special license to keep one. It was mostly decided through the court system. "I know that it is possible. To buy an alpha as a private person and not a company. But there have to be special circumstances. The problem is that you already are the property of your agency. And they wouldn't just sell you to me for no reason. I know I can't go to court, trying to get a license just because I have feelings for you."

Dean sighed, flashing him a sad smile. "I wish I wasn't an alpha."

Cas sighed and nodded. "That would make things easier, but on the other hand, as an Omega or Beta you wouldn't be able to help me through this hard time." He rubbed his thumb over Dean's beautiful freckled cheek. "I'll research my rights and what we can do in our situation. Don't worry, I won't give up easily."

Dean's eyes were shimmering with unshed tears. "If only we were true mates."

"That would probably make things easier in court," Cas replied before he sighed. "I haven't noticed my scent changing though. At least no one has mentioned anything to me." Cas rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "On the other hand, I worked a lot from home this week and I haven't seen Inias in a while."

Dean tilted his head. "Should we call him?"

Cas gave Dean a soft look. "I don't want you to get your hopes up. If we call him and I let him scent me, he would definitely know if it has changed. We're very attuned to each other, but… if it hasn't changed…" It was a nice dream, but very unrealistic.

"Maybe it's just wishful thinking." 

Cas pressed a kiss to Dean's lips. "That's very possible. But true mates or not, this doesn't change my feelings for you."

Dean smiled and carded his hand through Cas's hair. "Do you know what love feels like?"

"Now I do," Cas replied softly, pulling Dean closer. 

Dean gasped, nuzzling against his cheek. "Tell me?"

Cas pressed his lips to Dean's temple. "Like you're breathing easier when the person is around. You sleep sound to their heartbeat. They're the first thing on your mind when you wake up, and the last before you sleep and when they are not there… your heart hurts and longs for them to be close, counting the minutes and hours until you're reunited." Cas's kisses wandered down to Dean's throat, licking carefully over Dean's scent gland. "You make my heart race with just a smile, you make me forget to breathe when I look at you."

Dean's hand twisted in Cas's hair, a gentle yet firm grip as he arched his neck for Cas. "That you feel a pleasant tingling when you feel their lips on your skin. And for the first time, your heart feels full?"

Cas softly bit the skin around Dean's scent gland. "Yeah," he growled. "That, too."

Dean turned his face to capture Cas's lips in a hungry kiss.

Cas moaned into the kiss, loving the feeling of Dean's tongue sliding over his own. Dean's knot was still thick, locking him in place, and Cas hoped he could make Dean come again. "My alpha," he purred, as he bit Dean's lower lip. 

"I think I love you, Cas," Dean gasped out.

Cas's heart skipped a beat, finally hearing the words he had been longing for. He clasped Dean's cheeks to look at him. "I love you," he murmured. 

Dean nodded, pressing a tender, yet lingering kiss.

Cas sighed against him, his fingers sliding through Dean's hair before he leaned back. "It's hard, every instinct in me wants you to bite me."

Dean braced his palm at Cas's pulse point. "Every instinct in me wants to."

Cas groaned, loving how his hand felt there. "Fuck. It just feels so right. I love you, I want to be your mate. It's so dumb that we aren't allowed to do it."

Of course Cas knew why it was forbidden. There was actually a really good reason behind it. Before it had been forbidden, alphas had bitten Omegas against their will, forcing them into only being able to mate with that one alpha. It was a sign of ownership. A mark of slavery for most Omegas nowadays. Cas had thought so, too. 

But it was different now. Because this was a consensual longing to belong to Dean. To be his mate. "It drives me crazy when you touch me there, when I feel your lips… ugh, your teeth. It made me come untouched."

"You're so beautiful when you come," Dean breathed out.

Cas shook his head. "Dean… how can we make sure it doesn't happen accidentally when we both want it so much? I don't want you to get in trouble. I mean, I could wear a scarf until it's healed over, but… there would still be the scar after and that's nothing I could hide forever. At some point people would ask questions and… I don't even know what would happen then." He knew he was rambling, but he was really concerned about Dean's wellbeing.

Dean's breathing came out in growled pants. "I… I can… be good. A good alpha…" 

“I know. I’m not worried about your resilience,” Cas breathed out, his lips sliding over Dean’s in a featherlight, open mouthed kiss. “But I want you to bite me so much.”

"Why?" Dean gasped as he started peppering kisses along Cas's jaw and down his neck. Kisses that turned into a slight grazing of teeth.

It drove him crazy and he writhed under Dean, arching his body against him. “I don’t know,” he breathed out. “Your teeth feel so good.” He hummed softly, presenting more of his throat to Dean. It was probably a biological, hormonal thing.

Dean drew back, his expression serious. "I'm yours, I will do whatever you ask."

"I would never ask something of you that would get you in trouble." Cas stroked gently over Dean's cheek. "I wish I knew more about the law. But when my heat is over, I will contact a lawyer and will find what we can do. Maybe there is a possibility I could... that we could be together."

Dean's eyes lit up. "Really?" He sounded so hopeful.

"I promise you." Cas smiled at him before leaning up and pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "When your knot goes down... maybe you want to bite me a little on my inner thigh?"

Dean growled appreciatively. "Yes."

"You like that?" Cas asked teasingly as he nudged his cheek with his nose. "It wouldn't be a mating bite. But you would mark me and it's only for me to see."

Dean's breath was ragged as he dove in for a frantic kiss.

Cas laughed against Dean's lips as he grabbed Dean's face to hold him back. "If you get too excited your knot will never get down, baby."

Dean let out a ragged laugh. "You make me crazy sometimes."

"It's the same for me, Dean." 

His heat would last another two days. So Cas was incredibly happy to spend all that time with Dean before the real world would have them again. But maybe it wasn't all so bleak. Maybe there was hope for them.

.... :::: :::: ....

Dean was buttoning up his flannel, getting ready for another heat call, when this sudden, overwhelming need made his blood start to boil. He gasped and clutched onto the footboard to his left.

Garth jumped up and looked at Dean in clear concern. "Dean, you okay?"

For some reason, he was really struggling with how to work his tongue to answer him. He held Garth's gaze when his cock started coming to life. "I… No."

Garth sniffed the air around him before he recoiled. “Dean, did you forget your blockers?” His voice sounded alarmed. “You’re going into rut!”

"No, I… I took them," Dean managed to growl, his grip tightening on the wood, he could feel splinters piercing his skin. 

This couldn't be rut. It had been years since the agency doctor changed his prescription. "Not… rut."

In that moment Ketch opened the door and immediately recoiled, nose turned in disgust. "What on bloody earth is that?"

“Dean is going into rut. We need to call someone, quickly,” Garth said as he pushed Ketch to the door. “Go! I’ll stay with him.”

Ketch disappeared, the door slamming shut behind him.

Dean approached Garth. "Cas… Cas needs… soon." His thoughts were becoming fuzzier, the need was getting stronger, his skin was practically burning.

"Cas? Your favorite client?" Garth asked in a soothing voice. "What about him? Concentrate Dean. Tell me about him."

"Cas… heat soon…" Dean growled, his hands were starting to shake. And all he could think was how he wouldn't be able to be there for Cas. When Cas needed him most. A hot tear rolled out of the corner of Dean's eye. "Need. Love."

Garth held up his hands, but he wasn't coming closer. "Hey, Dean. Everything will be okay, alright? You will get over this in no time and then you can go back and help Cas. Don't worry."

The sound that escaped was a whimper, and everything was getting fuzzy. "Cas," he growled as he stepped closer to Garth.

Garth backed away from Dean. “Dean, stay calm. Please. Everything will be fine, alright?”

Anger washed over him then, why wasn't Garth listening. He slammed his fist into the wall, the shitty plaster crumbling. "Cas!"

"Yes, Dean. I know." Garth stepped back as the door opened and Ketch was back with two Beta guards. 

Dean growled and crouched down, baring his teeth. Cas needed him. Why weren't they listening? "Cas… tiel. Needs me."

The guards were approaching. Dean knew them. They weren't very kind. One of them was holding a taser, the other one was holding handcuffs. "Hands to the front!"

"Cas," Dean growled. He was going to do it, he had to. For Castiel.

Dean snarled and dove for asshole number two, right for the taser.

The other one radioed for additional support as he grabbed Dean’s arms from behind, pulling them back, while the other rammed the taser against Dean’s chest.

The pain was excruciating, and before his vision blacked out, all Dean could think was: what about Cas?