Chapter Text
Dean’s alarm blares loudly heralding the beginning of a new day he isn’t quite prepared for. The omega snuggles deeper into his covers before a thought begins to tap, knock, finally ramming through the wall of his lingering fatigue reminding him it’s not just any day.
“Flyin’ with Cas…” he mumbles to himself, popping straight out of bed when it finally clicks. The excitement knocks the last bit of sleep right out of him, though he’s far from feeling refreshed and ready to go.
Castiel Novak, one of the top pilots for American Airlines, Dean’s best friend for damn near a decade and not so secret crush for almost as long. Cas. Stunning ocean blue eyes he often gets lost in, dark messy hair he’d love to run his hands through, flawless slightly tanned skin he yearns to taste, just muscular enough to maybe manhandle someone Dean shaped. His Cas. Movie marathons, and late night calls, and cuddles because friends totally cuddle on the couch, right? CasCasCas. The one who managed to convince Dean if he could get over his fear of flying he could make an assload of money on those flying metal tubes of death. Turns out they’re actually a lot safer than he thought and it’s been years since he even flinched at a little turbulence.
All thanks to Cas.
Pulling himself free from the tangle of sheets wrapped around his legs and torso, Dean climbs out of bed shuffling into the master bathroom of his lonely little house to prepare for the day. He tries to think of anything but his best friend, to no avail. Any other time and he may have actually hit snooze but he rarely works with Cas lately and his friend is known to run a tight ‘ship’ for lack of a better term.
Quickly, he brushes his teeth while taking a short shower before drying off and pulling on his uniform. Making sure his hair doesn’t look a mess, Dean throws himself a wink and finger guns in the mirror like the nerd he is before heading out the door with his duffle bag. Technically, he has a good twenty minutes left before he even has to leave the house but it’s a forty minute drive to Kansas City International and he needs the extra few minutes for his side mission. As his ’67 Impala, Baby, eats up the miles from Lawrence to KC, Dean turns down his tunes and calls up Sammy.
His younger brother answers groggily, asking through a yawn, “On your way out?”
Dean nods before remembering the beta can’t see him, “Yeah Sammy, just calling to let you know. Go back to sleep, bitch.” Thinking about it for a second, he adds, “Maybe we can meet up for dinner when I get back, you can bring Jess if you want.”
Sam chuckles softly, “Alright, jerk. That sounds nice, I’ll tell her. See you when you get back, love you little big brother.”
Dean responds through a chuckle, “Love you too, big little brother,” getting a kick out of their dumb joke as usual.
The call ends right as he pulls into the employee lot, patting Baby’s hood lovingly and promising to see her soon before parting ways with his pride and joy for the next 24 hours.
The walk to his destination gets him thinking again, and not just about Cas this time. Like always, his conversation with Sam dredged up more than just the usual brotherly banter. He meant what he said, he’d love to finally meet Sam’s new girlfriend Jess, he’s been awkwardly putting it off for months. Mostly because, and he’s ashamed to admit this, it makes him feel a little sad knowing he doesn’t have anyone of his own. Knowing he probably could if he’d just get the nerve up to ask for what he wants. It’d help if he had solid confirmation directly from Cas that he was interested but he can’t even scent the man anymore with what the airline has them using now.
Mandatory dual scent blocker and birth control implants for everyone, yayyyy!
All because a year ago one of the flight attendants accidentally tripped a co-pilots rut with her early heat mid flight.
Ya know, when you say it out loud…
The airline is completely correct, something had to be done for everyone's safety but that leaves Dean in a weird space of uncertainty since Cas isn’t exactly an open book. So, the closest he’s gotten is this, getting the alpha’s favorite coffee for him before takeoff. It could be counted as a flirtation if you squint at it in the right light. Plus, it’s a tradition they have whenever they manage to get on the same route and he won’t be breaking it today.
For luck and stuff.
Dean’s waiting his turn in line, scanning the flowing crowd of passengers as he waits wondering who’s going to be on his flight today. There’s a cheery blonde ahead of him, appearing to be traveling alone and getting what looks like a pumpkin cream cheese muffin. She walks off with her treat and her carry on in hand as Dean contemplates getting one himself. Before he comes to a decision he hears a familiar voice shout his name from his right.
“Dean!” The overexcited omega shouts again, abandoning his mom for her much cooler friend almost immediately. “Mom said I get to hang out with you the whole flight.”
He peers down at Lisa, one eyebrow raised in question because no he has no clue what Ben’s talking about. Realizing she has some explaining to do Lisa cuts in, “What Ben means is I was going to ask if you could keep an eye on him. He’s 19 he can obviously manage himself but just as a favor to me? You’ll already be in that section, pleeeassseeee?” The omega begs, actually batting her eyelashes at him.
For the love of….
“Just this once, but you know how it can be in first class. I don’t wanna know how you did it,” he puts a hand up as she opens her mouth to explain, needing plausible deniability as he continues, “I won’t say anything but I’ll watch him for you.” He caves, to the excited squeals of his ex.
Normally if you bring a relative on a flight they have to ride in coach but someone in first class must have been bumped to another flight, if Lisa’s planning on sneaking Ben in in their place he won’t say a word.
What the boss don’t know won’t hurt 'em.
“Thanks, Dean. You know I normally wouldn’t pull something like this, but if I didn’t he’d be bumped off of the flight entirely and it’d ruin his plans with Katy in Rio,” she explains once she calms down, giving him a side hug before shooing Ben away to get on the plane. Lisa turns back, teasing glint in her eye, “Getting one for Cas?”
“Shut it, devil woman!” He shouts back playfully, accidentally earning the interested stare of a man standing across the way with a woman who now also appears interested. “My ex,” he tries to clarify realizing that doesn’t help, “It wasn’t a bad breakup that’s just how…” he sighs realizing he sounds like an idiot, “…never mind.”
The man takes pity on his rambling, assuring him “No worries, man. It’s great when you can still be friends in the end.”
The woman with him nods sagely before both alphas head off with polite goodbyes in the same direction as Lisa and Ben.
“Next!” The barista calls from the register in front of him.
Dean rattles off he and Cas’ order quickly then stands off to the side to wait. Once he hears his name he takes both cups in hand, turning with his duffle slung over his side and almost barreling into the couple right behind him. He saves the coffee, just barely.
“Sorry, man,” he apologizes quickly hoping his apology comes across as sincere, “Didn’t see you there.”
The shorter guy sneers at him, pulling the woman in closer, “Maybe you should look behind you next time…”
Before Dean can react, the alpha’s gone in a cloud of annoyance with his omega in tow rolling her eyes in sympathy but not daring to speak against him. Truthfully, that was an overreaction to a minor misunderstanding, but Dean won’t let it get him down.
Or make Cas’ coffee go cold.
With that thought, he follows in the same direction as the others.
Dean just makes it in time for Cas’ last words to the flight crew, which as their supervisor is probably a bad thing but Cas is the big boss and he doesn’t say a word. Especially when Dean pushes his coffee into his waiting grasp.
“Thank you, Dean,” he murmurs in his rough gravely rumble, no admonishment to be found.
Dean beams as he answers, “No problem, Cas.”
Cas gets fidgety which is odd for the man. Dean didn’t know he was capable of fidgeting, it makes him nervous.
“You okay there, bud?” He asks, cautiously as the alpha taps arrhythmically on the side of his cup head tilted to the side and brow furrowed in concentration as he stares intently at Dean. “You look…”
Dean doesn’t get the chance to finish that sentence as Cas cuts him off, “Could I talk to you? In the cockpit?”
The omega nods cautiously, following behind Cas to the front of the plane and ignoring the rest of the crews curious stares. He spots Kevin, Benny, and Krissy whispering and he thinks he sees money exchange hands. Nick is less stealthy, mock whispering, “I think it’s finally happening, guys!” Pam shoves him playfully into the drink cart he’s checking over as he yelps pretending to be hurt before bursting into childish giggles.
Fuckers.
Passing Jo he gets a conspiratorial wink that makes him wonder what she knows but he’ll wait to ask. Luckily, Layla and Tessa aren’t around the front of the plane right now but it won’t take long for this piece of gossip to spread. Whether anything worth gossiping about happens or not.
Dean’s following closely behind the alpha until he passes his friend Billie which pulls him up short, “Aren’t you supposed to be on vacation?” He asks, brow furrowing in confusion.
Billie rolls her eyes playfully, answering drily, “Yes, hence my being on a plane that’s going somewhere sandy and sunny.” She pretends to fan herself dramatically before adding, “Now stop stalling and go put lover boy out of his misery.”
“Does everybody know?” Dean whines, trailing behind Cas as the crew shouts back a resounding ‘yes’ with Jo adding a helpful ‘idjit’ in the absence of Bobby.
Cas seems to be taking it in stride, though he’s still fidgeting as he beckons Dean into the cockpit and closes the door behind them.
After a few moments of silence, Dean speaks up, “So…what did you wanna talk to me about?”
The omega’s sure he already knows but it doesn’t hurt to prompt the guy, he’s clearly nervous.
Cas clears his throat before taking a long gulp of his coffee, finally spitting out, “I uh…I wanted to ask if you’d be interested in getting drinks with me when we land. As a…a date?”
He’s got his baby blues trained on the floor and that just won’t do. If they’re doing this, they’re doing it. Dean bends down until he’s back in Cas’ line of sight before answering emphatically, “Yes, of course I’m interested. I’d say took you long enough but…pot meet kettle?”
Cas’ eyes light up brightly with understanding, soothing his own questions as well hopefully.
“It would seem so,” he agrees with a light chuckle. “This is going to be a long flight,” He adds, smirk going devilish as his eyes light up with mischief.
“Just gives you something to look forward to,” Dean teases. He doesn’t want the alpha to think he isn’t just as eager, admitting, “But, uhm. For the record, I’m excited too, Cas.”
Is it really this simple?
The awkward do we kiss, do we hug moment is broken up by Lisa clearing her throat outside the door. It reminds them both they have a job to do so, without any action on either side they separate to do just that. Dean's left with a feeling of longing he'll just have to shove down until it can be fulfilled.
He exits the cockpit to cheers from his coworkers, all of whom seem to know exactly what Cas pulled him aside for but he’s glad to see they’re happy for them.
Hopefully this is just the beginning of something good.
Dean throws himself into what he’s best at, making sure all passengers are taken care of as they board, each one getting a warm greeting and a smile as they pass. A few faces he recognizes as they pass; the cream cheese muffin lady, the two alphas who heard him talking to Lisa, and unfortunately the short feisty guy and his omega. Loading a plane with over 230 people takes some time but after the passengers have boarded and they’ve gone over all of the pertinent safety information for the flight, led by Nick as always thanks to his flair for comedy, Cas greets everyone and advises they’re preparing for takeoff.
“Welcome to Flight 333 non-stop to Rio, this is your captain, Castiel Novak along with my co-pilot Lisa Braeden. We have an amazing flight crew ready to take care of anything you need so let’s settle in…”
The words go fuzzy as he tunes out, even though it's Cas' smoky rumble he's ignoring, as memories inundate the omega’s mind. Dean used to drive Baby for two days rather than fly to visit Sammy when he was still living in California. Two days of sleeping in shitty motels, asscheeks going numb, eating crappy food, all to avoid a few hours in the sky. Until he met Cas, who just so happened to be in the middle of getting his pilot’s license. The alpha had this way about him, he felt safe. Before Dean knew it, Cas had him in one of those small planes doing slow circles over a field in middle of nowhere Kansas. The alpha dealt with all of his blowouts and anxiety attacks with patience and grace until it was nothing for him. Those slow circles became short trips from one town to the next, Cas keeping the plane steady and aloft. Eventually, he and Dean went to visit Sammy together, Cas holding his hand and keeping him grounded the entire time. Over time, a long long time but he got there, Dean could fly on his own with no fear. Hopping on a flight from Kansas to Cali became a breeze.
The omega can buckle himself into this seat knowing the person he trusts with his life is piloting this plane, keeping him safe just like always.
Takeoffs uneventful and once the seatbelt sign is turned off, the crew gets in gear making sure each passenger is comfortable and happy as the flight commences. Dean’s back and forth between first class and the rest of the plane making sure his people are comfortable and happy, plus Ben. Dean shakes his head at the reminder, he’s already had to confiscate one of the other passengers complimentary glass of champagne from the kid. He remembers being that age, that weird in between stage when you’re not quite a teen anymore but barely an adult. Everything you want is still out of reach, yet so close it burns. Hopefully Ben recognizes how good he has it and stops trying to push but he’s a kid, it’s what they do best.
The plane is a little bit of a mixed bag today but it usually is. There’s the omega traveling alone save for the fugly pug he’s been murmuring sweet nothings to for the last hour. The trio he had to help Benny out with in coach, clearly on a girls trip if their matching rainbow tie dye shirts proclaiming ‘Girls Trip' are anything to go by. They’ve been bugging Benny for more alcohol even though they’re pretty smashed already. The alpha knows when to cut passengers off so he has it handled but Dean’s never understood that type of behavior, just drink when you get there don’t pre-game on the flight and annoy everyone else.
Jo comes up to him as he’s making his way back to first class to check on Ben.
“What’s up?” He asks, already seeing the annoyance on her face. He’d know it well having garnered the same reaction from her half their lives.
“The two back there are getting worse, the blonde and brunette,” Jo confirms his concern, the ass grabbers are at it again.
She’d come to him about an hour ago saying two omegas were having trouble keeping their hands to themselves when male crew members were walking past them. It seems the warning isn’t quite getting through their entitled little brains.
He nods, “Okay, I’ll handle it when we land. Document it so we can have them banned from future flights.” Dean easily gives Jo the permission to take the last step they have the power to take save from asking the affected crew members if they’d like to file charges for harassment. “I’ll let them know when we debark just in case things get nasty, not gonna put you through that.”
Jo grins, wild look in her eyes as she practically growls, “Just let one of 'em try…”
“Alright, that’s enough Buttercup,” he shushes her, huffing a laugh before adding, “Sammy and I are having dinner with Jess when we get back. I expect you to be there, you’re my backup.”
“And you need backup, why?” She asks, brow furrowed in confusion.
“Because you’re the better sibling so you met her months ago and I’m walking in blind, that’s why,” Dean huffs, pushing Jo back to work before she can respond other than agreeing to show up.
Someone’s pup starts wailing its head off just as they hit the midway mark on the flight. Normally, Dean would help having assisted in soothing many a tired pup on long flights where parents just may not have the stamina. Unfortunately, he’s busy bending to the every whim of Dick fucking Roman in first class. Sending up a little prayer of solidarity to the struggling parent, Dean garners strength from the sympathetic frown the charming redhead at Roman’s side is sending him. As the beta continues his most recent overcomplicated request Dean begins to zone out, thinking of the many ways he can extend his drinks date with Cas once they get to Rio. It’s only natural to take a walk on the beach after drinks, maybe hold hands, steal a few kisses. The omega’s sure Cas would insist on walking him back to his hotel room door, it’s only the right thing to do. And if Dean happens to invite him in then…
“Are you even listening to me?” Roman’s annoying voice cuts through his pleasant daydream and somehow the redhead gives him a knowing look complete with smirk.
Dean shakes it off, responding, “Yes, sir. Can I get you anything else?”
Cas was right, this is turning out to be a long flight.
____________________________________________________
“Bal’s gonna hate that he missed it,” Lisa continues to tease, hours into the flight.
Castiel sighs deeply, unable to keep the mirthful twist of his lips from the corner of his mouth as he groans, “Will you stop it already?”
“Not a chance, take this as my payback for your bitchiness when I was with Dean,” Lisa shrugs with a smirk of her own.
It’s no secret between them he was beyond jealous when the omegas dated, luckily it was a short fling and he’s since apologized for his pettiness.
Glancing at his friend he sighs, “Fine, I guess you’re right but…” Castiel cuts himself off, quickly changing subject, “What’s that?!”
Alarm weaves through Lisa’s tone as she shakily answers, “No fucking clue but why didn’t we get any alerts?”
Castiel’s never been afraid of flying, he helped Dean get over his fears of the ‘friendly skies’. The thick writhing black mass of clouds, interspersed with sparks of lightning, standing in their path makes him rethink all of it.
Lisa squeaks out, “Holy mother of God…” as she begins to pray.
With the responsibility of all 230 souls aboard this plane weighing heavily on his shoulders, Castiel plans to do more than pray.