Chapter Text
“Dean, I fail to understand why you insist on damaging your liver to consume something as horrendous as this beverage,” Cas choked out, face still repugnant after coughing over his first sip of beer, “It was one thing as an angel when all I could taste was molecules and any organ damage could be healed, but now? What is the motivation?”
Dean rolled his eyes and yanked the bottle of El Sol from Cas’s fist.
“The motivation, Cas, is that it’s beer. It’s good,” Dean insisted, taking a swig for himself, “It’s just an acquired taste.”
And Dean wasn’t going to work on getting Cas acquired where everyone could see him grimacing over sips like a teenager on their first night out with a fake.
“Why would you spend time acquiring a taste in order to tolerate an alcoholic beverage that is doing damage to your body?”
“Cas, how many times have we been over this man? Alcohol makes you feel things, it makes you all tingly and bubbly inside,” Dean tried to explain.
“Like gas,” Cas nodded, an all too serious expression on his face.
“Dude. What the fuck, no. Not like-no. Different tingly and bubbly. Just…don’t you have a shitton of knowledge about things? You’ve gotta know how alcohol affects the human body.”
Cas tilted his head, “I do in theory. It lowers inhibitions, creates a sense of euphoria. But it also causes nausea, loss of control over motor movements, headaches, and like I mentioned before, prolonged use affects the liver. It is a toxin. Aren’t there other ways that humans can lower inhibitions and feel euphoric that don’t include ingesting toxins?”
Dean laughed, “Yeah, I believe that would be orgasms.”
Cas sighed and nodded, “Right. I am somewhat familiar with the effects of dopamine and oxytocin.”
Dean shifted uncomfortably, “Right. With the reaper that stabbed you.”
“Yeah,” Cas nodded, looking down at his lap.
“Hey,” Dean clapped a hand on his shoulder, “Anyways. Alcohol can be a social thing, too. You know, drinking buddies. Sometimes it’s for a fun experience with friends.”
“And is alcohol necessary for that?” Cas asked, tilting his head.
Dean shrugged, “For some people maybe. Not everyone is as much of a social butterfly as you, Cas.”
Dean had meant the last bit as a joke, but clearly Cas didn’t fully pick up on it. He just nodded and looked back to the drink menu.
“Well, maybe there’s something else I might like,” Cas murmured.
Dean grinned, ready to jump into suggestions. He was really glad to be spending time like this with Cas, even if it was at some random dive in Colorado. He’d found out a few days ago that in order for Ezekiel to keep healing Sam, Dean was going to have to kick Cas out of the bunker. It was one of the hardest things Dean had ever done. At this point, Cas was family. Dean would gladly sell his soul for him a thousand times over. But with Sammy…Dean had been taking care of him his whole life. Dean couldn’t risk Sam’s life by holding onto Cas. If it was Dean’s life at risk, it would’ve been a no-brainer letting Cas stay. But Sam had to come first.
The worst part was…Cas had understood. It had ripped Dean’s heart out, looking at those baby blues rounded like a kicked puppy. Dean had honestly wished he had just gotten angry with him. But no, of course, he understood. He told Dean it was okay. But it wasn’t fucking okay.
The least Dean could do was go with him to get his feet on the ground. He’d found them both a hunt as an excuse to join Cas when he left. An easy salt and burn so that Dean could spend the extra time trying to figure out a place for Cas to stay. So far, the Hunter’s network had been a bust. Cas was a heavily hunted ex-angel, after all. Whoever took him in would be taking on that target as well.
But Dean wasn’t worried about any of that right now. Right now, he was just happy to have Cas at his side, safe and annoyingly inquisitive as always.
“Can I buy you a drink?”
Dean whipped his head around to see a woman leaning against the bar, her body angled towards Cas with an appraising look on her face. She was pretty, with shoulder length blonde hair, green eyes, freckles and pouty pink lips. Dean raised his eyebrows.
“I-you’d like to buy me a drink?” Castiel asked her, tilting his head in true Cas fashion. The woman grinned and rolled her shoulders under her brown leather jacket.
“Yeah,” She breathed, “See, I think you might just be one of the hottest guys I’ve ever seen in my life, and if I didn’t offer to buy you a drink I’d regret it until the day I die.”
Dean snickered behind his beer. He had to admire her boldness, but the poor thing was going to get shot down hard using that line on the angel. It would definitely be fun watching Cas flounder through the flirting, though.
Cas’s lips parted and eyes blinked in surprise. Dean braced himself for the rejection. Hell, maybe she wasn’t picky and wouldn’t mind going for Dean instead. She wasn’t really Dean’s type, but hey, he always enjoyed a good bar makeout with a pretty girl.
Then Cas did something…not very Cas-like. His eyes did a quick once-over of the woman’s body and Dean watched his throat bob with a hard swallow.
“Well, I believe it would be rude of me to refuse a drink so generously offered,” Cas told her, voice low and gravelly.
What?
Dean blinked at Cas, surprised.
The woman’s grin widened and she tilted her head to stare down at Cas through half-lidded eyes. She was really pulling out all the moves. Jesus. Could she be some kind of siren? Dean was going to have to intervene.
“You’ve got one hell of a voice on you,” She drawled, “What’s your name?”
Cas opened his mouth to speak but Dean cleared his throat and jutted in.
“His name’s Cas,” Dean told her, “And I’m his best friend, Dean.”
The woman’s eyes flicked over at Dean and her face twisted into an unreadable expression before smoothing back.
“Cas? Pretty name, I, uh, really like that one,” She told Cas, and looked back to Dean, “And hell of a coincidence Dean, my name’s Deanna.”
“Huh,” Dean mused, frowning. He watched as she flagged down the bartender and ordered a round of whiskey for the three of them.
“Hope whiskey’s alright for you boys,” She added with a wink after the bartender left.
“I’m fine with whiskey,” Castiel told her, far too quickly for Dean’s liking. Especially since he’d almost just retched over a few sips of beer. Dean watched as Cas’s eyes focused on the woman’s lips and Dean felt something in the pit of his stomach lurch at the sight. Dean shifted in his seat, drumming his fingers on the bartop. Siren was definitely still on the table. And that whiskey could not get here fast enough.
Probably noticing Cas’s eyes on her, Deanna bit her bottom lip briefly, bringing more life to their already stupidly perfect pink color.
“So, Cas,” She started, sliding closer to him, “What brings you out tonight?”
Castiel hesitated and glanced over at Dean. Seeing an opening, Dean jumped in before Cas could answer.
“Well, you see, my friend here and I? We’re federal agents working a local case right now,” Dean told her, clapping Cas on the back so hard it made the former angel jump, “We figured we’d have a few drinks, talk to some of the locals. We’ve had our noses in case files all day.”
“Federal agents, huh?” Deanna purred, drawing her eyes up and down Castiel’s body, “Small world boys, so am I. I’m off duty at the moment, but if you’d like to share any details, I’d love to help.”
“Really? You’re an agent?” Dean asked, scoffing.
Cas shot him a brief, disapproving look before smiling at Deanna, “I doubt you’d want to spend your off duty time on work.”
She raised her eyebrows, “Hm. Got any other ideas of how I might be able to spend it?”
Dean almost barked out a laugh at how forward she was until he saw Cas’s eyes darken with interest.
“I may potentially have a few ideas,” He told her, sounding way too innocent for what he clearly was suggesting.
The bartender came over with their whiskeys while Dean sat gaping at Cas. Or at least, who he thought was Cas. He had no idea who the fuck this guy was. What happened to the nerdy angel with a stick up his ass? He becomes human, bangs one chick, almost dies in the process, and now he’s propositioning random women at bars? And doing it well?
“Cheers to that,” Deanna exhaled, raising her whiskey, “I’d love to hear more about those, if you’d like to get out of here.”
“Well, if my friend’s alright with me heading out,” Cas told her, turning back to look at Dean with a question in his eyes.
Dean was still gaping at him. Cas noticed his expression and tilted his head at Dean curiously.
“Hey, no big, you guys talk it out and enjoy your drinks,” Deanna told them, “I’ve gotta go let my sister know I’m leaving anyway.”
With a wink, she downed the entire whiskey before flipping the glass on the bar and leaving.
“Cas, dude, what the hell?” Dean asked him, hating how strained his voice sounded.
“What?” Cas asked back, sounding confused, “What’s wrong?”
“Since when do you have sex with women at bars?” Dean all but squeaked, “Or hell, since when do you know how to flirt with women at bars?”
Cas shrugged, “Obviously not as often as you do, seeing as I don’t typically have any interest. Something about her just seems different though. What is it you’re always saying? She has the right ‘vibe’?”
“And you don’t think that’s kind of weird?” Dean asked him, “She could be a siren…or, I don’t know, a witch or something.”
Cas huffed out a laugh and shook his head, “Dean, we’re sitting in front of a mirror. If she was a siren her true form would have shown. And she would’ve had to hex me if she was a witch.”
Dean looked over to see that Cas was right, the bar did have a mirror. Which meant he just got a clear image of his bewildered face staring back at him, and Cas’s softened expresson.
“Dean, I don’t have to go, I could always just stay here if you’d like. I just assumed you had intended to find someone to have sex with, so I figured it wouldn’t matter if I did the same.”
He wasn’t…entirely wrong. Dean had suggested that he’d come here to be on the prowl for some action. It’s just…that was mostly bravado. He really just came to hustle some pool and have a few drinks with Cas. Though, if he had brought them both here looking for action, he would have never thought that Cas would be the one to get lucky first. By all accounts, Dean should be leaping for joy right now, instead of trying to not hurl at the thought of Cas’s hands on this woman.
“Nah, man,” Dean coughed, feeling like he was getting a bit too close to something he spent a lot of time trying very hard not to acknowledge, “I mean it’s fine. You go have fun, you know. You deserve it, really. Dopamine, oxytocin and all that jazz. And she’s…hot.”
Cas gave a sideways smile that made Dean’s stomach do all sorts of unfairly weird things and shrugged one shoulder.
“She is incredibly beautiful,” Cas agreed.
After a few awkward moments, Deanna returned, with a gangly but pretty brunette woman in tow.
“Did you decide if you were gonna stay or go?” Deanna asked Cas, hope shining in her eyes.
Cas stood, an easy smile on his face, “We can leave.”
“Awesome,” Deanna grinned, practically buzzing. She clapped the shoulder of the girl next to her and looked at Dean, “Not sure if it’s any consolation for taking your buddy away, man, but this is my sister Sammy. She can be a bit of a narc, but she’s super smart and a massive catch.”
“Deanna, I thought I was just saying hi,” The brunette groaned, rolling her eyes. Dean tried not to be offended at her clear lack of interest, even if it was kind of mutual.
All of sudden, Cas stilled.
“Your sister’s name is Sam?” He asked.
Deanna looked at him confused, “Uh, yeah.”
“And you’re Deanna.”
“Mm, yup. Actually, go ahead and say it again, handsome.”
Cas’s face went a little red and he flicked his eyes over at Dean.
Dean shrugged, “Weird coincidence?”
It’s not like Sam was an uncommon name. Deanna was definitely the outlier here, but hey. His grandma was named Deanna.
“Don’t tell me you also have a sister named Sam,” Deanna laughed, looking at Dean.
“Nah, I have a brother named Sam,” Dean told her, shrugging, “We were named after our grandparents.”
“No way,” Deanna’s sister- Sam replied with wide eyes, “So were we! Dean and Samantha Campbell.”
“Sammy,” Deanna hissed, nudging her sister.
“Huh,” Dean frowned, a strange feeling in his gut twisting, “My grandparents' names were Deanna and Samuel Campbell.”
“Deanna,” Cas interrupted, far too calmly, “Can I ask your last name?”
Deanna blinked at him and back at Dean before answering, “Winchester.”
Dean’s jaw dropped and Castiel’s breath inhaled sharply.
“What?” Deanna asked, looking slightly alarmed.
“Deanna, I, well, my friend here,” Cas stammered, gesturing to Dean, “His last name is also Winchester. And he calls me Cas, but my full name is Castiel.”
Deanna’s eyes widened so comically that Dean would have laughed if his entire stomach hadn’t dropped to his knees.
Suddenly, Sam started laughing- hysterically.
“Deanna!” Sam laughed, curling in on herself and clinging to her sister’s shoulder with two hands.
“Sam! Shut up! It’s not funny!” Deanna hissed, face flaming red.
“Oh my god, Deanna, you almost slept with dude-Cass, oh my god,” Sam giggled out.
“Dude-Cas?” Dean asked, “Wait- what? What is going on?”
Dean looked over at Cas, who looked embarrassed also but not nearly as mortified as Deanna.
“I think maybe it would be best if we all found a location where we could talk,” Cas told them.
Deanna had both hands covering her face, and she moved her fingers slightly so she could peek at Cas.
“We’ve got a motel room nearby,” She mumbled, face still flaming.
Dean noticed that Cas was very obviously trying not to make eye contact with anybody.
“Well, uh, I guess we’ll follow you guys,” Dean told her, standing and reaching out to grab Cas’s shoulder. Cas flinched briefly under the contact and cleared his throat.
“Yes, lead the way,” Cas said awkwardly, gesturing to the door.
The three of them followed, Sam still giggling, as Deanna turned tail and hurried out of the bar. Just as she made it outside, she stopped again and let out a weakened noise.
“It really is true,” She whimpered, sounding utterly dejected as she pointed to the Impala, “Let me guess, that one’s yours.”
“Sure is,” Dean told her, still fucking confused, “What’s true?”
“Dude,” Deanna shook her head, “I’m just telling you now, you better hope your Sammy doesn’t find out about how we all met.”
“My- okay. Which car is yours?” Dean asked, dodging the odd statement.
“None of them technically,” She sighed, “We hotwired a red Toyota. Over there.”
Deanna gestured to a spot across the way.
“I guess we’ll see you guys shortly,” She told Dean, clapping his shoulder and bounding off for the Toyota where her sister was already waiting.
Dean glanced back over at Cas who was staring at his shoes.
“Okay, get in the car. Now. You’re gonna tell me what the hell you think is happening here.”
Cas’s cheeks went pink, “Do I have to?”
“Uh, yeah, Cas,” Dean scoffed, climbing into the driver’s side as Cas climbed in next to him. He watched the girls start up the Toyota behind them. “We’re about to follow two strange women who share the same names as me and Sam to their motel room. And you are acting all shifty.”
“Okay, well, I don’t know anything for certain,” Cas told him, staring out the window as Dean followed the Toyota, “But I have a theory as to what is going on.”
“Okay, and?”
Cas sighed and wiped a hand down his face, “You’re familiar with the concept of alternate universes correct?”
Dean flicked his head over to Cas with a frown, “No fucking way, dude. You’re not about to tell me you think those girls are some alternate universe version of me and Sam.”
Cas just rounded his eyes and looked helplessly at Dean.
Yeah, no way .
Dean barked out a laugh and shook his head, “Nah. Nope. We’ve had some crazy shit go down, but that my friend, that’s some crazy shit.”
“Dean, I-” Cas paused, clearly trying to choose his words carefully, “They do exist. And I do think that these girls might be from one.”
Dean looked at him.
“Jesus, man. You’re serious.”
“I’m afraid so, yes.”
They rode in silence for a moment, until Dean realized something and his face started to heat up.
“Uh, wait. So-hold on,” Dean started, “You’re saying, you almost slept with a version of me from an alternate universe?”
Dean risked a glance over to Cas to see the ex-angel’s face as red as he’s ever seen it, which is impressive given Cas’s olive skin tone.
Cas cleared his throat and continued looking out the window, avoiding Dean’s eyes, “It appears so, yes.”
Dean shifted in his seat, not sure what to do with the implications of that. What had Cas said about her? He wanted to sleep with her because she seemed different? He liked her ‘vibe’? That she was incredibly beautiful? Did Cas think Dean was incredibly beautiful? Did Cas want to sleep with Dean? Dean as a man Dean? Did gender and sexuality even matter to angels anyway?
“Okay,” is all Dean answered with wide eyes fixed on the road while his brain screamed.
After what felt like an eternity, the Toyota turned into a motel and parked. Dean pulled up next to them and watched as the girls got out. Deanna leaned up against the side of the Corolla, an uncomfortable expression still on her face. When she got a look at Dean she seemed to grimace in solidarity.
“Finally get the implications?” She leaned in and asked him under her breath.
“Yup, thanks for that,” He hissed back, glaring at her.
She shrugged and threw her hands up, whispering back, “ Look at him, dude. Can you blame me?”
No, Dean couldn’t. That’s the problem.
Other than the problem of there being two of him, that is.
“We are so not discussing this, get inside,” Dean told her, shoving her towards the motel as Cas and girl-Sam watched the two of them bickering. Now that Dean was looking at her, the resemblance between this girl and Sammy was seriously uncanny. Shit.
Deanna made her way to a motel room and opened the door, using her foot to lodge it open as she waved the three others inside.
“Mi motel, su motel,” She mumbled. Cas walked in last and Dean noticed the way she looked at him and then at the nearest motel bed in disappointment. Dean’s hands clenched into fists and he took a deep breath.
“So, Cas has a theory that you guys are from an alternate universe. I think that sounds insane. Either way, you two better get to explaining, now .”