*6 days later*
The next few days had been quiet. The three of them had done nothing except watch the rest of Game Of Thrones, go through some of the archives at the bunker, and search for possible hunts. But everywhere seemed to be quiet. For now. Sam was still suspicious of both their previous hunts and was convinced they were linked, but couldn't bring this up with his brother or Cas. None of them had even mentioned it since the day Sam had first heard Cas have a nightmare. Hell, they all had them now. Even Sam did. Sam himself was currently on his laptop, searching for more cases like the ones they had just finished up with. The first one was weird because the newly-turned vampire was turning others. It was unusual for two reasons; firstly, when a vampire first turned, all it would feel is bloodlust. It needed to kill. That's what made them so dangerous. Secondly, if the vampire was strong enough to ignore the bloodlust, how the hell would it know how to turn people? Unless its master had shown it how. The second hunt they'd been on six days ago, in Missouri, was also a newly turned vampire, but the Winchester brothers had arrived before it started killing. But what if it wouldn't have drained people? What if it would have turned them? Maybe this "master" was the master of both vampires. And what if there were more? Either way, he was probably covering his tracks better now that he knew they were onto him. But what exactly was he planning?
After hours of searching, Sam finally found a possible case. There wasn't much to go on, just a disappearance on the outskirts of town. Could be nothing, but it could be something. And it was right here in Kansas, not too far from Lebanon. Maybe they should try Cas on another hunt. He'd have to ask Dean. Sam stretched his arms behind his head, letting out an inevitable yawn. He'd been sat at the library desk for almost 6 hours, from 4am this morning. These damn nightmares weren't easing off; that hunt had shaken everyone. Sam shut his laptop down and drifted over to the kitchen for coffee. Dean and Cas were already in there, and had beaten him to the coffee. Setting it up for another mug, Sam turned around and decided to breach the subject of a hunt.
"I think I found us a hunt." Sam broke the silence, not bothering to beat around the bush.
"Finally, something to do! Whereabouts?" Dean put his mug down on the side and turned to his brother, curiosity piqued.
"It's just here, in Kansas, a couple of towns over. It's not a definite hunt, but it sounds kinda similar to the hunt in Missouri." Sam didn't dare mention the other hunt.
"So you still think Missouri and- Iowa are connected?" Dean didn't want to upset Cas, who had now also put down his coffee, and was listening intently.
"Yeah. And there's a possibility this is also connected. I was thinking... Maybe this would be a good hunt for Cas."
Dean nodded. He couldn't see a problem with that. I mean, that hunt wasn't even Cas' fault, so they couldn't stop him from hunting. "Cas, you up for that?"
"It depends. Are you, Dean?"
"Look, Cas, I know you blame yourself, but it wasn't-"
"I don't need to hear this from you too! I know it was my fault. You almost died because I didn't keep an eye out for vampires and got jumped by one. I dropped my guard when I shouldn't have. So yes, it was my fault, not yours, not Sam's, not anyone else's. This one is on me."
"Cas, it was my choice to do what I did, not yours. It wasn't your fault, it wasn't anyone's, it was just a crappy hunt, okay?"
Cas stayed silent for a moment, and finally answered, "I'll come, but if it goes sideways, even half an inch sideways, we're leaving. Another hunter can take care of it."
"It's a deal." Sam replied.
·····
They got together everything they might need, which was a lot. There might not be a hunt in Mankato, but if there was, it wasn't a given that it would be a vampire. It was best to take precaution. The three hunters were out of Lebanon by 11am, this time with Cas riding shotgun. Sam had offered to let Cas sit in the front, kind of like a we trust you, buddy gesture. Cas couldn't not be nervous this time. Poor guy. Sam turned to face out of the window, watching the blur of green shoot by. American scenery lost its charm when you were road tripping nearly every week. Cas was also staring out of the window. It must be different for him, looking through human eyes and seeing things the way humans do. It could go both ways; Cas could find it beautiful, or not as awesome as how angels saw things. Sam wasn't sure which way it would go.
It was a short drive, and they arrived in Mankato before midday. Before anything else, the three of them searched for a motel. They found one on the border of Mankato, Crest Vue, and parked up at the front.
"Not too shabby." Dean observed.
"It'll do." Sam agreed, climbing out of the Impala. The suspension creaked. It was such a homely and comforting sound for Sam. It was the only stable home he'd ever known.
Dean followed his brother into the motel, Cas staying behind in Baby. Dean had left the keys with him, in case he decided to join them.
The motel was a hunter' s lodge of sorts, but not their sort of hunter. Deer hunters, pheasant hunters, whatever people hunted these days. Dean had been right, it wasn't too shabby at all. The motel had a clean, organised look, but not so clean that it felt like a sterile hospital, and was actually pretty welcoming. Compared to their normal motels, this one was a freaking palace.
Dean seemed to be thinking along the same lines as his brother. "Let's enjoy this while we can, but I'm guessing we can't get used to this."
"Probably not."
Sam turned around at the sound of the door opening, and Cas entered. He threw the keys to Dean, who caught them with a clink and slid them into his jeans pocket. Cas joined them at the desk, and the three hunters waited in silence. They were served in no time, and decided on a three bed room with a toilet and shower with a decent water pressure. Dean and Cas were especially happy to hear that. The room itself, in Dean's words, wasn't too shabby. The room wasn't painted an obnoxious colour for once, instead was a deep turquoise. The bedding complimented the colour scheme, with a blue green and white kaleidoscope themed quilt and pillows. And there were no creepy motel stains, which was a relief.
"This really isn't too bad." Dean smiled. "I don't care if we finish with this hunt with time to drive back, we're staying the night."
"Agreed. I need to be out of the bunker." Sam seconded.
"I agree with you both. Not that I hate the bunker, but it would be nice for a change of scenery."
"Okay, I'm glad we sorted that. Now, Sam, where are the suits?" Dean asked.
"Boot of the Impala. I'll go get them." Sam offered. Dean threw him the keys with a "I'll kill you if you do something to baby" look, and Sam left the room.
At first, Dean and Cas said nothing, just stood around awkwardly, avoiding eye contact. Finally, Cas spoke up. "Dean, I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologising? Cas, you haven't done anything!"
"You know why I'm apologising."
"That was, what, over a week ago? I've already told you, it's not your freaking fault!" Dean stepped towards Cas, holding him by the shoulders. "It was never your fault."
"But it was, and you know it was! If I hadn't even gone on that hunt, nothing bad wouldn't have happened, you would have cleaned it up."
"But that's not true! You took a vampire that I didn't even see coming!"
"But then you got taken down by one later on anyway! Because of me!"
"Cas, for God's sa-"
Cas interrupted Dean mid sentence. He didn't know why he did it, it was just an impulse. Like he couldn't control his actions. Without thinking, Cas leaned forwards abruptly, and his lips hit Dean's.
·····
Sam jogged back from the Impala with the three suits in his arms. It had been a last minute choice of his and Dean's. Getting Cas an FBI suit would make him feel more at home. It had been Dean's idea, actually. He got to their door, and pushed it open. He automatically detected the atmosphere. Something had happened. Dean was grinning and sat on his bed. Cas had flushed a deep red and was stood at the other side of the room. He hadn't seen Cas look that happy since the vampire. Well, whatever happened, he didn't care, so long as those two were okay. Dean looked up as Sam appeared, and he threw Dean his suit.
"Hey, Cas. You want to come with us to the police station?"
"Are you sure?" Cas looked genuinely happy.
"That's why we got you a suit. You'll look the part."
"Okay."
Sam passed the pre-angel his suit. "We'll set off in ten."
