deancasbigbang:

Title: Silver and Cold
Author: superhoney
Artist: whichstiel
Rating: Explicit
Pairings: Dean/Cas (minor Sam/Sarah Blake, minor Charlie/Dorothy, past Dean/Benny)
Word count: 60000
Warnings/Tags: Casefic, canon-typical violence, minor character death, religious themes, small town setting, recluse Dean, creature Dean, hunter Cas, isolated/trapped together, angst with a happy ending.
Posting: 10/2/2018

Summary:

The death of a young man in an apparent animal attack brings hunter Cas Novak to the small town of Sydnam, Maine. It doesn’t take long for him to realize he’s tracking a werewolf, but discovering the killer’s identity is no easy task. All signs point towards Dean Winchester, a lonely recluse who lives in the middle of the woods and whose antagonistic behaviour does little to lessen Cas’ suspicions.

As the investigation drags on, their mutual distrust gives way to a wary alliance. Cas’ instincts warn him that Dean is hiding something, but as he uncovers the man beneath the mystery, his professional interest becomes far more personal. Praying his faith in Dean isn’t misplaced, Cas races to catch the killer before the next full moon rises and another life is abruptly cut short.

---

The smooth rise and fall of Dean’s shoulders as he shrugs should be illegal. Cas is only human, and he only has a fake badge. So he fights to keep his face impassive and not to betray any of the thousand filthy thoughts running through his head as Dean answers. “Something brought you out here, Agent, and I’m guessing it wasn’t just the fact that they found Ryan on the road to my place. Somebody’s been telling you all the local myths, haven’t they?”

“I’ve been told there’s some mystery attached to you and your family, yes.” Cas tilts his head to the side, considering. “Why do you think that is?”

Dean’s voice is quiet when he replies. “People don’t like what they don’t understand.” He looks away from Cas as he speaks, but there’s a note of sadness in those simple words, and weariness as well. It strikes a chord within Cas, and he almost reaches out, but restrains himself at the last minute.

It’s probably a good thing, because when Dean turns back to face him, that mocking gleam is in his eyes once more. “And you’re no different, are you?”

“No.” Cas keeps his eyes fixed on Dean. “I am trying to understand, Mr. Winchester. For that boy’s sake.”

Dean tips his head back against the chair and closes his eyes. “Go home, Agent. There’s nothing to understand here. Ryan Garland was killed by a wild animal. It’s awful, and I’m sorry for his family, but that’s all there is to it. Let them grieve in peace.”

Is that what Dean is doing out here, all alone in the woods? Grieving in peace? What happened to John Winchester, and why did Sam Winchester never come back after he left for college? Cas still has so many unanswered questions, and while he tries to tell himself it’s all somehow relevant to the case, he knows it isn’t that simple.

It’s Dean he really wants to understand.

Cas stands and offers his hand to Dean, who gives him an unreadable look, then clasps it in his own. His palm is broad and warm and lighty calloused, and Cas swallows roughly at the feel of it.

“Thank you for your time, Mr. Winchester,” he manages. “If I have any further questions–”

“You know where to find me.” Dean drops his hand and smirks.

Biting back an unprofessional remark, Cas strides towards his truck. He pauses with his hand on the door and looks back at the house, at Dean sitting there, perfectly at ease in his surroundings.

“If it was a wild animal that killed Ryan,” Cas says, “you should be careful out here all by yourself.”

A smile spreads across Dean’s face. Despite the fact that it’s slightly twisted, that bitterness still lingering in his eyes, Cas’ chest tightens with the beauty of it.

“Don’t you worry about me, Agent,” Dean says. “I can take care of myself.”