Chapter Text
Dean had a big, bright smile on his face as he walked into Anthropology class, eyes immediately zeroing in on Cas.
For the first time since childhood, he had made his bed after waking up that morning, rearranging everything so it looked warm and inviting for the omega.
Not that Dean wanted to bed him. He just wanted Cas to like his nest. Maybe even want to enter it. In a non-sexual way, of course.
Dean was a virgin, and didn't care if other people thought he wasn't a real alpha because of that. Dean wanted his first time to be with someone he loved. Not with someone who was just willing. And definitely not someone who was unwilling.
Taking the seat on Cas' right, the one he has claimed as his, he beamed even brighter. That delicious smell he has associated with the omega wafted up in his nose, and he delightfully inhaled, though in a, hopefully, nonobvious way.
Mr. Fuller just told them to get started before silently taking attendance.
Dean turned to the omega, who was already looking at him with nervous eyes.
Maybe he was shy.
"Hey, so, I don't really have any ideas about what we should research. You?" He had tried to think of some ideas last night while he waited for his bedding to wash, hoping to impress the omega with his intellect, but he was none too lucky.
Cas seemed to think for a moment before clearing his throat, as if he hadn't talked in a while.
Dean almost wondered if he was a mute.
"I, uh, had a few. What do you think about the domestication of dogs? We could do our project on how that process happened, comparing old age dogs to the ones we keep as pets today," Dean knew he had an awe-struck look on his face, which in turn caused Cas to fidget and avert his eyes.
"Sorry, that was probably a stupid idea. What about-"
Even though it was rude, Dean cut him off, not wanting the omega to second guess himself. "Cas, dude, that's a great idea. I just- in previous experiences, I worked on projects with alphas," He rolled his eyes at the mere thought, "And it's just nice to work with someone who actively participates and is smart. Partnering up with knotheads is not my idea of a fun time." One more eye roll, just in case he didn't emphasize how dumb alphas could be. Especially adolescent male alphas.
...
Cas was confused.
Dean almost seemed... kind. Which was a stupid thought in and of itself.
And then he'd realised .
Grooming .
He's read horror stories about alphas grooming omegas to condition them to think that the abuse inflicted upon their person was normal, maybe even deserved.
Dean was, in a way, worse than the other alphas.
At least they didn't try to hide their true intentions.
And when they got to Dean's house, he was gonna knot Cas, maybe even try to breed him in an attempt to keep Cas as his personal omega slave.
I'd rather it be me than Gabriel.
Maybe if he played his cards right, Dean wouldn't be too harsh on him.
...
Something dark and scary passed over Cas' eyes, and Dean didn't know how to decipher that.
He wanted to ask if everything was okay, but they weren't exactly friends, so Cas would most likely not tell him anyways.
The omega almost looked... haunted. Haunted and afraid. Dean never wanted Cas to be afraid. Especially not around him.
And before he could think of a good way to bring it up, it was gone, leaving his face in a cold neutral.
And that was even more terrifying than the haunted look.
Filing the information for later, he started to talk about the presentation aspect of the project.
...
As much as Cas was loathe to admit it, Dean's car was gorgeous. It was sleek and black, so clean it was shining, like some kind of fine jewelry.
Dean must have read his expression because he was laughing, getting into the driver's side.
"She's a beaut, ain't she? Restored her with my dad. She was barely more than a scrap of junk metal when we found her. Took months of hard work, but she's definitely my pride and joy."
And no matter how hard he tried to fight it, Cas found a small smile spreading on his lips. Dean's happiness was contagious.
"All right, where's your brother?" Dean asked, voice raised slightly so he would be heard over the smooth purr of the beast beneath them.
"Middle school. He should be waiting up front." Dean laughed again, and Cas tilted his head in a confused manner.
"Man, shoulda told Sammy to stay put. Didn't think your brother was a middle schooler, so I told mine to take the bus today, instead of having me take him home."
Another boisterous laugh and then they were peeling out of the lot.
Not only was Dean's happiness contagious, so was his laugh.
Cas was determined to keep the laugh trying to bubble up his throat inside, though. And, in the end, he succeeded at staying quiet.
...
After dropping off a very excited Gabriel, Dean drove to -presumably- his house.
Cas was just a bundle of nerves the entire time. He tried to enter a different headspace, pretend like what was about to happen, well, wasn't.
Apparently, his mind hated him, though, because all he could think about was how much it would hurt.
Would Dean have any mercy on him? Or would he just go for it?
"You okay?" Cas yelped when Dean said something for the first time since dropping off Gabriel. The alpha looked at him apologetically before turning back to the road.
"Sorry, Cas. Didn't mean to startle you. It's just..." He upturned his nose, visibly sniffing the air. "It smells like distressed omega in here. And since you're the only omega that has been in here for, like, a week, it's gotta be you."
Cas wondered about the other omega. Were they taken advantage of too? Were they forced into the car? Did Dean even know them? Or did he just figure they smelled good and decided to use them?
"Sorry. I'm, uh, I'm fine. I can open a window, if you'd like?" He guessed smelling distressed could be a huge turn-off. And as much as he wanted to use that to get Dean to stay away from him, he wasn't sure if he would be punished for it.
"No, no, it's fine. I don't mind it. Just wanted to make sure you're all right." Now Castiel was really confused. Why would Dean care? Or pretend to care? He understood that Dean was trying to groom him, but still. This seemed like a small thing, even then.
"We're gonna be there, in like, a minute or so. Just so you know." And then it went silent again. And Cas honestly didn't know if that was better or worse.
Dean parked in the driveway of a nice house. Bigger than Cas' but not by all that much. And that settled him, if only a little, for some strange reason. But at this point, he'd take any comfort that he could get.
Just a few more minutes and then he'd be taken against his will by the second alpha in his life. It took all the strength he had to force himself out of the car, standing idly by as Dean got out as well, fishing for his house keys.
Cas didn't understand why it wasn't with his car keys, but he wasn't stupid enough to ask.
"Ah-hah! Got it!" And Dean looked so triumphant that if Cas wasn't almost shaking from fear, he'd think that it was cute.
Dean got the door unlocked, opening it for Cas to go in first. And as soon as he did, his knees buckled, and he felt like he was going to be sick.
A wave of alpha hit him, and now he was even more afraid.
Three. There were three alphas living here. And now that he was paying attention, there was also the hint of a female omega living here as well.
The poor girl was probably being abused, kept here against her will.
"Everything all right?" Dean asked, feigning concern as he passed the threshold as well.
"U-uh, yeah. Fine. Where to?" Just a few minutes now.
"My room. Come on," Dean started towards the staircase, and Cas stood stock-still for a moment, willing his legs to follow.
It took another long minute before they obeyed and he followed Dean.
When they got up to the alpha's bedroom, Cas was almost stunned.
For one, that nest looked amazing. Definitely not the worst place he's been taken.
And, the entire room smelled like apple pie with whipped cream, grease and oil, the smell of earth after a thunderstorm, and lounging in bed on Sundays. It almost had hints of... comfort and safety.
His nose was just acting up. It was the only logical explanation for why he suddenly felt warm and protected.
Time to get this over with.
"Where do you want me?" He asked quietly, wanting to hurry up so they'd have time to actually work on their project.
"On the bed is fine." And then, to Cas' surprise, Dean sat down in his desk chair instead, rolling it over to where Cas was making his way up to the headboard, laptop in hand.
"So, do we want a slides presentation? Or something else?" Maybe Dean just wanted to work first? And then get pleasure from Cas?
"Um, slides sounds good, I guess."
Dean absolutely beamed.
"Awesome."
...
It was around six O'clock, and they got a good chunk done. Dean, at some point, had gravitated closer and now they were both sharing the bed.
"So, Cas," This is it. He's gonna try something now. "How about you stay for dinner? Mom's making some baked penne. She's a great cook. What do you say?"
Castiel was so surprised by the question, he let out a reflexive "Yeah," and almost immediately regretted it.
Next, he'd be roped into spending the night, and so many things could happen in the protective cloak of darkness.
"Great! It should be done soon. 'Till then," I want you to bend over for me," You ever play Mortal Kombat? Bet I could kick your ass."
Dean must still be grooming him, trying to build up that sense of comfort. Castiel promised himself that he'd research grooming topics later, to get an idea of what to expect.
He took the controller Dean handed to him, watching the alpha set the game up.
...
Cas sat awkwardly at the table, watching as the nice-smelling omega plated the food for them.
"There you go, sweetie," She said kindly when putting a moderately full plate in front of him.
She seemed sweet, and Cas wondered what they did to her. They must only leave bruises where no one will see, and Castiel almost wanted to cry at the thought of this beautiful omega getting hurt so much.
She didn't deserve it.
No one did.
When Dean's mom didn't wince while sitting down, Cas felt marginally better. At least they weren't too rough. Or, at least they weren't recently.
"This looks great, mom," Dean said happily, digging in as his younger brother made a noise of agreement, already shoveling food into his mouth.
Mary looked on fondly, smiling when John took her hand. "Slow down, Sam. You're gonna choke."
And then she turned those beautiful green eyes onto him.
"So, Cas, how do you and Dean know each other?"
"Mom!" Dean groaned, flushed in what Cas thought was embarrassment.
"What? I just want to know!" She defended, turning back to him with an exasperated roll of her eyes.
If Cas wasn't aware of the abuse, it would almost be nice. Like normal family banter.
But the omega must be putting up a front for their guest, as to not alert anyone else to the horrors of her day-to-day life.
"We have Anthropology class together, ma'am." He said shyly, looking down towards his plate, hiding from all the people -mostly alphas- staring at him.
"Anthropology, huh? Tell me, is Dean a good student?" Cas looked up, to see Dean blushing and trying to curl into himself as she elbowed him playfully in the ribs.
"Mom." Mary laughed loudly, shaking her head.
"I'm just kidding."
...
As soon as Cas got home, he immediately got on his phone to research grooming tactics.
He scrolled down a few articles, checking off what Dean did.
They pretend to be someone you can trust, so you put your guard down.
Check.
They are very charming and present themselves as people who are the answer to all your needs.
Check.
They appear to be very empathetic – mirroring you and showing a great amount of “seeing’ you and validating your felt needs and experiences.
Half-check.
Groomers act very innocuous and light-hearted.
Check.
They pretend to be your protector, acting outraged if anything bad happens to you and promising to protect you from all evil.
Not yet.
Castiel put his phone down with a heavy heart, and that night, he fell asleep with a sense of uneasiness filling his body and one thought in his mind.
An alpha was trying to groom him.