Title: Tethered Redemption
Author: Maqeurious
Show/s: Supernatural/The Avengers Crossover
Characters: Winchesters/Loki/Various

Burdened

Chapter Four:

"Are... are you freaking serious?!"

Dean was beside himself. He could feel the back of his neck prickle and burn with rage. His mind went back and he briefly remembered all the times he'd ever been angry. Like, when his father sold his soul. Or when those crazy hill folk kidnapped Sam. When Gordon had tried to kill them. Or Bela? Oh, how he hated Bela. But this? This was much worse. This felt like a violation.

He stood and turned to face Castiel. The angel was clearly taken aback by the news himself, but Dean was in no mood for niceties now.

"Well, you get your feathery ass back up there and tell dear old dad I ain't slumming it with no monster!" he yelled, trying to catch Castiel's eyes but failing. "The guy's deranged, Cas! What's to stop him from doing me in in my sleep?!"

Loki blustered, also standing and falling in beside Dean to face him. "Or vice versa," he countered. "How do I know he won't try to kill me where I lie?"

"Yeah, because you should be so lucky." Dean turned to Loki now, standing nose to nose with the demigod until they were staring each other down once again. "When I kill you, and buddy... you can guarantee I will... you'll see it coming. I promise."

Loki frowned, a tic starting in his jaw. "I see your mouth moving, yet all I can hear is your knees knocking and fear in your voice."

"Oh that ain't fear buddy... that's anger. I'm pissed."

"Well you certainly smell like it."

It only took seconds for the testosterone to erupt.

Dean threw himself at Loki, taking a wild swing at his head. It flew past into the empty air as the demigod ducked and skirted to Dean's right. He wobbled on his feet as his punch rounded, but Loki had already jumped him from behind before he could react. The added weight on his back made him tumble forward, slamming his chest first into the wall. His curses were muffled, having your face planted into the drywall would do that. The taller man was quick, he'd give him that. He was all limbs and gangly, much like Sam.

Loki brought his arms up and locked them around Dean's neck. He could hear Loki's heavy breathing in his ear, the sensation making his skin shiver with goose flesh. Out of desperation, he reached back over his head and grabbed the first thing he could find – a mass of wet, tangled hair. He pulled. Hard. If it wasn't for the fact that he was eating the motel wall right now, he would have laughed. If someone had told the hunter he would be resorting to pulling a mans hair to win a fight, he'd have told them they were going crazy. Thankfully there was no one around to see, bar Castiel of course, but the angel didn't gossip. Dean had a reputation to keep, whether he actually won the fight or not.

Loki yelped as his head was yanked forward, the flesh of his nose meeting the back of Dean's head with a crunch. He swayed in a daze, the pain shooting out and straight to his temples, causing a wash of tears to cloud his vision. He staggered backwards, bringing a hand back up to wipe what felt like blood dripping over his lips. Dean took the opportunity to pivot his waist and swing back with his elbow with force, and tried to hit Loki again while he was still disorientated. It glanced Loki's chin, but the momentum carried through, and Dean found himself now with his back to the wall and face to face with the demigod.

Suddenly, Loki's hands were around Dean's throat. But as soon as he squeezed, Loki's eyes bulged and he hesitated. He ripped his hands away like they were on fire.

"That's enough, both of you!"

Castiel's voice boomed, something even Dean hadn't heard before. It was so commanding, it caused both of the brawling men to abruptly come to a stop and look at him. The angel was frowning at them, his sharp, blue eyes intense and slightly glowing. He stepped in between them, pushing them apart with more strength then he intended. Dean was shoved back into the wall, while Loki almost went ass over tit onto the bed. He headed to the demigod first, towering over him and glaring at him like a lion stalking prey.

"Loki," he snapped, an edge to his tone, "I could care less about you or the petty squabbles you have with your brother and father. So, you feel slighted by your lineage and the fact that it was kept from you. You're angry because you lived in the shadow of one sibling your entire life, all the while living as a prince and having everything that that entails. Well, cry me a river!"

He was practically yelling now, his hands wringing at his sides. "You're not the only one who has family problems. You're not special. And yet, you think you can come here, step outside of your realm and try to claim a title that was not - nor ever will be - yours?"

Castiel lurched forward, all understanding of 'close personal space' abandoned. He was so close, he could see the reflection of himself in Loki's startled eyes. "Your arrogance and self entitlement offends me. If it wasn't for the fact that God put you here, I would destroy you myself."

After pausing a moment to let the threat sink in, he turned on his heel and approached the hunter. Dean tried sinking even deeper into the hard surface at his back, and when that failed he willed himself invisible. There was a wildness to the way Castiel was advancing on him.

"And you!" He shoved his finger at Dean, pointing to him accusingly. "If you had stopped your brother like you were supposed to, the apocalypse wouldn't be happening right now. You may have broken the first seal, but the last one could've been easily avoided."

Castiel started to pace. "I told you to stop him, but you were out maneuvered by a demon. He chose her, over you. You failed, and now we will all pay the price. I know it's not all your fault, but you aren't totally without blame. If you had kil.."

Dean instantly felt his hackles rise in anger. "If you say I should've killed Sam, I'll punch you in the mouth, Cas. Broken hand or not."

Normally, when Castiel went all 'angel' on the two Winchesters, they knew when to back off. He was a celestial being, for christs sake. Angels could do things to the brothers with a mere thought that would curdle the stomachs of the most hardened men if they wanted to. Oh sure, he could tell Zachariah to kiss his ass and not bat and eye or care in the slightest what happened to him. That particular flavor of douche was a dime a dozen, and if he found his insides leaking from his orifices, at least he'd get in a last 'screw you' before he rode the pine box. But Castiel was different, because he was different. Dean knew that he, most of all, took liberties with Castiel in terms of his attitude. He would still give him lip, but he always backed off if deep down he knew he was wrong.

Except when it came to Sam. Bad mouthing Sam was like kryptonite, and he'd be damned if even Castiel went that far.

As if reading his mind, Castiel's face softened, seeming to realize he'd crossed the line. It eased Dean somewhat, but he still stood on guard as the angel continued to speak.

"You asked before why you were being punished with this situation, well that's why. But God wouldn't have sent him here if He didn't think you couldn't handle it. Besides, he's without magic and just as human as you are. Between you and Sam, I believe you have it covered."

It wasn't until now that Castiel took the liberty to take in his surroundings. He looked confused. "Where is Sam, by the way?"

Dean started, then quipped in a low voice. "We're... taking separate vacations for a while." Sensing that the tension had lessened for the moment, he wondered to the kitchen table and took a much needed seat. "You haven't answered my question though. What's to stop us from doing each other in? Don't get me wrong, I'm used to sleeping with one eye open, but at least I always had Sam backing me up. How am I supposed to work with this... thing... and trust he won't try to gank me in my sleep?"

Loki, who was still on the bed, echoed the sentiment.

"He could try," Castiel said, turning to him, "but the outcome would be grim. The red string binds you together, soul to soul. Like I said before, the further apart you are the more strain is put on the string causing you to feel those effects. Considering how much pain you seemed to be in, and the distance Loki had gone I would say you have maybe a 50 to 60 foot limit before you are subjected to it again." He shrugged. "As long as you stay close, you can avoid it."

They both rolled their eyes as they spoke over each other.

"Wonderful."

"Awesome."

"More importantly," Castiel continued, "the string connects your senses, most notably- your sense of touch. You may have noticed it when you were fighting earlier." When he received a blank expression from Dean, he added, "When Loki hit you before."

"What, the cheap shot to the gut?" Dean remembered. "What about it?"

"I... felt that." Loki's voice was barely audible. The others turned to him, but he was too deep in thought to notice. "I thought I was just imagining it then, but it happened again. When I had my hands around your throat. The minute I squeezed, I couldn't breathe. It actually felt like there were fingers digging into my own skin." His hand ghosted over his throat as he scowled, confusion making his brows purse. He looked up at Castiel, questioningly. "Are you trying to tell me that I will feel any kind of pain he does?"

Castiel nodded. "Yes."

His jaw almost hit the floor. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Fire blazed behind those emerald eyes, and he cursed in a language that Dean didn't recognize. What ever it was, it sounded raw and poisonous. With rage swelling in his gut, he jumped to his feet. "What is wrong with your God, is he sadistic?!" Loki was screaming at Castiel, but the angel took it in stride. "Does he enjoy toying with people for his own amusement?!"

Castiel would have laughed in his face, if the situation itself wasn't so absurd. "Be. Careful." He threatened. "That's my father you're talking about. Besides, who are you to talk about the sadistic need to toy with people?"

Loki frowned as he was made to bite his tongue. He had a point, and that angered him all the more. This angel was beginning to really get on his nerves.

"Does it work the other way?" Dean asked, intrigued. "Will I feel his pain?"

The question hung thickly between them, and they each looked to the other for an answer. If Loki had been in his right mind, he would have seen Castiel coming. The angel took the pale skin on Loki's forearm between his fingers, and twisted. It was childish, sure, but he could have done much worse. Loki started at the attack, more annoyed then anything, and snatched his arm back. But even he was interested in the outcome.

Dean shrugged, looking to his arm for any sign of pain. Nothing.

"I guess not." Castiel concluded.

"Well, hooray for small miracles," the hunter sighed.

Silence fell between the trio as the new information was allowed to sink in. Dean raked a hand through his damp hair. He suddenly felt very tired, and he wished to be in his bed and fast asleep. Loki was still angry, his face red and eyes shifty like he was thinking carefully about something. But what could they do? If God had put them together, then there really was no way out of it until He said so. Dean knew he'd done some real stupid things in his life, but this was like a kick in the balls.

Castiel on the other hand was back to being his usual calm, collected self. Dean hated that about him. He'd spent months trying to get the angel to act like less of a robot, and more of a 'person'. But he could go back and forth between the two like a switch, and today was a robot day. An angry robot at that. Since the release of Lucifer and Castiel's surprise resurrection, the two of them had been avoiding each other for whatever reason. Aside from the hospital when he demanded Dean's amulet, they hadn't spoken. Tonight was the first time in over a week, and this is the news he brings.

"If we're done here, I should go." Castiel's voice broke through the silence. "I was in the middle of my search before being summoned here."

"You're still looking for God?" he asked, surprised. "You didn't ask him where he was?"

Castiel nodded, but looked dejected all the same. "I did, but He wouldn't say. I can't say I'm not surprised."

It could have been very easy for Loki to keep his mouth shut and watch with delight as the angel mourned over the disappearance of his father. Hell, he would have relished in it. He had no allusions as to how both of these men felt about him. He felt the same in return.

This...Castiel... was the very embodiment of everything he hated about the midgardian higher beings. Obedient and loyal to their father, no matter what they were put through and lies they were told. Did they even know how far Yahweh's influence stretched? What exactly He was responsible for, outside of Midgard itself? He highly doubted it.

And this human, Dean. He was exactly the reason why Loki thought it was best he took the reigns of this realm. Dean was an uncultured, uncouth and bellicose tick of a man. Humans like him needed gods like Loki. They just didn't know it yet.

But he knew that the only way he was going to get out of this insane deal, was if he played the game. Self preservation trumps all else. He would keep things civil... for now. Helpful even. That wasn't to say he couldn't have fun with it.

"Last I saw Him, he was in my cell selling me on this foolish idea, before sending me here." That caught Castiel's attention. Loki deigned to hide a smirk. "But good luck getting in though. Asgard isn't a place where angels of your... rank... can roam without notice." That in itself wasn't a lie.

Castiel's blue eyes sparkled. "You say that as if angels of a higher rank can."

He shrugged. "You're not the first one I've met you know." This was also true. When you lived as long as he did, you made it your business to be aware of what was 'out there'. "I've been around a while and had occasion to... consort... with an angel once or twice."

"You dipped your wick in angel pie?" Dean was genuinely shocked. Maybe even a little impressed, but mostly shocked. How a raving lunatic like him could score a piece of ass straight from heaven, and a high ranking one at that, was a mystery. Granted, he was passable in the looks department he supposed, for a dude. But he was still all kinds of bat-shit crazy. "The poor girl."

Loki dismissed the humans candor, remaining attentive to Castiel. The angel seemed hopeful at the news.

"I'll take my chances." He finally said, strong with a renewed purpose. But instead of leaving, he closed the gap between them. "Before I go..." He extended his hand and laid it against Loki's chest. The demigod was about to swipe it away, but quickly thought better of it. Castiel could break him in half if he wanted to, and Loki rather liked his 6'1 height as it was. It wasn't until the sharp pain in his chest made him regret the decision. It felt like his bones were burning, but before he could say anything, Castiel spoke.

"Be thankful I'm even bothering to give you this protection, but it's for Deans sake and not yours." Then he did something that actually made a cold chill run down Loki's spine. He leaned in even closer to whisper in his ear. It was so quiet, and at such a deep timbre there was no way that Dean could have heard it, which he guessed was the point. "You're out of your depth here. If you do anything to the Winchesters, I will end you. God or no God. So do yourself a favor, pull your head out of your ass and do what you're told."

Not a lot scared Loki, but this time his tongue was thick in his mouth. In one swift move, Castiel was out of his range and saying a final goodbye to Dean. The rustling of feathers echoed, and he was gone.

They were finally left alone.

Across from him, Dean was still slumped in the chair staring daggers at him. "Happy little fellow, isn't he?" Loki joked. "I think he likes you. So protective."

If looks could kill, Dean would have sent him to hell and back twice by now. He tiredly got to his feet and headed to the bedside table where his backpack was. Inside were a few pairs of spare clothing, notes and trinkets he used for hunting. But there was one item in particular he was searching for. He could feel Loki's eyes burning a hole in his back, but he shrugged it off. He was too tired, and so far from caring at this point.

"Alright, listen up," he said as he pulled out articles of clothing as he searched. "I don't like this any more then you do, but the big guy upstairs gets his jollies from dicking around with us mere mortals. I guess he thinks we have nothing better to do." The sound of metal told him he'd found what he was looking for. He palmed it to keep it hidden, and turned to Loki who was standing on the other side of the room.

"I'm not here to protect you," he continued as he advanced on him, forcing Loki to back up, "or hold your hand, or wipe your bottom and tell you every things gonna be OK. You're not fired up with magic go-juice now, so the first thing you're gonna do is lose the attitude. If you keep your trap shut and do what you're told – when you're told – we'll get along just fine. Fingers crossed this will be over sooner rather then later. You understand me?"

They stood toe to toe for the umpteenth time tonight, Loki was beginning to feel all too familiar with it. He had to hand it to this human. Aside from Thor, no one else had the gall to keep getting in his face again and again while showing no fear.

But he just couldn't help himself. "And here I thought your little angel friend was feisty."

Dean's patience snapped. He fisted Loki's shirt. "Do. You. Understand. Me?" He took a step with each word, pushing Loki until the backs of his legs came into contact with the motel rooms radiator.

As much as he was supposed to feel threatened, he just didn't. If there wasn't so much weariness in the humans eyes, maybe he would. So instead, Loki smiled. Perhaps he had been wrong about this human after all. Pushing his buttons was way more fun then he first anticipated. "Perfectly." It came out more of a purr then anything else.

When Dean rounded on him, Loki had to take a deep breath. Suddenly, he was too close. "Good." The sound was raspy, and Loki shivered in spite of himself. When he felt a cool touch on his hand, he jumped. Then he heard the sound of clicking metal, and whatever he thought was happening... wasn't. He looked down, then back at Dean. He was smirking.

"Oh, charming. Is this really necessary?" The handcuffs were tight around his right wrist, the other end wrapped securely around the pipes of the radiator. He couldn't believe it. "Get these things off me!"

Dean ignored him. He wandered back to the bed and let himself fall against the hard mattress. Even like this, it felt like heaven. He kicked off his boots and leaned back, sinking into the pillow. Loki was pulling on his cuffs, the sound of metal on metal grating in his ears.

"What are you doing? You can't just leave me locked up here!"

"Yeah, I can. Now shut your mouth. I need to get some sleep." Dean reached over and grabbed his gun. "You see this?" he asked, holding the piece up to show Loki. "It's a 9mm glock. Pretty standard weapon, really. You try making one move I don't like, I'll introduce you two real personal like. You get me?"

Loki snorted, baring his teeth. Nope, he was definitely right about this particular human. He was a bastard.

Dean took his silence as a 'yes'. "Good. Now, let me sleep." He flipped off the light, and the room was plunged into darkness. Settling back against the pillow, he let his eyes finally close. Immediately he felt his body relax, despite the gun pressed into his hand. Across the room, he could still sense the demigod fuming, followed by the sound of sliding metal and a thud on the floor. He guessed Loki was sitting now and getting comfortable for the night.

"Do I at least get a blanket?"

Dean grinned smugly before relenting to his fatigue.

"No."

o.O.o

When Dean awoke the next morning, he had a blinding headache. It didn't help that his clothes were wrapped around him at odd angles and now stiff with dried blood, but the sound of his cell phone blaring in his ear felt like a noose around his brain. He rolled onto his back and stretched; bones creaking as his limbs lengthened. Half of him wanted to stay in bed and sleep for a few more hours. Since going his separate way from Sam, the nights had been restless. When he wasn't being kidnapped and feasted on by some random monster, that is. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd bedded some bar broad. That had to change.

He reached across to the bedside drawer to grab his phone, when he spied Loki. The raven haired man was sitting on the floor and leaning against the wall, his handcuffed wrist twisted but still secured. His head was tilted back slightly and his eyes were closed. Dean could just make out his chest raising and falling slowing and hear the faint sound of him snoring softly. He was thankful. The demigod was a conceited loudmouth. For all his good looks, which Dean noticed seemed even more graceful in his sleeping state, he couldn't afford to get complacent with him. He had protection, of sorts. Loki literally couldn't kill him outright, not without harming himself in the process. But what would happen if he tried to kill Loki instead? He deserved it after all. Would God step in? Would Loki's father?

He paused. Wait, did I just think he was good looking twice in the span of a few hours? The thought made him shudder. He needed to get laid – quickly - for his own sanity.

Scrubbing a hand over his eyes, he read the display on his phone. A small part of him hoped it was Sam. It wasn't.

He cleared his throat. "Hey Bobby."

"Dean. How're you doin'?" The older hunter sounded as tired as he did. It'd only been a few days since he'd been released from the hospital, wheelchair in all. Dean had offered to stay with him for a while until he was settled, but the disgruntled old bastard had called him an idjit and sent him on his way.

He breathed a heavy sigh and cast another sideways glance at the sleeping demigod. "Just... great." Understatement.

"No word from Sam yet?" he asked with interest. But Dean stayed silent. "I'll take that as a 'no'. I just don't get you boys -"

"Bobby... don't." He couldn't do this just now. What could he say that he hadn't said already? Sam's betrayal was too deep. Too fresh. Instead, he brought the topic back on track. "What's up?"

He heard Bobby hesitate, then exhale. Dean could just picture him shaking his head with a cynical look on his face. "I got news on a job. Interested?"

Well, there went his sleep in. He stood and made his way to the small bathroom. He needed a shower, badly. Fresh clothes wouldn't hurt either. And food. God, what he wouldn't give for some bacon and eggs right now.

"Yeah, I guess," he said, closing the bathroom door and leaning against it. But first... "Look, there's something you should no."

The hot, steamy water in the shower did wonders for his headache. It was a shame that Bobby's screaming and insistence that he lose Loki in a ditch somewhere was still bouncing around in his skull. It had taken all of Dean's verbal skills to calm the man down and explain why he couldn't do that. He wanted to! Lord, he wanted to. But thanks to the 'powers that be', that wasn't happening. The only thing he could do now was play along and ride it out. For how long though, was still a mystery.

Wrapping a towel around his waist, he exited the bathroom only to be met by the very unamused gaze of the aforementioned demigod. It was funny how the man could go from a calm and peaceful look in his sleep, to a vicious scowl when awake. His gaze wondered up and down Dean's half naked body without any qualms. Dean almost hoped he'd gotten dressed in the bathroom.

"Do I at least get to bathe?" Loki asked, clearly annoyed. "My attire is filthy."

He wasn't kidding. The clothing he was wearing, a thin green shirt and black pants, were still damp and caked with dirt. During their numerous scuffles, a few rips and tears had also marred the garments. He guessed this was his prison outfit. At least it wasn't bright orange and of the jumpsuit variety.

He headed to his backpack and rummaged through it. "You got twenty minutes, then we're getting outta here." Pulling out a crumpled up, plaid shirt and a faded pair of blue jeans, he threw them to Loki who caught them clumsily with his uncuffed hand. "When you're done, put those on. Walk around looking like that and it'll draw unwanted attention."

Loki screwed up his nose as if smelling something rotten. "Do you not have anything a little less..." He stopped dead when Dean turned to him, fire in his eyes. "These are fine." Reluctantly, he took them and then jingled his handcuffs expectantly.

"Good." Setting aside the last set of spare clothes for himself, he took the keys to the cuffs and unlocked them, but not before getting in the first threat of the day. He was sure many more would follow. "Don't make me regret taking these off. Remember my good friend, 9mm?" He smiled; it wasn't friendly. "Now hurry up, we're on the road in twenty."

Loki shook his head, rolling his eyes in disdain. "And just where on the road are we going?" he asked, heading for the bathroom.

Dean pulled on a fresh tee-shirt. He'd thought about it while in the shower, and even Bobby had been against it. But just because he was now bound to this nutcase, he couldn't stop hunting. Besides, he was on the angels hit-list these days. They were going to come after him at some point, and fighting angels was on a whole other level then fighting monsters. If Loki was going to be tagging along without all his godlike power, he had to learn just what they were up against.

What better way to start then with a nest of bloodsuckers.

"Greeley, Pennsylvania," Dean said firmly. "Some vamps have a date with my blade. Strap your boots on princess, time for your first hunt."

A/N: A bit late this week updating. Lots of housework and painting of bathrooms going on. Still lots of it to go too, so updates might still be a little late. Kids, when you buy a house and decide to rent it out... don't :P It does a number on your brain and time.

Again, a little longer then I wanted but I wanted the 'introduction' over with. Time to get on with the nitty gritty.