Hello my loves! I thought we could all use some fluffs and cuddles :D

Dean comes home to the smell of food cooking, and he grins as he slips off his shoes by the door. "Have I told you how much I love having you here?" he calls out. There's no answer, and he frowns as he wanders into the kitchen to find it empty, except for the tray of something in the oven. "Cas?" he calls louder, waiting for a response. When none comes, he wanders quietly down the hall, listening for any sounds. Finally, he comes to the door of the playroom, which has been left ajar. When he looks inside, he finds Cas sitting on a bench, surveying the racks on the far wall. Cas doesn't seem to notice him, so he clears his throat softly, and the other man jumps, turning around. "Sorry," he murmurs. "Didn't mean to startle you. Just wondering where you Houdini-ed off to." He walks in, settling down on the bench beside him. "What are you up to?"

Cas shrugs a little, looking around again. "We still haven't used this room," he murmurs.

Dean nods. "That's true. Things have been a little crazy lately. But now that you're moved in, and you're off for the summer, it'll be easier. I'm looking forward to making this room ours." Cas smiles at that, leaning into his shoulder for a moment, but when Dean looks over his eyes are far away. "Something on your mind?" he asks, nudging him a little.

Cas chews at his bottom lip for a moment. "I…have a request," he says cautiously.

"Oh? And what would that be?" Cas stares at him for a moment before getting up and walking over to the rack in front of them. He hesitates before carefully picking up a brown leather whip, struggling to suppress the little shudder that runs through him. He brings it back, gingerly handing it over to a surprised Dean as if it might explode, before sinking down to his knees in front of him. Dean considers him for a moment, reaching out to lightly card his fingers through Cas' hair, watching as he calms a little. "You want me to use this?" he asks softly. Cas nods. "Why?"

"Because…I think I need to." At Dean's confusion, he sighs softly. "Do you remember what you told me about Benny, and the belt? I don't…want to be afraid of this. I need you to do it. Does that…make sense?"

Dean nods slowly, considering it for a moment. "I understand why you feel that way," he starts carefully. "But I also don't want to hurt you, and I don't want you to be afraid of me." Cas looks down at the floor. "So, I'll make you a deal."

He glances up again, surprised. "A deal?"

"Yes. I know it's been a while since it happened, but I want to make sure this isn't going to do more damage. Benny is coming over later to check on you. We can talk to him about how you're healing and if he thinks it's safe. If he says yes, we'll try. But not until he clears you. I don't want to make anything worse. Deal?"

Cas smiles, nodding. "Deal. Thank you."

"Of course," Dean answers, leaning in to kiss his forehead softly. "You don't have to be nervous to ask me for what you want. As long as it's safe for you, we'll do our best to make it happen. Got it?"

"Got it," he nods. "Speaking of, I do have another request." Dean raises an eyebrow at him. "If he does clear me, I want to have a good, long session. In here. I miss doing that with you."

Dean chuckles, pulling him up from the floor. "I'm sure that can be arranged. I miss it too. As soon as you're cleared, I promise. Now, we should probably go check on dinner before it burns. Whatever it is smells really good."

Cas chuckles, nodding and slipping an arm around his waist. They talk while they eat, and Dean tells Cas about his day at the garage. Cas doesn't follow most of it, but he likes hearing him talk about it anyway; likes how excited he gets and how his features light up. After a while he realizes that Dean is waving a hand in front of his face, and he blinks, jerking back to attention. "Sorry. What were you saying?"

Dean laughs. "Nothing. You were just staring at me. What's up?"

"Nothing, nothing," Cas answers quickly. "I was just thinking."

"Oh yeah? What were you thinking about?"

Cas grins. "I was thinking that you talk about cars like Da Vinci probably talked about paint, or Michelangelo talked about marble. It's interesting."

Dean blushes a little, shrugging. "It's just what I know best."

"I like it," Cas answers. "I don't understand most of it, but I like it."

Dean chuckles. "We'll teach you one day." He grabs their empty plates, heading to the sink with them. Midway through washing them, the doorbell rings. "You mind getting that while I finish up?"

Cas abandons his drying duty and opens to door to find Benny grinning at him. "Hey chief. You're certainly looking better than the last time I saw you."

"I'm feeling better too," Cas chuckles, stepping aside. "Come on in."

Cas leads him into the kitchen, where Dean is finishing putting their plates away. "Hey Benny!" he greets cheerfully.

"How are ya brother? I see you haven't had a heart attack yet," Benny teases.

"Not yet, but he's come pretty close," Cas grins.

Dean rolls his eyes. "Hardy har har, you're both hilarious," he replies, handing Benny a beer. "And I haven't been that bad."

Benny chuckles. "Well, we'll see about that. You boys ready to get to it?" Cas nods eagerly, settling in a chair in front of him and pulling his shirt off. Dean hovers anxiously while Benny looks him over. "It looks pretty good," he says finally. It's healing nicely. How's it feel?"

"It's not bad," Cas answers. "Still a little tender in a few places, but I haven't used the numbing stuff since last week."

"That's a good sign, right?" Dean interjects.

Benny gives him a glare. "Dean, if you don't stop pacing over there I'm gonna slap you. You're making me nervous. Take a seat on the front side." Dean gives him a sour look, but obeys, taking Cas' hand lightly. "Alright now. Cas, I'm going to feel around a little. I'll be gentle. Stop me if anything hurts." Cas nods, his grip on Dean's hand tightening a little. Benny's fingers move lightly over the marks, pausing when he tenses. "That hurt?"

"Not really," Cas answers. "Just a little more sensitive than the other ones. You can keep going."

He nods, continuing to examine the wounds. "How's that feel?"

"Not bad. I thought it'd be worse. For a while there I didn't think anyone would ever be able to touch it again."

Benny chuckles, nodding. "Well, it's looking good. There's no inflammation or sign of infection, and they're healing pretty quick. I think a lot of them will scar, but they'll mostly fade with time, and I can give you something to help with that. If I can touch them and the worst you get is a few sensitive spots, I think you're just fine."

Dean breathes a sigh of relief, and Cas laughs. "I'm glad we could put your mind at ease. Hey Benny? I wanted to ask you about something." Benny nods, looking up as Cas turns around. "I was talking to Dean earlier, and…I really want to get back into the playroom with him. But he said you have to clear me before we can do that. So what do you think?"

Benny considers it for a moment, looking between the two of them. "I think you'd be fine for most things as long as you're feeling up to it," he says finally. "Just stay away from the tender spots and you should be fine. No direct force over the area yet."

Cas smiles, nodding, then bites his lip. "And…how long do you think it'd be if we did want to use direct force?"

"Well…I suppose that would depend on what you have planned."

"I was sort of thinking a whip?" he answers cautiously. "I want Dean to do it. I want to know what it's supposed to be like, so I won't be afraid of it anymore."

Benny nods thoughtfully. "Getting back on the horse, huh? Fair enough. But give it two more weeks. You want the skin over them to be a little thicker for that. And if you do it, try to stay away from the more scarred areas for now. But as long as you're careful, I don't think it'll be a problem." He pauses, looking Cas over for a minute. "Are you sure you're okay with that?"

Cas shrugs. "No, I'm not. But I think that's the point. I want to be. I know I don't have to like it. But I really don't want to be afraid of it. He doesn't deserve that. I don't deserve that."

Benny smiles. "Alright then. Just remember to take it easy, okay? I know you want it over with, but you might have to take it slow for a while. One step at a time, alright?"

"Okay," Cas nods. "Thank you for your help."

"Any news on the guy that did this?" Dean interrupts.

The older man nods, turning to rummage in his bag. "Actually, yes. I did a little digging." He pulls out a picture, sliding it across the table. "That look like our guy, Cas?"

Cas looks down at it for a moment, a shiver crawling up his spine. "Yes. That's him."

Dean frowns down at the picture, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "Of all the people, it had to be him."

"You know him?" Cas asks, puzzled.

"You could say that. I haven't seen him since I was a teenager. But word gets around, in a community like ours. From what I've heard, he hasn't gotten any better over the years."

Cas sighs softly. "So what do we do now?"

"Well, I suppose that kinda depends on what you want to do," Benny answers carefully. "This guy…he's into some bad stuff. We can go after him if you want, but you should know it's probably going to get complicated. It's up to you. Whatever you want to do, we'll be behind you."

Cas smiles at that, nodding thoughtfully. "Can I think about it for a while? I'm not really sure yet."

"Of course you can," Dean says. "Just let us know when you make a decision."

He nods, relieved. "Okay. Hey Benny? Since you're already here, do you want to stay and hang out for a bit?"

Benny grins. "I'd love to chief, but I'm gonna have to take a raincheck. I gotta meet a pretty girl for dinner."

He gives a wave as he leaves, and Cas looks back at Dean, puzzled. "Does…Benny have a girlfriend?"

Dean chuckles. "No. Benny has a wife." At Cas' confusion, he chuckles. "Yeah, it's complicated. Don't worry about it."

When Cas wakes up in the morning, it's because of the strange noises coming from the bathroom. He gets up to investigate, finding Dean on his knees, retching into the toilet miserably. "Dean? What's wrong?"

Dean groans, and the sound echoes a little. "Must've caught something from that snotty little kid who came to the garage yesterday…little bastard…"

That's all he gets out before he's heaving again. Cas pats his back lightly. "Well, you're not going to work like that. Stay there. I'll be right back." He goes out into the bedroom, finding Dean's phone and searching through it for Bobby's number. "Hey Bobby, it's Cas," he says when the older man picks up.

"Hey Cas. How are ya?"

"I'm fine," he answers. "I'm just calling to let you know Dean's sick, and he's not going to make it today."

"Oh no. What'd he do now?" Bobby asks.

Cas chuckles. "I don't know, but he's currently vomiting uncontrollably, so I don't think you want him there."

Bobby snorts. "That's a good call. Alright. Tell him I'll see him when he feels better."

Cas hangs up, setting the phone down before going back to Dean. He frowns at Dean's pale complexion as he shivers and whimpers, choking out shallow breaths. Reaching over to the sink, he runs two washcloths under the cold water, ringing them out before setting them on the counter. Cas sits down on the floor beside him, rubbing his back gently. "Easy babe. I don't think breathing like that is gonna make you want to throw up any less. Actually, I think it might make it worse. And I don't think looking at it is helping either. Come here." He gently pulls Dean away from the toilet and into his lap, feeling him shudder as he pants. "Deep breaths. I've got you."

"You'll get sick," Dean protests weakly, even as he curls up tighter against Cas' chest.

"Hush," Cas murmurs. "I'll be fine. Just relax." Dean mumbles something unintelligible, but he doesn't seem willing to let go of him either, so Cas takes that as a good sign. He reaches up to the washcloths, folding them in half and pressing one against the back of Dean's neck and the other against his forehead. Dean moans in response, relaxing a little and leaning into the touch, his breaths evening out. "There you go. That feel better?" Though still a little shaky, he gives a soft hum of approval, and Cas smiles, running a hand through his hair. When he seems to have settled down a little, Cas kisses him temple. "Ready to try getting up? Your bed is a lot more comfortable than the bathroom floor."

Dean looks up at him, his face flushed. "Maybe. But what if it happens again?"

"I suspect it might," Cas answers honestly. "But we'll take care of it. Let me worry about that, okay?" He carefully pulls Dean up from the floor, steadying him against the counter while he rinses his mouth out.

Thinking for a minute, Cas grabs the plastic trashcan before helping Dean get back in bed. He feels Dean's forehead, frowning at how feverish he is. Dean smiles slightly. "You're so nice to me," he murmurs.

Cas chuckles. "Yeah, well you're kind of a baby when you're sick. Besides, you've taken care of me a lot lately. It's only fair. You gonna be okay on your own for a minute while I get you some medicine?" Dean nods, so Cas goes back to the bathroom, taking a minute to clean it up before raiding the medicine cabinet. He comes back with a glass of water and crackers to find Dean gripping the trashcan tightly. Setting the food down, he chuckles, rubbing at the back of Dean's neck gently. "Take it easy, Dean. I don't think there's anything left to come up."

"Doesn't mean it won't try," he mumbles.

Cas carefully extradites the can from him, setting it down on the floor. "It'll be okay, I promise. You have to keep something down before I can give you medicine, so let's see if we can get some food into your system." Dean groans and shakes his head. "Come on, just give it a try. We'll go slow." It takes a while, but eventually Cas manages to coax a few sips of water and a couple of crackers into him. "How's that feel?" he asks softly.

Dean shrugs. "I don't feel like throwing up yet."

"Well that's good," Cas chuckles. "Certainly an improvement. Let's try to get some medicine in you so you start feeling better."

Dean whines, but doesn't protest when Cas hands him the glass again, swallowing the pills quickly. He shifts to be more comfortable against Cas' chest, sighing softly and relaxing into him when Cas begins to rub slow circles over his belly. After a few minutes he looks up. "I'm sorry, Cas."

Cas frowns. "For what?"

"I was supposed to do a session with you tonight. I promised I would."

"Don't be ridiculous, Dean," he chuckles. "You didn't get sick on purpose. I would never be mad at you for that. Besides, I think we'd both enjoy it more if you're not wanting to vomit the whole time. Don't worry about it, okay? We'll have plenty of time for that when you're feeling better."

Dean smiles, resting his cheek against Cas' shoulder. "How did I get so lucky?" he murmurs sleepily. "You're so good to me."

"Yeah, well I'm pretty lucky too. Now, you should get some rest and let the medicine work. Hopefully when you wake up you'll feel a little better. I'll even make you some lunch. Sound good?"

Dean nods, though reluctantly, and shifts a little, pressing closer to him and sighing softly when Cas' arms tighten around him. "Okay, I'll try."

Cas smiles, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. "Sweet dreams, Dean."

After a few hours, Dean stirs, frowning. He wakes with a gasp, and Cas runs a gentle hand through his hair. "Hey, it's okay. Just a fever dream. I'm here. Take a deep breath." Dean nods, settling back and closing his eyes as Cas feels his forehead. "Feels like it's starting to break. How do you feel?"

"Actually, a little bit better," Dean answers, rubbing at his eyes tiredly. "I miss anything?"

"Not much," Cas chuckles. "You woke up just in time. I made you some lunch."

Dean looks around until he eyes land on the tray, and he grins. "You made me grilled cheese?"

Cas shrugs. "Well, I know how much you love it. And it shouldn't be too hard on your stomach. Take it slow, though. You don't want to get sick again."

"Agreed," Dean murmurs. He settles back against Cas' chest as he takes a cautious bite. Taking the fresh towel he brought with him, Cas gently runs the damp cloth along his chest and the back of his neck, wiping away the cold sweat. Dean sighs in relief, and Cas kisses his temple softly. "You're pretty good at this," Dean says softly. "I think you may have been a nurse in a previous life."

"Nah," Cas smiles. "I just love you, that's all. I'm glad you're starting to feel better. Is that going down okay?"

Dean nods, digging into his food a little more enthusiastically. "This is awesome, by the way. And thanks for taking care of me. You really didn't have to do that. I know it's not the prettiest sight."

"Any time, Dean. I know I don't have to. I want to take care of you. Is that okay?"

He smiles, leaning against Cas' shoulder as he eats. "I guess as long as you want to…it's okay with me."

Cas grins and gives a short nod. "Alright then. I think I will."