Chapter Text
Jimmy and Balthazar stayed on Kripke Ranch for the full month of September. It was strange, having his brother with him here. Good, but strange. He had missed Jimmy, but the longer they stayed, the more sure Castiel was he didn’t belong here. Not the way he himself did. Granted he’d already believed it, but having tangible proof was strangely assuring.
It took a few days, but he got Jimmy to relax around the horses. Enough to pet, brush, and give them treats. A condition of their staying was at least attempting to pull their weight, and to their credit they did try. Though it did yield some interesting results. Castiel couldn’t bring himself to be surprised when Balthazar proved to be most useful at the least damaging tasks, though he did have many long conversations with Bobby in regards to fermenting one’s own alcohol. Eileen proved to be an Omega after his own heart, eager to lay hands on anything and everything, from hens to horses. Apparently she’d had some degree of riding experience prior, and had a far easier time staying on Rawhide. Sam was far more attentive than Dean had been in his early days, a far less brusque teacher. It was sweet, really, seeing his brother-in-law enamored. Doubly so considering it seemed to take a few days for Eileen to decide what to make of it. Not that Castiel could entirely blame her. It was part of what amused Dean so much, seeing the man who was four inches over six feet in his bare feet going smitten and fumbling his way through awkward courting attempts with an Omega who was a solid thirteen inches shorter than him. While he scolded Dean for his playful teasing, Castiel had to admit, it did remind him a bit of a large dog trying to play with a cat. Initial concerns aside, Eileen wasn’t opposed to this attention, so he tried not to interfere.
What truly surprised him was Jimmy. To his brother’s credit he did attempt riding horseback, but he fell even more than Castiel had. The only way he could stay on a horse for any length of time was to ride with someone. He hated the chickens, who made it clear the feeling was mutual. After the third failed attempt Ellen banned him from the coop entirely. The cows were more tolerant, but milking was a process he struggled to grasp. After that first week Castiel began to worry in earnest, but it was for naught. Ellen, who had taken his twin under her wing, finally worked out that Jimmy was best kept in the kitchen. Castiel wasn’t much use there, but his brother was fascinated by what all went into preparing dishes. What’s more, it was the first thing he really picked up on, really seemed to enjoy. Cornbread, biscuits, gravy, stew, roasted chicken, everything. Jimmy even began rising early enough to help Ellen make breakfast, was ready to hover at Bobby’s elbow as soon as he gruffly agreed to show him how to make a proper cobbler.
Castiel couldn’t bring himself to be surprised, the more traditionally Omega things had always appealed to Jimmy more, though he was interested to see how eager he was to get his hands dirty. It didn’t take long before his brother spent as much time messy as not, sleeves rolled up, flour streaked somewhere on his person, brow furrowed, sweating over a mixing bowl. How he could stand the hot kitchen as summer lingered on Castiel had no idea, but he was happy for him all the same.
Perhaps it was how differently they spent their time, how differently they behaved when no one expected something out of them, how different they looked after a day’s work, but within a week mix-ups were few and far between. Generally limited to people glancing at them from behind or from the side, or starting to call one by the wrong name then correcting partway through. It was strange, but heartening.
That wasn’t to say confusion never occurred. Castiel once made the mistake of helping to hang up drying laundry on a wash day, taking off his hat so damp, flapping cloth wouldn’t catch on it. As he was clipping a shirt to the line he felt arms wrap around his waist from behind, an unfamiliar form pressing against his back as lips pressed to the side of his neck.
“Have I mentioned what breeches do for your arse? Think they’ll mind if I borrow you before lunch?”
Making a note to keep his hat on more often, since Jimmy had indeed begun wearing pants around the ranch purely out of practicality, Castiel sighed. “No, you have not mentioned it. And I think Dean would mind if you borrowed me, considering what you clearly have in mind.”
Balthazar was already letting him go, jumping back like he’d gotten too close to a flame. His expression was half fearful half blushing when Castiel turned to look at him. “Sorry, sorry. Bloody hell this was easier when you were the only one wearing pants.”
Raising an eyebrow at that, but opting to let it go, Castiel assured him, “Oh I agree with you. Dean’s already grabbed his ass twice. Why do you think he’s been avoiding the stable?”
“He what?”
It was true. Jimmy kept grumbling that perhaps the fire hazard posed by skirts might be a risk worth taking, but Dean had also taken to checking before grabbing these last days. It was as amusing as it was sweet. And he had a feeling it was a habit Balthazar would pick up himself, after this.
On their last week at the ranch, before they would board a westbound train, Castiel finally convinced Jimmy to get into Krasota’s saddle. He was having an easier time staying on Rawhide, so long as all they did was walk around the corral.
“You’re sure this is safe?”
“You told her the special word, she heard you,” Castiel reminded him patiently as the mare crunched on a salt-rubbed carrot, watching them.
Jimmy still looked uneasy, but he reached up, gripping her saddle in both hands. He had to use a mucky stool, but he got one foot in the left stirrup, hauling himself up enough to swing his leg over. Castiel moved the stool away as his brother settled in the saddle, gingerly getting his right foot into the stirrup. Krasota kept crunching her carrot, tail flicking, seemingly unconcerned.
“You sure that’s a good idea?”
Castiel glanced over at his husband, giving him a dirty look as Dean and Sam joined them on horseback. Eileen was with them, too, mounted on Rawhide. “Do you mind? I just got him up there.”
“Not that, I mean he might be better off in the corral is all.”
“She’s not going to be spooked if someone shoots a prairie dog,” Castiel huffed, then frowned slightly. “I thought you were going to check on the herds tomorrow.”
“We were, but Bobby says signs point to a storm rolling in. We’re taking the afternoon, checking on whoever’s closest. You coming?”
He had been hoping to go for a ride anyway, a short one, once Jimmy was comfortable. He already had saddlebags and a canteen on Krasota’s tack. Castiel looked up at his brother, opening his mouth to apologize, only to grimace to see Jimmy scrambling back onto solid ground.
“Go on, don’t mind me. Ellen said she was going to teach me how to make normal bread, anyway. As much as I love cornbread.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure,” Jimmy insisted, flapping his hands, urging Castiel away as he backed up.
Krasota’s ears swiveled when she saw the gesture, and she turned, trotting briskly towards the main road ahead of the brothers Winchester.
“Oh dear- oh no, Cassie, I’m sorry.” Jimmy made to hurry after her, but Castiel waved him off.
“Don’t worry. Go, you’ve been waiting days for her to teach you that.”
“If you’re sure…..”
Jimmy trailed off as Castiel secured his hat more firmly over his crown and broke into a jog. He caught up to Krasota in short order, but rather than grabbing her tack to stop her he ran alongside her. In the same showy maneuver he’d seen Meg use all those months ago, he swung himself up into the saddle without the mare slowing or breaking stride. He heard Dean whoop behind him, laughing as hoofbeats caught up to him.
“Show off!” Jimmy shouted after him, but there was a laugh in his tone, too.
It was the first time he’d tried this in front of people. Frankly he was just happy to have not fallen flat on his face in the mud, smiling broadly as the other three riders followed him out passed the buildings, galloping until they were clear. As they let their mounts slow to a walk, Eileen caught his eye, asking, “Would you show me how to do that?”
Smiling ruefully, he admitted, “You might want to talk to Meg. She’s far better at that sort of thing. That’s one of the few times I’ve managed to do it properly.”
She nodded thoughtfully at this, gaze drifting across the horizon. There were clouds coming over the sky, mostly white fluffy ones, but if Bobby said there was a storm coming, then there would be a storm. Castiel didn’t blame them for trying to get in what they could a day early. This was also not the first time Eileen had joined them, and he doubted it would be the last. He didn’t mind, she was good company, a good conversationalist. Dean only seemed to be paying enough attention to understand what was being said, but Eileen had agreed to teach Castiel sign. Sam, too. It seemed useful, he had genuinely wanted to learn, but Castiel did try limiting his own lessons to these rides. So she could have Sam to herself in the evenings.
They barely made it back in time for dinner, the sky starting to open up above them as they ran from the barn to the main house. It was still coming down steadily afterward, when Castiel hurried back out to properly tend the horses. There were some books to balance, and Sam had disappeared so that left Dean to do them. Castiel was happy to heartlessly abandon his husband to the logbooks in favor of giving both their horses a belated rubdown and getting them settled for the night.
Castiel had taken out Krasota’s bit, loosened her girth, but now he bustled about, taking everything off, setting the saddle over the stall door. He checked her water and hay, then went to fetch brush and comb. The Omega was focused on the task at hand, not paying much attention as he went to the tack room, lifting the latch and pushing it open only to freeze in his tracks.
A lantern sat on a tall stool, throwing off enough warm light to cover the small space. Including the two people in the corner, Eileen sitting on an empty bit of workbench, or at least he assumed it was Eileen. It was certainly her scent, filling the room alongside Sam’s, both laced with arousal. It also looked like her muddy boots sticking out on either side of Sam’s hips, the Alpha’s head dipped, face obscured in her neck as he mouthed scent glands, one hand splayed on the wall above her head.
While it felt like an eternity before he could make himself move, it was likely only a few seconds. He hurriedly shut the door, wincing at the sound it made. Well, at least he was the only one out here. Everyone had done all they could outside assorted living courters before the heavens opened up. Something he considered doubly wise as thunder began to rumble.
No one came to confront him or try talking to him as he finished tending Krasota, then Impala. He borrowed brushes from a spare closet, and left their tack on stall doors rather than put them away. It would be fine for a single night, he saw no reason to disturb them again.
He’d returned to the main house, and was undressing for bed when Dean joined him. Castiel glanced at the Alpha as their door was shut, asking, “Did Sam say anything to you? About asking Eileen to stay?”
Dean glanced at him, taking off his hat and ruffling a hand through his hair. “He’s been trying to work up the nerve. If he waits too long she’ll get on that train with them, whether he likes it or not. Why?”
“Perhaps we should install some sort of latch on the inside of the tack room door,” Castiel suggested thoughtfully.
The Alpha paused, belt half undone, brows shooting up. “Who was it this time?”
Yes, there would definitely be a latch, if it was so popular. “I’m assuming he asked, and she said yes.”
“Don’t tell me they were….”
“Just scenting,” Castiel sighed. “Or it was when I saw them.”
“Didn’t stick around?”
“Of course not!”
Come morning, the sky was clear, and word began circulating Eileen had indeed agreed to stay on Kripke Ranch. She had been bunking in Bobby and Ellen’s cabin, but once Jimmy and Balthazar were gone she would take the spare room in the main house. For propriety, of course, and initial enthusiasm aside she was far too practical to rush into anything. Castiel had managed to have a private conversation with her, and he felt happy for both of them. Sam was visibly head over heels, and while it was less obvious Castiel had come to the conclusion that his feelings were returned in kind. He had begun to worry, feeling he shouldn’t interfere while also being a sympathetic ear to both parties. Sam had been working up the nerve to ask her to stay since her first week on the ranch. Eileen would take any excuse to stay here, she’d fallen in love with this place as much as he himself had, but she wouldn’t impose without being asked first. A request that had to come from Sam himself, she would accept no less, even if she had begun to question if he truly did want her to stay.
It was only two days before that westbound train was scheduled to come through, but apparently he’d worked up the nerve to ask, and Eileen had said yes. Neither of her previous traveling companions seemed to mind, if anything Jimmy was downright smug, as though it had been his master plan all along. It wasn’t, but Castiel knew better than to try arguing the point.
Those last days he spent as much time as he could around Jimmy. They did plan to come back again, but neither had any notion on when that might be. Castiel promised to send honey, which his twin had developed a taste for, and Jimmy promised to send him a book from every country. In all likelihood it would be another year before they saw each other in person again. Apparently Jimmy was tired of cold winters, and Balthazar had promised they could spend them in warmer climates than what New York, Nebraska, and England had to offer.
The day their train was due to come through, it looked as though everyone on the ranch turned out to bid them farewell. As it was they had a half dozen people to escort them to Chestnut. Once there the wagon was returned, their trunks hauled up onto the platform. Ellen and Bobby both had written down their respective kitchen recipes for Jimmy, Bobby had jotted down a list of things for Balthazar to look for in their travels, all of which were unavailable in Nebraska but supposedly would do splendidly in homebrewed alcohol.
Eileen might be thrilled to stay behind, but she did still seem sad to see them go, embracing both as the train became visible in the distance. So did Ellen. As the Alphas exchanged appropriately fond handshakes, Castiel pulled Jimmy into a tight embrace, one his brother returned. He squeezed his eyes shut, focusing on Jimmy’s scent, listening to the train get closer.
“Take care of yourself,” Castiel muttered at last, pulling away just enough to grasp Jimmy by the shoulders.
“Me? I think you’ve caused more trouble here than I have in ages.”
Castiel managed a snort, smile feeling a bit wobbly. “Hardly. But it’s an honor you think as much.”
“I should think so.” Jimmy pulled him in for one more squeeze, then took a step back, turning his attention to the brothers Winchester. Skirts swishing around his ankles, he strode right up to them, leaning up a little on his toes so he could kiss each one on the cheek in turn. When he dropped back down onto his heels, he leveled a finger at them, drifting between one, then the other. “Both of them will be writing me, you understand. Should I hear of any manner of ill treatment to either of them, I will not only make a special visit, I will ensure you regret the procreation of your great-grandparents.”
“Jimmy,” Castiel protested, exasperated.
Cocking a brow at him, Jimmy asked, “You wouldn’t do the same should I speak ill of Bal’s treatment?”
He considered it, for perhaps half a heartbeat, then admitted, “I would.” Though it did amuse him, to see color draining from all three Alpha faces as the train’s brakes shrieked.
Jimmy gave him one last hug as the train lurched to a halt, steam hissing. Cargo doors clattered open, Balthazar gently pulling his wife towards the waiting conductor as their trunks were loaded. Castiel bit his lip, nose burning, eyes starting to mist as Jimmy boarded the train. As it began to pull away from Chestnut, his twin appeared at a window, shoving up the sash so he could wave at the platform. Castiel waved back, eyes locked on Jimmy until he was no longer in his sightline.
Dean put an arm around his waist, tugging him close and gently squeezing. The train was far enough away by then Castiel could hear his lowered voice when he asked, “Still not used to being separated?”
“I thought I was,” he admitted, blinking rapidly. “I’ll adapt. Besides, I doubt there’s much that would prevent those regular visits he threatened us with.”
His husband chuckled, walking him towards the platform’s back edge, where they’d tethered their mounts and left the cart. “Threatened. Sounds about right. Assuming you’re Cas.”
Castiel gave him an annoyed look. “And here I thought you could tell the difference by now.”
“I can,” protested his husband around an unrepentant smile. “Just checking is all.”
The Omega hopped down, untying Krasota’s rein as Bobby helped Ellen onto the driver’s seat next to him. On a whim, once he was in the saddle he turned Krasota westward, and blurted, “Last one home mucks the stalls!”
“Hey!”
He barely heard Dean’s exclamation of protest, keeping Krasota on the paths to avoid prairie dog holes but not bothering to check her speed. She did still love to run, and so did he. Laying low along the mare’s neck, feeling every stride, every puff of breath, wind whistling in his ears along with the steady tattoo of hooves on earth.
Castiel glanced back once they cleared Chestnut. He grinned when he saw Eileen close behind him, the brothers at a decided disadvantage, the wagon still very much in their dust. The other Omega caught up to him first, a matching wide smile on her own face, and he knew in all likelihood Sam and Dean would too. They’d complain about him not playing fair, surely, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. He was home, he was with family, and he was free.
