Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/8164243.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Rape/Non-Con, Underage
  Category:
      F/F, F/M, M/M
  Fandom:
      Supernatural
  Relationship:
      Castiel/Dean_Winchester, Gabriel/Sam_Winchester, Ruby/Sam_Winchester,
      Jessica_Moore/Sam_Winchester, Lisa_Braeden/Dean_Winchester, Lucifer/
      Michael_(Supernatural), Castiel/Other(s)
  Character:
      Dean_Winchester, Castiel, Sam_Winchester, Gabriel_(Supernatural), Lucifer
      (Supernatural), Michael_(Supernatural), Azazel_(Supernatural), Jody
      Mills, Ellen_Harvelle, Jo_Harvelle, John_Winchester, Mary_Winchester,
      Original_Characters, Lilith_(Supernatural)
  Additional Tags:
      Alpha/Beta/Omega_Dynamics, Alpha_Dean_Winchester, Omega_Castiel, Beta
      Sam, Alpha_Gabriel, Past_Rape/Non-con, Past_Relationship(s), Forced
      Prostitution, Mpreg, Pregnant_Castiel, Torture, Babies, Hospitals, Police
      Brutality, Anal_Sex, Oral_Sex, Anal_Fingering, Mating_Cycles/In_Heat,
      Past_Miscarriage, Discussion_of_Abortion, Abortion
  Stats:
      Published: 2016-09-29 Updated: 2017-05-16 Chapters: 3/? Words: 4478
****** Lifeline ******
by artemiscrowley67
Summary
     When a baby is left outside a hospital, paramedic Dean Winchester
     offers to watch over him for the night. Soon after, police bring in
     the omega father of the child, and the omega takes the pup back in
     threat of jail time. Dean offers to help the omega get back on his
     feet, and quickly comes to love the odd man and his young son.
     . . . But will Castiel be able to get past his dark and abusive past
     to trust and love Dean?
     Please tell me if you feel like any tags to be added, and I will add
     them. I don’t want anyone to be accidentally triggered because I
     didn’t think i needed to tag something, and if that does happen, I’m
     incredibly sorry.
Notes
See the end of the work for notes
***** Chapter One *****
Chapter One:
Dean looked up from his paperwork when the smell and cry of a pup reached him.
It wasn't often that he saw pups in the ER, and he was grateful for that. A pup
in pain always made his instincts go haywire.
As he approached the source of the cries, he spotted Benny Lafitte holding a
tiny bundle of ratty blankets in his arms. The bright red face of a crying pup
peaked out of the bundle, features screwed up in distress. Deep in Dean, his
instincts pulled him towards the pup, his hind brain shouting
protectpupprotectpupprotectpupprotectpupprotectpupprotectpupprotectpupprotectpupprotectpup
“Winchester, good to see ya.” Lafitte greeted, glancing up from the bundle.
“This little guy was found outside. He’s been checked over, and he’s fine, but
he needs someone to keep an eye on his for overnight observation. You free?”
Lafitte adjusted the pup in his hold, rocking him gently.
Dean eagerly took the pup into his arms, instincts calming as the pup’s sweet
scent filled his nose. “‘Course I’m open, I've just got paperwork to do. I’ll
watch him until the Social Worker gets here.” He began to coo down at the pup,
a smile spreading across his face as the little guy stopped crying to stare up
at Dean.
Lafitte chuckled, watching Dean with the pup. “Alright brotha.” Lafitte patted
his shoulder before walking away, but Dean barely noticed, too preoccupied with
the pup. He frowned when he registered the state of the blankets the pup was
swaddled in, and set off to change them.
Once the pup had a clean diaper, onesie, and blankets, Dean settled down to do
his paperwork, pup cradled to his chest in his left arm.
The next - rather soon - commotion that caught his attention was when two alpha
police officers marched a struggling omega up to him. Gordon and Cole, both
assholes and knot heads who couldn't give fewer shits about omegas, stopped in
front of his desk, the omega held between them.
“How’s the pup Winchester?” Gordon barked, obviously in order. Dean held back a
growl, though he did stand to be level with the dick. His focus was drawn to
the still weakly struggling omega, his head down and fear smothering his scent.
“The kid’s fine Gordon, nothing more than a poopy diaper. Who’s the omega?”
Dean demanded, not wanting to deal with these idiots.
“The omega,” Gordon shook the poor guy, “is the one who left the pup outside.
Chose to take back the pup instead of being booked for neglect.” Gordon pushed
the omega forward, and the omega stumbled, righting himself just before hitting
the desk. He kept his head down still, shoulders shaking as he curled in on
himself.
Dean rounded the desk and kept his eyes on the omega as he rocked the pup
gently. “I’ll take it from here, the pup needs to stay overnight for
observation anyway.” He said, placing himself carefully between the omega and
the two knot heads.
Gordon and Cole turned away, and dean’s blood boiled when he heard Cole mutter
“Damn omega whore.”
Dean took a few steadying breaths before turning to the omega, who was still
shaking next to him. He could see the omega flick his eyes up towards the pup
occasionally, though he couldn't see their color.
“Are you alright?” Dean asked softly, trying not to startle the omega any more
than he already might have. A barely- there nod was the only response, the
omega shuffling his feet nervously.
“What’s your name?” This had the omega looking up, and Dean was quickly
mesmerized. Bright, swirling blue eyes stared at him, ringed with a darker
blue, tears pulling at the bottom, making them that much clearer.
He almost didn't hear the quiet utterance of “Castiel” through the soft
hiccuping and Castiel’s shaking voice. Dean smiled in a way he hoped was
reassuring to Castiel, adjusting his hold on the pup to hold his hand out to
the omega.
“Okay Cas, why don’t I do a quick check-up of you, and we can see about getting
you a bed for the night, and a cradle for the pup. Does that sound good?”
Castiel eyed Dean’s hand apprehensively before glancing up at the pup.
Something softened in Cas’ eyes, and he seemed to steel himself, reaching out
and taking Dean’s hand. Dean smiled more, gently pulling Cas along behind him
as he headed for the private rooms, glancing back at Cas occasionally.
When they reached the room, Dean passed the pup to Cas, who seemed relieved to
have the little boy in his arms again. Dean ducked out of the room for a
minute, coming back with a cradle for the pup, and Cas gently lay him there.
“If you could strip down and sit on the bed, I can check you over.” Dean said
over his shoulder as he laid out some supplies he had grabbed. He could hear
rustling of cloth as he pulled on gloves and readied some antibiotic ointment.
Alpha officers were never gentle with omegas, and they almost always ended up
injuring them in one way or another.
When Dean turned back to face Cas, Cas was laid out on the bed, presenting.
Dean felt his blood freeze in his veins, a lump forming in his throat, and his
stomach churning. Confusion swept through him as he scented Castiel’s fear, and
he could only gape at the presenting omega, whose eyes were screwed shut, body
shaking, and tears running down his face.
Dean made a strangled sound in his throat when the dots finally connected in
his brain. He, of course, knew that there were many illegally run brothels
throughout the city, where omega were abused and raped, but he himself had
never really seen the omegas that came from them. They were taken to a separate
ER to protect them from any alphas in the hospital’s main ER, patient or
employee. Though he had been trained in the basics of handling abused omegas,
none of that seemed to be coming to him now.
He snapped himself out of his shock, quickly wracking his memory for their
training in this. “Touch and scent are powerful agents when dealing with an
abused omega. No matter what their experiences are, they will automatically
seek out an alpha for comfort.” Naomi, his old instructor, chirped in his mind.
He knew she was largely biased to stereotyping omegas, but her advice was all
he had at the moment.
Dean pulled off his gloves, slowly approaching Cas and sitting beside him.
“Cas, bud, I need to stop presenting for me, okay? I’m not here to hurt you,
I’m here to help you.” He said gently, reaching out and placing his hand on the
omega’s back. Cas flinched and whimpered, opening his eyes to look up at Dean.
confusion and fear muddied his eyes, which almost seemed clouded over. Dean
felt something in him ache at seeing the omega like this, so afraid and
submissive.
Dean slowly lay down beside the terrified omega, cooing and whispering
reassurances of, “you’re safe” or “I’m not going to hurt you” as he coaxed
Castiel into his arms. Cas eventually, blinking past his confusion, managed to
lay down on Dean’s chest, hands clenching and unclenching in Dean’s shirt. Dean
guided Cas to scent him, the omega pressing his damp face into the juncture of
Dean’s neck and shoulder, small sobs still shaking is frame.
Dean just held Cas against him, waiting out the sobs and panic. He was
surprised that the pup hadn't started crying at his father’s fearful and
distressed scent, but apparently the pup was worry free, cooing to himself in
his makeshift crib.
Case eventually pulled away, rubbing at his wet cheeks and looking away from
Dean. Dean heard a quiet ‘thank you’ and gave Cas a reassuring smile. “No
problem bud.” Dean murmured in response. He managed to convince Cas to let him
look him over, and managed to give him the all clear.
As Dean left, he turned back to Cas, asking, “What’s the pup’s name?”
Cas was quiet for long enough that Dean turned to leave, but as the door swung
closed, he heard a soft “Thomas.”
***** Chapter 2 *****
Chapter Notes
     Hey guys, I'm not dead! I'm sorry that I suck at updating, and I
     would promise to get better if I thought that I actually would. My
     classes and family life just take up so much time, and I don't have
     my own computer, so I know it won't happen. Do enjoy this chapter
     though!
Chapter Two:
Castiel slept restlessly, worried that any moment the alpha would return, his
mind changed, and use Castiel. The best he could hope for would be to convince
the alpha to let him leave Thomas in the other room, and escape afterwards.
He’d leave the pup here, return to his master, and blame his lateness on a
clingy client. He’d still be beaten, but it’d be better than telling them where
his pup was.
Not that they cared about Thomas anyway.
Dawn came as a surprise to Castiel, and he slowly awoke, first checking on the
still sleeping Thomas, and then heading into the adjoining restroom, relieving
himself quickly.
It was another hour or two before the alpha showed up, smiling and changed out
of his uniform. Black t shirt, blue plaid flannel, and a brown leather jacket
had taken the place of the dark green scrubs, and Castiel felt a shiver of fear
go through him. An alpha not on the job was an alpha free to do as he pleased.
A frown creased the brow of the alpha as he scented the air, and Castiel
struggled to get his emotions under control. Sometimes alphas got angry when
they smelt fear, and an angry alpha might hurt Thomas.
Alpha approached Castiel, sitting on the bed beside him. He kept his eyes down,
not daring to look Alpha in the eyes. It never ended well.
“So, Cas, you sleep well or the pup keep you up?” Alpha asked, and his voice
didn’t portray any anger. Castiel must be doing something right. Castiel simply
nodded, fighting to keep his eyes from flickering over to Thomas in worry.
He jumped when a hand landed on his shoulder, holding back a whimper. “Cas, you
don’t need to be afraid bud. You’re safe here, and with me, I told you that
last night.” Alpha was looking at him strange, and Castiel didn’t know what he
was doing wrong. All alphas loved it when he was quiet and didn’t do anything,
instead sitting and waiting for orders. Why was this one so different?
Alpha stood, walking over to the crib. Castiel’s fear spiked and he shot up off
the bed, putting himself between the alpha and his pup. Alpha froze, staring at
the now crying Castiel.
“P-please, n-no, no, no.” Castiel plead, holding his hands out to the alpha.
What did he want from Castiel? Why did he have to go for his pup?! The alpha
only continued to stare, and Castiel’s knees shook, eventually causing him to
sink to his knees. It was better anyway, maybe the alpha was waiting for him to
be on his knees.
Castiel’s eyes fell to the ground again as sobs shook him. No, stop! He told
himself. Alphas hate crying!
He yelped when arms wrapped around his shoulders, pulling him close to the
alpha. He went willingly, not wanting to let the alpha’s attention leave him
again. He was surprised when the alpha started purring, running his fingers
through Castiel’s hair. What was wrong with this alpha?
“It’s okay, sh. I’m not gonna hurt you or Thomas, Cas. I could never hurt a
pup.” The alpha whispered, and Castiel pressed himself against the alpha,
trying to soak up the wonderful scent coming off of him. Most alphas smelt like
shit or a dumpster left in the sun, but this one smelt like a wood fire and
cinnamon. It made Castiel’s chest ache to know that he could never have a good
alpha scent to himself, or mixing with his.
Castiel had no idea how long the alpha held him, only that it was long enough
for him to stop crying and for Thomas to start. He stood quickly, shaking the
alpha off of him, but the alpha beat him to his pup. Icey fear shot through his
veins to see his pup in the arms of a strange alpha, but the alpha only cooed
and purred to his pup, rocking him gently and smiling down at the baby boy.
“I think he’s hungry Cas. You want to feed him while we talk?” Alpha asked,
walking over to Cas. He stood close enough for their foreheads to touch as he
slowly, almost hesitantly handed Thomas to Cas. Cas took Thomas happily, relief
making him lightheaded. He nodded in answer to the alpha’s question, sitting
and struggling to get his shirt off while still holding Thomas.
Alpha came over, gently helping to remove his shirt, warm hands brushing softly
against Cas’ stomach and shoulders. A shudder went through Cas, though this
time it wasn’t fear. A strange warmth washed through him, similar to when he
used to spend time with his brother Gabriel.
Thomas latched onto his chest, suckling softly. Alpha smiled brightly, brushing
his fingers over Thomas’ head gently. “He’s beautiful Cas. And he’s very
healthy too. He’s lucky enough to have a mom who cares so much about him.” Case
frowned at the alpha, still not understanding what he wants. No alpha was ever
nice to his pup. Not even the pup’s father.
“Cas,” Castiel looked up at the alpha, getting caught in those bright green
eyes, “do you and Thomas have a safe place to go home to?” The alpha’s voice
was soft, worry clear within it. Why would an alpha worry about him? He was
just a stupid whore with a bastard pup.
Castiel shook his head, turning his gaze back to his little pup. “His father
doesn’t want him.” He said softly, trying not to think the name. That man was
nothing good, and Castiel was glad he hadn’t taken Thomas. He shuddered to
think of what might have happened to his baby if he was left with his father.
Alpha was being quiet, just watching Castiel feed Thomas. Maybe he wanted to
take care of the pup before using Castiel? Castiel knew some alphas liked pups,
and he guessed Alpha must be one of them.
“How old is he?” Alpha asked, reaching out and brushing his fingers over
Thomas’ crown. His voice was a soft rumble, almost a purr. Castiel tried not to
let himself get lost in that voice. He needed to pay attention.
“He’s two weeks old.” Castiel told Alpha, careful to keep his voice demur. This
alpha could still hurt him, no matter how kind he was being. If anything, his
kindness was just to lure Castiel into a false sense of security, so it would
be easier to use him later. He wouldn’t let anyone use Thomas to get to him.
Not his pup.
“Cas,” Alpha started, standing and moving away from both of them, pacing a bit
around the room. “I know you probably don’t trust me, but . . . If you need
help, you’re always welcome to come to me. I could give you a safe place to
stay. A room, a bed, food . . . No one would hurt you there.”
Castiel just stared at him, brain not quite computing what Alpha had just said.
What did he want? He said no one would hurt him, but he also claimed he’d give
him a bed and food. Everything came at a price for Castiel.
But could anything be worse for Castiel than what he already went through every
day? One kind alpha that gave him a home would be better than a whore house.
But Castiel had no idea what sort of conditions this alpha was offering. For
all he knew, this alpha would lock him in his basement and charge for a visit.
Castiel had heard of that happening, and couldn’t afford to allow that to
happen when he had Thomas.
“You don’t have to tell me yes or no right away, you can think.” Alpha said. “I
can give you my number and address, and if you lose that, you can still find me
by going to the front desk in the ER and asking for Dean Winchester.”
Dean. That was the alpha’s name. Not that Castiel would be allowed to call him
that anyway. But if he needed to find him, he at least had a point of
reference; the alpha Dean who works at the hospital. Castiel wished that he was
enough of a someone for anyone to recognize him. Well, anyone aside from the
alphas who used him.
Castiel realized that Dean was waiting for some sort of answer from him, so he
ducked his head and murmured, “Yes Alpha.”
Thomas started fussing as he finished feeding, and Castiel was quick to shush
him, rocking the pup gently before bringing him up to his shoulder to burp him.
Dean’s eyes softened as he watched Castiel care for the pup.
“Well,” Dean ran a hand through his hair, letting out a puff of hair, “I guess
I’ll let you go. I’m sure you have things you need to do.” Dean stood, leading
Case to the door. Castiel followed hesitantly, trailing behind the alpha as he
led him through the halls and to the bay doors. The sun was up and the air
outside was warm. Castiel was thankful that he didn’t have to walk with Thomas
in the rain.
“Remember, if you need me, just come here and ask for me. If I’m not already
here, Charlie will call me. She’s the beta who’s usually at the front desk.”
Dean smiled at him again and Castiel felt something warm in his stomach. He had
to remind himself to not be stupid as he nodded and turned to leave, heading
back towards hell.
***** Chapter 3 *****
Chapter Notes
     Hey guys, I'm back. No, this story is not abandoned. Yes, I always
     have the intention of updating, just no clue when that will actually
     happen. I don't have a laptop, which can complicate things. Hope you
     enjoy the chapter! Sorry if it's a bit short.
Chapter Three:
It had been two weeks since Dean had last seen Cas. He had asked Charlie again
and again if the omega had appeared again, and every time the answer was the
same; no. He tried not to let himself be disappointed. If the omega hadn’t
come, that meant he’d made his choice, and he might have found himself a safe
place to stay. Dean wouldn’t have to worry about whether or not the omega and
his pup were safe and warm. But he did worry, and it was driving Benny crazy.
“You gotta let it go brother. He’s not coming back. Don’t be one of those
obsessive alphas.” Benny told him one day over lunch when he noticed that Dean
kept sending longing glances towards the bay doors from where they sat outside.
“I’m sure that between his pup and whatever else is going on, that boy doesn’t
need an obsessive alpha on his hands too.”
Dean sighed, focusing back on Benny. “Yeah, I get that. I’m not gonna track him
down or anything, and I know he’s probably not coming back. But what if he
hasn’t come because he’s hurt? Or because whatever alpha hurt him before is
keeping him locked up somewhere?” Dean could feel the urgency and fear leaking
into his voice, but he knew Benny would never judge him. Benny had helped him
through some of the worst shit in his life, the other alpha would always be
there for him.
Benny was about to answer when they heard a small whimper come from down the
alley. Dean stood up from the box he was sitting on, peering down the narrow
space between the ER and the annexed drunk tank.
A figure was wavering drunkenly, leaning against the wall slightly and holding
something to their chest. Dean could smell omega, but when he hesitantly
stepped closer, he caught a whiff of a familiar scent. The figure looked up and
glazed blue eyes met Dean’s.
“Cas!” Dean rushed towards the softly swaying omega, scooping him up in his
arms before the omega could keel over. Dean could feel something squirming, and
relaxed his grip somewhat when he realized Thomas was pressed between him and
Cas, the little pup whimpering quietly in the same way that drew his and
Benny’s attention just a moment before.
Benny came over, peering at the omega and pup in Dean’s arms. “This ‘im?” He
asked, reaching out and gently prying Thomas away, holding the pup against his
chest and following Dean inside and towards the back rooms.
“Yeah, it’s him, and he’s in even worse shape than last time.” Dean growled,
setting Cas down on the bed as he walked into the same room as before. He
scrambled around, grabbing things off of the shelves and coming back to Cas.
Benny settled down on the one plush chair, cooing at Thomas as the pup
continued to whimper.
Dean took care to carefully clean each of the wounds he could find on the
omega, after he’d had to cut the man out of the blood soaked clothing he was
wearing. A foul stench of sex seemed to hover over the omega, and Dean tried
hard not to gag. He knew there were brothels around that treated their omegas
like shit, but since he never handled their care- strange alphas were just
another risk- he wasn’t as accustomed to dealing with it, and had a harder time
controlling his anger at the omega’s pain.
“I’m surprised this little guy is as big as he is. Momma must be feeding him a
lot. Probably why Momma’s so small.” Benny said offhandedly, letting Thomas
nibble on his fingers. Dean nodded, glancing over at the alpha and pup. Thomas
was a bit big for two weeks, and he wondered how Cas had been treated when he
was pregnant. Not having eaten would explain how the omega was still so small,
so soon after giving birth.
As he continued to treat Cas’ wounds, Dean mused on how they had met. Omegas
left children in strange places when they couldn’t care for them, mostly
because a rumor had been spread that the baby drop boxes took your photo so
police could find whoever had left the pup in the box and return them. Of
course it wasn’t true- that’d be a violation of medical privacy laws- but that
didn’t stop alphas and betas from spreading the rumor or disenfranchised omegas
from believing it. Dean hated to hear that a child had been left out back or in
a location where they aren’t found until hours (or worse, days) later, but he
understood that they were desperate didn’t want to risk the police coming after
them.
Cas must have been panicked when the police grabbed him after he left Thomas,
and Dean wondered if he was somewhat happy that he had the pup back; he almost
seemed like he actually wanted the pup. Dean knew Cas didn’t live in the best
situation, and had said the pup’s father didn’t want him, so maybe he was
forced to leave him.
“Dean, you alright?” Benny’s voice snapped Dean out of his reverie, and Dean
realized he was sitting there doing nothing. He glanced at Cas and saw that all
his wounds had been cleaned and/or dressed, but he double checked to be sure.
“Yeah, just thinking. You know that I don’t work on omegas often.” Benny
nodded, still playing with Thomas.
“Yeah, makes my chest ache when I see ‘em like this. Seeing pups is even
worse.” Benny mumbled, and Dean nodded as he readied an IV for Cas. The smaller
man obviously needed the fluids. Thank God Thomas is okay.
Cas twitched when Dean inserted the IV, and the omega’s eyes fluttered open. A
confused moment of panic entered them before he focused on Dean, and he
relaxed. “‘Ere’s Thomas?” His voice was slurred, but Dean was used to
deciphering patient’s words.
“He’s right there, my pal Benny’s got him. Benny’s an alpha, but he’s not gonna
hurt you or Thomas, okay?” At the mention of Benny Cas tensed, but he nodded as
he eyed the alpha cautiously.
“What happened to you Cas? Honestly, you look like shit.” Dean asked as he
gestured to the omega’s bruised face and chest, cut lip, and bloody torso. Dean
had closed at least four lacerations on the omega’s chest.
Cas looked down at himself, obviously avoiding Dean’s gaze. “Nothing happened
Alpha.” Cas murmured, and the lie was so obvious that Dean wondered if Cas had
even wanted him to believe it.
Benny stood, walking over to hover beside Dean. “Bullshit. Look at yourself!
We’re not gonna hurt you, no reason to lie.” Dean shot Benny a warning look to
be gentler with the omega, but the other alpha shrugged.
Cas stared at Thomas before looking back over at Dean and biting his lip. He
looked like he was deliberating with himself before he spoke, as if saying the
wrong thing could end in disaster. It probably would have with wherever he
lives.
“Did you mean it?” Cas’ voice was nearly inaudible as he asked, and Dean had to
strain to hear. “Last time? What you said?”
“Mean what? I said a lot of things. That I’m not going to hurt you, that I’m
not going to hurt Thomas, that you could stay with me-” Dean started listing
things off, but paused when Cas nodded on the last one.
Dean had to hold back a sigh of frustration, he knew it would only scare the
omega. “Of course you can come stay with me Cas, I meant it. You and Thomas
both. No strings attached. I’ll just have to double check with my brother
Sammy, but everything should be just fine for you to come.”
Tears gathered in Cas’ eyes, and the omega reached out, grasping a bit of
Dean’s sleeve. “Please Alpha, please. I-I can’t . . .” Cas’ breath hitched and
a small sob escaped him. “I can’t stay there a-anymore.” He sent a look at
Thomas, and reached out for the pup.
Benny and Dean exchanged a glance before Benny lent down to hand the pup over
to his mother. Cas nuzzled the little boy in obvious relief, sending a grateful
look towards Benny. “Thank you.”
Dean sat down beside Cas, helping the woozy omega to sit up and lean against
him. His arm was wrapped around Cas as they both stared down at Thomas. The pup
was awake, reaching up happily towards his mother. Dean couldn’t stop a small
smile from forming, and he wondered idly if this is what it would feel like to
have his own mate and pup.
Shaking himself internally, Dean brushed some hair away from Cas’ face. “Cas, I
won’t leave you there, wherever ‘there’ is. I promise. I have work for two more
hours, do you think you can wait here for me to finish up? We can head home
after that.”
Cas stared up at him for a moment, seemingly pensive. He closed his eyes and
nodded, leaning in to press his nose against Dean’s throat.
“Yes Alpha.”
End Notes
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