Castiel thought about Michael and Dean a lot.
A lot, a lot.
He didn't want the world to end- he didn't want the world to be Hell.
And if Dean accepted Michael, then maybe that could be avoided.
At the same time though, even if the world was saved and Lucifer was defeated, Castiel couldn't help but feel bad about the whole situation. At what cost would it be that the world be saved? The world would still end for Dean.
When the war was done, say that Michael did leave Dean's body.
It was apparent to everyone- common knowledge, that Dean's soul wouldn't survive.
Hollow and empty. Virtually dead.
Castiel hated the thought. It was an equal battle in his mind between saving Dean, and saving the world.
Of course Dean could be saved if they could find God, but that really wasn't going well.
Michael was going to take Dean's body.
It was imminent.
It made Castiel feel sick.
First someone to be guarded, then a friend.
He didn't want to lose Dean.
He would rather suffer the end of the world.
Watching Dean every day, with his mannerisms that attempted to express happiness, Castiel knew how much of it was just acting.
Everyday they didn't find God, Dean feigned hope and lightheartedness.
Castiel didn't say it was hopeless- he hoped God was out there. He had to be.
Many a day passed that Castiel contemplated telling Dean "Say no to Michael. Don't ever say yes, no matter how bad it gets."
But he never did.
Not as things got worse.
Not as more and more people died.
Not as any hope they had went down the drain.
He never said it, no matter how much he wanted it.
He didn't want to lose Dean.
Not now, not ever.
[END]
