"Dean, where's Ruby's knife?"

Sam's face appeared around the open lid of the trunk. His brow was furrowed, his head cocked slightly to the side. "I swear I put it in here."

Dean shut the bonnet of the car. "I think I left it on the table in the room. Hang on a second, I'll run back and get it." He caught the keys Sam tossed him, grateful he hadn't returned them yet. He jogged back across the car park towards the motel, and found their recently-abandoned room. He unlocked the door and pushed it open, groping along the wall for the light switch. He flipped it and the room was bathed in a garish yellow light from the ugly light fixture.

He walked over to the table by the window, where he was certain he'd left the knife, but the table was bare. It wasn't beside the beds either. Dan muttered expletives under his breath. "Where is the fucking thing?"

He turned around to go tell Sam it wasn't here, that he must have put it in the arsenal…and found his face an inch away from Castiel's.

"Damnit, Cas! Don't do that!" He blurted automatically, trying to slow his racing heartbeat by taking long, deep breaths.

Cas looked crestfallen. "Are…are you…unhappy…to see me?"

A wave of guilt washed over Dean. He softened his tone. "Look…I'm sorry baby, you just gave me a fright."

Cas's expression lightened. "It was not my intention to alarm you, Dean. I merely came here to return the knife I borrowed from you and your brother. I believe you were searching for it." He offered Ruby's knife to Dean.

"Thanks, Cas." Dean said, taking it and setting it down on the table. When he turned back to face Cas, Dean saw he had been staring, an odd expression on his face; like a cross between sadness and a soft adoration. "You okay?" Dean asked, frowning slightly and taking Cas's hand.

"I just miss you, Dean." Cas's voice was barely audible, his eyes trained on the ground.

Dean's expression softened. "I know, baby." He trailed his fingertips down Cas's jawline. "I miss you too."

Cas leant forward and pressed his mouth to Dean's. They kissed gently and slowly, like Sam wasn't waiting out by the Impala, like Gabriel wasn't waiting for Cas back up in Heaven, like there wasn't a demon in Ohio that needed dealing with. They might as well have had all the time in the world.

Cas moved to trail feather-light kisses down Dean's jaw, slowly working his way down to his neck. Dean closed his eyes and exhaled quietly, murmuring into Cas's hair. "I wish you could come on this hunt with us. Sam could get a different motel room…"

"I know," Cas breathed against Dean's neck. "I do too. But, regrettably, I am needed in Heaven."

Cas returned his mouth to Dean's. They were up against the wall when Sam's voice echoed in from outside.

"Dean? Dean! What the fuck is taking you so long, man?" He sounded mildly irritated.

Dean sighed into Cas's mouth and broke the kiss. "I'm sorry baby. I have to go."

"I understand, Dean. You have your job to do, as I have mine. I hope your hunt is successful." Cas cleared his throat and smoothed down the front of his trenchcoat.

Dean picked up Ruby's knife off the table, figuring Sam wouldn't be impressed if he disappeared for fifteen minutes to get a knife and returned empty-handed. Cas walked him to the door.

"I'll miss you, Cas. Stay safe." Dean said, kissing Cas's forehead. He felt Cas smile against his neck.

"Goodbye, Dean." Castiel paused momentarily, before adding quietly: "I love you."

His voice was so soft Dean was barely sure he'd heard him, and with a soft fluttering noise, he was gone.

Dean walked back out to the Impala, unable to wipe the grin off his face.