A/N: I wrote this story ages ago, back when Abandon All Hope aired but have only jsut got arounf to typing it up. Oh, and this is Dean/Castiel Slash so don't likey, don't read-y
Standard disclaimer applies, don't own Supernatural or any of its characters
Hope Fades
Dean stood at the sink; his hands gripping the worktop so tight his knuckles were white. Everyone was going to die, just like Ellen and Jo. There was no way to stop it, no way to stop Lucifer. The end was her e and there was no way to stop it. Everything just seemed so hopeless now and Dean just felt like giving up.
He felt someone behind him, wrapping their arms tight around his waist. He leaned back into their touch; relaxing visibly as the warmth enveloped him.
"What are you doing here?" Dean asked; his voice hoarse and full of sadness.
"Sam called," Castiel's rough and deep voice came from behind him. "He said you were upset."
"Understatement," Dean whispered as he felt the tears prickle in his eyes; threatening to fall. A choked sob escaped his lips as the events of the last few days rushed into his mind and he couldn't hold it back anymore.
"Shh," Castiel soothed as he turned Dean round until they were facing each other. Castiel held Dean's face in his hands and gently rubbed his cheeks with his thumbs; wiping the falling tears away. "They did not die in vain, Dean."
"Yes they did," Dean cried. "We couldn't kill Lucifer and the world is ending..." he continued but was stopped by Castiel running his thumbs over his lips.
"You will stop it," Castiel told him; his voice low, intense and full of hope. "I have faith in you."
That was Dean's problem; he was losing faith again. He couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel, none of them could but it wasn't going to help anyone moping around like this.
"You have to keep fighting," Castiel said. "It's all you can do."
"How? How can I fight when everybody I care about dies?"
"You just have to," Castiel leaned in and gave Dean a light kiss on the lips. There was no passion, no anger; it was purely for comfort. It was what Dean needed most.
Castiel lowered his arms until they were around Dean's waist and pulled him into a tight hug. He held Deana s he buried his head into Castiel's neck; gripping the trench coat tightly as he sobbed, letting go of all the grief and pain and finally allowing himself to break down.
When Dean woke up the next morning he was lying on the sofa, his face buried in Castiel's chest. He couldn't remember how he got there, he couldn't remember much after breaking down but lying in Castiel's arms he felt safe.
"How are you feeling?" Castiel's rough voice sounded gentle and understanding.
"Better," Dean croaked; his voice still sounding rough from the crying the night before. "Thanks Cas, for everything," Castiel smiled as Dean leaned up and kissed him gently.
"It won't be easy," Castiel told him, "But you can do this."
"Thanks for having faith in me," Dean said, a small smile passing over his lips before he leaned down and kissed his angel again.