"You need to slow down before you kill yourself," Castiel said, appearing in the backseat of the Impala. Dean jumped slightly, swearing as the car swerved slightly and slammed on the brakes. Castiel appeared unfazed as he was thrown forward before slamming into the cushioned seat of the car. "See? Imagine what would have happened had you been driving around a curve."

The Winchester's eye twitched, and he pulled over on the side of the road. "It's your fault, goddamnit Cas," Dean growled, and the angel blinked at him in response. "Why are you even here anyway?"

The angel hesitated. "I... wanted to see how you were doing," he admitted. Dean softened, recognizing the reluctance and unfamiliarity the angel had with admitting his feelings. "I think I was worried."

Dean chuckled, motioning for the angel to join him in the front seat. A flap of wings later, Castiel sat shotgun. "Well, as you can see, I'm just chipper," the hunter said with a lopsided grin, but blue eyes narrowed.

"No you are not," he denied, and Dean faltered. "What's wrong, Dean?"

The man looked away, a sigh passing through his lips. He ran a palm across his face and wiped at his eyes tiredly. "I haven't heard from Sam, you know," he admitted, humorless laughter in his voice. "I'm worried about him." The Winchester hated the crack in his voice as he spoke.

Castiel looked down, brow furrowing. "I apologize," he said after a moment of silence. "It is not your fault that Sam wanted to branch off on his own, Dean."

Dean laughed. "I know that," he said, but an edge was to his voice. Castiel's hand was laid on his arm and his green eyes warmed at the touch. "I'm not getting any younger."

Indeed he wasn't, but he was still young. Castiel voiced these thoughts, and Dean laughed.

"I don't feel it, Cas," he whispered, and he wanted to punch something as he felt the tears welling in his eyes. He closed them, hoping to bridge the flood, but it only succeeded in making the river flow. "I wish I couldn't feel a damn thing."

Castiel's face softened and he leaned over, pulling Dean's head onto his shoulder. A choked sob stuck itself in Dean's throat as he cried over his little brother, off to who knows where. He cried for the life he wasn't able to provide his brother with. He cried as his angel held him, guarding him in his moment of weakness. He didn't notice when his hands wrapped around the angel tightly, nor when graceful fingers played with his tousled hair to calm him down. "I'm here for you, Dean. I promise."