(The story summary thing is being difficult right now so I'm putting it here.)
This is Dean, Cas, and a little bit of Sam post-hunt. The ending is left open on purpose because...well, because I'm a whimp. This is my first attempt at Destiel, though, because Tumblr makes me fangirl 24/7. Reviews are more than welcome!
PS: working on an update for As It Came became something that got completely re-worked. Darker, angstier, Destiel-ier (yes, I made that up). I'm going to repost it here and toss it up on AO3 when it's completed soon!
ENJOY! :)
A fall breeze stirs the dead leaves around him and Castiel feels Dean shiver in his arms.
"You're alright, Dean. Sam will be here soon." He doesn't know why he whispers it, and for a moment, he fears that Dean won't hear him. Dean's body racks with the shakes, probably more to do with blood loss than the chill night time air, but his eyes flutter open and Castiel inhales sharply at the familiar sight of green.
"'m sorry, Cas." Dean whispers back, green eyes trained to Castiel's blue.
"You have nothing to apologize for, Dean. You will be fine. You're always fine." Castiel presses his hand harder onto the gash on Dean's stomach, attempting to stem the flow of somuchblood. Dean grimaces and tries to squirm away, but Castiel runs a shaky and blood-covered hand through his hair soothingly.
Dean reaches an unsteady hand to cup Cas's face, "You know, don't you? How I feel?" He inhales a shaky breath and traces his thumb along Cas's cheekbone, "wouldn't feel right to leave you without you knowing."
Cas nods and Dean's words become his undoing. Tears flow, unchecked, down his face and his hand stalls in Dean's hair before moving it to cup Dean's cheek as well. "Of course I know, Dean. I know you." Dean smiles at that and Cas can feel his heart stop and that thin trace of blood running down the corner of his mouth. "This was always my fear, Dean. Be it here or in Purgatory...I can't save you; not anymore."
Dean's brow furrows as he tries to readjust in Cas's arms stiffly. "You can't save everyone, Cas."
Cas smiles at the familiar words but can feel his stomach bottoming out as he watches Dean's struggle to keep his eyes open. "No, Dean. I can save you. Please, just hold on. Sam will be here shortly."
"'m tryin' here, Cas. Ain't exactly an easy thing to do when your guts get shredded." Dean pauses, but never breaks eye contact with Cas, "I didn't think I'd die like this again."
"Then don't you die! Stay awake."
"'m tryin'! Keep talking to me. I like the sound of your voice."
"What would you like me to talk to you about, Dean?"
"I dunno. Tell me a story or somethin'."
Cas pauses and raises his eyes to the sky before speaking again. The moon hands off to the side, tucked away behind the layers of trees and the stars shine overhead, listening eagerly as well. He can feel more tears sting behind his eyes and gives only a half-hearted attempt at stopping their fall. Cas's eyes flick back to Dean's who is awake (thankfully) and watching intently. "When I found you...down there...your soul shined so brightly, even after 40 years. It was breathtaking. I held you, the very essence of you, in my hands, and somehow, you managed to shine even brighter; brighter than even the glow of an archangel. It was like you knew me, though you'd never met me. I think that was the moment I fell in love with you, Dean Winchester, without even realizing it. You were the most beautiful thing I'd ever laid eyes upon…"
Sam arrives through the woods like a thunderstorm, his feet pounding heavily and twigs giving way beneath him. He stops short at the sight of Cas cradling Dean in his arms, body twitching with worry and anticipation. Cas looks up with a tear-stained face and blinks a few times before speaking. "I couldn't - I can't save him, Sam."