A/N: A quick ficlet that I could not resist writing. Set in Season 5.
Claire was crying again.
Castiel blinked, momentarily distracted from what Dean was saying. He couldn't focus on the hunter's words, not with the child's sobs and her desperate prayer ricocheting through his head.
Please bring my daddy home...
"You okay, Cas?" Dean was squinting at him.
"Yes," Cas replied, hoping that he did not appear too guilty. This thought was followed by an odd sensation. Cas had never needed to repress emotions before.
Dean frowned, apparently trying to decide whether or not to call the angel out on his bullshit.
Castiel...please...
Cas bit his bottom lips and tried to ignore Claire's cries.
"You sure you're okay, man?" Dean's voice dropped slightly. "I know you're not doing too hot now that you're cut off from upstairs. Listen, we can't have you if you're going to be a liability. You sure you're good?"
Castiel almost smiled at this. In fact, if he remained outside of Heaven's Will much longer, became more human, he might actually smile one day. An unrestrained one, not one of his I'm-really-not-quite-sure-what-I'm-doing smiles.
"You don't need to worry about me, Dean."
"I'm not worried," reassured Dean hastily, though his hazel eyes said otherwise.
Castiel, why won't you answer me?
"I am fine, Dean," Cas promised, using his will to push Claire's prayers completely from his mind. But not permanently. Something held him back from making the final break from her prayers. Perhaps it was the remains of her father's affection for her? Was that why his chest hurt every time that she reached out to him?
"Okay," Dean replied dubiously, still frowning at the angel.
"No distractions. I promise," Castiel stated, enjoying the quiet of his mind with no child's voice crying for her father.
