"Are you sure you guys don't need me to take the first watch? I'm not that tired, really," Dean asks groggily, the faces of Castiel and Benny coming in and out of focus.
Benny sighs heavily at the familiar argument. "Dean, you're human; you need sleep. And we," indicated himself and Castiel, "we're not human, and we don't need to sleep, or eat – "
Castiel snickers at Benny's last comment, earning him a "screw you" look from Benny and a weak nod from Dean, who lays his head down on Castiel's trench coat, which the angel has rolled up beneath his head.
"Mmkay, thanks, g'nite guys…" Dean trails off as he immediately begins to snore and turns on his side, pulling his legs up to his chest to lay in the fetal position. Benny and Castiel roll their eyes at the dedicated but sleepy hunter. The vampire and the angel stand with their backs to the tree under which Dean has made his bed, scanning the woods for threats, weapons at the ready. The trials of purgatory are nothing new to Benny, who has been stuck here for decades, and compared to hell, Dean would take purgatory any day. But Castiel has suffered most of all – his grace is a beacon for the other residents of purgatory stalking through the woods, and Dean will not allow Castiel out of his sight since they were reunited.
Benny breaks Castiel's reverie by asking, "How well did you know him, you know, before you landed in this place?"
Castiel shifts nervously from one foot to the other, surprised and a bit suspicious that Benny would address him directly. Up until now, he thought the vampire hated him. "We, um, well I… we were very close. Are very close. We have a profound bond." Castiel winces internally at that last comment; he knows Benny won't understand, and he will most likely make fun of Castiel for days after.
"Well don't get yourself worked up there, Wings. It was just a question," Benny chuckles and turns to look at Castiel out of the corner of his eye. The angel blushes and turns to show Benny his back again.
"I was just answering your question," Castiel says, wishing desperately for the silence he and Benny usually maintain during their watches.
After a long silence, Benny turns to look at Castiel, lowering his weapon and looking down at the weary hunter curled up beneath them.
"He loves you, you know," Benny whispers.
A pang of guilt hits Castiel in the stomach, and tears begin to well up in his eyes. He has known for a long time that what he and Dean share is beyond words; a love that has endured through so many trials, and has remained unscathed.
Benny turns away and resumes his watch, sensing that he has struck a nerve with the quiet and devoted angel.
"I just want you to know that whatever happens with this portal thing, if it even exists, I'll make sure he's safe. You have my word," Benny says quietly, turning again to face Castiel.
Castiel's grace goes cold, and his body tenses as he realizes the implication of Benny's words. Almost inaudibly, Castiel replies, "How did you know? How could you..." wondering how Benny could possibly know his plans for when they reach the portal.
"I ain't stupid, Wings. You think I haven't noticed the guilty look you get every time Dean mentions going home? You feel like this is your fault, and you gotta atone, or whatever, for what you done," Benny says solemnly, taking a step toward Castiel and reaching out his hand to touch the angel's shoulder.
Feeling Benny's hand on his shoulder, Castiel's head falls forward in resignation, ready to reluctantly accept the vampire's comfort.
"Thank you," Castiel responds quietly, wiping away the tears from his eyes and turning slightly to look at Benny out of the corner of his eye, nodding his gratitude for the first moment of relief he has felt since coming to purgatory.